JD,C,F: all in the downstairs living room

C: flipping through one of his captain trollpants books

F: walking around slowly Hmmm where's Branch where's Braannchhhh..

B: giggles quietly then pops out of his hair HERE I AM!

F: looks up with a gasp and smiles YAAAAYYYYY THERE YOU ARE! laughs

C: sighs and mumbles to himself while flipping a page not like y'all haven't done that fifteen times already-

JD: holding a bag of armadillo food Here comes the JD wagonnnnn suddenly pours some of it into his mouth

R: makes happy armadillo noises and runs over to him and eats the food from his mouth

C: slowly moves his book from his face ಠ_ಠ

C: ...do you have to do that with PEOPLE AROUND-

JD: says with his mouth full and Rhonda still eating out of it Yes- yes I do-

C: siiiiighhhhhhs and places his book on his lap and throws his head back trolly lord I'm trying my best-

C: lifts his head back down and looks around before realizing something Hm

C: scratches the back of his head Where in the Pineapple hair has Spruce been?? He should be here being annoying too.. or telling you lot to stop doing whatever you're doing-

JD: finishes feeding Rhonda then wipes his mouth I don't know having explosive diarrhea again?

C: Eh maybe, but for this long tho??

JD: ...extremely explosive diarrhea??

F: Maybe he's playing with his only me mirror again!!

C: Like a hermit by himself in the room?? Yeah not likely- he'd be annoying us by snapping a bunch of pictures and videos and playing his playlists of Fergie or Jazmine Trollivan

JD,F,B: all look at each other

C: ...you know what ima just- closes his book and puts it down and walks towards the stairs

JD: stands there for a second before taking his bag of armadillo food back out and turning to Rhonda with a smile

JD: Want some more?

R: makes excited armadillo noises and jumps around

---

C: is trudging up the steps Spruuuuuceeee

C: hears something coming from their room but it's muffled what in the f word is he doing..

C: Yo! Spruce! is about to get to the last step

C: hears more of the noises and realizes it's music playing and that the door is closed

C: Whaaaaa

C: walks to the door and is about to put his hand on the doorknob but stops, and just pushes it open forcefully

S: dancing SHE WEAR SHORT SKIRTS I WEAR T-SHIR- WOAH- drops his only me mirror and the music stops playing

C: is standing there looking extremely befuddled

S: CLAAAAAY.. WHAAAAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE-

C: ..well in case you somehow weren't aware brother that's only two years older than me-

S: Four years-

C: Whatever-

C: This is also my room and I can come in here whenever I want-

S: ...RIIIIGHTTT, RIIIIGGHT YEAHHHH OF COURSEEE I JUST THOUGHT- OR- DIDN'T THINK YOU'D UH- BE COMING BACK UP SO SOON?

S: slowly looks to the side a bit and slides his mirror behind him with his foot

C: looks at what he's doing then back up at him

C: ..what were you just listening to-

S: UMMMM UHHH NOTHINGGG NOTHING I WAS JUST-

C: You were listening to something-

S: NOOOO I WASN'TTTT I WAS JUUUUSTTTT.. LISTENING TO ANNOYING OLD FERGIE AGAIN YEAH-

C: blinks But- you always listen to Fergie around us-

S: EXXXACTLY WHICH IS WHYYYY I WAS LISTENING BY MYSELF SO I WOULDN'T ANNOY YOU A-

C: And I thought you just said you weren't listening to anything-

S:

S: WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH ANYWAY?!

C: Because you're acting all weird!!

S: NO- I'M NOT!!

S: picks up the mirror and bops him in the head with it

C: Ow-

S: YOU'RE BEING WEIRD!! runs past him out of the room

C: turns to watch him run down the stairs nearly tripping over himself

C: crosses his arms what is he hiding..

---

S: gets to the last step and finally trips

S: WOAH- OOF- falls on his face

JD,F,B,R: turn to look at him just laying there

JD: ...okay

F: Hi Spruce!! waves at him with a smile

S: quickly sits up HI- HEY- HEY MY BELOVED BROTHERS-

C: says from the top of the steps YOU NEVER CALL US THAT-

S: ignores him and gets up and starts moonwalking to the kitchen NOTHIN TO SEE HEREEEE JUST GETTIN A SNACKY SNAACKKK..

JD,F,B: watch him moonwalk all the way to the kitchen until they can't see him anymore

JD: raises an eyebrow

S:

S: pops his head out from behind the corner to look at them None of you heard anything that was going on upstairs right??

JD,F,B: shake their heads

S: GREAT! pops his head back in

F: Wonder what that was about!

B: shrugs

JD: blinks .....odd- anyways, TUMMY TICKLEESSSS rubs Rhonda's tummy rapidly

R: purrs while making happy armadillo noises

C: hops down the steps

C: HEY!

JD: No- TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLEEEE-

F: Hi Clay! Wanna play hide and troll seek with us??

B: HIDE AND TROLL SEEEEEEK!

C: No! You've both been playing that the entire day you weirdos! And I NEED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT!

