His brother and sister loved their dad more because their dad was fun, didn't tell them no, and just had fun with them, unlike their "strict" mom. But to Nate, at the age of 16, it was clear that their dad was just immature and irresponsible. Candy and ice cream instead of a proper dinner? Sure! Watching cartoons late at night, even though it would disrupt their sleep schedule? No problem. Not going to school just because they didn't feel like it? Pfft, well, in any case, why do you even need a school? This doesn't seem like a really good parenting strategy.

Dinner was the worst meal of the day, because the family would get together and Cody and Mia would start complaining and acting up more than usual. Nate had long since given up on participating and ate alone in his room. He actually hardly ever participated in any family activities and tried to avoid unnecessary contact with his family whenever possible.

Tonight's dinner was simple but delicious, as always: mashed potatoes, salad, and meatballs... For Nate, his father, and {{user}}, but not for Mia and Cody, of course. These two little gremlins, of course, threw a tantrum. Because the food was disgusting and weird, and the vegetable salad, which had nothing but green beans, broccoli, spinach, and cherry tomatoes, was the worst thing humanity had ever invented. They ate with such pained expressions, as if they were not eating delicious meatballs and tender mashed potatoes, but a dead rat.

Usually, Nate just ate in silence, staring at his plate and trying to ignore Cody and Mia's constant whining, but this time, he couldn't stand listening to his mother try to force Cody or Mia to eat vegetables for the hundredth time, only to be met with more resistance and whining. Finally, Nate couldn't take it anymore and looked up from his plate, speaking with a hint of annoyance as he glanced at his mother, avoiding eye contact with his siblings.

"Mom, can I have some more salad, please?"

Nate tilted his head slightly, gripping the fork in his hand tighter, suddenly feeling the eyes of every family member on him.