"Hey fag!" Keeping my eyes down on my book, I kinda figured they were talking to Arthur, though I know that's horrible for me to say, well, until a crumpled piece of paper landed on my desk after bouncing off my shoulder. Glancing over toward where I knew the voice and paper had come from, the football players that were in my second period class were all laughing, though no one else seemed to understand what was so funny. Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to my book, just ignoring them like always, till another paper wad bounced off my head. Sighing, I looked over at them again, most of them were trying to avoid laughing.
"Do you want something?" They laughed more, making Arthur, and many of the other students turn to them confused, they needed to grow up. "You're wasting your time, and breath."
That's right, hide behind you're poker face. Don't let them see the real you, you'd never live it down.
Rolling my eyes when they didn't say anything and just continued to laugh, I went back to my book, hoping after a while silence would return to the room and I could read in peace.
If you live much longer anyway.
Sighing to myself, I froze when I noticed the calendar on the board, shit, it's Friday! Closing my book, I pulled the list bruder always had me use when shopping for stuff for his parties, though thankfully this time he told me I only needed to get chips and pop. Let me think, last time I checked chips were three fifty, and a two liter of pop was two ninety-nine... Twelve bags of chips would be forty-two dollars... Seventeen bottles of pop would be fifty and eighty-three cents... Plus he blew the speakers out of the old stereo, so I'll need to replace those, which the ones he want are of course fifty three eighty... All that together would be one forty-six and sixty-three cents... With eight percent tax... One fifty-eight and thirty-six cents... I sighed then ran a hand through my hair, I'm going to have to use some of my own money, oh well, it's not to much, I could easily do work around the neighborhood for now to get it back. Jumping as the bell rang, I slid the list into my folder where I normally had it, then walked out of the class, surprised to find Alfred there waiting, he smiled.
"Yo, dude. Whatcha doin this weekend? Wanna come hang out at our place, we're having a movie marathon thing, and inviting a few people. You should totally come!" Hesitating, I noticed Arthur glare at his younger brother as he walked out and joined us.
"I wish you would not be so bloody loud, fat ass. I'm sure the whole school can hear you whenever you talk." Chuckling as Alfred looked down at himself, he put his arms around his stomach, his lower lip jutting out a little.
"I'm not fat! I'm fluffy!" Arthur and I looked at each other, and I couldn't help but laugh, Alfred crossed his arms, puffing out his cheeks annoyed, I think he's where Arthur got the idea from, because it actually looked like a pout on Alfred, still chuckling a bit, I shrugged.
"I can't make any promises, my bruder is throwing a party, so there's a lot of things I need to get, and things I need to do." They nodded, then Alfred held out a slip of paper, with phone numbers under their names.
"If you can, give one of us a call, both our cells are on there." As I nodded he ran off, glancing over at Arthur, he looked up at me nervously.
"Also, don't be afraid to call one of us if you need help, we'll always be there for you." He ran off as well, sighing, I tucked the paper into my pocket, heading toward my next class.
He's such a fag- You're a fag for being friends with him.
Groaning, I ran a hand through my hair, great, it was going to start calling me that now, just like a toddler that's learned a new interesting word. Glancing back the way Arthur had ran, I sighed and shook my head. There's something wrong with me... Very wrong...
Emptying the cart at the register, Matthew smiled a me, I think he tried to warn me but I didn't really notice, suddenly Alfred came up behind me, making me jump, startled.
"Yo Lutz!" Glaring at him from the side, he leaned over the counter a bit to talk to Matthew. "So Mattie, think you can come tonight?" So that's one other who was invited, but who was all going?
"I-I'm sure I can, but I'll give you a call when I get off work, eh?" Al beamed, making the trembling boy blush and look down at his work nervously.
"Wow, dude, I hope you're not walking home, that's a lot of shit!" Shrugging, I pulled the money out of my pocket, setting it on the counter as Matthew rang up the last few things.
