Tom sat in his room, listening with satisfaction to the spill of insults Bill was shooting through his door.

“You’re obnoxious and cocky and retarded and I hate you!” Bill yelled, pounding the door belligerently. He paused and then said, “Shut up!”

Tom laughed. “I didn’t say anything!”

Another pause. Then, “You were going to before I stopped you!”

Tom rolled his eyes. He refrained from laughing when Bill said, “I heard that!”

He stood up when he heard Bill storm away, and then heard the back door open and close. Tom opened his door, looked both ways, and walked to Bill’s room. He rooted around until he found Bill’s notebook. He opened it.

The notes.

There were so many. Tom flipped through and found that every page had been filled. He closed the book and took it back to his room, where he sat on his bed and started reading.

It wasn’t what he expected. It wasn’t all whining. Bill mentioned him at least nine times every entry, whether it was in comparison or if something had reminded him of his brother.

Bill sounded pretty desperate. Like he didn’t know exactly what he was supposed to be doing on the planet. He heard his door open and looked up to find Bill staring at him in horror. “What are you reading?” bill asked quietly.

Tom laughed. “Your diary.”

Bill didn’t blink. He cleared his throat and said, “Why?”

Tom considered. “I don’t really know.”

Bill looked down and frowned. “Well?”

“Well what?”

“Well. Laugh.” Bill looked up angrily. “If you’re going to laugh, hurry it up. Get it all out.”

“I’m not going to laugh.” Tom looked straight at his brother.

Bill sighed, and walked over to sit on Tom’s bed. “Tom… We can’t ever do it again, you know.”

“Billa, I don’t want to anymore.” Bill stared at Tom, so he continued. “I’m…over it. And I know what you mean. And I agree. We’re done.”

Bill sighed with relief. “Thank you.”

Tom grinned at Bill’s expression. “But you can still come to me any time you’re scared, little bro.”

Bill rolled his eyes. “Thanks, short stuff.”