JD: Look man I already told you your toenails WILL grow back they won't be gone forever-

C: Wh- NO- WE DON'T EVEN HAVE- UGH-

C: does a backflip and stands in front of them

F,B: Woah!

JD: Show off-

C: LISTEN!!! points to the kitchen PRETTY BOY in there is HIDING SOMETHING-

S: is humming something while rummaging in the cabinets

C: .... raises his voice I hear you in there-

S: AH- drops something

JD: pays no mind to what just happened Uh huh- and how do you figure that-

C: Did you not see how WEIRD he was acting literally just a few seconds earlier?!

JD: He's always acting weird! ALL OF YOU ARE!

C: I meant like not his usual self! Where he's criticizing or correcting our every move!

C: And he called us his beloved brothers! THIS IS THE SAME TROLL WHO SAYS HE DESPISES ALL OF US AND ALWAYS WANTS TO FLIP THE ENTIRE POD OVER-

JD: realizes he has a point and starts to think, tapping his chin Hmmmm..

JD: Gimme a sec gets up and walks over to the kitchen

C: follows behind him and hides behind a corner to watch whatever is gonna happen

F: follows and stands behind Clay watching as well, Branch behind him

F: Is he gonna call him a poo poo face??

C: slowly turns to look at him

F: smiles innocently

C: says nothing and just slowly turns to look back in the kitchen

JD: walks to Spruce Hey Spruce-

S: starting to hum again but then stops when he hears JD behind him OH- JOHN HEY I JUST- I WAS JUST GRABBING MY FAVORITE CHIPS EVERR DORITOOSS-

JD: stares down at him before smacking the bag out of his hand out of nowhere

S: looks down at the floor just staring at it

S: ...HAHAAAAA GREAT JOKES MAN GREAT JOKES YEAAAHH LOVE IT smiles weirdly while bending over to pick the bag up and slides past him

S: quickly goes for the steps without noticing Clay and Floyd at all and runs up the steps

JD: ...yep, checks out opens the fridge and grabs an apple and takes a bite out of it

C: DUGH- DUGH- stutters while looking to the steps the back to the kitchen then runs inside the kitchen

F: ....I don't know WHAT'S happening! :D follows behind Clay

B: WAIT FOR MEEEE follows with his stubby legs

C: runs to JD SEE? SEEEEEE??

JD: Yeah, you see how beautiful this apple is too right? takes another bite out of it and it's DEEEElicious-

C: Not the stupid apple! You saw how he was acting like everything was fine right?! Normally he would've lost his blueberries and smacked you with the bag after picking it up!

F: raises his hand I like blueberries!

JD: pats his shoulder while shaking his head not that kind 'ol tiger-

C: And what's worse?! HE DOESN'T EAT DORITOS!! EVER!!

JD: Okay okay! sighs what do you even suggest we do? We can't force it out of him

C: taps his chin then gets an idea

C: Hmmm.. or CAN'T we.. smirks while tapping his fingers together and chuckling deviously

F: Uhhh.. backs away while holding Branch

The camera zooms and closes in on his face until JD pops up behind him saying-

JD: Okay what kind of evil scheme are you coming up with-

C: loses the smirk and puts his hands down Oh nothing, I just really wanted to do that

---

Five minutes later

C: Okay! I'm back! walks in the middle of the living room And I've got my trusty clipboard that I'll be using for when I finally become a licensed CPA in the next twenty years! holds up a clipboard in his hand

F,B: YAAAAYYYY claps

C: And what do liscensed CPAs say when they get no respect? nods over to Floyd and Branch with a smile

F,B: say together excitedly PUT SOME RESPECT ON MY NAME FOOL!

C: YESSIIIIRRRRR MY BOYSSSSS!! points over to them while nodding

F: YAAAYYYY YOU DID IT BRANCH! claps for him

B: NOOO, WE DID IT!! claps with him

F: GAAAAASP WE DID IT TOGEEETHERRRR!!

F,B: stand up and takes his hands and starts singing WE GO TOGETHER LIKE RAMA LAMA LAMA KA DINGA DA DINGA DONG-

JD: blinks slowly ..I have absolutely no comment on whatever happened just now-

C: Yeah cause you know I'm the better older brother-

JD: AAAAANYWAYS, what exactly are you proposing that we do-

C: Well my dear square headed boss of a brother-

JD: I'm leaving- is about to get up

C: PLEASE DON'T I need you-

JD: Ughhhhh- slides back on the couch

C: But that's why I have this clipboard! I made a list of all the things we could try to get Spruce to either finally pipe up or find out on our OWN why he WON'T pipe up!

JD: Mhmmm, lemme see that takes the clipboard from him and reads through it

JD: slowly looks up at him ...you want us to pull his pants down in front of a large crowd-

C: Okay that one was kind of a joke.. kinda-

JD: Uh huhhhhh.. raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms, not believing him

C: BUUUUUUUT in retrospect that'll probably just make him hate us so yeah gonna scrap that-

JD: Okaaaayyy.. well other than that sure whatever hands the clipboard back to him

JD: What're we doing first

C: smiles

C: Wellllll.. I was thinking maybeeeee..

