Brotherly Bonding [BoyxBoy]

Brotherly Bonding- 5

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This is Ben's POV!

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"Yes sir!" I call to my manager, he just sits there like the bulldog he is, eyes narrowed and pen about to burst all over his shirt from the pressure he's putting on it. I would love that. I finish wiping down the machine like he had told me too, though I was already half way done. Tyler calls to me, so I throw the rag into a bucket and thankfully retreat to the cash registers in the serving area. I give him a look of pure homicidal anger and he tries not to laugh.



"We've got a mango with strawberry, Ben," He tells me, his smirk evident. He could probably hear me getting chewed out for nothing, and that was why he had called me.

"Gotcha!" It's almost protocol that we act consistantly cheery, because apparently when people go to a smoothie joint they want the whole atmosphere to be repulsively happy, down to the bright yellow-orange uniforms we wear. I scold myself for picking up on Aaron's attitude, walking toward the preparation area.



I look into the shiny metallic surface of the big refridgerator that holds all the fruit, tucking a few strands of my white blonde hair back into place under my cap. My hat and uniform don't clash with my appearance, so it's not like it's the end of the world. I'm also not one of those people that hate how they look; I like the shade of my hair, its style, and I love the features of my face, the way they closely resemble Tyler's. I let a tiny, real smile slip onto my lips as I turn away, then let it spread to a grin as I jump up quickly to the blenders and cups.


Expertly I chop up two mangos, and dice a handful of strawberries. I swiftly slide them into my hand with the knife and clamp the lid onto the blender, chuckling as the blades begins to whirl. Every once in a while I have these moments, and I love my job. It's fun to entertain the customers sometimes, occasionally they even clap, if you're really showboating.


This time, the man on the other side of the counter is only smirking, and Tyler is leaning back against it, watching me with a whistful smile playing at his lips. I stop it early, add a few more ingredients, yogurt and ice, then continue until it's a thick yet watery blend of fruity magic.


I laugh lightly, pouring the reddish-pink liquid into a cup. Then I hop back down, and Tyler meets my eyes as our fingers brush, passing the cup from my hands to his.

"Thanks Benny," He rings the man up, who leaves in a seemingly pleased mood. After he leaves, my cousin turns to me, "Now only five hours and about fifty more of those to go."


I groan, falling with my head on my arms on the counter.




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This is Aaron's POV!

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I yawn and scrub my eyes when I wake up, then quickly realize it's two in the afternoon. Just like the other day, I spring out of bed and scramble into my clothes, though I know it's a useless attempt. I've missed school already.


As soon as I sprint down the stairs, I'm met by Ash and Jesse in the kitchen. Jesse silently chews on a mouthful of cereal and Ash smiles at me over his mug of coffee.


"Saturday," he says simply.




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This is Jordan's POV! New!

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Life working at a gas station would be considered by many, hell. I can only agree when I have days like these.


"Dude," I say to Matt. "You're leaving?"


He turns back to me, his jacket halfway off his shoulders. "Uh, yeah?"


"You can't!"


"Jordan, you're a big boy. You can take care of this place for a few more hours all by yourself." He gives me an amused face and shrugs his jacket all the way off. "Just read a magazine, put shit on shelves, look like you give a damn. Do your usual, but ALONE!"


I narrow my eyes as he laughs, walking into the centre of the room and waving.

"Bye bye!" He says, he thinks he's so damn funny. I try to ignore the stupid wave he gives me, and sit down on the stool.

I do exactly what he says, I read a magazine, go out and pump gas, eat some sunflower seeds. I even flirt a bit with a pretty woman about my age who comes in to buy a pack of gum and some smokes. It's pretty uneventful, I'm actually surprised when some kid comes in and heads directly to the slushie machine.


I eye him suspisciously as I leave my post, setting up some box of random things on the shelves. A few minutes later a hear a shattering of plastic, a spilling of thick liquid. I groan loudly as the boy gasps.


"It's fine," I tell him, getting up from my crouch. "I'll get it. Go get another or something..."

Looking positively terrified, the kid leaves without getting another or paying for his spilled drink. Lovely.


