I grew up in a neighborhood outside of New York City and 491.9 miles away from a twin brother i had never known.We wouldn't meet until sophomore year of my high school hockey career. I remember it so clearly the day we met, it was during a tournament for some travel team. I got my ass handed to me by this kid who's strength betrayed the shape of his body and by the end of the third period my team had been crushed. I remember sitting my ass on the ice pouting like a piss pour sport when a boy skated up to me. He extended his arm out to me, looking up I knew it was the kid from before so I took his hand and pulled myself up." Good game kid." He said taking his helmet off to reveal golden hair, pale skin and kind violet eyes."Mathew? Mathew Williams?" I took my helmet off as this kid looked at me like an idiot. I knew mom said that he played hockey up in Toronto but I never imagined this coincidental meeting. Our features were astonishingly too similar. "Mattie!" I yelled wrapping my arms around the kid."uh- do I know you?" He stuttered out.This was the beginning of the best god damn friendship I'd ever had.
Before every game i think back to that day, the day I met my brother for the first time. Now 3 years into my professional career I'd face him again. When we were a little younger I would convince my family to go visit him even if the drive was 7 hours. The second our car parked in that driveway I was out on the iced over pond where I knew he'd be. We practice and practice and practice together. I owe my professional career to him, well that and I'm just really good at what I do! It is our pregame ritual to call each other before every game even when that game was against another. I had just gotten off the phone with Mattie when a rink mate of mine came in to announce the beginning of warm ups.
The game had finally started slowly, the team we were playing was nothing compared to some of the men on our team but still adrenaline rushed through my body like every match before. There was a point in the game where I got too carried away, while slamming a guy against the side of the rink my poor eyes connected with the most beautiful human being I'd ever seen, though it was only a quick second before the man tried to force me off. I'd never been in such a trance in my life but still I slammed him to the ground all the while the stranger in the stands watched me. I sat in the penalty box just staring at him even if he wasn't looking back. He had messy blonde hair with eyebrows that didn't quite match in color, they were thicker but groomed well. I remembered his eyes or what I could make out of them. They were a green, deeper and more beautiful than any pine tree in any forest I'd ever seen. His face looked so familiar yet I couldn't pin point where I'd seen it before. Suddenly he turned back towards me those eyes piercing through mine.
"Al, come on dude." I heard a voice distantly, there was a slap on my back before the trance was broken.
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This man kept staring at me, I felt uncomfortable but didn't mind at the same time. I was use to people staring at me it was an everyday occurrence but his look was different. It was curious and unknowing. He took his helmet off quickly to wipe at his forehead which was covered by blonde sweaty hair but it didn't look bad. He squinted often like he couldn't see very well but I could see him and his eyes. They were nothing spectacular, cornflower blue, but when you looked into them that was a whole different story. When our eyes met quickly I could see a friendly person, somewhat excitable, like the guy who rambles on but is always positive. I wish everyone could aspire to be like that but even i am guilty of a groggy personality. I stole one last glance before he returned to the ice, what an interesting character. At first I was upset I was dragged here because I'd never found hockey amusing but now I was amused. Not with the sport but him. He pranced around out there like a child the first time they go on the trolley or to the zoo. So excitable.
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After the game and everyone left I dried my hair to the best of my abilities with a towel before throwing it into my old and dirty bag. When I made my way out the door there was a commotion around the other side of the building. Peaking my head around curiously I was met with a disgruntled blonde man being surrounded by a couple of reporters. I had recognized the blonde even with my glasses on now. I had to do something, he looked so stressed!
"Hey I was looking for you everywhere!" I said approaching him. " are you ready to go?" His green eyes searched mine very confused but desperate. "Uh- yea. Yes let's get on with it!" He said while going along. I swung my arm over his shoulder and waved off to the reporters. We walked away at a fast pace until we were far enough away that they wouldn't follow. " why'd you help me?" He questioned while suddenly stopping. "Well you looked like you were in trouble, I couldn't just stand by." I shrugged making him roll those green orbs. "I could have handled it myself thank you."
"Maybe." I said smiling which only made him more annoyed. "Besides. I saw you watching me during the game." He scrunched his eyebrows and crossed his arms. " bug off I was not! If anything you were looking at me!" This made me chuckle. Such a small figure could hold so much sas.
"Arthur!" Someone called from behind me. "So that's your name?" I mumbled inaudibly. " oh Kiku, I thought I'd lost you." I turned to see a small Japanese man running this way. He stopped out of breathe before saying another word. " I'm sorry. I lost you in the crowd of those reporters. I didn't think they'd be here honestly." He straightened himself and I could get a good look at the man. He was short but it was as if he was hiding so much strength under those clothes. He had dark raven hair which was trimmed nicely around his face and his eyes were a rich brown, hidden under his long lashes." Thank you sir for helping Mr.Kirkland get away from those reporters." He bowed. " it's no problem dude, Radom act of kindness I guess?" Arthur only smirked. " well we really must be going!" He said walking over to the other man, looking at the ground his features softened. "That was really nice of you actually, I never quite got your name."
"Alfred."
"Well Alfred thank you." He halfway smiled before turning to leave. Somewhere in the back of my mind I really hoped this wouldn't be the last time we met.
