"Now remember, he needs to have his homework done by-"

"Midnight, got it."

"And lights out by-"

"Don't let him stay up past 2 AM, I know."

"If he gets hungry-"

"You have it all laid out in the fridge. We've done this before, Mr. Roberts. You and Alexis go out and have your fun, okay? When you get back tomorrow, your house won't be burned down and your son will not have been eaten by bears, just like every other time."

Mr. Roberts sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "Sorry, Ade, I know we can trust you with him. It's just, he's been so rambunctious lately, I don't what's gotten into him. He doesn't listen, argues all the time, you should hear some of the things his mother lets him get away with. The boy's only 12!"

"He won't get away with it while I'm here," I say proudly, flexing my arms. "Your wife already said I can slap him around if he gets mouthy with me, but I don't think it's gonna be a problem. All the boys get rebellious at his age; some a little earlier, others later, but they all need some time to see what they can get away with. Will's a good kid, and he likes me. We'll be fine, and he'll grow out of it soon enough. Now stop worrying about it and go; your wife's gonna leave without ya!"

Ducking his head and muttering another apology, which I promptly close the door on before he can finish, I let out a heavy sigh. Good man, that Mr. Roberts, but such a worrywart. I don't know what I would have done if Mom had been half as controlling. Then again, maybe she could have stood to put her foot down a little.

Peeking at the Roberts' family mirror I can see why, despite years of good behaviour, they still don't fully trust me. A tanktop two sizes too small that leaves my toned abs exposed (not to mention the way it hugs my tiny tits), hot pants that would get a Hooters employee fired, and tattoos running up my powerful legs in lurid displays; all of that adds up to the worst stereotypes of tomboys nowadays, not that I've ever been concerned. Sure, I like to roughhouse a bit with the guys, and my track record's pretty damn unbeatable at this point, but I still focus on my studies like a good girl. Straight B's across the board, even on my chest, not that any boys with any sense would ever say that.

The soft pitter-patter of feet from the stairs marks the only other person in the house; William Roberts, though I just call him Will, comes running into the foyer with a big grin on his face. Before he can ask the obvious, I say "Yep, your parents are gone, we got the whole house to ourselves until 8 PM tomorrow."

The kid pumps his fist. "Yeah! You're not gonna make me do all that boring stuff, right?"

I scoff and head towards the living room. "Do I look like I care? Far as I'm concerned, you're already done with homework and all that other shit." At his growing grin, I stop and slap him in the back of the head, adding, "And don't you dare say that in front of your parents. I'm not taking any of the blame if you're not keeping up your grades, ya got that, squirt?"

Will pouts at first, but still manages to regain that smirk he's famous for in a few seconds. "That's why I love you, Ade. Can we play some games then?" he asks, throwing his arms around me in a hug.

Ugh, he's so clingy, yet I can never really hate him for it, even if he needs to stop saying he loves me. I ain't his mom. "Fine, but only if you got something fun. I'm tired of playing with cards or your stupid shooting games."