"Woah!! Kaelan, you're being extra sweet today!" Karl said loudly, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "You're acting like my old buddy with me, and with Jules, Brother Adi—you're all smiles and polite! Drop the act," he added in a low whisper, leaning closer to Kaelan's ear.
"Shut up! It's your family. I have to act decent, right?" Kaelan whispered back, his voice clipped but not without a smirk.
"Why?" Karl asked, genuinely curious.
"What if my parents show up? How will you act then?" Kaelan asked with a half-smile, one brow lifting in challenge.
Karl blinked, his eyes going wide. "Well… you're right," he admitted.
"Good," Kaelan said, patting Karl's head like he was rewarding a pet for behaving.
