"What the hell, Mom?" Dylan exclaimed as he slammed the door to his bedroom. "I'm not a little kid anymore!"
Mrs. Castellanos looked at her son with a sigh of resignation. "Dylan, you know why we're doing this," she replied calmly, her voice carrying through the polished hallway of their spacious home.
Sophie, the newly hired babysitter, hovered awkwardly in the kitchen, her eyes darting between the gleaming counters and the open pantry door. At 15, she was only a year older than Dylan and a couple of inches taller, with a curvy figure with a plump butt, a stark contrast to his lankiness. She felt the weight of his glare and self-consciously tucked a strand of her long, brunette hair behind her ear.
The Castellanos' kitchen was a culinary wonderland, stocked with gourmet snacks and treats that she had only ever dreamed of. The fridge hummed quietly, filled with exotic fruits, decadent cakes, and artisanal cheeses. The pantry held rows of chips and cookies, some from foreign countries.
Dylan had made it clear from the start that he didn't want a babysitter, especially one who was basically his age. His resentment was palpable, and Sophie could feel it thick in the air.
"Dylan," Mrs. Castellanos began, her voice firm but not unkind, "you know we had to hire someone after what happened last time. Your father and I can't be here all the time, and we can't take the risk of you being by yourself again."
The blonde boy rolled his eyes and stormed into the kitchen, ignoring his mom's explanation. He grabbed an apple from the kitchen fruit bowl and stomped back to his room. "Whatever," he muttered under his breath.
Mrs. Castellanos turned to Sophie, her expression apologetic. "Dylan's just going through a phase," she said with a forced smile. "I'm sure he'll warm up to you eventually."
Sophie nodded, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. "It's okay, Mrs. Castellanos. I understand."
Mrs. Castellanos gave her a reassuring smile. "Dylan can be tough, but he's a good kid. Just remember, while you're here, our home is your home! Feel free to help yourself to anything in the kitchen. Our fridge and pantry are yours to enjoy. Take as much as you want! Consider it a bonus!"
Sophie's eyes widened at the offer. "Really?" she asked. She had never had access to this much food before. In her own home, food was tightly rationed by her financially strict parents and meals were simple, bland affairs.
Mrs. Castellanos nodded, her smile broadening. "Of course. You're going to be here for a while, and every Saturday from now on, and we want you to be comfortable here."
The Castellanos left for their evening date night shortly thereafter. Sophie felt the weight of the house's silence press down on her. She glanced over her shoulder at the hallway leading to Dylan's room, but his door remained firmly shut. She could hear noises from video games through the door. With a sigh, she turned her attention back to the kitchen.
The kitchen gleamed under the soft light of the pendant bulbs. Sophie did not know much about kitchens, but she knew this one must be expensive. The pantry was a cornucopia of sugary delights and salty treasures, enough to keep an entire classroom of hungry teens sated. Her stomach rumbled, a reminder of the lackluster ham sandwich she'd eaten for lunch hours ago. She couldn't resist; Sophie needed something to fill her tummy.
She began to eat.
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