The New Guy

Bickering

Mattie's POV

"I thought you guys were going to come next week." Gilbert said.

"Change in plans since our landlord wanted us out already." Francis explained.

"God, I hated that man." Toni groaned.

"It was mutual hate, Toni." Gilbert chuckled. "I hope that snob is suffering." The look on his face grew almost murderous. It scared me. The smile made it even more unsettling.

"Oh, Matthew." Dad suddenly caught my attention from his special chair. "Where is Alfred?"

"Not sure." I answered.

"God, that kid is going to kill me."  Dad groaned. 

"Bet." I muttered. Next thing I knew, Gilbert was laughing way too loud right next to me. I swear he blew my cover. 

"What the hell?" 

"D-don't wo-r-ry ahboow it." I hurriedly said accidentally stuttering and letting my accent seep into my voice. Dammit. 

"I have never heard him laugh like that...well, except when he was drunk but that's about it." Toni eyed me suspiciously. "What did you say?" 

"Nothing!" I raised my hands defensively. 

"He really didn't say anything important, I swear." Gilbert finally rasped out, wiping what I think was tears from his face. Did my one word really make him laugh that hard? That's so weird. 

"Then why did you laugh so goddamn loud?" I let slip out. They all looked at me with surprise. 

"It was still funny."

"Not really." I looked down at my fidgeting hands. 

"Are you doubting my sense of humor?"

"No!" I whipped my head up to him. "It's just there's funnier things out there." 

"What the hell did you even say?" Dad asked. 

I looked at him, "One singular word." 

"Which was?"

"Not saying, you'll yell at me."

"Matthew, come on, you're not five." 

"Yes, but I still fear adults." I am making a complete fool of myself. Lucky for me, my phone pinged. I pulled it out  and found a text from Al. 

Tell dad I'm staying over Kiku's house. 

"Oh shit." I said much too loudly. 

"What is it?"

"Al's staying at his friend's house." 

"Tell him too bad, he needs to get home now." Dad frowned harder. I did as told and Al responded quickly with a 'whatever too late' and a picture of anime on a TV. 

"Yeah, he's not coming." 

"Fine then." Dad finally said, sinking into his chair defeated. 

"Your brother really sucks." Gilbert butt in. 

"Not really," I looked back to him. "I mean, he's a disorganized piece of shit but he has his ways of staying on the right path." 

"Sounds like your defending his irresponsible actions." 

"I'm not!"

"You are."

"What the hell do you even know about responsibility?" I frowned. He looked ready to protest but clearly couldn't come up with anything.