🎧: ✅
🕶️: ✅
💭: None
😰: 30%

That very next Monday, after school, each kid received their second trimester report card. The twins have theirs on a regular piece of paper, whereas Xander has his in a light brown envelope. After school, Xander made it a habit to turn on the VPN on his phone and even set an alarm for it every day after school. He also brought along one of the three stickers that he hid in his closet.

The boys go near Mr. Moseby's desk as Zack tries to devise a plan to get rid of the report cards.

Zack: Mom doesn't know we got our report cards. So, we sneak into Moseby's office, shred them, and *Lets his arms down* no one's the wiser.

Zack rushes to his office, but Cody taps on his shoulder, stopping him.

Cody: But I want Mom to see my report card.

Xander: ... And I know Dad will be wondering where mine is. He always knows when it's report card day.

Zack attempts to shame them while slightly fidgeting with his paper. Cody's voice gets a little more authoritative and straightforward.

Zack: How do you live with yourselves?

Cody: I don't. I live with you, and believe me, it's no picnic.

Zack: *Smiles, hands out* Xander, are you sure you don't want to risk it? Just to have some freedom this one time?

Xander averts his gaze for a moment, looking at the ground. Zack's smile fades.

😰: ⬆ 40%

Zack: Dude, calm down; it was just a simple question. *To Cody* Fine, Cody, show her your report card. *Smiles* I'll just say it's from the both of us. It always works on our birthday.

Zack reaches Mr. Moseby's desk to fold his report card, with Mr. Moseby drinking his coffee and gruffly speaking to Esteban in the middle of the lobby.

Esteban: Mr. Moseby. Did you try my suggestion to cure your cold?

Mr. Moseby: Esteban, I'm not rubbing chicken fat on my chest.

Mr. Moseby sits down on one of the red chairs' armrests.

Esteban: Not chicken fat. A fat chicken.

Mr. Moseby stands back up, waves his hand at him, and wheezes, putting his hand on his chest for a few seconds.

Mr. Moseby: I'm fine, Esteban.

Esteban: Well, you should be at home, Mr. Moseby.

Mr. Moseby: The Tipton is my home.

Zack tosses a paper airplane in their direction, with Mr. Moseby and Esteban ducking just in time to avoid it hitting one of their eyes. Mr. Moseby tries to yelp but can't.

Mr. Moseby: And my home is under siege...!

As Esteban leaves to continue working, the paper airplane lands in a woman's thick brown hair, and Mr. Moseby tries to remove it, only to discover that it is a wig he had just taken off.

Mr. Moseby: Aah! So sorry, madam. I apologize profusely. I will get to the bottom of this.

The woman jumps up, grabs her purse, and stomps on by, fixing her hair. The boys then go to investigate what happened.

Mr. Moseby: Shall I say bottoms? Does this, by any chance, belong to you?

Zack: *Quickly talking without stopping* No. Don't know who it belongs to. It's a mystery. Completely unsolvable.

Mr. Moseby opens the paper and reads the name at the top.

Mr. Moseby: "Zack Martin."

Zack: Unless you do that.

Zack swipes back the paper, and all four of them walk to the middle of the lobby. Mr. Moseby wiggles his finger at the twins for a few seconds as he's coughing.

Mr. Moseby: How many times must I tell you this hotel lobby is not your personal playground? Now, since you two have arrived *Coughs* at my hotel, you have been nothing but *Coughs* nothing but*Coughs* nothing but...

Mr. Moseby tries to figure out why he suddenly lost his voice, while the twins try to end his sentence.

Zack: *Smiles* A delight?

Cody: A bundle of youthful energy whose spirit has breathed life into this stodgy old place? *Smiles*

Zack: And to say thank you, you want to reward us with free sundaes?

Mr. Moseby waves his hands back and forth, with the twins' faces beaming up.

Xander: ... Are you sure that's what he's saying?

Zack: Of course, Xander! Thanks, Mr. Moseby!

Cody: You're the best!

😰: ⬇ 20%

The twins run off into the elevator. After a few seconds, Xander does the same, and Mr. Moseby clutches his hands in front of himself.

Xander: ... Wait, aren't we going to get some ice cream?

Zack: We just said that to avoid Moseby. And just do me a favor. Don't mention the report cards for, like... ever. This goes for you too, Cody.

Cody: Ok.

Xander: ... But why? Do you have bad gra-

Zack tries to zip him.

Zack: *Whispering* Not so loud!

😰: ⬆ 45%

The boys walk into the Martin suite, with Carey in the kitchen. Xander sets both his backpack and headphones down on the dining table.

