2. New Boys

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I woke up to my cellphone going off. I rolled onto my side and unlocked the screen. It was a text from one of my only friends, Ray Toro. It read ‘Hey, are we hanging out today, or no?’ I had to reply with a no. I knew that Mom wouldn’t let me leave since it was their first days here. I looked at the time, it was going on eleven. I sprang out of bed, put on some clean clothes and ran downstairs. 

Our house wasn’t all that big, and it wasn’t all that amazing. It could fit my mom, and I guess now the two guys. I fell down the last four steps, ignoring my stumbling, I got back to my feet and walked into the kitchen. Mom was in the kitchen, behind the island counter, an amused smile on her face as she looked at me. There were two guys sitting on the bar stools of the island counter. One of them was kind of hunched over, his black hair shielding his face. The other, he was sitting upright, his mousy brown hair wild and he had a smile on his face. 

“Nice one, Frankie. This is the fourth time you’ve done that this week.” Linda said as I rubbed the palm of my hand; which I had scuffed on the floor when I fell. 

“I know, sorry.” I said, I was about to walk farther into the kitchen, when the brown haired boy looked at me, his glasses kind of pulled his face together and fit him just right. Sometimes one knew a person that looked too weird with glasses, but his glasses just fit him. Maybe because he kind of looked like a nerd, given that MineCraft shirt he was wearing, but the thick rimmed glasses just pulled his look down pat. The guy beside him was sitting still hunched over, barely moving, but his hands that were on the table, those were moving, his fingers were twitching, almost like he was playing music upon some kind of stringed instrument, but they just did it almost natural. 

“Hi, I’m Michael, but I’d prefer if you’d call me Mikey.” The mousy brown haired guy said with a somewhat friendly smile, his hazel eyes were nice and warming, something I’d trust. “You’re Frank, I assume.” Mikey added. I nodded and gave him a smile. Linda came over and slid a mug of coffee along the counter toward me. I sat down beside Mikey at the island counter. 

“Yea, I’m Frank. The one and only.” I joked in a macho tone. “Nice to meet you.” I told him. Mikey dipped his head, drinking his own coffee. I figured the other guy, with the black hair was Gerard, I mean, he kind of resembled the black haired guy in the photograph from last night. I drank my own coffee.

“What do you guys feel about pancakes?” Linda asked after a few moments. Mikey looked up at her.

“That would be delightful.” Mikey said politely. I nodded, not really risking speaking with a mouthful of coffee. Linda looked at Gerard, who’s head was still down and fingers still tapping. His head wasn’t down on the table, but his head was just drooped, his hair was long enough to reach the table and kind of splay out around his face so it was concealed. 

“Gerard, honey, would you like some pancakes?” Linda asked hesitantly. Even within the first few minutes she’d turn all motherly toward them, wanting them to feel at home and safe. She was about to touch Gerard’s shoulder to get his attention, but Mikey cleared his throat. Linda paused and looked at the younger brother.

“Don’t.” Mikey warned. Linda’s eyes widened at Mikey’s serious tone. If he were a dog, teeth would be bared, fur would be up. “He doesn’t like…people touching him.” Mikey said in a calmer voice. His expression was hard, but his voice was soft. He looked at his brother. “It’s not something he’s accustomed to.” Mikey said.

“Alright, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Linda said, she dropped her hand down to her side.

“He’ll eat some if you put it in front of him.” Mikey told her, he gave her a sad and hopeful smile. Linda nodded and turned to the stove. Mikey tapped his fingers in sync with Gerard’s fingers and he lifted his head slightly, looking through his hair at his younger brother. I couldn’t help but to watch their strange way of communicating, I mean, I was right there, and I hadn’t ever been an observer to something quite like this.

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