Dedicated to AbbyWatson4: Someone who's writing constantly inspires me, creatively and in life

"Am I just invisible or something to this whole family!" thought Anthony angrily as he stomped down the stairs. He'd always known that Sam was their parents' favorite (she's daddy little karate angel after all) but he'd never said anything about it because he honestly didn't really care. In fact, for a while he was even glad to be left alone. It meant more time for video games but he wasn't a little kid anymore and he wanted, needed advice from his parents

This whole growing up thing is definitely not a good thing!

He felt like his whole life had become a complete mess in a matter of seconds. He'd gone from one of the most popular kids in his grade to merely another face for his classmates to mock. The girl of his dreams barely even knew his name, let alone liked him. He was being bullied constantly by Kenny Payne without a single way to defend himself (maybe that one's a little bit my fault). And the worst part of it all, no one seemed to care how he felt about his dad literally being sent to the hospital, not even his own parents!

Anthony slammed open the heavy exit door to the hospital. He didn't exactly know where he was going but it couldn't be worse than where he was. He pulled out his phone and typed out the building number in an attempt to figure out what was near. The search bar pulled up three things:

An auto repair company that wasn't owned by his family

Benny's Scoops

Jasper's Daycare

So basically, I'm stuck at this stupid place.

Anthony huffed as he dropped down onto an old bench just outside the entrance. It must have been designed for an elderly person because of the oddly cushioned seating. He continuously found himself adjusting positions, whether from the uncomfortable seating or his anger he didn't know. He scrolled his phone's instagram page aimlessly, trying to block out the world around him.

It's not like it's paying any attention to me anyway.

He saw that Zack Thompson and his other friends were hanging out at some pool party, wearing beach hats and tiki shirts. Jack's hand was even linked with another girl's from his class (Lisa, I think). In the background of the selfie, he spotted Kenny and Lia laughing together.

I can't believe it! He gets the girl too!

He angrily stuffed his phone back into his jean pocket, feeling even more defeated.

"Anthony, are you here?" he heard his mother's voice calling frantically.

"I'm right here, mom!" he shouted back without even bothering to get up.

He would have tried to avoid her but he didn't really have anywhere to go. Amanda quickly ran over, her hair tousled.

"Don't you dare run off like that again, mister," scolded Amanda as she forcibly pulled Anthony into a tight hug.

"I left for like five minutes, chill," said Anthony, pulling out of his mom's arms.

"What did you say?" questioned Amanda, sternly.

Okay, that comment might have been too much.

"Sorry," added Anthony, hoping an apology would prevent any long-term grounding.

"That's what I thought. Now's not really the time to be acting out, your father is in the hospital after all."

"I know dad's in the hospital. I've been coming with you guys everyday, not that you would've noticed if I didn't," responded Anthony, sarcastically.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Amanda, confused.

"What I mean is that you're always so focused on your work or karate or Sam that you didn't ever pay any attention to me! Not even when I come home with a black eye!" exclaimed Anthony, exasperatedly.

How can they not have noticed?! It's been going on for years now.

Amanda's angry expression turned to one of remorse.

"I've never noticed that. Have you always felt this way?" asked Amanda as she sat down on the bench next to him.

"Well, yeah," shrugged Anthony, dismissively.

Amanda suddenly became speechless as she sat next to her son, unable to find the right words to soothe his pain.

At least she might be realizing their mistakes.

"Let's just drop it and go back to dad," stated Anthony, pushing himself off the bench and storming back into the hospital's front doors.