Carey: *Smiles* Hey, guys. What's new?

Cody: Report cards! Oops... slipped out.

Cody slowly looks at him, fiddling around with his paper, while Zack silently mocks him. Carey takes Cody's report card and reads it out loud.

Carey: Ah. Straight A's again. Wow, if your report card were a song, it'd sound like this.

She stomps on the ground once and sings ♪ Aaay. ♪

Cody: Actually...

He imitates Carey except for uttering ♪ Aaay-puh! ♪. She looks at him for a bit before he gestures to the center of the paper.

Cody: One class was pass-fail.

Carey turns over the paper and sits in one of the living room chairs. Cody sits on one of the armrests and puts his arm on her shoulder.

Carey: Look at these comments. "A joy to teach. A pleasure to have in my class. What a little... chiseler?"

Cody: Wood shop.

Carey: Oh.

After taking a moment to process Cody's progress, she's curious about what Xander is holding.

Carey: Hey, what's that there, Xander?

Xander: Oh, one of my teachers, Mr. Forgess, put my report card in this envelope. He told me to not open it without Dad around.

Carey: Really? That's kind of unusual.

Xander noticeably breathes in and out one time, putting his hand on his chest.

Carey: Are you having anxiety about what your grades are?

Xander looks at the ground with his nervousness intensifying, playing with his fingers. Carey tries to calm him as she sees him become dizzy.

😰: ⬆ 70%

Carey: Go on. Open it. We won't tell.

Xander: ... A-Are you sure?

Carey: *Nodding her head* I'm sure; what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

Xander breathes in and out for a couple of minutes with everyone else's support before pinching the metal tongs together to open it.

😰: ⬇ 30%

Carey: Hmm! A-minus in English and social studies, an A in math, and it says "exempt" in wood shop. Why would you be exempt from wood shop?

Cody: Well, it is pretty loud in there.

Carey: Oh, that's right.

She flips the paper to see the comments about him.

Carey: "He tries the best he can, and his grades prove it. Can be pretty literal and quiet in class, but otherwise excellent. Seems more like a soldier rather than a student in class."

Xander's eyes move left and right again. Carey smiles nervously.

Carey: See? Nothing to worry about!

😰: ⬇️ 20%

A moment passes, and she stares at Zack, her smile going away.

Carey: Zack?

Zack: *Talking fast* Love to chat. Really tired. Gotta hit the hay.

Carey: It's 3:30!

Zack freezes and drops his backpack as Carey stands up.

Carey: If Cody and Xander have report cards, that means you have one, too.

Zack: You'd think. And I'm just as surprised as you are.

Zack walks towards her, wriggling his fingers. Carey holds her right hand out.

Carey: Hand it over.

Zack: Ok. But before you read it, you should know that there's some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that I got D's in math, English, and social studies.

Carey: What's the good news?

Zack: I'm outta bad news.

Carey: This isn't funny, Zachary.

Cody: Oooh, Zachary!

Carey and Zack head on over near the dining area.

Carey: Xander, would you mind going somewhere else for a few minutes while we have a private talk?

Xander: ... Ok, I need to change anyway. This diaper is about to explode all over my pants...

After Xander grabs his backpack, waddles into the bathroom, and turns on the fan, they resume their talk.

Carey: I am very disappointed in you.

Cody: Oooh, disappointed!

Zack: *To Cody, mimicking him* Oooh, shut up! *To Carey* But I'm trying as hard as I can.

Carey: Then why did all of your teachers write, "could try harder"? I know you can do better than this, and if you don't, you're going to spend this summer in school with no video games, no TV, and no food.

Both twins stare at her with concern.

Carey: Fine. Vegetables. *Points at Zack a few times* And French fries aren't a vegetable.

After Xander's done, he brings his backpack into their room, and he sets it on the floor. He also takes off his sunglasses and hangs them on his backpack. Zack is pacing back and forth, contemplating what to do, as Cody sits on his bed, enjoying seeing Zack suffer the penalties of not studying.

Xander: ... Guys, remember when I told you what happened Saturday?

Cody: Yeeeah?

Zack: What about it?

Xander: ... I... I need a favor.

Zack: Not now, Xander, I'm busy here.

Cody squints his eyes at Zack for a few seconds before responding to Xander.

Cody: Sure! What is it?

Cody's eyes widen as Xander digs inside a particular spot in his backpack and pulls out a teddy bear sticker. Xander shows Cody the teddy bear, which had a red tie around its neck.

Xander: ... This is one of the three that... survived. I was kind of hoping... to... stick it in here somewhere.

Zack examines it as well but wasn't as thrilled to see it.

