My Best Friend's Brother

Sleepover

Aria and Malcolm sat on the couch watching TV, they had just finished their homework, when the phone rang and Lois answered it for the third time.

“Hello. Hello? Listen, pervert, this is the third time you’ve called, and I have just about had it --” Lois cut herself off, “Oh. Hi, Stevie. Sorry, uh. . . Malcolm, phone!”

“Hey, Stevie.” Malcolm answered, as Malcolm talked to Stevie, Aria made her way into the kitchen to grab a drink when she noticed Reese looking at something. 

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” Reese quickly hid whatever was in his hands, Aria stared at him for a moment with narrowed eyes before shrugging and going back to what she was doing. “Hey, I have a question.”

“I might have an answer.” Aria turned around to face him again, Reese was quiet for a moment but before he could speak Malcolm interrupted them.

“Come on, Aria, I’ll help you with your math homework before I go.”

“Okay, one sec.” Aria replied before turning back to the older boy. “What’s your question?”

“Uh, nothing. Forget it.” Reese shook his head, dismissing their conversation, Aria stared for a moment before shrugging and following Malcolm.

A few hours later, Aria and Malcolm walked out with him holding a bag ready to go to Stevie’s house. 

“Hey, Mom, I’m going to Stevie’s.” He called out as he made his way to the door. “Later, Aria.”

“You be nice to that boy. He can’t walk. If he needs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, you get up and help him.” Lois lectured as he walked out, he waved and was out by the time she was finished.

“Yes! There’s a Chucky movie on tonight.” Reese cheered as he looked at the channel pamphlet.

“Not in this house. You know how your father feels about evil puppet movies.” Lois was quick to shut him down.

“Please, Mom. It’s not even a school night. I can stay up.”

“You really think you’re old enough?” Aria knew where this was going and to be honest she found it amusing every time.

“I totally am.”

“Well, if you really think so.” Lois rolled up her sleeve and placed her elbow on the counter ready to arm wrestle.

“Aw, Mom, no fair.”

“What’s the matter? Afraid you can’t beat your mommy?” Lois taunted, causing Aria to snicker. Reese glared at her before taking a deep breath.

“She’s just a person, she’s just a person.” He repeated under his breath as he placed his elbow on the counter and grabbed his mom’s hand.

“Oh, no. He’s finally going to win.” Hal walked into the kitchen as he read the newspaper before noticing his wife and son arm wrestling with Aria watching on trying to hold back her laughter.

“What’s he playing for tonight?”

“Bedtime and a Chucky movie.”

“Stop screwing around and pin him.” Hal panicked, he was not a fan of horror movies. Lois pinned Reese easily causing him to groan in annoyance, his parents went off to do their own thing and Reese grabbed Aria’s wrist as he dragged her away.

“What are you doing?” Aria asked as she struggled to pull herself out of his grip.

“You’re gonna help me prove that I’m mature enough to watch Chucky.” Reese grabbed the phone and began to press buttons. “I’ll call my grandma, that’ll show them.”