"I do this every Friday, I'm used to it by now." Sliding bags onto my arm, I noticed Alfred hesitate, and I sighed as he grabbed bags too. "Al-"
"No. I'm helping you if you like it or not." I didn't argue anymore, he was a very stubborn person, I guess I could be too though... Matthew smiled at me as he counted the money and handed me the recept.
"Exact amount as always. See you later, eh?" I tucked the recept away, smiling back with a nod, as Alfred followed me out, he called to Matthew.
"Can't wait to hear from you Mattie!" Smirking as Al came to stand beside me, he looked a me and shrugged with a smile.
Upon getting home and seeing Gil's car gone, and Ivan's truck not around, I actually let Alfred come inside the house, which I have never let someone do.
"Dude! I don't see why you never let us come over! You're house is awesome and huge!" Glancing over at him as he looked around in awe, I set the pop and chips on the counter throwing the bags in the trash and grabbing the speakers.
"When Gil's not around, and the place is clean it's okay." Heading into the living room, he followed, standing and watching me wire the speakers. Turning to him as I finished, he was inspecting a dent in the wall, remembering it, I rubbed my head, still able to feel a small bump on my head. Freezing when the front door opened, I turned to Alfred, he looked back at me confused. As Gil walked into the living room, he stopped, seeing Alfred and me.
"Ludwig, who's this?" Standing up from the floor, I glanced over at Al again, trying to think of something to say as quickly as I could.
"Um, he helped me carry things home, and he was wondering if I could stay with him tonight." The room was quiet for a minute, then he shrugged, just shrugged, before moving over to the stereo to check out the speakers.
"Sure. How much were these? I'll pay you back when I get my check." I stared at Gilbert shocked, and it was a moment before I spoke, almost to stunned to speak.
"The recept is on the table. Um, thanks." Moving into my room, Alfred followed, glancing back with a strange look, then looked at me confused.
"By how you talk about him, I figured he be, you know, meaner?" Starting to pack a bag with clothes, with extras, just in case, I looked over, still kinda shocked myself.
"Well, he's sober for one, but he's never been like this before... Then again, you're the first friend I've had come into the house." Zipping my bag up, I flinched upon hearing Gilbert yell for me, and so let the fun begin.
"Ludwig! Come here!" Sighing, I moved to glancing into the living room, ducking back due to reflexes when I saw he had a beer bottle in his hand.
"Y-yes bruder?" Edging back out, he took a drink, giving me a curiously amused look, as if he had no clue what was wrong with me.
"I do want you to stay for an hour or two, to help clean a bit, okay? Then you're free for the rest of the weekend." I nodded, then glanced back at Al as he came up behind me, giving bruder a weary look.
"Hey, you have my number, I need to run and get snacks. We'll wait for you." Nodding again, he glanced at Gilbert one last time, then darted out of the house. Only mere seconds later the beer bottle shattered right by my head.
"You fucking lazy ass, no good brat! You can carry a few fucking bags from the store! You're only able to go cause I don't want your pathetic ass around here! Else I'd be making you scrub this house all weekend!" Flinching back as he came forward, I was horrified when my back hit the wall, only as he got closer did I smell more alcohol than one beer on his breath. Oh Gott, he is drunk... "Heaven knows why I was stuck with a good for nothing little bruder like you! Do me a favor and go kill yourself for real this time! I don't want to deal with you anymore!"
No one cares about you anymore... Not your "friends" and not your brother. Your life means nothing to any of them.
For the first time in years, I felt anger swell in my chest, not at myself, but at Gilbert, and at the same time, I felt horrible for it.
"Why am I not good enough? I'm only one person bruder! Only one! I can't do this all by my fucking self anymore! I can't shop, clean, cook, go to school, do homework, and protect you all at once! Now with this damn therapy, what am I supposed to do!" Tears ran down my cheeks, but the hate in his eyes didn't falter. "All I want is to make you happy but you won't let me!"
How can you make him happy if you can't even do anything right?