Zack: Oh no! No no no! We aren't sticking that on our walls!

Cody stands up and confronts Zack.

Cody: And why shouldn't we?

Zack: Are you serious? It's for babies!

Xander's mind sparks as he recalls that day.

FLASHBACK TO EP8 - CHILDHOOD RIPPED AWAY
🎧: ❌
🕶️: ❌
💭: None
😰: 80%

Xander: ... W-What? What's wrong with them?

Henry: Xander, really? *Holds his hands out and twists his body a couple of times* Just look at them! This looks like a room for babies!

Xander gazed down diagonally for a moment, hyperventilating a bit, and thought to himself, "Please don't take this away from me." From the corner of his eye, Henry notices Xander having an anxiety attack.

Henry: Oh, stop with that bullshit, Xander. I should've taken them down years ago, but I just never got to it.

FLASHBACK END
🎧: ❌
🕶️: ❌
💭: None
😰: 30%

Xander: ... You... you sound just like him.

Zack: Like who?

Xander: ... Dad...

Zack: Well, did you ever think that maybe he's right sometimes?

Cody's mouth gapes open again, and he nearly smacks Zack upside the head. Carey comes into the room.

Carey: Hey, what's all the racket in here?

Cody: Xander has this sticker he wants to put up in our room-

Zack: One that's for babies!

Cody glanced at Zack, waiting for him to finish.

Cody: And Xander reminded us about what happened last Saturday at his house.

Carey: Well, what happened? You never told me. I was too busy carrying out my own punishment for *Points at the twins* these two.

Xander and Cody simultaneously explained what happened that Saturday to her. Needless to say, she's not pleased with what she hears.

Carey: I'm... I'm so sorry he did all those things to you. I didn't know you were dealing with someone like this. Within reason, you should have a right to say what your room looks like inside; I mean, it's YOUR room, not his.

Xander looks down.

Carey: Of course you can stick the sticker somewhere in here. If the boys are okay with it, of course.

Xander becomes relieved with hearing that, Cody enthusiastically agrees, and Zack continues to argue but couldn't get a word in before Carey interrupts him, crossing her arms.

😰: ⬇️ 20%

Carey: Might I remind you you're already on thin ice mister. I recommend not going further with this.

Zack: Ok fine, but put it on Cody's side of the room. I don't want to be associated with that.

Xander goes to stick it a little bit above Cody's bed. Carey puts her hands on her hips, smiling.

Carey: I think that's a wonderful place to put it.

At school the next day, all three boys walk into math class, with the whiteboard saying a giant "test today!" Along with several fractions on the wall and a "pep rally" announcement.

🎧: ✅
🕶️: ✅
💭: None
😰: 10%

Xander: ... There's a math test today.

Zack: Test? How could there be a test? Didn't we just get our report cards? Isn't there some downtime? Before we have to start "learning" again?

Xander: ... I completely agree with you. But this time I feel like I will get an easy "A." Fractions, decimals, and percentages are super easy for me to solve. What I don't understand is how people don't comprehend these.

Zack: *To Xander* Ok, Cody.

Zack looks down at the teacher's desk.

Zack: Ugh. Why do they keep shoving knowledge down our throats?

Cody: It's school?

Xander: ... I will admit, I would prefer not having a math test every 2 weeks. But with my other classes, it is usually around 1 test a month. Still kind of stressful, though.

The trio walk to their desks, Cody gets ready for the day, and Zack leans against his desk. Xander sits at his desk on the front-left side of the class and also gets ready for the day.

Zack: I just don't want to have to spend my summer here eating vegetables and having you tell me what was on TV last night. *Looks away from Cody* There's gotta be a way out.

Cody: Yeah. Study.

Zack: Look, if you're not gonna take this seriously...

Zack stops his comment and sits down to the right of Cody as a nervous teacher and a ginger kid enter the classroom. The nervous teacher leads the kid to the desk behind Zack.

Nervous teacher: Ok, Bob. Are you nervous? Because there's nothing to be nervous about. I mean, you've been doing great in my special ed class, so being nervous would just be silly.

Bob: I'm not nervous, Mr. Forgess.

Mr. Forgess: Oh, good, good, 'cause I'm sweating like a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Mr. Forgess scratches his arms a little bit and accidentally leaks some sweat over Bob's desk.

Bob: Oh, yeah. You're leaving a puddle on my desk.

Mr. Forgess: Oh! Sorry.

Mr. Forgess takes a dry washcloth and wipes away the sweat. Bob holds his hands out, proud of himself. Xander gets up and walks over to them.

Xander: ... Wait, is Bob coming here for math now?

