I never thought that it would end up like this. No home, no love, no anything. There were doubt in those words, I'm sure, but they definitely have a true meaning. I ran away, leaving only a note for my parents to mourn about. It would surprise me if they actually cared at all about their run away son.

But I don't think they would.

All they cared for was my brother. "Oh, Matt" this and "Matt" that! It really was depressing to know that I would forever be in his shadow. Our parents never loved us equally. Ever. All they cared about was my perfect brother, Matt. Whatever it was, they had to change the subject to him. They could be talking about him in the first place for all I care! Every single thing was about him.

That's not all..!

Everything was his. No matter what it looked like, sounded like-even tasted like; it was his. I don't even think that I had an identity. But I know exactly why he got everything and I was just the unknown brother of the perfect Matt.

My name wasn't Matt.

Matt was smart, athletic, popular-you name it! He could do anything. And I mean anything and everything. I'd always wondered what it would be like without Matt around, so I simply fulfilled my wish. I ran away. There was only one thing that seemed to cause some hesitation on my part: The night before, he gave me his favorite red rimmed sunglasses as a gift for getting all A's and a few A+'s.

Fishing through my jacket pocket, I pulled out said shades and gripped them tightly. I did regret running away...and I especially hated myself for what the note said. I can't believe I wrote it, I wouldn't have used such strong words like that even on my worst day! What was I thinking?!

"D-dear family...I've come to the conclusion of solving my problems by running away. So I did; but I left you this note if you want to have a clue that I am indeed alive. If you actually notice my absence, I wish you good luck in finding me. I will acknowledge your decision no matter what it may be, but it is the test of your love to me. Maybe, you might notice my existence!"

I choked out the exact words that I had written. All of this for running away? I had expressed my whole reason in doing so, but I didn't mention one thing about Matt...they will probably incorporate him in because I forgot him!

Maybe it's because I don't care for him.

I do care, Matt... I-I just won't admit it. But...I can't, not yet.

I don't know why, but I'm still planning on going to school. Huh...you think if I ran away I would bail, but being a good kid does have its faults. "Well, I best be going."

Twiddling the pencil in my hand slightly above my paper, the bell rang suddenly. Everyone slammed their books shut, rushing out of the room. I stayed seated for a while until everyone had stampeded out. I lightly flipped the cover back to its usual place and grabbed my binder, sliding the pencil into my agenda's spiral ring bind. I pushed against my desk's top delicately to balance myself and carried the book on top of my binder. I slowly walked out of the classroom, waving absentmindedly to my teacher as I head off to lunch.

I was greeted by one of my friends as I sat down at the table. "Jordan! Guess what!" Shortly after my friend's question, I asked with a slightly exasperated tone, "What?" The coal black haired boy almost jumped with joy. "The dance! Friday is the dance! And-and I know who I'm asking out!" He sounded really excited at the last part. "It's nice that you can at least be happy, Tay." Taylor looked at me quizzically, his eyes sparking with quiet questions.

Great word choice, wasn't it?

"...Are you alright, Jay?" He asked me, worry evident in his voice. I sighed, dropping my gaze down to the table. He was my best friend, so he did deserve to know. "Well...haven't I told you how much I really dislike how my parents treat me?" I exhaled quietly, shutting my eyes lightly. "Why would you not like them? It's not like they abuse you-"

"Of the things they do, they basically are!"

For those words, I slammed my hands against the table and stood up, tears forming in my eyes. Tay stayed quiet for a few moments and so did I. No one sat at our table, being that we were the unpopular kids, the nerds, and none other than the smartest in our class. Even the kids at the surrounding tables ignored us. "...mentally..." I cried out, slowly sitting back down, my gaze darkening. He tried to console me, reaching his arm out for a hug. I told him 'no' with a shake of my head, and he slowly lowered his arm. He didn't dare to say a word-he didn't even dare to eat. I think that he lost his appetite because of me.

I lost mine thinking of my family.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Tay." I whispered, my voice breaking. "I-I just...don't know what to do right now." He nodded his head hesitantly, bitting his lip instantly after he looked down. The rest of the lunch period we sat in silence: no one talked, no one ate.

Ring!

Well, off to third period. I waved to Tay and he gave me a light nod. I do feel bad for yelling at him-he didn't know. I'm just happy I don't have an academic next, because I would have definitely been late. Luckily, I have chorus; something I'm actually good at and will also alleviate the tense feeling I've had. As I walk through this hall, there is still one single question lingering in my mind. "If my brother was the one who ran away, would I care?"

Of course I would!