--

Attempt #1

S: is in their room again with the door closed, singing

C: walks to the door quietly

JD,F,B: follow behind him

C: Okay turns to them while whispering now I'll just slowly and QUIETLY open the door..

C: turns back to the door and puts his hand on the doorknob, slowly opening it up

F: Uhh.. Clay?

C: Shhh! Not now!

F: But Clay!

C: SHHHHH!

Clay continues to open up the door and the music starts to get louder, starting to see movement from inside assuming it's Spruce

F: Ah.. ah.. puts his hands over his nose

C: smirks Just a little moreeeee anddddd..

F: AAAAAAACHOO- sneezes loudly

C: YIPE- jolts forward from getting scares and causes the entire door to swing open

JD: quickly turns his head to look over at Floyd with wide eyes

S: Wh- turns to see them crouched near the door

B: Uh ohhhh slowly slips in Floyd's hair

S: WHAT ARE YOU DOING??

C: ...herdi verdi? smiles innocently

F: HI! waves

S: YOU HEARD NOTHING! runs out the room again with the mirror

C: glares over at Floyd

F: What? I was trying to tell you I had to sneeze

C: You couldn't do it QUIETER???

F: ...you can do that?

JD: facepalms

C: s i g h Okay- just- next plan-

---

Attempt #2

C: peeks from behind the wall on the staircase seeing Spruce near the couch looking around

C: pulls his head back and turns to whisper Okay, so for this NEXT plan, we PRETEND like we know what the secret is so he'll finally have NO choice but to come forward about it!

F: gasps Spruce has a secret?!?

C: slowly turns to look at him

C: slowly turns back, namaste-ing to himself not now Clay.. not now

JD: ..right- and you're sure that that's gonna work-

C: chuckles and waves his hand Oh John please.. I don't think it's gonna work at all!

JD: blinks slowly

C: But it's DEFINITELY worth a shot!

C: hops down the steps

JD,F: look at each other then follow behind him

S: feels the coast is clear and smiles and starts to take his mirror from his hair

C: jumps from the last step SPRUCE!

S: GAHHHOH GOD- drops the mirror on the floor and drags a hand down his face

S: turns to look at him What?!

C: Soooo clasps his hands together we gotta talk to ya

JD,F: walk behind him

S: About what?!

C: walks up to him and pats his shoulder, looking down

S: raises an eyebrow, looking confused

C: ..THERE'S NO MORE HIDING IT!! points at him, looking up now

S: blinks ..whaaat are you talking about

C: We know what you're hiding!! AAALLLL of us do!! looks back at Floyd and John then back at Spruce with a smirk

C: So there's absolutely NO point in trying to keep it from us since we know already crosses his arms

JD: Mhm, walks beside Clay give it up little bro

S: Oh reallyyyy- puts a hand on his hip what am I hiding then huh

C: his eyes widen a bit

C: Well.. you know! You.. you'reeee..

S: crosses his arms now, raising an eyebrow again with a smirk

C: Youuuu.. you-

F: YOU HAVE EXPLOSIVE DIARRHEA! pops behind Clay and holds his hands out, smiling

S: loses his smile and slowly looks up at Floyd

JD,C: slowly turn to look at Floyd as well

F: ...john said it first- hides

JD: I DID NO- okay actually yeah I did-

S: blinks three times You know what, yeah I've been hiding the fact that I have explosive diarrhea!

S: claps his hands together while backing up Boom, you got me!

C: OH COME ON WE ALL KNOW VERY WELL WHAT YOU'RE REALLY HIDING!

S: Then please, Clay, enlighten me! What DIRTY secret have I been hiding that you supposedly know about?!

C: ...YOOOUUUUU.. YOUUUUUU-

C: YOUUUUUU DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ROMANCE?

S:

S: Yep, exactly what I thought walks away

C: BUT- WAAAAAIT- UGHHHHH

JD: Well that went well-

C: Okay, next one is SURE to work-

---

Attempt #3

S: opens up the refrigerator to grab a snack

S: Hm.. bananas, cherries, boring-

S: closes the fridge and immediately Clay is standing there with a wide smile

S: GAH- jumps back oh for the LOVE of-

C: holds up an onion Onion??

S: blinks slowly and squints ..why would I want a-

C: Yeah the reference wasn't going where I wanted it to- throws the onion somewhere and probably breaks something idk

C: ANYWAY-

C: takes Spruce's hands gently Spruce..

S: Why are you touching me-

C: Listen to me.. walks closer to him I know how you feel.. I get how you're feeling!

S: I feel scared right now that's how I feel-

C: And it's okay! grabs his shoulders You don't have to hide it anymore!

S: What exactly am I hiding-

JD: walks up to them You don't have to lie anymore brother

S: Lie about what?!

F: pops up behind him you can talk to us Spruce!!

S: TALK about WHAT?!

