Next Day – Devis House
Justin, shivering and clutching his arms, looked up at Jonathan with pleading eyes.
Justin: "Can… can I not go to school today, please? 🥺"
Jonathan hesitated. 😶
He turned to see Amber, Emily, and Thomas all silently giving him the "send him" look.
Amber: "It's fine… no need. He's not feeling well anyway." 😐
Justin's eyes widened in relief.
Justin: "O… my… tha… 😶"
Amber: "I'll take them. Your dad can stay here with you, alright?" 😐
Justin: "What?! No! I'm coming with you guys!" 😤
Emily, teasing, mimicked him:
Emily: "But didn't you say you didn't want to come to school? 🥹"
Justin folded his arms dramatically across his chest.
Justin: "If sis is driving, then I'll sit in the front seat! 😤"
Jonathan looked at him, pretending to be hurt.
Jonathan: "So… everyone likes sis more than me?" 😤
Children, chiming in almost at once:
Children: "Yes!" 😤
Jonathan: "What the… I'm hurt. 😐"
Amber, unfazed, turned to him:
Amber: "Don't you want to get to work early? You have that meeting, right?" 😐
Jonathan sighed.
Jonathan: "Yeah… but…"
Amber: "Go on, get out of here, and hurry! 😐"
Jonathan left, sulking as he walked down the stairs, muttering under his breath. 🥺
Justin grinned mischievously, looking at Amber.
Justin: "He's so easy to manipulate, sis 😏"
Amber rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a small smile.
Amber: "Just wait… school will be trouble enough today. Let's go." 😐
The children followed her out, their chatter and laughter filling the hallway as Jonathan's sulking figure disappeared behind them.
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