He grabbed my hair, pulling my head back to look up at him, his red eyes were narrowed dangerously, trying to squirm out of his grasp, he held onto my hair tighter, then slammed my head against the wall.
"You want to make me happy? Clean the fucking house then get your shit and get out, I don't want to see you back here all weekend! Then Monday we'll see about if you can come back, but don't get your fucking hopes up!" Nodding quickly, he shoved my head back against the wall, leaving a ringing in my ears, pausing for only a second, I quickly knelt down, picking up the glass, ignoring the cuts and pricks I was getting. Scrambling to pick up any beer bottles around, then got all the dirty dishes, washing them as quickly as I could, putting up the last of the dishes, the floor must have been wet, because I slid, falling to the ground, the three plates crashing and shattering around me. Laying there with the wind knocked out of me, Gilbert came into the room, crossing his arms angrily, sitting up and gathering the pieces, I froze when a shard of glass was pressed to my throat. "Give me one good fucking reason not to kill you right now?"
"You'd regret it later, da?" Feeling the glass move I turned quickly, scrambling away when I saw Ivan in the doorway, smiling, he closed the door, then his smile turned sinister. "Torturing him on the other hand, I'd gladly help with that." When Gilbert wasn't paying attention, I tried to escape from being trapped behind him, but Ivan moved and grabbed my arms holding them behind my back roughly. "Come on, do what you want, da? Just, don't kill him." Watching Gilbert climb to his feet, a smirk spread across his face, one I really didn't like.
"Bruder! Please! Don't! I try! I really do! Please!" He raised the glass to my face, lightly running the edge of it down my cheek, and I was surprised when my tears started stinging something, he grinned.
"Perfect, it's sharp." Fear gripped my heart as he placed the glass back against my cheek, this time though, he actually pushed down, dragging the glass across my cheek, down to my chin. Crying out, I jerked away, only for the glass to diagonally through my lips, making me yell even more, Gilbert grabbed the sides of my face quickly. "You're a fucking idiot!" Any hope I had for him disappeared as he started laughing, hanging my head, tears continued to burn my cuts, and the taste of iron in my mouth was strong, but all I could think of was how I'd failed him.
You'll never do anything right. You're life means nothing. What good are you for the world? None! You're a waste of space! Waste of air! Your brother never cared. Your parents never cared. Those so called friends of yours never cared. None of them ever will!
Closing my eyes tightly, I bit my already bleeding lip, trying to ignore the pain as Gilbert cut up my arms, chest, and stomach, if no one cared, then why would they act like they did? Why must they lie? If they all are lying, then why go so far to act like my friend?
Because you're so much fun to fool. To betray. Because you're so used to it, you don't even react anymore. They can get away with it when it's you, so they pretend, to make someone feel worse than they do.
When Gilbert punched me in the stomach, I doubled over, feeling nauseous suddenly, while I was doubled, Ivan let go of me, and something connected with my back sending me to the glass covered floor. Slowly climbing up onto my knees, Ivan dropped my bag next to me, as Gilbert grabbed my hair again, dragging me to the door. Barely catching myself on the edge of the stairs as Gilbert shoved me out, I tumbled down and landed with a thud and a small crack as one of them kicked me down. Moving just a little bit saved me from being hit with my bag, pulling it closer to me, I used it to help me sit up, then looked back at the doorway, where Gilbert and Ivan were laughing.
"Remember! Don't come back till Monday!" Hearing the door slam, I sat there for a second, then slowly and painfully climbed to my feet, looking at my arms, the gashes were thankfully starting to stop bleeding. I attempted to count how many their were, but they twisted to much, and there were to many, picking my bag up, I started walking to where I knew there was a pay phone, only just able to stop myself from falling as my right leg gave out. I sighed, then wiped my eyes, pressing on.
You really are an idiot, thinking they'll care enough to help you!