C: Shhhh shh shh shh shh.. reaches his hands to his hair and gently strokes it

S:

S: You have five seconds

C: brings his head to his chest and pats it there's no need to be scared

S: I'm getting angry now actually

C: I'm here to support you strokes his hair again

S: Three seconds

C: rocks his head in his arms Just tell 'ol uncle Clay everything

S: Two seconds

C: I won't ever judge you

S: Clay I'm GIVING YOU A CHANCE HERE-

C: kisses his forehead it's okay..

S:

---

0.1 seconds later-

C: OW OKAY OW OW- YEAH- THAT DEFINITELY- OWW OW OW- is on the ground holding his leg

S: You know what, I think I'd rather starve now- walks over him out of the kitchen

C: reaches his hand out IM HERE FOR YOOOUUUUU-

JD,F: just stand over him and watch him, blinking

C: looks up at them then squints

C: ...WELL YOU BOZOS COULD ASK IF I'M OKAY-

F: G A S P Oh no Clay are you okay?!

C: Nope, too late now-

B: pops out of Floyd's hair Hehe, Clay, Okay, that rhymes-

F: Hehehehehe- giggles it does!!

C: UGHHHHH-

JD: Sooooo.. sure to work huh-

C: still groaning from pain HUSH!!

JD: sighs Look, Clay- he's clearly not gonna give in maybe it's better to just leave it- he's.. looks down at him holding his leg clearly not comfortable saying it right now

F,B: both nod in agreement

F: We should let him come to us!

C: BUT- BUT THEN HE'S GONNA KEEP ACTING WEEIIRDDDDDUHHH

JD: Maybe if we don't talk about it he'll feel comfortable acting normal around us again and even probably tell us one day!

C:

C: YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THE SMART ONE!

JD: WHAT?!

C: starts to try getting up FINE.. DON'T HELP ME, I CAN FIND A WAY TO GET IT OUT OF HIM ON MY OWN-

F: But Clay!

C: completely stands up I'll just have to go with the big guns now! hops away

JD,F: watch him leave

JD: Yeah, he's not gonna get very far-

F: What do you mean? points at Clay He's in the living room now!

JD:

JD: Grow up Floyd Turner pats his head and walks away

F:

F: My last name's turner?

---

Attempt 4:

S: sitting on his bed reading fan letters

C: bursts into the room

S: groans hearing this Oh what now-

S: turns to see Clay with 'tears' all over his face and stares wide eyed

C: SP-SP-SPRUCE!! sniFfLeS

S: Woah, Clay! climbs down from his bed and runs to him what's up man?!

C: sniFfLeS again
I DON'T WANNA GROW UP!!

S: Wha-

C: I WANT COOKIES!! throws cookies everywhere AND MILKY!! throws an empty carton of milk at his head

C: grabs his shirt and shakes him I WANT A SWEATER WITH LOVE AND THE STITCHES!!!

C: I N H A L E I WANNA WEAR TIDI-

S: waves his hands around HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD O N!

S: Milk? Cookies WHAT are you TALKING about??

C: ..wait-

C: pulls a paper from his hair and looks down at it oh- oh this isn't the right-

C: DANGIT- balls up the paper and throws it away

S: blinks twice, not understanding what just happened

S: ..Clay-

C: WAIT JUST- WAIT-

C: coughs and clears his throat then flops onto his chest

C: SPRU-HU-HUUUUCEEEEE IT'S H-H-H-H-HORRIBLEEEEE!!

S: sighs What is-

C: I FEEL.. sniFf I FEEL LIKE WE'RE NOT AS CLOSE AS WE USED TO BE!!

S: Oh really.. says completely unamused and what makes you think that..

C: WE DON'T LAUGH WITH EACH OTHER OR OR OR TEASE EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS WE USED TO.. AND IT'S KILLING MEEEEEE!!

S: We literally had an argument the other day over whether water is wet or not-

C: I MISS YOOOUUUUU!! shakes him by his shirt again PLEASE TALK TO ME!!

S: I'm talking to you right now!!

C: NO.. WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING!

S: What's everything??

C: YOU KNOWWW.. LIKE.. LIKE-

S: still staring at him unamused

C: ...LIKE THINGS WE MIGHT NOT BE TELLING OTHER PEOPLE?

S: Yeah get out-

--

Attempt #5:

S: looking around, making sure he's not being followed, then opens the door to the bathroom-

C: SPRUUUCE COME ON MAAAAN- suddenly jumps from out of nowhere and grabs his legs

S: WHAT THE- GET OFF ME!! tries kicking him off

C: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEAAASSEEE-

S: PLEASE WHAT?!

C: TELL MEEEEEEEE!!

C: I WON'T TELL ANYONE I PROMIIISEEEEE!!

S: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU-

C: HA- SO YOU ARE HIDING SOMETHING!

S: OKAY, FINE, SO WHAT IF I AM! WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL!

