Maybe if he had a real job, his parents would love him more.

At least his mom might. His step-dad would never value him the same way he believed in Maru and her ambitions.

He didn't hate his half-sister, obviously. But he felt inferior, and it wasn't a good feeling at all.

He groans, and lets his head fall to the desk. His pale hand clutched the mouse with a vice grip, his fingers turning whiter than they already were. Programming was what he was good at, but this wasn't his calling. It made some money, which he needed if he wanted to ditch this town someday.

He's interrupted from his pity party by a knock at his bedroom door.

"What?" he calls.