"Abby!" I suddenly yelled, snatching the book from her. "Why did you take this?"

"Owen," Millie warned. "Don't yell at her like that."

I realized my mistake when I saw that everyone was looking at me with disapproval in their eyes and Abby had started crying loudly.

"I, I just wanted to—! To see the books in— In your bag!" Abby sobbed as she tried to explain.

The family began to vacate the living room because of the noise. Mom muttered, oh dear, while getting up to go clean the kitchen after dinner. Dad who is always quiet got up to find a quieter place, most likely his bedroom. Max shook his head at me while he went to his bedroom as well. Ryan turned the volume up on the TV to drown out the crying and pretended like it wasn't happening.

Millie was the only one who offered comfort for Abby while she glared at me. "Feel better now?" she asked me.

I looked down at the destroyed comic book in my hands. I feel something even more intense than awful. I'm not sure if there's even a word for how I'm feeling right now. I made Abby cry and I ruined the one thing a possible friend let me borrow that he loved with all his heart and soul. No matter what I do or how I try to resolve the situation, I doubt it will be enough for anyone.

"I'm sorry..." were the only words I could mutter out while Abby still cried. The words felt empty even to me.

"You should leave now," Millie said.

I felt her words were right. That's all I could do now. I slowly got to my feet and trudged to my room. I continued to stare at the comic book. Then I figured I should find some kind of solution to give Eli whether he takes it or not.

I rummaged in my closet to find my piggy bank. I've been saving up the money that my parents rarely gift me for birthdays and Christmas. I brought it to my computer to look up how much the first volume of MLOHHMED was. When I saw the price and counted the money in my bank, I sighed. Either I really hadn't saved up much or the first volume was expensive because it would take all of it to buy another one for Eli.

But I had to push my disappointment down thinking about all the things I wanted to buy later for myself. I have to focus on repairing what I broke. I can keep saving up for several more years. I'll even get a job after high school so I'll be able to save up more. I'll give Eli all I have right now. I hope he can understand and not hate me too much.

When I saw Abby the next morning before school, I kneeled next to her. She didn't want to meet my eyes.

"Abby... I'm really sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to make you cry. This comic book means a lot to a classmate of mine. I know you didn't know that and I know it wasn't your intention to ruin it, but I ask that you be careful next time. I have to apologize to my classmate now too since I was only borrowing it from him. If it was mine, I wouldn't have gotten angry. I hope you can forgive me for yelling at you."

Abby sniffed. "Okay... Sorry... It just looked fun..."

"It's alright. It'll all work out in the end. We can read comics together on my phone later, okay?"

"Really? After school?" She pleaded with big eyes.

"Of course. I'll see you after school." I rubbed her head as I stood up.

She nodded and beamed brightly.

As I went to the door to leave the house, Millie was leaving as well. She looked at me for a moment with her hand on the doorknob.

"Don't yell at her again," she finally said.

I lowered my head. "I won't..."

"Good. Just keep smiling." Then she left and closed the door behind her.

I paused before leaving as well. It's strange how nice she is to Abby compared to the rest of us. Sometimes I think she is being nicer to me, but then she adds something else that throws me off again. I'm not sure what she's thinking.

When I saw Eli and Wayne at school, I immediately apologized profusely. I showed them the ruined comic book and the money I took out of my piggy bank.

"I'm so very sorry I managed to ruin it after only a day! I hope I can at least pay you back for it! You counted on me to take care of it but I failed greatly! I'm so so so sorry!"

They were both quiet and I couldn't dare meet their eyes. I saw Eli grab the ruined book before finally speaking.

"You have younger siblings, don't you? I could recognize this damage anywhere... I have two little shits at home myself... They always ruin my things and I hate it! They've already ruined so many of my comic books, that's why I keep my most prized one in plastic and on a high shelf!"

"Your twins are cute though, I like them," Wayne said.

"You can only say that because you don't live with them! They're little monsters!"

I slowly raised my eyes to look at their faces. They aren't mad? Eli doesn't hate me? Or has he just not gotten to that part yet? He suddenly met my eyes and I steeled myself for a verbal lashing.

"It's alright," he said, causing me to be stunned. "I'll take the money since you did ruin it, but we're good. Did you get a chance to read it before it was ruined?"

"Ah... No..." He's really not that mad. He even said we're good. I'm shocked.

"You'll have to come over sometime then. I won't let you go your whole life without experiencing this kind of pleasure!" He sounded defiant.

"Only you think of it as a pleasure," Wayne said.

"I can't be the only one! Stop saying such mean things!"

"You're just too obsessed with that comic series, it's weird."

"You're weird! Now go back to sleep already!" Eli shoved Wayne's head down onto his desk.

"If you rub my head, I'll fall asleep immediately."

"There's no way I'm doing that!!"

Pfft... I accidentally let out another laugh. I quickly covered my mouth when Eli looked at me.

"By the way, what's your deal with laughing? Just do it. I know we look absurd."

Wayne turned his head to look at me too. "Your laugh is pretty cute."

Cute...?! Did he really just say it's cute?! Please don't play with my emotions like that... I said I can't crush on anyone again...