"So Teach...can we start today without the warmup?" A brunette boy with glasses asked as he sat down, his sheet music in his hands. "Does everybody want to skip it? I would prefer if we don't, but it is not necessary." I really like my teacher; she understands our problems and she looks at things as if she was our age. Nearly everyone nodded. The only one who didn't nod was busy rummaging through his back pack. "Sky, hun...can you please place your back pack on the table so we can start the lesson?"

"S-sure, I'm sorry..." He apologized, putting his bag to the side. For about two minutes, we did "ve-ve-ve-ve-vah's" before starting, even though most of us disagreed with it. I can understand why everyone wanted to skip the warmup, being that we have a song that we like a lot. I even had a solo! Although there were five solos, I was still honored to have one of them. "Okay class, today we're going to start at page three. Jordan," She turned to me, readying her hands above the keys of her piano, "Can you start your part at measure thirty two?" I nodded, quickly clearing my throat as I stood up.

"It was the wicked and the wild wind, blew down the doors and let me in. Shattered windows and the sound of drums-people couldn't believe what I'd become. Revolutionaries wait, for my head on a silver plate; just a puppet on a lonely string...Oh, who would ever want to be king?"

Small part, but whatever. At least I have one. I think they actually gave me the longest solo, so scratch that about it being a small part. After my solo, all of the choir is supposed to sing the chorus. "I hear Jerusalem bells a' ringing, Roman cavalry choirs are singing. Be my mirror, my sword, my shield; my missionary in a foreign field. For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter won't call my name. Never a honest word-that was when I ruled the world~"

I have to admit: Sky and that other brunette boy-Dan, I think his name was-are also pretty good singers. I was really surprised that they didn't get solos-Well, technically, they both have solos in different songs. But this song...this song was important to me. It reminded me of something.

Is this a sign from you, Matt?

What, did you tell the teacher to give me a part and she did? Can your popularity buy you everything? Even if it was for me-it still shows that I will forever be in your shadow. Don't you think I have pride too, bro? I let a quiet growl escape my throat as I grabbed my back pack. I was about to leave until I felt a hand on my shoulder. "J-Jord," I turned to see Dan, "I heard from Taylor that you weren't doing that well..." I know Tay is trying to help me, but telling people?

Thanks a lot, dude.

"N-no, I'm alright..." I tried to reassure the brunette, turning away and stretching out my leg to take a big step from him. When he followed me, I sighed, exasperated. "I can understand that you're worried, but I would appreciate you leaving me alone." He still approached me, determined to find out what was wrong. I started to feel nervous, but what happened next saved me so much trouble.

Ring!

"Gotta go, bye!" I exclaimed, leaving Dan adjusting his glasses after grabbing his backpack. "Bye...?" I heard him sputter. Man did I leave him in my tracks! I still have to head up stairs for my next class, don't I? I hurried up the staircase, avoiding any students pushing others. After all of this, I just want to leave. I won't have to worry about the questions anymore! I smirked, letting out a quiet laugh. I spun around, changing to the other side of the stair case going down. My plan was perfect, it would help me avoid going any later into the day, and the best part is-

CRACK

. . .

. . .

"Uhhhhggghh..." I groaned, sitting up from my flat position on a small bed. I quickly looked around, realizing that I was in the nurse's office. I felt a sharp pain shoot through my ribcage area, sending me back down onto the bed. Spots were swimming in my vision, but the pain was definitely more unbearable than losing my sight momentarily. "He's awake!" A female voice called, and footsteps began to close in on me. "Are you alright?" I slowly blinked my eyes before returning them into a squinting position. My vision was starting to focus, but my body still ached. "M-m-my r-ribs...hurt..." I clenched my teeth as I tried to hold back tears. "This boy brought you here saying that someone shoved you down the stairs." The nurse gestured to the glasses wearing boy on the bench near my bed.

Maybe it wasn't that bad having him follow me.

"D-Dan...I owe you one." I managed to say before falling back in exhaustion. Nausea swept over me as I fell back asleep. It sure was nice of Dan to save me. I bet Matt wouldn't have done the same...What will my parents say if they figure this out?

Probably nothing. They could care less about their non existent son.

You know what? I don't think they're worthy of even having me as a son. They're worthless to me! Especially you, Matt. I hate you more than anything. I can't take it anymore! You have to be completely perfect, don't you? You can never slip up-and all the times that you did, I was blamed and you were still "Mr. I can do and be anything." I don't want anyone to know me as Matt's little brother. I don't want to be known as "The Maron's other son." I don't want to be related to him-I don't want to even call him a brother! They don't deserve me, simple as that.

"Um, little boy-"

"His name is Jordan." Dan butted in, cutting off the nurse. "J-Jordan, honey, do you want to go home?"

Home?

...I don't have a home.

