I Ate Your Halloween Candy...
Aunt Cass grabbed the video camera from its charger and turned it on. When the red light began to blink, she started up the stairs from the café. She had an idea of the reaction she would get, and she knew she had to capture it on tape. There was a part of her that felt sort of bad for pulling a fast one on her young nephews. Yet, her natural prankster side got the better of her. It was all in good fun. It was time to put those improv classes she took her first year of college to use.
"Hey, guys?" she called out. Reaching the second level, she spotted the boys in the living room. They were sitting on the floor, a myriad of robot parts scattered around them.
"'Dis goes here," Hiro said, trying his hardest to attach two pieces together.
"Hiro," Tadashi said, gently prying them out of his brother's hands, "they won't fit. See?" He pointed to the edges. "This side is round, the other is sharp. You have to find the pieces that go with it."
"What are you doing?" Aunt Cass asked, taking a seat on the couch. She situation the camera on her knee.
"Buildin' stuff," Hiro answered, trying to locate the matching part. He dug through the pile in a frenzy, tossing the incompatible ones to the side.
"Can I talk to you guys for a sec?"
"Sure, Aunt Cass," Tadashi said, placing his tools in his lap. "What's up?"
Aunt Cass cleared her throat. "I have a confession to make," she said, hesitating. She made her voice sound as guilty as possible. "Last night, after you guys went to bed, I... ate your Halloween candy."
That got Hiro's attention. His head snapped up, eyes wide; he looked horrified. "What?"
Tadashi looked disappointed, but he didn't say much past an, "Oh."
"I'm really sorry, guys." Aunt Cass let her shoulders droop. She then reached behind one of the couch cushions, retrieving the pair of striped pillowcases that they had used to trick-or-treat with. Evidence.
Like someone had flipped a switch, Hiro burst into tears. He kicked the floor and flailed his arms, sending robot pieces into the kitchen. "Why you do 'dat, Aun' Cass?! That was MY candy!"
"I'm sorry, honey," she said again, talking a bit louder so he could hear her over his wails. "I was really hungry, and I didn't want to cook. What if I make it up to you? I'll make your favorite cookies. How does that sound?"
"No!" Hiro cried. "That was mine!" He folded his arms, his small mouth screwing up into a scowl. Aunt Cass had to bite her lip to keep from giggling.
"Don't cry, Hiro," Tadashi said, patting his hair. "We can get more candy tomorrow."
But Hiro wasn't having it. He stood up and stomped to his bedroom, huffing the entire way.
"It's okay, Aunt Cass," Tadashi said after he was gone. "I don't mind. But maybe ask next time, so we can all share."
She gave a solemn nod, and watched as Tadashi went upstairs to comfort his little brother.
Later that night, after receiving her fair share of pouty glares, Aunt Cass revealed their very much intact candy supply. Along with an apology for fooling them. Hiro took it upon himself to eat every single piece to avoid the chance of anyone stealing it.
Aunt Cass vowed never to play that prank on them again when a tiny hand nudged her awake at three in the morning.
"Aun' Cass... I don't feel so well..."