C: NOTHINGGGGG I JUST WANT YOU TO TELL MEEEEEEE

S: NO- NOW GET OFF ME BEFORE I PEE ON YOU-

S: manages to get out of his grasp and goes in the bathroom and slams the door

C: sighs and faceplants in the floor, just laying there

JD: walks up behind him

JD: How's it goin-

C: says with his face still in the floor
Don't- ask-

--

Attempt #6.. final attempt

S: slowly opens the bathroom door, looking out and around

S: Hmm

S: quietly walks out of it and goes into their room, climbing onto his bed slowly, still looking around

S: Oddly quiet, but.. who am I to complain-

S: leans back on his pillow with a relieved sigh, reaching into his hair to grab his mirror when-

C: standing at the door Hey Spruce-

S: no- no no no no NO NO MORE OF THIS- quickly sits up and turns to him

S: points down at him TRY ANYTHING AND YOU'RE DONE-

C: Woah woah woooaaahh chillax mannn-

C: No more of.. any of that, I promise-

S: raises an eyebrow and slowly lowers his arm, eyeing him suspiciously

C: Look, I just wanna show you something, that's all

S: still eyeing him but just a little less suspiciously and leans over the bedframe a bit

S: Show me something huh?

C: Yeah! Just- come on down here real quick!

S: Hmmmm.. okay..

S: starts to slowly climb down his bed while still looking and moving cautiously

S: walks over to him slowly

C: Just right over here in the closet! gestures over to the closet with a smile

S: ...in the closet-

C: Spruce come onnnnnn just go in and look real quick you'll see once you go inside!

S: crosses his arms then looks to the closet and back at Clay

C: smiling wide

S: sighs and rolls his eyes I'll only look if you agree to stop bothering me about my secret-

C: PROMISE!

S: rolls his eyes again and walks inside of the closet some

S: looking around Uhm, I'm not seeing anythi- WOAGH-

C: pushes him inside completely and closes the doors, quickly pushing a drawer in front of it as he holds it closed with his hair

S: CLAY?? CLAY!! CLAY!!! CLAAAAAY!!! bangs on the closet door 

C: backs away from the closet

C: shakes his head tsk tsk tsk tsk- DANG MAN I THOUGHT YOU WOULD'VE BEEN SMARTER THAN THAT- then again though I'm glad you weren't or else this wouldn't have worked-

S: LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

C: I CAN'TTTTT, NOT UNTIL YOU TELL MEEEEE!!

S: YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!

C: Well- crosses his arms and turns away then I guess you'll just be in there for a while-

S: UGHHHHHHHHH CLAAAAAYYYY!!!

JD,F: jog upstairs hearing the chaos

F: holding Branch What's going on?!

C: Oh nothing, Spruce just wanted me to lock him in the closet

S: CLAY YOU ARE SO DEAD WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE-

C: Yep, alllll good in the hood over here, just waiting for him to tell me to let him out nods

S: LET ME OUT!!!

C: Uh huh, yeah looking at his invisible nails still waiting

F: Uh, clay, he said to let him out..

C: Oh, oh did he? Sorry I don't speak "I'm not gonna tell my brother why I've been acting like a weirdo lately"

JD: Why would you lock him in the closet you moron?!

C: Well nothing else has been working! How else am I gonna get him to fess up!

JD: NOT BY LOCKING HIM IN A CLOSET DINGBAT! You're taking this way too far now!

JD: goes to the closet and moves him out of the way then pushes the drawer and opens the doors

S: OH- GOD- stumbles out I could barely BREATHE in there it's so packed!!

F: Spruce!! runs over to them

C: steps back watches them and starts to rub his arm, feeling bad for what he did

JD: You alright? backs up a little to give him space

S: Yeah, thanks

S: glares over at Clay who cringes in return then walks away to another room

C: Uhhh.. yeahhh.. rubs his hands together nervously maaay have taken it too far-

JD: Nawww ya think? says sarcastically just leave it alone man, you've been getting way too worked up over this walks out the room as well

C: sighs and looks down at the ground, shuffling his feet

F: watches John leave then walks over to Clay and puts a hand on his shoulder

C: looks up at him

F: It's okay Clay, just tell Spruce you didn't mean it

C: looks down again and doesn't say anything, but just nods slowly

F: smiles and walks out of the room, adjusting Branch in his arms

C: looks around the room, seeing that he's alone

C: ..Maybe I should leave it alone..

---

An hour or two later

RP: folding clothes in her room while humming

RP: looks at two pairs of shirts and socks and sighs, having trouble differentiating the two

RP: Having five grandsons is so fun sometimes- grabs the two and puts them to the side, grabbing another pair

RP: stops when she hears a knock at her door and looks over to it for a second Come innnnn

S: opens the door slowly and looks around, making sure none of his other brothers or especially Clay are inside and sighs in relief

S: Can I.. come in?

RP: looks up to see Spruce Oh sure hon, come on in!

S: sighs and walks inside, closing the door behind him slowly

RP: Everything alright?