I stared at the lady for a few second before blinking away my thoughts. "You could call my parents-" Why does it hurt so much to say that? Does my mind believe that they really aren't my parents? "The number should be there if you look up my name, or whatever you do." I fell back down onto my back, noticing long mummy-like bandages around my forehead and stomach. "I think your arm may be broken Jord." Dan piped up from his seat. He was still here? What loyalty...I would rather have him as a brother than Matt for sure. Oh wait...he's right... "Um, excuse me nurse, I think he's right. My right arm really hurts."

Luckily, she came over and tended to it immediately. After doing so, she returned to her computer with the phone in her hand. She glanced back and forth between the screen and the number dials of the phone, carefully pressing each key. She finally pressed call and brought the phone up to her ear. Here we go...

Ring...

...Ring...

...Ring...

...Ring.

So, they didn't pick up. Shows how much they care. "I'm sorry, honey." I lightly shut my eyes, mouthing a quick 'thank you'. Another point against my existence, check. "Hey, Jord," The brunette sighed quietly, "I've taken what Tay told me about the conversation you two had into consideration and...I've come to a conclusion." I opened my eyes to await his statement. "I think you may be adopted."

. . .

. . .

D-did he just say..that I was...adopted?! I literally shot him a death glare after his smart remark. "Wh-what did you just say?" I growled out in an attempt of a calm tone. "You thought I was giving you my real conclusion? I'm sorry, dude, but I am known as the joker. I had to at least try to lighten up the mood." It might not be such a great idea to play poke the bear, now is it? I continued to breathe heavily even after his defense. "You're not helping." I wanted to get out of bed and punch him so hard... "What time is it anyways?" I tried to change the subject to ease my mind of 'Dan the punching bag' thoughts. "One forty two."

I've been here for three hours?!

"Wait...Dan, how have you been staying here this long anyways?" I inquired as I sat somewhat up right. He gave a quiet chuckle as he sat up in the bench, quickly changing his expression into a serious face. "I wanted to watch you sleep." ...What the heck dude?! "Just kidding! I can't believe you keep falling for these things!" He laughed, barely keeping his composure. Those punching bags thoughts are becoming a bit more pleasing after every joke he makes...

"No, but really, how are you even cutting class with out suspicion?" I continued, gritting my teeth together to resist beating the Pokènerd up. "They said I could stay with you until the end of the day, being that I was the one to bring you here." He said as seriously as he could. He was probably starting to realize how angry those jokes were making me. "Do you want to stay at my house until your parents answer? I'm pretty sure that if the school was calling that they would answer." He was probably right about that. They would probably think that it was Matt who got hurt. They would have ran here naked to get their perfect son.

But I'm just their non-existent one, so it's no big deal. No wait, it's nothing at all! I don't exist to them!

"I would love to." He cheered up a bit after seeing my smile. "I just want to talk to Tay before we go." He nodded spontaneously as if to say 'that would be fine.' I fell backwards onto the pillow, some of my hair falling onto my face. "Thank you, Dan." I said quietly before closing my eyes and drifting off.

. . .

. . .

"Jordan? Jordan, wake up! Jordan!"

"Huh?" I looked around, propping myself on my elbows. "Wh-who's there?!" I glanced back and forth, left to right repeatedly, but it was all dark. Did I get enough brain damage to start hallucinating, or did my rib cage break into shards and some one crushed my lungs? But...that voice...

Why can't I remember who it belongs to? Why?! What, amnesia now comes as a bonus item with every purchase of death? "Jordan!"

...Mom?

"Son! Wake up!" ...Dad?

They came...they really came... The darkness faded back into reality, leaving me blinking to regain my vision. "You're alright!" My mom shook me, tears welling in her eyes. I even saw tears staining my dad's shirt. "I'm okay, mom..." I caught a glance of Dan still on the bench, but now Taylor was accompanying him. I turned my sight up to the clock on the wall: Six twelve. "We're sorry we came so late! We spent the whole day looking for you! We checked every place you would be, but we were oblivious to the school. As soon as we got home, we saw that the school had called and heard the message. We came here immediately after. We're just happy that you're alright."

...They looked for me? They noticed I was gone? They...love me...?

I glanced around, looking for someone specifically. "Where's Matt?" My mom backed away, leaving me on my knees. "He was the one who told us that you were missing." ...Matt does care...I think now is the time that I return the favor. I love you, Matt. I'm sorry for everything I said about you being ignorant and self absorbed. "He really does care..." I raised my gaze from having my head hung low. "I'm sorry for scaring you like this. I'll do anything for you to forgive me." My parents looked at each other before nodding. My mom was the one who spoke. "All we want is for you to be part of the family and to accept our love." I smiled after sniffling, quickly wiping the tears out of my eyes.

"Deal."