The alarm started ringing with a force that seemed like it could break the walls. But rather than waking Smart, who was in the room, it seemed more likely to wake up the neighbors.
Morning light gently filtered through the windows, but it didn't bother Smart, who had buried his head under the blanket.
His arms and legs were spread out like a plane, and it was clear he had no intention of leaving that comfort that surrounded him.
He could feel the alarm ringing but had no strength to move.
He stuck his hand out from under the blanket once or twice, searching for his phone, but couldn't find it.
He stayed with his head under the blanket, unwilling to reveal himself.
For a moment, he thought:
"Why doesn't this damn alarm stop before waking up the little monster behind the door?"
But he couldn't finish his thought when a sleepy voice shouted:
"Smart, please turn off the alarm, you're driving me crazy this early in the morning."
"Yeah..." he said quietly, without lifting his head from under the blanket.
He stuck his hand out again, checked, but still couldn't find it.
"Hurry up for God's sake, I'm coming!" the irritated voice yelled.
"Alright, alright, one moment..." he replied.
While trying to move by turning in bed without opening his eyes, a noise was heard and the door slammed open with a bang that irritated Smart's ears.
Surprisingly, the alarm stopped right then.
Smart thought for a moment and then muttered under his breath:
- Well, how nice... you ugly alarm, couldn't you stop a few seconds earlier?
- Smart! - Zoi shouted.
- Hey... what's wrong? - he mumbled, barely uncovering his head, but keeping his eyes closed.
- I tried to find my phone, but I don't know where it is... maybe it's hiding from me? - he said playfully, smiling like a little bunny.
Not even a minute passed before he slipped back under the blanket.
Zoi clenched her fist and her tone grew louder:
- Do you want me to punch you? What do you think, should I mess up that pretty face of yours?
Smart got up immediately, uncovered his head, and started rubbing his eyes a few times. Finally, he managed to see Zoi's irritated face.
Her blonde hair, tied up on top of her head, made her look not like a monster... but like a little Barbie doll.
She looked like an angel, with those deep green eyes and long lashes that fluttered gently every time she blinked.
No matter how hard she tried to glare angrily, it was clear it was just a facade - because she couldn't hold that "threatening" look for long.
Zoi was the perfect sister... or at least, that's how she seemed on the outside.
Her biggest hobby? Talking... a lot.
She couldn't stop her mouth.
And here she started talking:
"Smart, you spoiled child, you always do this in the morning.
My ears are tired of your ugly alarm every single day.
I feel like grabbing that phone along with you and throwing you both out the window.
You know what? At least set a nice melody so I can wake up dancing.
What kind of music do you have? Like a horror movie soundtrack!"
Smart sat up in bed and tried to catch Zoi's rhythm, because she spoke so fast he didn't catch some of her words.
"Breathe," he said, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at her head
"Hey Smart, do you have a death wish or what?!" - shouted Zoi as she grabbed a pillow and threw it straight at his face.
"Zoi, stop! What are you doing?! I'm still half-asleep..." - he groaned, quickly pulling the blanket over his head.
In that moment, an evil idea sparked in Zoi's mind. She knew exactly what Smart couldn't handle - tickling. And the mission began.
As soon as she moved closer, Smart peeked his head out and pointed a warning finger at her.
"I'm warning you - don't you dare do what I think you're about to do..."
"Oh? And who's going to stop me? You?" - Zoi laughed loudly, then immediately attacked, tickling him without mercy.
He started twisting and turning in bed like a little kid, laughing and squealing at the same time - a total mix of emotions.
"No- no, please! I can't take it anymore!" - he gasped through laughter, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
But Zoi didn't stop.
In that moment, she looked exactly like a little monster who had just begun her favorite game - and her victim?
Smart - her beloved brother.
"Zoi, please... just let me sleep for five more minutes," Smart mumbled, rolling over in bed again.
"Not even a minute! Get up, right now!" she snapped, grabbing him by the legs and trying to drag him out.
"Just five minutes, I'm begging you..." he whined, dragging out his words.
"Come on, lie down here with your brother too," he said, pulling her by the arm.
With a dramatic pout and a deadly glare - though her eyes sparkled playfully - Zoi lay down beside him.
He immediately turned to her, grabbed her, and started returning the favor - mercilessly tickling her back.
"Smart! Stop! Don't you dare!" Zoi screamed, grabbing his ear with both hands.
"Okay, okay! I stopped! Let's just stay like this for five more minutes."