The mop sits far in the back room, but I don't get to it. I hadn't checked where exactly the kid had made his mess, so when I speed past and sneaker meets ice, I slip.

"Fuck!" I scream, not able to catch myself. My fingers almost grasp the edge of the counter. All I can hear is a smacking sound, then cracking. My vision goes black with pain as the air in my lungs escapes me.



My mind doesn't even compute how screwed I am.



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This is Tyler's POV!

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"Pace!"


"Which one?" I call to Mister Wilhide.


"... Brown haired Pace." I snort to myself as I shake my head, leaving the register unattended. He'll probably give me shit about it later, though it's his fault.


"There you are."

"Tyler, Sir," I correct politely.

"Whatever, call from the hospital," He says, acting bored.

"What?!" I nearly scream at him, grabbing the phone from his hands. "Hello?"

I listen with worried attentiveness for a few moments, my eyes moving back and forth almost of their accord. I finally take a big breath as I agree to be there right away, slamming the phone down on its receiver.


I don't listen to Wilhide's complaints as I stride out of the back room, determination mingling with fear in my expression.


"Ben," I say loudly, making him turn just at my tone. "It's Jordan."


Somehow he gets what I mean, and Ben sprints away, jumping up and sliding over the counter quickly.


We hail the first taxi, and usher the driver to go faster every few seconds.



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This is Aaron's POV! ... Again!

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I sit with Ash on the couch, having a conversation with him and Jesse. We discuss Gecko and how he's doing with his recovery, then a few more concerning things, like paying for his food and finding room to house him.


We decide that we'll most likely be able to afford his cost of living, and reach a stalemate at where exactly he's staying.


"I still think the cousins would love have to him sleep in their room," Jesse says, taking a swing of his beer.

"Agreed," I say, sipping at my water. I feel rather loser-ish sitting with the older guys, one being my brother, and drinking a cool glass of water as they toast their alcohol. But it actually wasn't too bad, other than the tiniest intimidation.


"Whatever, they can figure it out when the animal gets better," Ash says with finality.


"He has a name," I tell him sarcastically, leaning down to look at the dog. "Isn't that right, Gecko?"


"Oh please don't get attached to that thing!" I chuckle at my brother's indignance.


"Sure," I smile sheepishly as he ruffles my hair. "Why is he called Gecko anyway?"


"It's Ben and Tyler, I don't try to understand their randomness."


I smile brightly at Ash, putting my back against the cushions. It was a pretty good day, and I'm still having a great time with the simple small talk. Lucas was too cool to hang out with us, or really me. He stays locked in his room, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

"They're random -and annoying- but still, they-"


Then the two people in question stumble in the door: supporting a limp figure between them.


"Jordan!" Ash yells suddenly, standing. Me and Jesse bolt out of our seats, and the two next to me help Ben and Tyler set him across the couch.

His face twists in pain as he's set down, but his body barely even moves.


"What happened?" Ash asked.

"We were called at work."

"Walked out," Ben says breathlessly.

"Jordan," Tyler pants, "He slipped at- work. Man!"

Ben wraps an arm around his torso, and Tyler an arm around his shoulders to stay supported. I don't even question the sentiment as I kneel by my injured housemate.

"He's pretty beaten up," Ben says, wincing and holding a stitch in his side. "Broken too."


"Broken?" We all turn to see Lucas in the doorway to the livingroom, eyes wide and questioning.


Tyler and Ben explain again in better detail, finally gaining their breath back. They hurriedly finish each other's sentences as they rush to finish their story, succeeding in losing me a couple times.


"We spent half our shift at the hospital," Ben frowns, leaning against Tyler heavily.


Ash, natural born leader of our group, makes sure Jordan is as comfort as he can get with all his injuries.

Then he sighs in agitation as an annoying sound grates our ears.

We all turn again to Lucas, seeing what he cleared his throat for.


"Am I the only one seeing the problem here?"

I can feel the anger radiating off Ash as he gazes at Lucas, raising an eyebrow. "Which is?"



"Jordan won't be able to work."