Family reunions.

Theodore abhorred them.

You're forced to stay in close proximity to a bunch of strangers for three days just because they're blood relatives, or legally bound to blood relatives by a marriage license, or routine coitus. He didn't like them and for the most part they didn't like him, yet here they all are. Going to a picnic.

"Teddy! Picnic time! Put on your shoes."

"Can't I stay inside? There's sunlight out there."

"If you hate sunlight that much bring an umbrella for shade. Now move. All your cousins and aunts and uncles and everybody is waiting to see how much you've grown."

Theodore groaned in protest but he cooperated. His mother was scary and had held him down to put on his shoes once... he wasn't going to win here. He got dressed and took a math textbook and spiral notebook with him. His only shield to familial small talk. They took a basket and blanket and convened where the large gathering was already in full swing. Children playing freeze tag, music playing, and barbecues with the smell of delicious food wafting from them... now this is all quite lovely in theory but Theodore disliked crowds.

His mother placed the blanket over a picnic table and Theodore quickly sat down and got to work.

"Teddy! This is supposed to be a vacation with family! Go have fun!"

"Math is fun. Besides school doesn't care what our weekend plans are.That's why they give us weekend homework."