The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the Lawrence household. Anthony Lawrence sat at the kitchen table, a bowl of cereal in front of him that had long since gone soggy. He glanced around at his family, each member a quirky piece of the chaotic puzzle that made up his life.

His older sister, Samantha, was the epitome of teenage cool, with her shoulder-length dark hair and a keen sense of style that made her look effortlessly chic even in sweatpants. She was always scrolling through her phone, seemingly oblivious to everything around her but fiercely protective when it mattered.

Anthony’s father, Daniel Lawrence, was the classic dad—charming, with a bit of grey at the temples, and always full of energy. He had a knack for turning everyday moments into life lessons, but sometimes, Anthony wished he’d just let things be. His other dad, Johnny Lawrence, was the wild card—a former bad boy with a heart of gold, his blond hair perpetually tousled as if he’d just stepped off the beach. Johnny’s sarcastic remarks and unexpected wisdom kept the household lively, but they also sparked debates that often spiralled out of control.

As Anthony absentmindedly stirred his cereal, Samantha broke the silence. “Hey, Dad, what do you do if you’re getting bullied?” she asked, her eyes still glued to her phone.

Daniel paused, considering the question. “Well, the best thing is to talk to an adult about it. They can help you figure out how to handle it.”

Johnny scoffed, crossing his arms. “No, no, no! If someone’s bullying you, you fight back! Show them you’re not afraid.”

“Yeah, because that always works,” Daniel shot back, irritation creeping into his voice. “Violence isn’t the answer, Johnny. You should know that by now.”

Anthony rolled his eyes, watching the familiar argument unfold. This was his life—a constant tug-of-war between his dads’ conflicting philosophies. He couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “This is why I never tell them about my problems.” It was exhausting to see them go at it, and he didn’t want to be the catalyst for another one of their ridiculous fights.

Samantha looked up from her phone, smirking. “You know, this is a classic case of ‘pot calling the kettle black.’ You two were rivals growing up, and now you’re married.”

Both dads turned their attention to Samantha, each taking a defensive stance. “That’s not—” they began simultaneously, before Johnny threw his hands up, cutting Daniel off.

“Hey, we were kids! It was a different time!” he said, though a slight grin crept onto his face.

“Right, because nearly karate-chopping each other is the foundation of a great relationship,” Daniel shot back, half-smirking.

“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it,” Johnny replied, nudging Daniel playfully.

As their banter continued, Anthony sat back, shaking his head. He loved them both, annoyingly so, but he wished they could just stick to one topic without sparking a flame. He realised that their history—a mix of rivalry and eventual romance—was a reflection of the complexities of life. They had started as enemies on the karate mat, each vying for supremacy, only to find common ground and love. But that wasn’t exactly the advice he needed right now.

“Can you two just chill for five minutes?” he interjected, trying to sound more annoyed than he felt. “I just want breakfast in peace.”

Samantha rolled her eyes, and Daniel turned his attention back to the stove, preparing waffles while Johnny poured himself another cup of coffee. The smell of syrup wafted through the air, momentarily distracting Anthony from his thoughts of Kenny.

After breakfast, Anthony retreated to his room, grateful for the brief respite from the chaotic breakfast conversation. He plopped onto his bed and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his messages.

Just as he expected, there was a text from his best friend, Devon. “Hey, did you finish the maths homework? Need it ASAP!”

Anthony sighed. Devon could be so disorganised sometimes. He quickly replied, “You really need to pay attention in class, Dev.”

A moment later, he sent over the homework details, feeling a mix of annoyance and fondness for his friend. They’d been through thick and thin together, but Devon’s tendency to procrastinate always drove him crazy.

Once the message was sent, he turned his attention to his own homework. Maths had never been his strong suit, but he pushed through, trying to keep his mind focused. Yet, as he scribbled equations on the page, his thoughts drifted back to Kenny Payne.

“Ugh, that jerk,” Anthony muttered to himself, frustration bubbling to the surface. Kenny had made it his mission to torment him since the beginning of the school year, and Anthony had yet to find a way to stand up to him without feeling like a coward. The constant fear of encountering Kenny in the halls gnawed at him, making every day a battle.

Thinking about Kenny only made his stomach churn more. How could someone who had once seemed so harmless turn into a bully? He had no idea what had changed in Kenny, but it was infuriating.

The tension in his chest tightened as he thought about how he wished he could just get through high school without all this drama. But here he was, stuck in a loop of anxiety and anger, unable to escape the cycle Kenny had created.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “Focus, Anthony,” he said to himself, but it was no use. The image of Kenny looming over him in the hallways kept resurfacing, reminding him of how much he hated being at the mercy of someone else.

With a frustrated sigh, he pushed his books aside, knowing he wouldn’t be able to concentrate any longer. He needed to distract himself, so he grabbed his phone again, scrolling through social media and seeing the perfect lives of his classmates. Everyone seemed to be having fun, enjoying their teenage years, while he was stuck battling bullies and navigating the complexities of his family life.

As the minutes ticked by, he realised that he was dreading going back to school. He had a long day ahead, and the thought of facing Kenny again made his stomach twist. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he could handle this. He just needed to find a way to get through the day without letting Kenny get to him.

“Just keep your head down, do your work, and avoid him,” he muttered to himself. But as he left his room and headed downstairs, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was far from over.

Maybe he would talk to Devon later, get some advice about how to deal with Kenny. After all, he couldn’t keep bottling everything up. He needed a plan, a way to stand up for himself without losing everything else in the process.

With his parents’ voices carrying through the house and the scent of waffles still lingering in the air, Anthony braced himself for whatever tomorrow would bring.