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Daniel was the last to hop off the back of Big Joe’s truck. His bangs were getting annoyingly shaggy, and he tried to whip them out of his line of sight. He turned around and stuck his tongue out as the rusty old truck rumbled away, its worn tires kicking pebbles in its wake.
He was only a few steps behind Sean and Finn. The two older boys seemed engrossed in conversation — Finn going off about anything and everything, and Sean letting out a soft chuckle here and there. Every once in a while, Finn tapped Sean’s shoulder to emphasise a point and Sean playfully retaliated with a nudge of his elbow.
Daniel gave his brother a scowl behind his back, shoving his hands in his pockets. Finn was his friend first, not Sean’s! Why was he giving Sean so much attention lately? It wasn’t fair.
“C’mon now,” Finn drawled, “let’s see that hand o’ yours.”
Sean grumbled under his breath, shaking his head in defeat. “Alright, alright,” he conceded, showing Finn the palm of his right hand.
Daniel got up on the tips of his toes to try to see what Sean was showing Finn. Finn took Sean’s hand in his, rubbing his thumb across…something, but Daniel couldn’t get a good look.
Finn hissed through a grimace as he closely inspected the other boy’s hand. “Yikes… That’s one hell of a cut ya got there, Sean.” He nodded as he scratched his chin. “I can help ya get patched up back at camp, no stress. Nurse McNamara is on the case.” Finn winked.
Sean let out a snort. “Is there no one else that can help me?” he teased in mock exasperation.
Finn shrugged, walking backwards for a moment to face Sean. “Sorry, but we’re short staffed! I’m all you’ve got, sweetheart,” he replied with a smirk.
“Hey Finn?” Daniel piped up, scurrying over to the older boys and making sure to sandwich himself between them.
Sean nearly tripped over his younger brother as he snapped, “Jesus, Daniel, what’s your—”
“Why do you always call Sean ‘sweetheart’?”
All three boys came to a sudden halt. With his hands on his hips and a determined look on his face, Daniel had his eyes fixed on Finn. His question hung in the air, and for a moment, the forest around them seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Daniel raised an eyebrow, impatiently awaiting a reply. Sean quickly glanced at Finn, who cleared his throat and looked at Daniel.
Sean walked around his brother and to Finn’s side. Trying to keep things light, he replied, “Finn’s just being friendly, Daniel. It’s not that big a deal.”
Finn nodded, placing a hand on his hip. “Well, yeah, that’s true. I am bein’ friendly,” he added. “But I care about your big bro too. A lot. He’s…real special.” He looked at Sean with a subtle gleam in his eye. “One of a kind,” he finished softly, resting his hand on Sean’s shoulder.
Daniel grimaced, still not quite understanding why his big brother was getting such special treatment. He watched Sean and Finn closely. Sean glanced at Finn, his eyebrows raised in surprise, while Finn simply smiled back warmly.
The younger Diaz shook his head dismissively. “But… I’m special too! And way cooler than Sean!” he argued. His older brother rolled his eyes, but Daniel couldn’t care less.
Finn chuckled lightly. “O’ course you’re important to me too, Daniel! You’re a knife-throwin’ master. I’d be stupid not to have you on my side. You’re my secret weapon, little man,” he said proudly.
Despite Finn’s reassurance, Daniel still felt slighted, like being Finn’s ‘little man’ wasn’t enough. Second fiddle. Third wheel, even. He grew more aggravated, clenching his fists. “So then… why can’t I be your sweetheart too?”
Sean sighed and tried to diffuse the situation. “C’mon Daniel, let it go,” he said firmly.
Daniel wasn’t ready to back down. “But that’s not—”
“Drop it, Daniel,” Sean bit back through gritted teeth.
As Sean and Finn resumed walking towards camp, Daniel stewed in his jealousy. He watched them continue their conversation as if nothing had happened, completely oblivious to his feelings. He noticed a massive log lying on its side not too far ahead of them, bathing in the evening sunlight that filtered through the forest canopy.
A devilish idea came to his mind. He couldn’t stand being sidelined anymore. With unwavering determination, he extended his hand and furrowed his brow in concentration. A surge of energy pulsed through him as he channeled his powers. Slowly, as if obeying his silent command, the log began to lift off the ground.
It hovered a few inches in the air, the heavy cracking of its bark echoing in the clearing. The forest responded with a chorus of rustling leaves and creaking branches, as if nature itself was applauding Daniel’s mischievous prank.
Sean and Finn stopped dead in their tracks, their conversation abruptly cut short. Finn took a cautious step back. “What the… Are you seein’ this, Sean? Am I high right now?” he muttered in complete shock.
Sean spun on his heel, his face contorted in anger. “DANIEL! What the hell!” he reprimanded loudly.
With a triumphant smirk, Daniel quipped, “Who’s the sweetheart now?”