"What the hell is wrong with you?"

He's at it again. He's always at it, I guess, but it's one of the times I notice. I look at him pathetically as he seethes.

"It's 2 A.M. You almost made me call the cops! Where did you go?"

I stare down at my shoes. The leather of the loafers is scuffed from all the running I have to do in them. I blame Ferris.

"Ferris and I had a movie marathon. It went a little longer than I'd thought. Sorry."

I know it's not true, as we spent most of the night painting peoples' houses with fluorescent paint. He knows it's not true, either. He snorts.

"Movie marathon. How original. That Ferris kid probably had you out doing something illegal. Probably should have just called the cops and picked up your sorry ass from jail in the morning."

I feel myself flinch no matter how hard I try not to. Seventeen years of this and it still cuts me every time.

"Well, we weren't, so…."

"That's bullshit and you know it, kid. I always said Bueller was a bad kid. Hopefully next time the cops will keep him in jail. Teach him a lesson."

Before I can stop myself, I say, "He won't. He's too good for that."

A slight smirk settles onto his face.

"Oh, really? And you would know this, how?"

I swallow thickly and go back to staring at my shoes. I'm in deep shit and I know it.

"Ah, so you admit to being a part of the crimes, have you?"

I shake my head in an attempt to rid him of such thoughts, but I've already been caught. He walks towards me and yanks my chin up so I'm looking at him dead in the face.

"You know, it's a good thing you're my son, or I'd have you sent to the police in handcuffs for what you get yourself into. And you could thank your friend Ferris for that."

I frown and pull away.

What's so good about being related to you anyway? It's not like you care about me."

That earns me a slap, which I should've known was coming. When I face him again, he has gone red.

"Watch, your attitude, boy. I don't appreciate the smart ass comments. Think carefully or you might find yourself without car privileges for a while. Now go to your room."

I keep my head down as I pass. He smacks the back of my head for good measure before he heads back to his own room. It's a good thing Mom wasn't here, or I'd have to sit through another shouting match that would have started because of me but focus on their problems instead of mine. By now I'm too tired to get real pajamas on, so I end up still in the slacks and t-shirt I wore all day. Before I fall into darkness I wish for me to wake up in a new house with parents who care.

When I awake in the same room of the same house with the same people, I realize how useless wishes can be.

A/N: Just a little something I had floating around. I hope you all enjoyed it. Please read and review. All opinions are welcome.