### A Mother's Unfair Advantage
Draven narrowed his eyes.
He was certain his mother would throw paper.
There was no doubt in his mind.
So when his own hand revealed scissors and hers came down as rock, he could only freeze.
For a moment, he simply stared at their hands.
A single bead of sweat slid down his temple.
Across from him, his mother smiled sweetly.
"Aw, honey… is something wrong? You don't look too good. Maybe you should just accept your loss and behave like a good boy."
Draven's eye twitched.
*Like hell I will.*
He forced a shaky smile, even as more sweat trickled down his face.
"Mom, don't you think telling me to give up when you haven't even won yet is a bit—"
**WHACK!**
Her hand came down in the middle of his sentence, smacking the top of his head with a sharp, practiced slap.
Draven's eyes flew wide.
"AAAAAHHH!"
A high-pitched scream escaped his mouth as he clutched his head and dropped to one knee, as though he had just been struck by divine punishment.
*Jesus Christ!*
He gritted his teeth, frantically rubbing his scalp.
*What the hell?! It's like my skull's being torn apart!*
Tears pricked the corners of his eyes. He slowly looked up at his mother, his expression filled with disbelief and betrayal.
"What was that for?!"
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Watch your tone, brat. I'm your mother."
Draven continued rubbing his head, his lower lip trembling slightly as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
*What did I even say?!*
"Hey…" he began, muttering under his breath. "You could've just told me instead of—"
He stopped.
His mother's shadow loomed over him.
Her smile had disappeared.
Her eyes narrowed.
"...Hmmmm? What were you saying?"
Draven swallowed.
His heart began racing.
*Crap. Did she hear that?*
He immediately forced out a shaky, painfully obvious laugh.
"I-I said… I'm sorry. Yep. Totally my fault."
His mother puffed out her cheeks, looking rather pleased with his response.
"Good! You know when you're wrong."
She unfolded her arms and smiled cheerfully.
"Now that that's settled…"
She raised her hand again.
"Let's continue!"
Draven blinked.
Still kneeling, he slowly rubbed the growing bump on his head.
*I kinda feel like she hit me for no reason…*