I know I'll never be my parents' favorite kid—that much is clear to me.

My older sister, Ada, will always be far more loved than I. I mean, she's their first kid, after all... It's to be expected, really. She's also the only daughter of theirs... But, given the fact that she's 21, she's moved out and we don't see each other that often.

Growing up, I really tried to interact with Ada... I really did, but no dice. Every time she was having drama with a friend of hers or her boyfriend at the time was just being an asshole, I tried to lend a comforting hand... A shoulder to cry on, but she always turned it down... Every single time... No matter what I tried.

Even as small kids, Ada didn't really want anything to do with me—--she much rather enjoyed spending her time ignoring me... Forgetting that I existed.

It's still the same now when you think about it.

Now that she's moved out, Ada says she needs to focus on college... on getting her degree in engineering. Ada said she needed time 'away from all of us'... to really figure out her place in the world... And that distance meant me too.

I did try to reach out to her before—--a year ago—--just to ask her how things were going, but she just simply ignored me... Not like I blame her for doing that anyways—--if I would've been in her shoes, I probably would've done the same thing... I mean, I'm kind of annoying, honestly.

My younger brother, Marek, who is eleven, is loved by my parents more than anything in the world... And yes, I truly mean anything.

Marek can literally set the house on fire and they wouldn't bat an eye—--matter of fact, they'd probably praise him just because and claim something like "I was getting tired of that house anyway" or "I totally wanted to remodel, this made it so much easier".

And once again, my parents' attitude towards Marek is to be expected... He's the youngest child... The baby of the family.

Marek hates my guts... The amount of times he's come up behind me and pushed me down the stairs, resulting in me concussing myself, is unreal—--it's damn near a daily occurrence at this point, it seems.

And then there's me... The middle child. The one who is always forgotten in every aspect of daily life. They don't talk to me unless they want to yell at me or throw something at my head. I seem to be a complete and utter screw up to them all.

My parents don't believe in having left-overs, so they make just enough food for everyone—--with a little bit extra as wiggle room. When I say they make food for everyone, it's just for my parents and Marek... They never make anything for me... I always have to cook it myself or see what things we have in the cupboards.

One time I had even walked into the dining room, asking if there was anything left that I could have and my dad looked me dead in the eyes and scraped the remaining food onto his plate and said, "Sorry, we're all out."

My family even forgets my own birthday... I don't get gifts or hugs or even simple kind words... No "happy birthday, Jupiter" ever. Once upon a time ago, I used to get birthday cakes and stuff, but that was until Marek was born... And on my fifth birthday, I was in for a nasty surprise... Finding out I was totally forgotten.

The only family member of mine who seems to remember my birthday is our two-year-old springer spaniel, Mars. Mars had even brought me a stick as a present for my birthday last year... He's a good boy... And he's just about the only one who even cares about me.

My mom calls out as I play with Mars, "Come on, Arnold... We're taking Marek to go back to school clothes shopping."

My dad jumps up and gets his things ready, going to ruffle my brother's hair. "Yes, of course... We need our precious, handsome little man looking flawless for his first day of sixth grade."

"Certainly," my mother replies. "He needs to stand out from all the rest. He's the most handsome kid in our home."

My father nods. "Most definitely." He looks over in my direction, giving me a blood-chilling stare as my mom and Marek head out to the car. My dad lowers his voice. "And don't you dare think about stealing the spotlight from him tomorrow."

I put my hands up in surrender. "Got it... I'll just look as repulsive as ever."

"Good boy," he says with a grin before heading out. He gets into the car and they drive off.

I hold my breath until I know they're gone. I exhale and look over to Mars. "Okay, boy... Wanna go for a drive?"

Mars barks excitedly and wags his tail, wildly.

I grin, putting his leash on and then grabbing a bowl.

I swipe a keyring from its display near the door—-it belongs to an old, beat-up pickup truck in our garage; my dad keeps saying he's gonna fix the truck, but honestly? I don't think he ever will. I think it's just some side project he's gonna keep putting aside on and on—--forever.

We step out into the garage and I can already feel the hot summer air piercing the sky.