Only one way to find out if they're lying or not, leaning on the glass of the pay phone, I looked at the darkening sky, it had to be almost eight... Rummaging through my bag, I grabbed some change, then pulled their numbers out of my pocket. Alfred barely ever answers, so my best bet would be Arthur. Oh Gott, I hope he picks up. Putting in the money, I quickly dialed, holding the phone to my ear, as I placed my forehead against the cool glass. After about three rings, I was relieved that someone answered.
"Hello?" Now I froze, what was I supposed to tell him? I couldn't' tell him the truth... Would he believe that I got this if I say I fell on broken glass? "Hello...?
"A-Arthur...?" There was silence for a second, and I wiped my eyes again. "It's Ludwig, and I really need some help..." He shouted to someone on the other side, then spoke, almost panicking, to me.
"Okay where are you? Are you near your house?" Shifting all my weight off my injured leg, I glanced around, to make sure no one had seen me yet.
"Yeah, only a block north, at the pay phone, where we split up the other day." He spoke once more to someone on the other end of the line.
"Okay, don't leave, we'll be there shortly. Francis just dropped Matthew off and is gonna give us a ride to get you. I want you to stay on the phone as long as you can. What happened?" I stayed silent, trying to think of a lie to tell him, if I told him I fell, Alfred would know bruder had been home, so that lie would probably fall through... "Ludwig...?"
"I-I... I can't say... I just can't..." I could hear a car in the back ground only seconds before time on the phone ran out. Shit... That was the last of my change... Climbing out of the booth, I leaned against it, then slid down to the ground, needed to give my leg a rest, sliding up my pant leg, the area around my knee was swollen, with light black and purple forming around it. Great... Hearing a car, I looked up just in time to see a red car stop on the side of the street, and before it even stopped, Arthur jumped out, hurrying over to me.
"Oh my God..." He knelt down beside me, unable to hold his gaze, I dropped my head, feeling stinging in the back of my eyes. "At least tell me you didn't do this to yourself." I shook my head violently, then looked up as Matthew and Francis came over.
"No... I-I fell while washing dishes, and landed on the glass... Bruder wasn't home, and before he said it'd be best if I wasn't there for his party... So I just left..." Oh the tales my mind weaves... Carefully climbing to my feet, Matthew picked up my bag, as Arthur and Francis helped me to the car, though the later was staring at the ground, like he knew something, but wasn't going to tell. Arthur sat with me in the back, keeping quiet, but making sure none of the visible injuries were to bad, as we got to the house, Arthur ran inside to get Alfred to help, that's when Francis turned to me.
"It was Gilbert, wasn't it? 'E was drunk, no doubt." Hesitating, I nodded, then stared down at the floor of the car.
"Ivan has had to tell him twice not to kill me... Please don't tell Arthur or Alfred... They worry about me to much as is..." He nodded, then looked down himself, and sighed, then when he looked up again, I knew what he was going to say.
"Okay, I won't tell them, but I am telling your uncle... You can't keep living like this Ludwig. I used to sit by and just watch what he did, but I can't anymore..." But Francis and bruder haven't been friends for years...
You've been worthless your whole life. I said no one cares about you. No one ever did. No one ever will.
"F-Francis... You weren't supposed to say that... Remember?" So even Matthew knew, and he didn't tell me? I mean, sure we're not as close as we used to be as little kids, but still... Barely glancing over as Arthur returned with Alfred, Matthew climbed out of the car, looking at me sadly, as they helped me inside, I glanced back at Francis, he only glanced over before driving away. Upon getting inside the house, I was surprised to find Feli and Kiku with first aid supplies, Arthur stood back as I sat down, then crossed his arms, looking at me sternly.
"Now tell us the truth. What happened to you. You falling on broken glass is bullshit, that wouldn't have done this!" Alfred glanced around at the others, then turned to his brother, who was still giving me a cross look.
"Here, we'll go into the other room, maybe that will make thing easier, we'll play a game or something." He ushered the other three into another room, closing the door behind him, Arthur sighed then pulled a chair up in front of me, grabbing a bowl of water and a wet rag.
