My Brother's Best Friend • Prucan

Thespians

The morning of the day of the play, Matthew was forced to listen to Alfred rant about his part on their drive to school. "I mean, I don't understand why Lovino made me the bad guy in the musical. I look like a total douchebag. I also have to stand in the background while I watch Arthur kiss Natalia in front of the whole school." the American fumed, his hands gripping the wheel tightly as they pulled into the school parking lot.

"Well it's just a play. It's not like it's real or anything." Matthew muttered, trying to comfort his obviously irritated brother.

"THE KISS IS REAL." Alfred yelled, shutting the car off as he finished his horrific parking job.

"Ok first of all, calm down. Second of all, no it's not." Matthew reassured, grabbing his backpack out of the backseat before opening the door and hopping out of the car.

"I still have to look at it with my eyes." Alfred grumbled, joining this brother on the sidewalk.

"You're so dramatic. It'll be all over after tonight." Matthew said, chuckling as he opened the door to the school building. Alfred rolled his eyes and continued walking with a scowl on his face.

"I'll see you later little bro. I've got math." Alfred spoke, parting from his brother a he headed up the stairs towards the math department. Matthew gave a little wave before heading down a the hall to the gymnasium. They had left the house a bit late so Matthew assumed they had missed homeroom. He didn't mind though. Homeroom was probably just filled with people talking about the play and Matthew was not really in the mood to be thinking about it. He was very nervous for his date with Gilbert.

~time skip~

As soon as the bell signifying the end of the school day rang, Matthew rushed to his locker in hope of seeing Arthur. He wanted to wish him luck before the play. When he arrived, Matthew was pleasantly surprised to see his brother and Arthur talking in front of Arthur's locker. Arthur was red-faced, per usual, and Alfred was a bit flustered as well. Matthew had never seen his brother look so embarrassed. He had also never seen his brother talk to Arthur at school. Maybe that was why he was so bashful.

"Hello to my two favorite thespians!" Matthew called out, interrupting their conversation as he walked up to them.

"You told me I was a Gryffindor!" Alfred exclaimed, sounding offended as he looked at his brother.

"What?" Matthew and Arthur asked in unison, both looking up at the American like he had ten heads.

"That Harry Potter thing, right? I can't be a thespian if I'm already a Gryffindor!" Alfred said, causing the two juniors to burst out in laughter next to him.

"You're an idiot." Arthur teased, wiping a happy tear from his eye as he tried to hold his laughter.

"How am I an idiot?! That's how it works, right?!" Alfred asked, looking genuinely confused as Matthew and Arthur continued to burst out in laughter.

"Alfred.... Thespian means actor... It has nothing to do with Harry Potter." Matthew explained through fits of laughter. Alfred's face suddenly filled with realization and then a bit of anger.

"Why didn't you just say actor then?!" Alfred asked angrily, crossing his arms like a child having a fit. He obviously wasn't happy about getting embarrassed in front of Arthur. Neither of the two juniors cared though. They both continued laughing until Alfred uncrossed his arms and stomped away.

"Oops, looks like someone's angry." Arthur exclaimed, watching Alfred walk away from their lockers with a slight frown on his face.

"He'll get over it. Anyway, I came here to tell you to break a leg. I'll be in the audience cheering for you." Matthew spoke, giving Arthur a supportive hug.

"Have fun on your date." Arthur said, smiling as he pulled away from their hug. Matthew suddenly felt his face flush as he heard the word "date". He had never been on a formal date before. When he was in middle school he was forced on a mini golf date with this girl who had a crush on him, but that obviously never worked out. Tonight was going to be his first real date.

"Have fun kissing Natalia." Matthew joked, causing Arthur to roll his eyes.

"Don't remind me." Arthur groaned. "Anyway, I've gotta go. Dress rehearsal starts in a few. It's only five hours until show time. I need to warm my voice up. I'll see you later."

"Good luck!" Matthew said again, smiling as he watched Arthur scurry off towards the auditorium. After Arthur turned the corner, Matthew looked down at his watch to see that it was already two thirty. Cringing a bit, Matthew opened his backpack and pulled out some books to put in his locker. After unlocking it, Matthew opened it to reveal a neatly wrapped gift placed on top of some of his textbooks. After setting his books down, Matthew picked up the gift with curiosity and noticed a card taped to the back. Flipping it open, Matthew smiled as he recognized the handwriting.

Dear Matthew,

I hope you like this present because I suck at picking out presents and I consulted the greatest fashionista in our town (Francis) just so I could get it right. I want you to wear this to the play tonight so I can have the classiest date in the entire auditorium. I mean, I already have the classiest date in the auditorium, but I believe this will top it off nicely. See you at 7 Birdie.

Sincerely,

Gilbert

p.s. I had to ask your brother what your locker combination was and he threatened to kill me if I hurt you so remind me not to hurt you thanks

Matthew's face immediately grew red as he read the letter. Gilbert was so... cute? Matthew couldn't believe he was saying it but the once-intimidating German now seemed like a little teddy bear. After slipping the card into his pocket, Matthew unwrapped the gift and opened the little box to reveal a really cute polka-dotted bow tie.

Matthew smiled like an idiot before putting the bow tie back into the box and shutting his locker. He needed to get home and get changed, but he didn't have a car. Alfred had driven him to school and Matthew didn't have the keys, so after leaving the building he began his twenty minute walk home. He was very excited to wear his new bow tie.