I stared at the pile of textbooks on my desk, then at the list of college application essays I still needed to write. I’d been working non-stop for all of senior year, but I wasn’t done yet. College applications were due in two weeks. There’s no way I’m going to get all this done and still have time to study for Friday’s chemistry test, I thought, panicking. I’ll just have to focus on—
Suddenly the TV turned on, interrupting my thoughts. Jason had flopped down on the couch and started flipping through channels.
“Seriously, Jason? Can’t you see I’m doing homework?”
“But Treasure Hunt is starting!” Jason whined. “Come watch it with me!”
I rolled my eyes. He was always in my space, pestering me to hang out with him. “Go watch it somewhere else. I’ve got too much to do.”
“But Jaz, we always watch it together!”
“That’s because you never leave me alone!” I snapped.
Before Jason could respond, our other brother, Brian, walked in. He sniffled, wiping at his eyes.
“Hey, bud, what’s wrong?” Jason asked, jumping up.
Between sniffles, Brian told us that his brand new bike had been stolen. And that Mom and Dad wouldn’t buy him another one because it was too expensive. Jason and I just looked at each other, our argument already forgotten. We can’t stand it when Brian cries. It’s the saddest thing in the world because he’s always grinning.
I couldn’t figure out what to say. The TV was on so loud that all I could hear was some over-enthusiastic announcer telling viewers to apply for the next season of Treasure Hunt. I’d never admit it to Jason, but the show was actually pretty good. Five teams of two competed against one another in a two-day race across America. They had to solve puzzles and finish a physical challenge to get to the $20,000 treasure.
“We should just go on Treasure Hunt,” I said before I could stop myself. “When we win the money, we could buy you a new bike.”
“That’s brilliant!” cried Jason.
“No, Jason, I didn’t mean it—” I tried to take it back, but one look at Brian stopped me. He was back to his normal self, grinning again. I couldn’t disappoint him.
“All right, fine,” I said, resigned. “Let’s do it.” It’s not like we’ll be picked, anyway.
Jason went straight to the computer and printed out all the information. He sat there for what felt like a million years reading through everything.
The first line asked for our team name. That’s when the problems really started—we couldn’t even agree on a name. Jason’s only fifteen, so his name suggestions were dumb. He seriously wanted to write Team Smack Down on the form. I suggested Team Brainiac, but Jason shook his head. We went back and forth with names.
Jason said, “Team Ferrari.”
“That’s random. Team IQ.”
“Team Nike.” Jason held out his foot to show me his new Nikes.
I was about to lose it. “That doesn’t even make any sense!”
My voice got louder and louder as I listed more ideas, but Jason just kept shaking his head. Finally, I walked over to the table where he was sitting and told him to move. I would just write in something myself.
Jason stood up, but he didn’t get out of the way. Even though I’m two years older than him, he’s about three inches taller than me. And a lot stronger.
“Move!” I tried to reach the table.
Jason stood in front of me and said, “We need to agree.”
I tried to get around him again. Jason planted his feet and crossed his arms.
“This is ridiculous!” I yelled. “Just let me choose the name. Your ideas are horrible.”
Just as our dad came into the family room to intervene, Brian said, “How about Team Williams?” He smiled sweetly at us.
Jason just sat back down and wrote it in. It was pitiful that we needed our little brother to solve our arguments, but that’s what usually happened.
Jason gets on my last nerve. He’s just always there. Every time I turn around he’s in my face trying to tell me something. He’s always inviting me to do something with him, like watch TV or walk to the store or play a game. But I don’t have time for that. I have too much homework. Not to mention college applications.
Anyway, we got the show’s application done, recorded the video introducing ourselves, and mailed it in. I forgot all about it after that.