Bob: Yep! I'm just happy to try a regular class again.

Xander: ... I will warn you, the content here is a lot quicker. And you get a test every 2 weeks here.

Bob tries to reassure both Xander and Mr. Forgess.

Bob: I think I'm ready.

Mr. Forgess squats down and continues speaking to Bob.

Mr. Forgess: Are you sure you're ready? Not that I don't have confidence in you, but it's more important that you have confidence in you. Do you have confidence in you? Is the word "confidence" starting to sound weird to you?

Mr. Forgess spoke so quickly that Xander couldn't comprehend what he said.

Bob: A little. Yeah, and I think you should cut down on the caffeine.

Xander: ... How much coffee did he drink?

Bob: Too much.

Mr. Forgess: Ok, well, I'll tell the teacher to make sure you have extra time on your test, and, uh... Oh! And I'll tell her just how confident you are.

Zack's mouth drops when he hears this, and Mr. Forgess stands back up, almost colliding with a wall before leaving the class.

Zack: Bob, is it? *Smiles* I couldn't help overhearing that you get extra time on your test. Do you mind my asking how you *Whirls his hand one time* swung that?

Bob: I have dyslexia.

Zack: *Immediately responds* Can you catch it?

Bob: When you're dyslexic, you have problems with the way your brain hears and sees things. Like, you know, letters and numbers? They get mixed up in my head.

Zack: So, like Xander?

Xander: ... I-I wouldn't say that. I can see things just fine.

Bob looks at Xander and points at Zack.

Bob: Xander, do you know this guy?

Zack: Heck yeah, he does! We've been together for a while now, haven't we?

Xander: ... About around... *Taps on his chin* I think... 2 months now? After school during the weekdays I spend time with him and his brother Cody at the Tipton hotel.

Bob: That sounds awesome!

After a minute, Bob decides to discuss a more serious matter.

Bob: You know, Xander, I never asked you what you have.

Xander squints his eyes a little bit at Bob.

Xander: ... What do I have with what?

Bob: Like... what condition you have. I mean, you're with Mr. Forgess for a reason, right?

Xander leans his head down a little, shuts his eyes, and crosses his arms to try to figure out what it could be.

Xander: ... Does a tiny bladder count?

Zack and Bob chuckle a bit.

Bob: No. Think about it. Needing more time to respond to people talking to you, taking everything literally, not liking to be touched... Don't you think it's something else?

Xander: ... I'm really not sure. All I know is that it isn't dyslexia.

Bob: Obviously.

Zack: But still, no time limit on your tests. So, it kinda balances out, doesn't it?

Bob: *Points at him, smiling* You're a "glass half-full" kind of a guy, aren't ya?

Zack: *Slightly looks away from them* So, it's called "dyslexia."

Xander: ... No, he usually drinks the fluids of a cup from full to empty. Trust me.

Bob: See? This is what I mea-

Mr. Forgess returns to tell Bob something, and Zack looks up at him with something else in mind.

Zack: *High-pitched voice* Wow, I never realized that other people had trouble reading the questions and getting their thoughts straight, just like me.

Cody's mouth opens widely, and Mr. Forgess bends down next to Zack. Zack alternately looks at and away from Mr. Forgess.

Mr. Forgess: Uh, excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing. Did you say you have problems reading?

Zack: *High-pitched voice* I don't like to talk about it. It makes me feel bad about myself. You know, unconfident.

Xander curiously tilts his head at Zack.

Mr. Forgess: Oh. T-That's perfectly natural, but you're not feeling bad about yourself because we should all feel good about ourselves. Not all the time. You want a nice mix. Although... *Stands up, pointing, talking to himself*

Zack: *Regular* Does he always go on like this?

Bob: Yeah, pretty much.

Xander: ... When he drinks a lot of coffee, he can talk pretty fast.

Mr. Forgess: I'll tell you what, why don't you come by my office after school, and we'll see what's going on.

Zack: *High-pitched voice, smiling* Thanks, Mr. Forgess. For the first time in my life, I feel like there's hope.

Cody gives himself a hard facepalm as Mr. Forgess exits the classroom. Zack turns to gaze at Cody, and his smile fades when he notices Cody giving the same look as he did in their room yesterday. After a few moments, Cody leans forward slightly and speaks quietly to him.

Cody: Have you no shame?

Zack: You're right. I feel terrible.

Cody: Really?

Zack: *Smiles* No.

Zack pretends to play drums with his pencil and notebook before the test begins.

Cody: X-Xander, didn't you just see what he did there?

Xander: ... What did he do? I didn't even know that Zack had a problem with reading.

Cody: *Sighs* Never mind.