S: Well.. uh-

RP: Also do you mind going to get your brothers I'm having trouble differentiating their clothes again-

S: Sure but uh-

RP: And also also if you guys are fighting pretty please cut it out- I told you to talk it out or knock on my door if you're having any issues with one another

S: I just wanted to-

RP: I know I said I'd be busy for a while but if I need to step in for anything I will-

S: UHHH you know whaaat-

S: I think I'll just- steps back towards the door find another place to call my solitude-

RP: Huh?

RP: Oh I'm sorry hon I didn't mean to ramble on! Was something wrong? Did your brothers do something

S: Well.. yes, and- no.. I mean, I guess it doesn't really matter you did say you were bu-

RP: Nope, mm-mm

RP: scoots to the right and leaves an open space and pats it for him to sit next to her

RP: If it's bothering you I got plenty of time

S: sees this and smiles a little and walks up to her and climbing onto the spot she offered him

RP: Okayyy, what's going on? gently rubs his shoulder

S: sighs Well, uhm..

S: There's..something, or- someone that I've started to grown a LOT of interest in lately and-

RP: G A S P P P Awwww you got your first crush how adorable!! What's their name tell me tell me!!

S: What?? No! I'd give that at least twenty years or so, they probably wouldn't even be a troll-

RP: Wait what-

S: And shhhh I don't want anyone to hear!!

RP: Oh, right! Sorry, go on

S: Anyways, she's a musician and I've really fell in love with her music- heck I'm OBSESSED with her music and I don't know what to do with myself-

RP: Well who is she?

S: Her name is..

---

C: is pacing back and forth in the living room, thinking to himself

C: ...why does apologizing have to be so HARD-

C: looks over to the steps for a few seconds and sighs

C: I do feel bad though.. I guess that makes it less hard

C: walks over to the steps slowly and starts walking up

C: But what would I even say? Would he even forgive me??

C: "Spruce I'm sorry you won't tell me you're stupid secre-" ughhh no no no

C: Hmm.. "Spruce I'm sorry I tried to suffocate you in the closet" ...yeah I like that better

C: is about to go to their room thinking he's in there when he hears familiar voices murmuring from inside Grandma's room and stops, walking over to the door

C: places his ear against the door and hears something along the lines of 'and that's what I haven't been telling them, but now I really won't since Clay basically harassed me the entire day to get it out', gasping quietly

---

RP: Ohhhh her, I've heard of her! She's got some nice jams

RP: But, what's the issue here?

S: I can't let the guys find out or else they'll make fun of me for the rest of my life!! Or- maybe- if we don't split apart and not see each other for the next twenty years- but you get it!

RP: blinks a few times

RP: ..well, scoots closer to him how do you know for sure that's gonna happen?

S: I just do! We already tease each other for everything else what's say they won't for something I like?! They've been trying all day to figure out what it is, more especially Clay! He's been torturing me ALL DAY!

S: And I just- I can't! hides his face

RP: Well, I definetly don't agree with them trying to get it out of you, but.. when have you ever made fun of each other for liking the things you like?

RP: Sure it may be annoying if the other person does nothing but talk about it 24/7 but, other than that, you all are pretty much normal or supportive of liking whatever you like

S: moves his hands from his face and looks up at her

RP: Like how Floyd enjoys playing with his toys or makeup, Clay with his book and captain trollpants collections, you with your mirror, and John with Rhonda.. well- for the most part-

RP: But my point is, your brothers love you and will always love you no matter what. Sure you pick at each other here and there, but never for being who you are and doing what you enjoy

RP: And if it were to ever be otherwise you already know ima step in

S: sighs yeah, I.. I guess you're right

S: I'll.. rubs his arm I'll probably tell them at some point, just.. not now, I'm still not ready

RP: smiles and ruffles his hair take all the time you need

S: smiles back at her and hugs her side

C: moves his ear away from the door, looking down at the ground with a ticked off expression

C: Seriously?! Of course he tells Grandma! Mark my words I will find out what that secret is.. he can't hide it forever, not in this small pod walks away

---

The next day, 7:30pm

JD,F,B: all in their beds doing their own things

S: is playing with his mirror again when he decides to look down over at Clay, who's in his bed holding a book over his face reading 'book to read when you don't wanna show your face'

S: thinks: Hm, wonder what that's about

S: thinks: He also hasn't been bothering me about the secret all day since yesterday.. maybe he feels bad

S: thinks: But then again he also hasn't talked to me all day so.. weird

RP: calls up to them Boysssss dinnerrrr!

F: gasp YAY!! I'm starving, come on Branch! hops out of bed and runs to the door

B: YAAAAY FOOD follows after him

S: puts his mirror down and hops out of bed as well

S: Alriiiight what's on the menu for grub toni- HEY-

C: gets out of bed and shoves past him, leaving out of the room without a word

S: raises an eyebrow at him, just watching him leave

JD: walks next to Spruce, watching him as well while holding Rhonda

S: What's his deal?

JD: Pssh, who knows walks out of the room

S: thinks: could it.. be about.. nooo, that's ridiculous- he probably just feels bad or- he probably didn't even mean to shove me- ugh, I just need food..

