The last chapter, for you. Hope you liked this mini-story... I certainly enjoyed writing it!
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The eldest brother showed up at TK's apartment, swinging his keys around his finger. He nervously approached the elevator--should he take it or should he just take the stairs? On one hand, taking the elevator meant he'd reach his destination faster, but it also meant that should the elevator break down, he might be stuck (perhaps with people, even) for who knew how long until someone came to rescue them. By which point Matt would probably have lost his nerve and not want to be anywhere near this place. The stairs, on the other hand, ensured a relatively safe means of getting to the floor he needed, providing exercise at the same time. It would take longer than the elevator (barring any unfortunate break-downs) but maybe that was alright.
Finally decided, Matt swerved to the stairs and lightly padded his way up them, counting his steps and growing more and more anxious the higher up he went. He was almost too familiar with this building and its occupants. There was the old gentleman who only shuffled down the hallway sideways, and the young lady on the third floor who had a different track suit for every day of the week. Matt passed by a family heading out for Sunday brunch, like they always did, and his fingers glanced over the door that led to the building's exercise room--the only room entirely covered in dust.
He smiled faintly, recalling all these small details that made this place feel more like home than he ever thought his new apartment could. Would he ever get to know the new city like he knew this one? Would he eventually find a restaurant that he liked, a Laundromat that was in working condition, and a movie theatre that wasn't too expensive? Doubt plagued the torn boy. There was so much in his hometown that was comfortable and known. What appeal did something entirely new and grand have to him in the end?
These thoughts weren't helping in the least. It was as if both TK and the building were teaming up to rebel against his choice. He tried to think back to why he moved out in the first place... something to do with having his own space and... that other reason. But, couldn't he have his own space here, too? Have his own apartment, but stay in the city that he'd known for years? Had he been too hasty in purchasing that apartment and getting that job? All these questions and no answers. Now Matt had responsibilities in his new life--responsibilities that did not look quite as appealing as they had six hours ago.
Frustrated and annoyed with his lack of commitment, Matt stomped up to the door of his mother's apartment and knocked rapidly. Soft footsteps approached and unlocked the deadbolt, turned the handle and opened the door. TK's head popped out to see who it was, but his welcoming face was snatched back when he saw who it was standing there.
"What do you want?"
"I just want to talk to you." Matt replied, sighing and running a hand through his hair. "Come for a walk with me."
TK didn't nod, but let the door go, leaving it ajar slightly and slipping on his shoes. Matt was glad he didn't refuse--he needed to get out of this building and he needed to get away from these people that haunted his thoughts. The brothers walked in silence. Matt had no idea where to start and TK wasn't about to start pouring out his feelings without a decent explanation first. The awkward silence stretched on, extending until they reached the park they used to frequent, back when they'd been smaller and much more innocent. TK sat down on the bench first, facing the wide, open green space. A chilly wind blew, but was blocked for the most part by the trees surrounding the enclosed bench. The silence stayed, and both brothers waited for the standstill to be broken.
He should've brought his jacket, at least. TK shivered lightly, his body trying to fight off the coldness of the breeze. He watched Matt out of the corner of his eye, noticing how his older brother fiddled with his graduation ring, signalling how ill at ease he was with the situation. TK nearly snorted at the thought of being the one to rectify that. No way was he going to be the one to talk first. He'd waited long enough for a decent explanation and damn, he was going to get one right now.
Sure enough, within a few moments Matt said, "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
Good start, but TK wanted more than that. He wanted to know why Matt had to get away from this city and why he hadn't told TK. An apology was not going to cut it.
The elder of the two exhaled sharply and let his head fall into his hands. "I didn't mean for it to end up this way, okay? I don't have a plan now and I didn't back when I decided to move. I just… felt like it was time to try something new. To try out a new city, with new people and new everything. I wish I could take you with me, TK, you know that. But I doubt Mom would let me." His face twisted to the side long enough for TK to glimpse the half-grin on his face. "I don't… I don't know whether I made the right choice or not. I may end up regretting this for the rest of my life, but TK, I couldn't pass it up. I had to see if I could make it by myself for a while, without anyone there to help me."
"But I want to be able to help you. And I can't when you're so far away." TK complained, growing frustrated by how pointless Matt's argument was.
He seemed to be convincing himself more than he was convincing TK. What exactly was the point in moving away without knowing whether or not you were really ready for it? Whatever happened to non-impulsive Matt?
"It's not that. I want you to be near me, of course. I was thinking about it, on my way to see you. I kept asking myself why on Earth I thought it was a good idea to pack up and leave. And you know what, I kept thinking about one of the reasons I left and how I didn't really want to tell you, because it's kind of lame. But I do now, TK. I took this opportunity for a reason—and a valid one at that."
"What?" TK asked impatiently. Couldn't he get to his point already? This was ridiculous…
"I... I wanted to move away so that by the time you're ready to move away, I have enough experience with that kind of stuff to help you. I know you want to help me, but that isn't the point of this whole thing. I want to be there for you when you decide that this city isn't what you want anymore. I want to help you pack all your things and help you find an apartment that isn't totally shitty. I want to be there when you get accepted to college and I'll even pick you up from your first day, just so I can be the first one to ask you how it went."
TK sat flabbergasted, mouth shut as he waited for more words to pour out of Matt's motoring mouth.
"There wasn't any other way I could think of that would make me feel like I was doing my job as an older brother to you. I had to get out there and know enough about the world to make sure you didn't fall into any holes. I don't want to mess that up. It's my responsibility, right? So, I'm going to stay at my new place and I'll come see as often as I can and then one day, you'll come to me and say 'Matt, I need your help.' And then I'll know that I made the right choice, TK, because there's nothing I want more than to be the one you come to for help."
The silence was even more awkward now—what were you supposed to say after a speech like that? TK wanted to say how much he appreciated Matt's thoughtfulness, his courage to face that dark unknown without fear, and most of all he wanted to hug his brother and never let go. It was overwhelming, finding out that someone would go to those lengths just to make you happy. TK had never felt this sensation before. The bond he shared with his brother could only grow stronger after this, undoubtedly. He couldn't hold Matt back; and he was more than ecstatic to wait for that day Matt envisioned. The day when Matt would reach out his hand and pull TK up to where he was, effortlessly. Like when they'd been children and Matt would help TK back to his feet when he'd fallen down. TK was silly to worry about Matt, though, because Matt didn't need someone to pull him up. He was well-balanced, and had no chance of falling anyways.
TK's voice floated through the air, releasing the tension with his soft-spoken words, "Okay. I trust you enough to do this."
Matt looked up, hardly believing this. He'd gotten off without a shouting match? He'd expected a furious TK—an unreasonable TK—and here he was presented with a calm, collected young individual that took his explanation rationally and better yet, was okay with it.
"Really?" he asked.
"Of course. I… I want to be able to lean on you for support, like you mentioned. I don't want to have to do it alone. And you won't have to either, you know. I am only a phone call away."
Matt smiled elatedly and replied, "You'll do fine, I think. And I know you're only a phone call away. But that only works when you actually pick up the phone, you know."
Standing, TK chuckled and gave him a sheepish look. Matt couldn't help but stare; would this boy really need his help when it came to it? Here he was, already mature enough to handle this situation smoothly and strongly enough to know that he'd be okay without Matt there all the time. But, like all relationships, helping each other went both ways. Perhaps TK didn't need help getting through this, but would need help with something else in the future. Matt would make sure he was there, ready for action. But this time, it was Matt who needed a helping hand to assist him through the changes he'd made.
And as TK reached out a hand to pull him up from the bench, Matt knew that he'd make it through, with his brother right beside him.
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