I walk into the living room, once again feeling the claustrophobia from my stupid stuffy house. Dad gathered us all here for some reason, but sweat drips down my neck as it is the first time our family has been in the same room, since he died. He brought us all together but after he was gone, we realized how different we were. Mom is sitting on the couch, trying to avoid an argument I have to sit in the stiff wooden chair. Dad’s in the rocking chair, but Ash hasn’t arrived yet. “Where is that idiot boy?” Mom says and I groan earning a glare from both mom and dad. I glare back at them, I don’t have any more respect for them, and I’m tired of being expected to like them just because they made me. “Ash is not a boy or an idiot, and you both know it. They’re probably smarter then you guys combined.” I growl. Ash walks in and I stop glaring at my parents. They’re wearing their headphones around their neck like they usually do, to escape to a melody at any time. I spent my money buying medicine for him though, if only those stupid little pills had worked. Don’t think about this right now. We’re all as far away from each other as possible, each in our own little corner of this square box that’s a house but not a home. Finally, when the tension gets too uncomfortable dad speaks up “I think we all know why we are here today. It’s… Bens birthday.” Of course we all know. How could we forget? How could we forget that Ben, my twin, and my best friend, would be turning 18 today if everything had gone as planned. I know it’s weird that my birthday is tomorrow, but the truth is I was born at 11:59 pm, and he was born 12:02 am. “So since emotions are probably running high, does anyone want to talk about anything?” “As if you’d listen.” Ash mumbles under their breath and I chuckle. Mom screams “SHUT UP!” Before dad calms her down. She pushes him away and glares around. “Mature. Very mature.” I mutter under my breath. I suddenly realize there are tears stinging my eyes. What did I do to deserve parents who don’t take care of me, or love me? I have to be strong though, for Ash. I take a deep breath, making the tears leave my eyes before anyone notices them. So what if this family is broken? I don’t care! Why should I? I don’t deserve this, but there’s nothing I can do until tomorrow, where I can leave and NEVER look back.