"Come on Mattie! Please! It won't be like last time I promise!"
Alfred whined at his brother, standing in the door way to his room. This had been the fifth time tonight Matthew found himself on the receiving end of his brothers begging. Well, sixth now. He sighed and removed his head phones from his ears after pausing the movie he had been peacefully watching.
"You said the exact same thing last time."
Matthew shot back, really not wanting to go. He was quite happy where he sat. So what if it was a Friday night. Going to a party was not his ideal way to spend an evening. His roommate and brother however, thought otherwise.
"What else are you going to do? Stay here and watch sappy chick flicks again? Come on. I know you will have fun. Scouts honor!"
If Alfred was anything, he was persistent. Annoyingly so. Matthew sighed. There was no way he could get away from it. If he didn't agree to go willingly, he was sure Alfred would just drag him out the door anyway.
"That was once. It was for a project... Fine. I will go. Let me get dressed."
Alfred smiled with triumph. He had won as he almost always did. Matthew sent him a half hearted glare to show he wasn't giving in because he wanted to. It did little to phase his cheerful brother.
"Knew you would! Hurry though, don't want to be late or all the good hook ups will be taken!"
With that, Alfred bounced downstairs to finish gathering the cans of beer and other bottles of alcohol he had promised to bring. His friend Gilbert, who's party there were about to head to, charged an entry fee to his parties. No booze, not entry. Though if you rated an eight or above on his scale he could be persuaded.
Matthew closed his door and with no great hurry, changed into something more suitable for wearing in public. Not that he cared much who saw him in his plaid pajama bottoms and grey t-shit, he knew that Alfred wouldn't let his brother show up without looking ready to party. So, with black jeans and a concert shirt on, he headed downstairs.
"Took you long enough! Get in the car!"
Alfred called from outside, honking his horn as if it would make him hurry. Matthew ignored it, going to make sure their two dogs had fresh water before giving his own white husky a loving pet.
"Take care of the house Kuma."
Kuma barked in response to his name, tail wagging, which brought a smile to his owners face before he turned to leave. After locking the house, Matthew casually walked to the car, taking his time.
"Come on. You take forever."
Alfred complained, drawing out the vowels on the first half. Matthew shrugged, buckling his seat belt as Alfred pulled away from the curb. Once out of the little neighborhood he stepped on it, pushing his luck.
"Cops are going to be looking for speeders. Better slow it down."
Matthew cautioned. Alfred snorted, giving him a sideways glance. He almost never followed the traffic laws. In his four years of driving he had only been pulled over once for running some stop sign. Though the cop let him off since it was clearly covered by a tree branch.
"You know my luck. What makes you think it will change tonight?"
Alfred turned his attention back to the road, turning up the music once he realized what song was playing. He proceeded to jam out as he drove, trying to get his brother to join in. He didn't. Matthew watched out the window as the streets passed, purposefully ignoring his sibling.
"So. That blonde you have been checking out it going to be there."
Alfred yelled above the music he refused to turn down. Mattie raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. The last thing he needed was Alfred teasing him about a girl.
"You know. Short hair, cute accent, scary brother, huge ju-"
Matthew punched his brother's arm to cut him off, cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Alfred only laughed, having successfully coaxed a reaction out of the more soft spoken of the two.
"So you do like her!"
Alfred exclaimed.
"Do... Do not!"
Matthew managed to stammer, frowning. He crossed his arms, adverting his gaze. Alfred only smiled over at him.
"Slow down idiot."
Alfred laughed in response, watching Matthew's reaction. He had hit the nail right on the head.
"Aww~ Don't try to change the subject! You never tell me about -"
"Alfred slow down!"
Matthew yelled as they approached the intersection. Alfred turned his gaze back to the road, suddenly realizing his mistake. The light glowed red.
"Shit!"
His foot moved to the left pedal, attempting to slam on his brakes. Alfred realized all too late that he overshot, his foot stomping down on the mat. Even after the realization and his attempt to correct, it was far too late.
The Ford Mustang drove head on into crossing traffic. To Alfred time seemed to slow as he felt his body attempt to fling out of his seat, heard Matthew's sharp intake of breath just a moment before the car plowed into the right side of the car. The strap across his chest tightened, forcing him back into his seat as his car suddenly flung sideways. His head bounced off the airbag back onto his head rest before her lurched once again to the right as his vehicle skidded into a light post.
Then silence. It was almost deafening, until his ears started ringing, the blonde slowly opening his eyes. He sat hunched against the steering wheel, off kilter to the right. With a low groan he forced himself to lean back against the seat, a flash of pain shooting up his left side from his leg. Alfred bit his lip, glancing down as his vision started to clear. His door was bent in at an odd angle, trapping his leg up against the under side of the dash. His mind registered that is where the pain came from at about the same time he noticed the warmth of a liquid the dripped down the side of his head. God his head hurt.
The ringing began to fade, replaced by the worried shouts of those who pulled over after witnessing the crash. Alfred coughed, taking in a breath of air. He could almost taste the metal and the burnt rubber. A man was waving at him through the shattered windshield. Alfred raised his right arm to show he was awake and alive. As his arm fell, a thought suddenly entered his head. A thought that brought panic. Matthew.
Alfred quickly turned his head, which was not his brightest idea as a jolt of pain forced a choked yelp through his lips. Forcing his mind away from the pain, he looked over at his brother. Matthew sat limp in his seat, head bent as his body leaned against the seat belt, the only thing keeping him upright. A breath he hadn't known he was holding let his mouth, almost relieved to see him, until he noticed the lack of movement from his chest.
"Matthew... Matthew!"
Alfred choked out, bringing his arm up to shake his brother's shoulder. His limp body shifted to what remained of the window, moving with a scary amount of ease. As he shifted, Alfred noticed the splatter of blood across the side of the car, or what he assumed was blood in the dim light. Fear filled his mind, his arm shaking as the reality of the situation dawned on him.
"No... No no no no no... Mattie... Matthew!"
Sirens blared as paramedics arrived. Alfred was pried from the wreckage first. He begged them to save his brother, becoming hysterical as he was wheeled away from the crash and into the back of an ambulance. The paramedics quickly got him under sedative to calm him down as he was raced to a hospital while the crew continued prying the remains of the car apart to get to Matthew.
Once free from the wreckage, Matthew was quickly rushed into the other waiting ambulance, those inside wasting no time to bring him back to the world of the living. Once a pulse was gained, the focus was shifted to his wounds. Both were taken to the same hospital, doctors working to access the severity of the situation.
Both were stabilized, and moved to more appropriate areas for recovery. Thankfully Alfred's wallet was recovered by a nurse who used it to identify them both as well as who to contact after running the names and insurance through the system. It was a call that no one wanted to make, one that unfortunately would not be the way the news made it to their parents.
Chapter two is up, which takes place before the events in Chapter one, if anyone was confused.
If you notice any errors, in either chapter, feel free to let me know. As always, a review would be lovely.