S: sighs and eventually leaves the room as well

---

RP: puts a plate down in front of her and sits down at the table

RP: Alright now I wanted all of us to sit at the table for tonight's dinner because I feel like we haven't done that in a while as a family!

RP: ..also because I can see some of you aren't the best at cleaning up your messes in your room after you're done-

S: slowly looks at John

JD: ...What?!

RP: NOT pointing out fingers-

RP: But anyways enjoy loves! picks up her fork and starts eating

S: picks up his fork and starts to eat as well

S: smiles a bit Mmm, this is really goo-

S: looks up to see Clay staring dead at him with an angry look from across the table, like he's about ready to tackle him

S: looks around Uhhhhh..

C: glares at him more while slowly squinting at him now

RP: Sorry, what were you saying hon? says while taking another bite of her food

S: looks at her Oh, um, nothing looks back at Clay who's still staring at him

C: angrily but delicately picks up his fork and grabs his food with it and shoves it into his mouth and aggressively but somehow quietly chews, STILL staring at him

S: slowly looks away from him and back down at his plate, eating quietly

S: siiiiiigghhhhh this food is REALLY good Grandma- is what I was gonna say- takes a few more bites

F: Yeah! I wish I could cook as good as you! takes happy bites

JD: Rhonda's enjoying it too! chews some of his food and opens his mouth for her to grab some of it herself

R: excited armadillo noise and eats some of the food from out of his mouth

S: .....yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhhh.. slowly turns away from him while poking the last of his food

RP: smiles Well I'm glad you're all enjoying it

C: Yeah yeah yeah it's good- poking at his food as well but you know what would make it better-

RP: Mhmmm?

C: If we could ALL HEAR THE LITTLE STORY THAT SPRUCE STILL HASN'T TOLD US YET-

S: finishes eating then quickly looks up What??

C: Oh come on you knowww the oneeee the one you find SO slams his hands on the table and stands up TERRIFYINGLY SCARY TO TELL FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER!

RP: Clay, do not shout at the table!

S: Ugh I knew it! puts his fork down I didn't wanna assume this was what you were upset about but I just knew it!

C: Well if you knew you would've TOLD ME ALREADY

F: Uh ohhh.. sinks down in his seat

JD: groans Oh my goddd seriously- I wanna know too but I'm not being a crybaby about like you are!

RP: Okay, okay- puts her fork down this is getting out of hand let's just-

S: Will you get over it already! It's not even that serious!

C: IF IT'S NOT THEN WHY WON'T YOU TELL MEEEEE

S: You know what- grabs his fork and plate I'm done eating, so I'm just gonna- walks over to the sink

C: WELL THEN I GUESS IM DONE TOO shoves the rest of his food in his mouth and aggressively chews, taking his dishes to the sink as well

S: is about to walk to the steps

C: stomps behind him

S: groans and turns Stop following me!!

C: WHY WON'T YOU JUST SAY IT IT'S PROBABLY NOT EVEN ALL THAT BAD!

S: BECAUSE IT'S MY BUSINESS AND NOT YOURS!!

F: EEP.. sinks his head under the table more

RP: Boys!! stands up both of you need to calm down!

C: BUT IM YOUR BROTHER! YOUR FAVORITE BROTHER!!

JD: blinks four times Sure, yeah, why ask for OUR help to get the stupid secret outta him right-

S: I HAVE NO FAVORITE BROTHER!!!

S: JUST- URGH LET ME BE!! turns away and is about to run upstairs but then feels Clay grab his arm

S: sighs Clay let go-

C: JUST TELL MEEEEEE!!

S: Ugh!! I just don't get why you CARE so much!!

C: Because it's making you act all stupid and.. ugh not you!! It's probably not even a big deal!!

C: starts pulling his arm

S: NO! yanks his arm away

S: IM NOT TELLING YOU ANYTHING SO JUST- DEAL WITH IT!! 

RP: Clay, stop it! goes over to him

RP: He doesn't have to tell you if he doesn't want to!!

C: THEN WHY DID HE ONLY TELL YOU, HUH? looks up at her

RP: her eyes widen, realizing that meant she heard their conversation the other day I-I-

S: mouth gapes slightly You were listening in.. on our CONVERSATION?!

C: I WASN'T PLANNING TO! I WAS GONNA COME SAY SORRY-

JD: Were you-

C: HUSH!

S: Wait were you actually-

C: I WAS!! WHY'S THAT SO HARD TO BELIEVE!!

S: Should you really be asking that-

C: ...ANYWAY-

C: BUT NOOOOO! COME TO FIND OUT SPRUCE DOESN'T TRUST HIS OWN BROTHER ENOUGH TO TELL HIM A STUPID SECRET!

S: I don't have to tell you everything!

C: BUT YOU SAID IT YOURSELF! IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS!

S: I meant you getting all upset about it! I don't have to tell you right now or even ever if I wanted to! And if you don't like that I DON'T KNOW WHAT to tell you!