"Fine, at least let me dress the cuts..." I nodded, then he touched my shirt a bit, seeing a tear in it, then sighed. "Are there more?" Sliding up my shirt only just a little bit to show my stomach, he froze, his emerald eyes wide and horrified. "Just... Just take off your shirt so I can get them all... Okay?" Hesitating for a moment, I nodded, keeping my eyes on the floor, I pulled my shirt over my head, and he shook his head as he started dabbing one of the gashes on my shoulder. Flinching back, he looked up quickly, pulling the rag back. "S-sorry!" I sighed, this was going to take a while.
After Arthur thought he had my chest, stomach, and arms patched up enough, he lightly touched the gash on my cheek that had cut through my lips, then sighed.
"This one may need stitches, but I don't really know..." Great. He lightly dabbed my cheek, closing my eyes due to how close the rag was, I could have probably fallen asleep, but he lightly shook my shoulder after a few minutes. "Let me see your leg..." Sliding my pant leg up carefully, he moved from his chair, and set my foot up there, barely even touching it sent pain shoot up my leg. He leaned over me to grab something off the table behind the couch, I leaned back a bit when my heart possibly skipped.
Fag.
When he finally moved back a bit, he stopped and looked down at me, as I adverted my gaze his cheeks turning a deep red caught my attention for a fraction of a second, smirking to myself, I glanced over at what he was doing.
"This may hurt for a little bit, but wrapping it will force the swelling down and help it heal faster, okay?" Nodding, I held the end of the ace bandage as he started to tightly wrap it around my knee, watching him, I couldn't believe how worried he looked. As he tied off the wrap, he turned his gaze to me, then smiled a bit, helping me roll down my pant leg. "I'll forget about you telling me what happened for now, but I do want you to tell me, when you're ready though." Nodding, I grabbed my bag, and pulled out a non cut up tank top, slipping it over my head.
"Thanks for helping me..." He nodded, carefully helping me stand, as my leg gave out I tried catching myself, thankfully though, Arthur stopped me from falling, but when I tried to stand, he stumbled steadying himself. My eyes flew open as he moved back after a second, realizing what was happening, his face went deep red again, and he stood there shocked, his eyes wide, and his hands flew over his mouth, I looked away as heat washed over my cheeks. That moment when you and another boy are at the exact correct position that when one of you falls, you kiss... Yeah, that awkward moment? It just happened...
He's turning you into a fag.
We both stood there in silence, not looking at each other, and when the door opened from the other room, we both jumped and turned quickly, Alfred looked at us puzzled.
"Are you guys ready to come in and watch a movie now?" Glancing over at Arthur, he looked away quickly. Nervously shifting weight to my injured leg, I was glad that it kept me up, taking a slow step, I glanced back again.
"Come on, let's not keep them waiting any longer." Alfred beamed then disappeared, Arthur moved and stopped right in front of me, his cheeks still a deep red, and he was looking around nervously. "Arthur, we can pretend that never happened, right?" He nodded, then became more hesitant.
"Only..." He faded off, looking around again, he startled me by suddenly kissing me straight on the lips, for a second time if even the first was an accident, and pulling away a few moments later. "Only if you don't hate me for doing that..." Feeling my cheeks start burning again, I nervously cleared my throat, looking away.
"I-I don't..." He smiled sheepishly, then helped me walk into the other room, sitting down on one of the empty couches. Arthur flipped off the light and sat on the opposite side of me, even in the dark, his blush was still noticable. Smirking, I glanced at the TV for a second, before my eyes wandered back to the Brit. I couldn't hate him for that... No matter how much I hated to admit it, he was a damned good kisser...
To late. You fag.
Oh, shut up already.
Authors Note: O.O I don't like the abuse part of this chapter... e.e It could have been better. XD Though I guess I am used to Saw... Anyway! Here's chapter three and I hope you enjoyed it!... I kept getting sidetracked by manga so, luckily I even got it done. *whistles innocently* Well, expect chapter four hopefully next week! :D (P.S The last line IS meant to be italicized. It's a different voice in his head. DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN!)