with you ✎ prucan

Chapter One: First Days and Closet Gays

"Okay, Matthew. It's the first day of senior year. It's not at all terrifying." Matthew told himself as he looked in the mirror, hoping that maybe a shitty pep talk would raise his spirits and get rid of that pit of dread sitting at the bottom of his stomach.

"Um, Mattie? You talking to yourself, dude?" Matthew turned his head and jumped when he saw his brother poking his head in the door. Alfred had his eyebrows knitted together as a look of slight concern fell upon his face. His sky-blue eyes blinked through his glasses at Matthew, waiting for an answer.

Matthew just blushed and looked away. "N-no...yes? Sorry."

Alfred walked towards him, his signature beaming smile on display as he slung an arm around Matthew. "That's alright! You don't have to apologize! You always say sorry for everything, man, stop being such a pushover!" Alfred clapped his brother on the shoulder as he walked back towards the door.

Matthew frowned and stared at his sock feet. "I'm not a pushover," he mumbled.

Alfred, nearly out the door, stopped and chuckled. "You totally are. Anyway, Arthur's on his way. You almost ready?"

Matthew looked up at him. "I guess so. I'll be downstairs in a minute."

"Okiedokie!" Alfred called before skipping down the stairs. 
Matthew looked at himself in the mirror once more, giving his hoodie and jeans combo a last glance.

"I suppose it doesn't matter what I wear. Not like anybody notices me, anyway," he muttered to himself before grabbing his phone and wallet from his nightstand, slipping them both in his backpack and swinging the bag over his shoulder before turning his bedroom light off.

***

"Come on, wankers! We'll be late!" Arthur called, his car parked by the curb outside Matthew and Alfred's house. Matthew went ahead and got into the backseat of Arthur's car, where he always sat. Alfred always got shotgun–not that Matthew would protest.

"Shut it, Kirkland!" Alfred retorted as he threw his football bag in the trunk of the car. "It only takes ten minutes to get to school! And the way you drive, dude, we'll be there in five," he added as he slid into the passenger seat.

Arthur hit him on the bicep before driving off, making Matthew giggle in the backseat. The English boy looked at Matthew in the rear view mirror, smiling. "How are you, Mattie? Excited for senior year?" Alfred and Arthur had been best friends since middle school, when Arthur had moved there from England. They'd always been the loud, rowdy friends that got in trouble for talking in class and passing notes. But despite how he and Alfred behaved around each other, Arthur was always sweet to Matthew. When Alfred had first introduced him to his brother, Arthur could hardly believe the quiet introvert who could barely meet his eyes was his best friend's brother. He'd even asked to see his birth certificate to prove Matthew wasn't adopted. But over time Arthur had come to care for Matthew and loved him like he was his own brother.

"Y-yeah, kinda nervous but excited too." Matthew sent Arthur a small smile and went to looking out the window at the passing houses.

Arthur let out a small chuckle, keeping his eyes on the road. "I think it's gonna be the year that makes us or breaks us, mind the cliché. Don't you agree, Alfie?" he said, glancing at the male in the passenger seat for a  brief second.

"I think I'm gonna break your face, Booze Cruise," Alfred teased, grinning dopily at his best friend. Arthur narrowed his eyes, his thick, dark brows furrowing as he gritted his teeth. That was a nickname he'd earned during the summer at a wild beach party when he'd gotten absolutely smashed and tried to steal a passing sailboat. Arthur hated it; Alfred was determined to never let it die.