C: But.. but-

S: NO! I'm done arguing about this, you're either gonna have to get over it or just be upset about it about it and never talk to me agai-

Just then, suddenly, from moving his hair around so much, his only me mirror falls from his hair and the music button is clicked, playing..

I don't know about you!🎶

But I'm feelin twenty two!🎶

Everything will be alright!🎶

You keep me next to you!🎶

JD,F,B,RP: look over at the mirror on the floor then back up at him

S: O____O uh-

C: his angry glare goes away and it's replaced with a look of surprise

You don't know about me!🎶

But I bet you want to!🎶

Everything will be alright!🎶

We'll just keep dancin like we'reeee..🎶

TWENTY TWOOOOOO!🎶

S: Okay OKAY you've EMBARRASSED ME ENOUGH- quickly grabs the mirror and cuts it off

S: Well, there, there it is, my sTupiD secret! You happy now?! Go ahead and make fun of me! turns away while holding the mirror

JD,F: look at each other

C: blinks one times a thousand

C: So.. walks up to him this whole time.. you were scared to tell us that you listen to TAYLOR SWEETS?!?!?!

S: WELL- yeah!! turns around

C: ...WHY????!!!

S: Because you guys would always say she's not someone I wouldn't really listen to and I'd always agree but NOW I'm here and- I just thought you guys didn't like her!

C: blinks twice ..that's so STUPID!!

S: Well thanks that makes me feel sooooo much better after I've basically been exposed-

C: I just mean like-!! Did you think we were gonna make you feel bad for it?!

S: I mean yeah, kinda

JD: Spruce, come on man- gets up out of his seat and walks towards them

JD: We tease and make fun of each other all the time, sure, yeah, whatever, normal sibling stuff- but for stuff that you enjoy? When have we ever?

S: widens his eyes a bit then looks over at Rosiepuff

RP: winks over at him with a smile

S: looks back over at them

C: Exactly! And if you felt like that you should've just told us

F: Yeah! hops down the table and goes to them we would never make fun of you!

C: I mean yeah sometimes we joke about John and Rhonda but only because of the weird stuff he does with and says to her sometimes-

JD: You would understand it all if you were me-

C: ANYWAAAAY point is yeah we said what we said but we're not gonna bring you down for liking her music, not even if WE don't like it! Heck I HATE when Rhonda freaking licks in John's mouth.. like really hate it-

JD: Okay ENOUGH about me-

C: BUT I'm not bringing him down about it because that's his thing and that's what makes him happy, and if listening to Taylor Sweets makes you happy what do we look like makin you feel bad about it?

S: smiles a little

JD: Yeaaaahh come on man get reeeaaall we're not that cruel pats his back

S: Heh.. rubs his arm I do feel kinda stupid now..

C: walks to him and pats his shoulder You should

S: rolls his eyes and to be fair you kept making such a big deal out of it and it was stressing me out! Why would I wanna tell you after that?!

C: sighs Yeah, I.. I'm sorry, I was getting pretty worked up, I shouldn't have gotten so mad, I feel bad

S: sighs and smiles, rolling his eyes playfully and wrapping his arm around him

C: smiles back at him I really am sorry

S: I hear yaaaa rubs his arm it's cool

B: ...hehe, mad, bad, rhymes-

F: Hehehehehehe-

C: ENOUGH-

S: laughs

RP: walks over to them Well I'm glad all of that's settled, you're not gonna do that again though right Claaay?

C: Yeahhhh rubs his arm again

RP: Good!

S: It's okay, he can make it up to me by dancing to the entirety of the 1989 album with me tomorrow

C: SAY WHA-

S: Mmmmmhm

C: ....I mean.. you know what? shrugs Fair!

S: walks backward towards the stairs while pointing at him You betta be readyyy cause we're gonna have a BLAST

F: OOOOH, can I join?! smiles

S: Oh heck yeah! TAYLOR SWEETS PARTY TOMORROW!! goes up the steps

JD: Oh no that's not-

F: Come on Johnnn joinnnn! Please please pleaseeeee it'll be funnnn! pulls his arm

JD: Ughhhhh rolls his eyes playfully Okay fineeee but only for a bittt-

---

Tomorrow

JD: ...I've only been here for TEN SECONDS-

S,F: scream in both of John's ears SHAKE IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFFFFFFF

S,F: dance together HEARTBREAKERS GONNA BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK-

B: jumps in between them FAKERS GONNA FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE FAKE-

S,F,B: IM JUST GONNA SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE-

C: moonwalks to John while dancing

C: Wow- I thought I'd be the one losing my mind but it's actually kinda catchy- bumps John's side

JD: Yeah I guess it is.. when I'm NOT BEING SCREAMED AT FROM BOTH SIDES-

C: laughs oh come on you should be used to it at this pointtt, NOW GET YOUR SQUARE BUTT UP HERE-

C: runs over to the rest of the brothers

C: I NEVER MISS A BEEEAAAATTT-
I'M LIGHTNIN ON MY FEEEEEET-

JD: raises his eyebrow but then smirks and shakes his head chuckling to himself, eventually making his way over to join all of them in the fun