"I just don't want to be rude..." I bashfully admitted.

"It's fine," Eli said. "When he acts like this I can't help but laugh too sometimes."

"You think I'm funny?" Wayne asked him.

"Not really. I said sometimes."

"Bummer. I like hearing you laugh."

"Shut up!!"

I noticed his face get flushed as Wayne closed his eyes, seemingly unaware. Oh... So they're... quite close... Right, it'd be stupid to form a crush so quickly anyway. I'll make sure it never reforms for the sake of Eli's feelings, and my own.

After that, class began but I was distracted thinking about how Eli really didn't get very mad. He even said something about me going over to his house sometime. Is that a genuine invitation? Can I really? Does this mean we're friends...? I really hope we can be friends... I hate that I still hope despite everything that happens to me...

Yet before I knew it, I had wound up at Eli's house one day. I glanced around his room while I sat on the floor. I admired the full bookshelves he had on almost every wall. Wayne had taken over his bed like it was his and was fast asleep. Eli had left to the kitchen to bring water and snacks.

While I waited for Eli, the door creaked open and two pairs of eyes stared at me through the crack. I waved.

"Hello there!"

They seemed startled when I greeted them because they seemed to jump and run away. They came back after a few seconds though. They inched into the room and I could see them better.

Twins. One boy, one girl. They wore similar clothes with the same color scheme. The girl spoke first.

"Who are you?"

"My name's Owen, what's yours?" I asked kindly.

"Ruby..." she said, looking timid.

"Jack..." the boy said behind her.

"Nice to meet you both! You know, I have a younger sister myself. Her name's Abby. She's around your age."

"Abby?" Ruby asked, a sparkle in her eye.

Wayne turned over. "I want to meet Abby."

Jack pointed at Wayne. "Bed monster!" Then he ran to jump on the bed and attack him.

Wayne let the kid harmlessly hit his hand.

"Ruby, help!"

"No way! We never win!"

"We'll win one day!"

Wayne suddenly grabbed the boy and tucked him in with him as he tried to doze off again.

"Agh, the bed monster's got me! Ruby, grab my hand!"

Ruby hurried over and pulled on her brother's hand. But he didn't budge.

"No!!" Jack cried. "I don't wanna take a nap again!!"

Eli entered at that moment. "What is going on in here? Ruby? Jack? I told you to stay out of my room! Wayne, let him go!"

Wayne let out a dissatisfied grumble before releasing the boy. Jack ran into Ruby's arms, reunited once again. Then they ran out of the room together. Eli shook his head.

"Those rascals... Sorry if they bothered you."

"Not at all!" I said. "They remind me of my sister Abby."

"I want to meet Abby," Wayne repeated.

"Why do you like children so much?" Eli asked, sitting on the floor with me with a tray of snacks and water.

"I've always wanted younger siblings. They seem like a lot of fun."

"Like I keep saying, you'll never understand how much of a pain they are until you live with them for years."

I couldn't help thinking to myself that my older siblings are more of a pain than Abby is. While she can be too much sometimes, I wish she'd grow up and be better than my other siblings.

"Now then..." Eli began, grinning. "Shall I show you my most prized possession?"

Even Wayne got up as we went to Eli's closet. When he opened the double doors with both hands, a shrine was revealed with the first volume of MLOHHMED in all its glory. It was on a high enough shelf that children couldn't get to it but might be able to reach it when they're a little older. Eli suddenly put his hands together and lowered his head.

"May the author bless us again today..." he muttered.

Wayne put his hand on his head. "The author isn't a god."

Eli smacked his hand away. "Of course they are! They created such a masterpiece after all!" He closed the closet and turned away to find a bookshelf. Then he started pulling the many volumes of MLOHHMED off of it. "Come take these, Owen! We'll read them all today!"

I quickly took them before they fell out of his arms. Wayne caught one that I almost dropped as well. Then we sat in a circle on the floor with our snacks in the middle.

"I bought the first volume again with the money you gave me," Eli said while rubbing his face against it. Then he handed it to me. "It's time for you to read it."

I carefully opened it to the first page. The main character, Melanie, was shown in all her glory. The next panel showed King Henry as they both quietly stared at their dinner plates.

"You're right, the colors look so much more amazing printed!" I exclaimed.

"I know right?!" Eli said.

"You're both dweebs," Wayne commented.

I flipped through the pages and watched the story unfold between them. "Leo! He's my favorite! And how can you not love Honey! I was so happy when she got to ride him finally. They make such a great team! Oh and when they beat Henry and Prince in a race, I was so excited I wanted to scream. They also stood out so well at the hunting competition. I was so surprised by that bear and I'm glad Honey stood his ground. He's such a brave horse! It really made me want to go horse riding and make friends with them myself. Honestly I'm kinda sad that Henry is the male lead. Leo is so much greater. I'm sure everyone who reads MLOHHMED falls in love with him!"

I had flipped through all the pages and finally finished my rant. It was quiet now that I was done. I slowly lifted my head, realizing the mistake I made. I was met with eyes staring at me. Uh oh, I got too comfortable and spoke too much again. They're going to act awkward and never talk to me again. Why can't I keep my mouth shut...