I groan. "Well, this one's gonna be miserable, huh, bud?" I get Mars into the passenger seat, setting down the bowl before getting into the truck myself and driving off.

My parents had never taught me to drive—--it had been my grandfather who did... I loved my grandfather... But just like one of the only people who ever cared—--Carmichael—--he had passed just a few months prior.

We drive down the dusty roads, windows down.

Mars pants, his tongue lolling out.

I listen to the wind outside instead of listening to music—--it's so serene.

Finally, we pull into the gas station and park.

"I won't be long, Mars... I'll keep the truck running so you don't overheat." I pat the dog's head before I head into the store. I pick up a few quick snacks and a few bottles of water, coming up to the front and placing them on the counter, waiting for the items to be wrung up.

"It's a hot day out there," I say, trying to make conversation, expecting it to be the usual middle aged guy behind the counter, Greg... But it's not. It's a girl... And she looks like she's around my age.

She's got her hair pulled back in a ponytail—--wavy and curled... Dark hair with blonde highlights. Her eyes are bright hazel.

I feel a lump start to form in my throat, trapping the air there.

"Sure is," she says with a laugh. "I thought I'd be able to escape the heat when I moved here, but I guess not." She starts to ring up my items.

I glance at her name tag but I can only see part of it. Cat.

"Will this be all?" she asks me.

I nod, finally unfreezing. "Yeah... It will be."

"Okay..." She hits a few keys on her tablet. "You travelling alone?"

I shake my head. "N-No... Not exactly... I'm driving around... with my dog." Holy shit, I think this is the longest conversation I've ever held with anyone.

"Oh? Dog?" Her eyes seem to light up more than I thought was possible. "I love dogs. What kind?"

"A springer spaniel... He's two," I say.

"Ah... So, technically still a puppy?" she begins. "But like... A really old puppy."

"Yeah, technically," I agree.

She glances at the window and laughs. "That your dog?"

I look over to see what she's talking about. Mars is peaking out of my window. "Yeah... That's him... That's my Mars."

"Mars, huh? Cute name." She pauses and then says, "$7.94."

I fish into my pocket, handing her a ten. I take my bag and the change, giving her a quick, friendly smile. "Have a good day." I start towards the door.

She calls after me, "You too! Tell your dog I said hi!"

I chuckle to myself, heading back to the old truck and get in, ushering Mars back to the passenger side. I put the change back in my pocket. "Hey, Mars... Guess what? The nice lady behind the counter there says hi."

Mars barks loudly in response, wagging his tail.

I pull out a water bottle from the bag that I set down and start pouring some of the contents of it into the bowl I took with me. "Drink up, bud. It's a hot day."

Mars immediately lurches forward and starts the lap up the water at mach five.

"Buddy... You're my best friend, you know... Well... Only friend technically." I pause, inhaling, placing a hand on his furry head. "But that's to be expected... It was only natural, after all. My name's Jupiter... Yours is Mars. ...you know—--" I pet his head until he's finished. "Finished, bud? Ready to go home?"

He barks.

"I-" I stop talking, listening to thunder crackle overhead. I had noticed earlier the low lying, darkening clouds, but I had just brushed it off.

My dad had mentioned something earlier about a supercell making its way through.

"Oh, so—--" I'm cut off by a faint tornado siren in the distance. My silver eyes light up almost instantly... If there's anything I'm fascinated by, it's weather... In middle school, I was obsessed with all of those storm chaser videos... I sort of aspired to be one eventually. I give Mars a quick glance. "Wanna see something cool?" I speed off, taking the truck down the northwest Hoosier roadways, hoping to catch up with the front of the storm.

While I didn't quite get in front of it, I did come to see the thin funnel shape from the sky... It had already passed through the area.

I parked the car and stepped out, the wind roaring in my ears. I looked over to the side, noticing the uprooted trees and damage done to a few trailers not too far off. "Looks like an EF-2."

Mars barks from the car.

I pull my phone out, opening the camera and tapping the screen to get it to focus. I take a few shots of the beast and then a quick video before getting back into the car and turning around. "Alright Mars... Ready to go home?"