"We're coming to visit!"

Matthew sat shocked on his lumpy bed as he heard the words reverberate in his head, still straining to listen to the American on the other line.

"Yeah man! We're coming up to see you!"

"N-No, why?"

"Why?" His brother laughed softly, obviously amused by the "stupid" question, "Cause we miss you! Well, I do anyway. And..." Alfred paused, whispering into the receiver, "It's a secret but.. Dad is gonna try to convince mom to let you move down here."

Matthew should've been happy. He should have physically cheered at the news but.. He had an overwhelming feeling of sickness fill his stomach as he collapsed back onto his pillow, covering his face with his arm. He didn't speak, he didn't make one sound, and Alfred noticed. "Dude... What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?!" Matthew hissed, anger growing second by second, "She won't let me! I know she won't!"

"But-"

"Al! You realize that she'll kick you guys out?"

Alfred started laughing louder, only making Matthew want to punch something. Didn't he understand? No. He thought, No one does and no one will. If he comes, she'll treat him like a prince. And I'll be kicked around.

"Please don't come." That stopped his brother's laughter. For almost too long, in Matthew's opinion.

"Did I hear you right Mattie?"

"Y-yes. You did." The Canadian spoke up, swallowing back the saliva building in his mouth as his nerves increased. Was Alfred going to yell at him? Tell him to get out of his life...? Matthew braced himself for the worst.

"..But why Matthew? I really miss you."

He was honestly shocked at the response. Alfred Jones - the superstar, the chick magnet, the talented athlete - missed the useless and pathetic Matthew Williams. "You do?"

"Duh. You're my brother, and I haven't seen you in what, five years? It's been too long man.."

"I know.. I just," He let out a long sigh, which was definitely needed, "It's been tough."

"And that's why I want to see you! Have fun like back then!"

I don't remember having "fun", Alfred.. But with his brother's whining pleas, he couldn't refuse. He knew Alfred wouldn't take no for an answer anyhow.

"Alright. Just have Dad call Mom..."

As soon as he hung up, he regretted the whole conversation. Dad coming meant Alfred as well. Alfred coming meant his mother spoiling him and begging to take him in. And what did that mean? Telling Matthew to get out of the house and die. It happened five years ago when they came to visit. His father was trying to get back together, but his mother refused and kicked them back out. But not before pleading for Alfred to stay and switch with Matthew.

It was an awful experience to say the least.

Many nights of crying, of wishing he could be somewhere else... Wishing he never existed in the first place...

"Why do I give in so easily?" He asked himself, hearing the phone ring downstairs, and he pushed his head far underneath the covers. Pretty soon his mother would put up her innocent front, giving Alfred an earful about how much she loves him.

"Oh, Alfred! Finally decided to move in with me?"

There was a pause, and she started up again, "You're coming here...?"

Oh no, here we go..

"Hold on a second Alfred dear...Matthew!"

The blonde jumped, scrambling to get out of bed and sprinted downstairs, practically falling. He skid into the kitchen, nerves building as she stared him down cold. His mother put the phone on mute, and slammed it on the table harshly. He thought it might have broken.

"So, Alfred is coming to visit, huh? Did you invite him?"

"I-I swear I didn't!"

"Save your petty excuses!" She screamed at him, coming closer to his reddening face. "You just want to mock me, don't you, you useless piece of trash!"

"M-Mom..!"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it! Back upstairs, and never come out! I don't want to see your stupid face!"

The emotions inside boiled over and Matthew held his breath, turning sharply on his heels to hide the tears falling from his face, and slammed the door to his bedroom, letting them fall freely. It was all too much. The blame, the hate.. He couldn't take it anymore. He loved his brother immensely, but with him coming, it only made the situation worse. When he left, there would be hell to pay.

Matthew was lost and anxious, just waiting and wanting to die right then and there.