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Everyone is eagerly waiting for mom's mysterious breakfast at the dining room, dad joining us soon after. Cassandra quickly pulls out her plushies to cater her story telling, while Casper interrupts her adding more gory details to each of the characters.

Dad just laughed hysterically and because of its contagious sounds, we unconsciously followed, our bodies hardly able to keep up with the racket.

"What's so funny?" mom snickered as she plates the food.

"The armadillo monster is going to destroy the teddy bear with its spikes while Ms. Barbara saves the day!" Casper shouted, taunting Cassandra.

"You got it all wrong! Casper, it's, it's..." mom finally presents the breakfast in front of their faces, putting away the toys slowly.

"It's sunny side up, bacon with oregano, pancakes with berries and peanut butter!" mom presented, everybody's eyes widened with anticipation, targeting which piece to devour first. Even dad's face brightened up with the delicious presentation of bright yellow yolk and deep red raspberries.

The loud clanging of tableware, the excessive munching and slurping are the reassuring sounds of a truly tasty and mouth-watering breakfast. I stare reluctantly at my plate.

"The food will get cold, Caleb, you're hungry, eat," mom looked up with her mouth still full of pancake. What's the point of trying to feel bad? I am hungry and this breakfast is a rare occasion. I should enjoy it.

After the hearty meal, everyone was asked to gather in the living room, seeing four large cardboard boxes. Dad quickly stopped us, stepping himself between us and another mysterious surprise awaiting for us.

"Ah ah ah, no touchy yet, you don't know what might be waiting inside," Catherine saw this trick a mile away, scoffing and rolling her eyes. I wasn't so starstruck with the idea but I was still hopeful for something good from the cardboard boxes.

Cassandra on the other hand was dying to pry open and spill its contents as quickly as she could. Casper questioned dad endlessly. Mom had to pluck both of them off dad, giving him space to breathe.

"Everyone is getting something special, so first, Caleb, our birthday boy," for a moment I didn't even realise that I just had my birthday yesterday because everything happened too quickly. The sound of my name didn't feel real, are they even sure they are calling the right person?

Everyone's undivided attention felt exactly like the embarrassing moment on my first day, the piercing eyes, the unconsented laughter and white grins, being their passing entertainment. To have all this attention; felt like being under the brightest spotlight and highest pedestal.

They all had a reputation to keep, let alone become a target of an unfavourable incident. Pick on the most quiet, the most sensitive, the most stupid, that's how they survive. Thriving now behind my back at any given day, but the worst part is, I let them.

Fire began burning from the soles of my feet as I moved towards dad. His outstretched arms looked like a bear-trap ready to encase me in a smothering grip, how cuddly. The more I tried to resist the temptation to look around and admit to my horrors I always believed in.

Regardless if they are family, friends or just plain classmates, those smiles all felt like masks to me, hiding their true feelings of disgust, hatred and sourness. Why do they feel that way?

The light is too bright to see everything properly anyways. I smile back at each of them, dad pulling me in, squeezing my shoulder and shaking me a tad bit too hard, the taste of breakfast came a bit untimely.

"What are you waiting for, open it?" as I slowly bend down to reveal the surprise, unfolding the flaps carefully to find a folded suit, a red backpack, snacks and an earphone set. My eyes widened, never expecting any of this to actually be for me.

"Caleb isn't saying anything, does he not like it?" Casper peeking inside my surprise waiting to grab everything I'm not enthusiastic about. I wanted to retort back but that would have been inappropriate. Instead, mom spoke out saying, "Give your brother some time, not everyone reacts the same way you do."

That returned the smile to my face, bursting out from the ground and hugging dad around his lean neck. My stomach felt heavier knowing how much I've taken from my parents and what I'm doing now doesn't seem enough to please them.

My nose flared up and the motion of tears were brimming at my eyelids, I forcibly restrained myself once more. Stepping aside while the youngsters tore their boxes to shreds, I went to hug my mom too, whispering in her ear, "Thank you." Even though she didn't reply, I could hear her voice in my head replying back. I turn around to see Casper,

"I got new sports shoes!"

"I got Mr. Wish Dragon plushie! And he's big!"

Catherine hesitated like me but quickly screamed in excitement, "You got me all of these clothes?" Slowly pulling them out one by one, adoring herself and imagining how she would be like as she twirls in the streets. Her mouth gaped wide open in disbelief.

Her happiness felt like mine too, and I think mom and dad would have loved to see this side of her. After all of the trials she faced, it only seemed more than deserving to have her cardboard box filled to the brim with all the latest, fashionable and trendy outfits.

Casper and Cassandra wrapped around dad, crawling all over him and Catherine trying her best to fit in. Then, Mom pulled out her phone from her fanny back, taking pictures left, right and centre.

Everyone laughed at the calamity we caused and the mess we've made, filling the house and my lonely heart for a brief moment.

When we all stopped in our tracks as dad's phone rings on the dining table. Dad picks up the phone from his pocket. Dad laughed loudly for a while, scaring us slightly, his face lightning up and looking at each one of us. What could this mean? My body stiffens, so does mom, I grip my shirt tighter, trying to stop my palms from sweating more.

Casper and Cassandra's head hung low, retreating quickly away and into mom's arms. Dad squeezed Catherine's palm in assurance as he made his way back to the living room.

"Ok, baguslah, jumpa hari Isnin, terima kasih!" laughing again before he puts down the phone. Awaiting his response, biting my lip, predicting the many bad outcomes. "Great news! Dad got a promotion and a new deal from the company!"

Once again, the happy screams returned even though we barely understood what Dad said but I looked at Cat, knowing one thing is for certain: with Dad's new job, he's going to be further away from us. Mom knows the feeling too, glancing at our worried expressions.