The Afton house was quiet. William and Clara had gone out for a couple of hours to run errands, leaving fourteen-year-old Michael in charge of the house. "Call us if you need anything," William had reminded him before leaving. Michael had simply nodded. Now the house was peaceful. Michael sat on the living room couch with a blanket over his lap, quietly reading a book. Evan sat on the rug nearby, completely absorbed in building a city out of wooden blocks. Elizabeth wandered from room to room with nothing to do. She paused in the doorway of the living room. Her eyes landed on Michael. He wasn't doing anything. Just reading. Evan looked up from his blocks. "Can you help me with this tower later?" Michael smiled softly and gave him a thumbs-up. Evan grinned and went back to playing. Elizabeth frowned. Even Evan always wanted Michael. She walked farther into the room. "Michael." He looked up from his book. Elizabeth folded her arms. "You're always everyone's favorite." Michael blinked, confused. He slowly shook his head. "Yes, you are," Elizabeth snapped. "Mom and Dad are always asking how you feel. They always make sure you're okay." Michael lowered his eyes. He didn't know how to answer. Speaking was difficult, especially when he was caught off guard. Elizabeth looked around the room until she spotted one of the decorative throw pillows on the armchair. Without thinking, she picked it up. Evan looked over. "Liz..." Before either of them could react, Elizabeth threw the pillow. It smacked Michael in the face, knocking his book into his lap. Michael stared at her in surprise. The room fell silent. Evan quickly stood up. "Why'd you do that?" "Because I'm tired of him!" Elizabeth shouted. "Everything's about Michael!" Michael slowly picked the pillow up from the floor. He looked at Elizabeth for a moment before quietly placing it back on the couch. He didn't look angry. He just looked hurt. Evan stepped in front of Michael. "That wasn't nice." "You don't get it!" Elizabeth yelled. "Everyone cares about him!" Evan frowned. "I care about you too." "No, you don't!" "I do!" "You always ask Michael to play with you!" Evan looked down. "...Because he's nice to me."