For a moment Matthew turns back to say something to Alfred only to find the teen gone and Carlos in his place, "Um…where did my brother go?"
Carlos lets out a snort before muttering to himself, "Probably hanging out with the gay boy and Natalia's stalker."
While Matthew hears every word he doesn't say anything about it as the first warning bell rings, "Sorry guys I have to go."
The other two nod as Gilbert walks away but Carlos stays for a moment outside of Matthew's homeroom door, "I nearly forgot I won't make it to the movies tomorrow or…any other thing else this week." He sighs, "My Mama is sending me to visit my grandparents until New Year's."
Matthew shrugs, "That's fine." He smiles at the Cuban teen, "I mean I know how much you hate the cold and snow."
"God I hate the fucking snow." Carlos cuts him off, "Yeah I get what you're saying though…at least it's Florida and not Maine." As the second bell rings loudly Carlos quickly turns around and walks down the hallway, "I'll see you later. Hey I'll bring you back some nice ice cream too."
The blonde teen nods before walking in and sitting near the back of his homeroom thinking. He doesn't mind who is brother is friends with as long as he's happy but…why those two? He's only brought back when his teacher stares his way, "Um…I sorry."
"En français s'il vous plaît Mr. Matthew." The tall slender woman shakes her head at him as the rest of the class looks his way.
Matthew lets out a small cough before quickly answering her, "Oui, Je suis désolé Mme Smith. Quelle était la question?"
Only now does she smile at him, "Je vous remercie de vous joindre à nous, maintenant que vous connaissez la réponse à la première question?"
"Oui." He quickly takes out his notes although at this point he really doesn't need them, "L'armée n'a pas réussi parce qu'ils ne comptent pas sur les rudes hivers russes." When she nods and turns back to the board behind her he just sighs. It's not that he hates the class it's just he's already learned most of the language from his mother years before. Even Alfred knows a few phrases or two although he seldom uses them anymore. Which is another thing he doesn't understand about his brother, Alfred could have done what he did and taken easy classes for his last year but instead opting for harder classes.
It's not like their father is around long enough to notice or even care. They'll be lucky if the man will show up for their graduation if he even remembers that is. Once again he's brought back to the class as the bell rings and the class slowly leaves. Quickly he gathers his notes and races out thinking he'll have to finally ask his brother on the ride home.
By the time the day's almost over Alfred's not feeling any better but he wants to at least make it to the last class. So once again he sits in his usual spot in the back, as Matthew walks in and sits close to Gilbert before Ms. Hedervary glares at them and Matthew moves to sit with his brother. "Al?" Matthew quietly asks leaning over to his brother, "You feeling any better?"
"Yeah," Alfred forces a small smile, "I'm good." Alfred can tell his brother doesn't believe him so he quickly changes the subject, "Um…so you still going to the movies tomorrow?"
Matthew watches him for a moment before smiling, "Yeah but it's just me and Gil if you want to come." He watches his brother shake his head before Ms. Hedervary calls the class to attention.
"Okay, settle down." She scans the room quickly taking a silent count, "Now before we begin the essay that I assigned yesterday will be changed slightly."
The whole room lets out a moan before Gilbert speaks up, "Man, Ms. H not another romantic bullshit thing."
"Gilbert, language!" She stares him down for a moment.
The white haired teen just smiles back, "English I think unless the awesome me should have said it in German." The rest of the class snickers quietly at the remark.
"No I don't think you'll need to repeat it in German but thanks to your little comment I think that the essay should also include either your choice of a poem, short story or speech on the story." She puts her hands on her hips, "Be creative too don't just copy and paste things off of the internet because I'll know." Again her eyes fall on a certain Albino.
He's tempting her patience's but he can't help himself, "So no Fan Fictions or Yao-"
"Gilbert don't make me call your mother again." When his crimson eyes grow wide she smiles, "Now back to the story…where did we leave off yesterday?" She scans the class but no one answers her until she sees a small hand in the back. "Yes?"
Alfred looks down as some turn to him, "Um…we left off at um…God asking Cain where is brother was." He feels his face turn a slight red as he sits on his hands, "And Cain said he wasn't his brother's um keeper." The tall teen shifts slightly as he hears small whispers around him. Normally he won't answer but he'd rather not hear another lengthy lecture from Ms. Hedervary about not paying attention and answering her questions; until Gilbert starts arguing with her again.
She gives him a sweet smile before taking out her book, "Thank you Alfred."
Alfred returns her smile for a second before putting her head back in his book as Matthew looks on concerned. "You sure you're okay?" He whispers once Ms. Hedervary's back is turned, "That's not like you."
"What me answering?" Alfred whispers back, "Like I said I'm fine just…tired is all."
"Okay." Matthew turns back to his book while still watching his brother in the corner of his eye. English is the only class they share and since their first day back in September the younger twin has barely said anything during class and what's more he's never heard his brother talk like that before.
When the final bell rings Matthew stands and waits for Alfred to gather his things as Gilbert walks up to them and swings his arm around Matthew's shoulders, "So Birdie the awesome me says we do this essay thing together."
Matthew shakes his head, "You mean I do it and you nap on my couch."
"No…"
"Yes."
Gilbert thinks for a moment as the trio walk down the hallway, "Well…your couch is pretty awesome and can I help it if we sit down on it and I fall asleep?"
Matthew can't help but chuckle at his friend, "Fine after tomorrow's movie why not just stay over at my place?"
"Awesome Birdie." Gilbert let's out his own laugh going for his own car leaving both twins alone in the quiet parking lot.
Alfred shuffles a little watching the snow softly falling around them, "We really should get home before it really starts snowing harder." The younger twin hopes up into the passenger side as Matthew slides into the driver's seat, "And can we not listen to Christmas music?"
Matthew starts the Jeep and turns the radio dial, "I don't think there's anything but Christmas music on and it's not too bad."
"It just sounds all the same after a while." He turns the knob finally leaving it on a Country music station, "Well…at least it's different."
"Al, this is depressing." Matthew turns the station off after a moment, "And anyway I want to talk to you."
"I keep telling you I'm fine. I'm a little warm is all and I was listening to that." Alfred leans back watching the small snowflakes turn into large clumps.
Matthew shakes his head, "Now you're listening to me. Al…why don't you talk in class?" He watches his brother shrug, "And…why don't you stand up for yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Al, don't play dumb. You know what I'm talking about. Why do you put up with everyone's crap? I'm not saying to do what I did but man you're tall enough that you just have to stand up once and they'll back down."
Alfred bites his lip, "You don't know that…"
"No but it's better than just standing there and taking it! I mean come on Alfred if I can do it you can too." He shakes his head not noticing his brother trying to force the tears away, "It's not like I'll always be there with you."
The younger twin doesn't say anything until Matthew parks the Jeep in their driveway, "No…but I'm always there for you." He mutters quietly before slamming the door shut, "I'm not asking for you to be my keeper or anything."
It takes a moment for Matthew to understand as Alfred unlocks the door and walks inside, "Keeper?" He shakes his head as he follows his brother inside, "Why would I need to be your keeper?" He asks but Alfred's already up the stairs and closing his door, "Maple…"