Brian jogged up the empty driveway up to the white and dark blue trim house that Levi lived in. It felt odd not seeing the old red truck in the driveway. Levi babied the hell out of the old rust bucket. Then again, Brian had no room to talk. The gray hatchback car his parents let him and Hannah drive was probably near the same age as Levi’s truck. He took the steps for the porch two at a time with his long legs. The porch in question was one of those that wrapped around the house to the back yard. Brian reached out to pull open the screen door, so he could knock on the dark blue wooden door.

He looked over his shoulder at the hatchback to see Hannah on her phone before turning his eyes up to the cloud-covered sky. “Maybe we’ll get snow early.”

Brian jolted when he finally heard a loud thunk followed by a curse and soon sounds of muttering heading closer to him. He turned in time to have the door yanked open, and a grumpy Levi slumped over one crutch. Brian slowly lifted his hand. “Hi.” He pointed a finger at the crutch. “Don’t those normally come in pairs?”

Levi flipped him off before he shuffled away, moving surprisingly fast for having only one crutch.

“I request dinner and a movie before we do anything.” Brian caught the bookbag that was thrown at him. “Right, angry Levi. So why are we angry?”

Levi tried to reach down and pick up his crutch before he gave an angry huff. “Forget it, I’m leaving it.” He started to shuffle away when Brian walked over and grabbed the crutch. “Leave it there. Maybe Michael will trip on it and leave.”

“Who?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Complicated like a scorned lover way or-”

“What?” Levi caught on before scrunching up his nose like he smelt something terrible. “Ew, no. Family complicated.”

“Ah. Still confused, but that’s okay.” Brian tucked the crutch under his arm. “We’ll take this just in case you lose the other one.”

Levi rolled his eyes before heading for the door. “Fine, whatever. Let’s go before we’re late. I don’t want to sit in the front office waiting for a late slip.”

Brian grinned as he shouldered Levi’s bag and held his arm out toward the open front door. “After you?”

Levi hobbled for the front door, where he slipped his foot into one of his shoes. He grabbed keys out of a bowl next to the door. “Grab my other shoe.”

“Yes, sir!” He gave Levi a mock salute, and Levi rolled his eyes again but didn’t hide the smile forming fast enough. “Let’s go learn how to not do things.”

“Speak for yourself. I need all the classes if I want to get into the college I want.”

Brian shrugged as he reached for Levi’s other shoe. “I’m good. I’d rather play games for a living.”

They exited the house, and Levi closed the door behind Brian. Levi locked the door as he laughed. “Of course you would want to do that.” He turned and headed for the stairs. Levi was about to hobble down when Brian held out the crutch. Levi took the crutch with a huff as Brian looked down at Levi before he shook his head in amusement. “I’m ready for the weekend.”

Declan yawned as he sat on one of the many benches that could be found around Silver Creek Jr. High and High School. The original school had been named after the old mines that dried up almost a hundred and fifty years ago—the current Jr. High and High school ended up being rebuilt when the original smaller high was burned to the ground almost twenty years ago. Since then, it’s expanded and now included Jr. High students.

Drystan dropped onto the bench next to Declan, pulling his attention. Sometimes being identical twins had its advantages, and others not so much. Both were red russet heads, hair cut short around their ears. Matching pale green eyes watched as other students were dropped off by bus or car. Declan reached up to scratch at his fair freckle-covered cheek. “So,” he dragged out the ‘o’ before continuing, “on a scale of one to pissed, how pissed is Levi going to be?”

Drystan shrugged, his leg starting to bounce. “It’s Levi. He’s too active, so he’s going to be upset about the bed rest at least.”

Declan glanced at him and grinned. “You drink too much coffee again?”

“Like you're any better, Mr. I like my coffee iced.”

Declan stuck his tongue out at Drystan, who arched an eyebrow in question. “Mature.”

“More than you.”

Drystan hummed and then glanced off to the side. “I hear Brian.”

His brother perked up. “Hannah?” 

“You have a one-track mind.” Drystan sighed when Declan took off in the direction Brian had parked. He was not running anywhere, even if he wanted to. Looking down at his ratty running shoes, Drystan waited. He really wasn’t disappointed when Brian’s tall and lanky form appeared with Declan’s shorter form tucked under his arm. Declan was flailing, and Drystan snorted, “That didn’t take long.”

Brian deposited Declan on the bench next to Drystan. “I believe this belongs here.”

Drystan grinned. “There’s dumpsters out back if you wanna toss him there.”

“Drystan!”

“I’m considering it,” Brian muttered as he looked down at Declan. He yelped when Hannah appeared behind him to shove a foot against the back of his knee. Levi came hobbling up quickly on crutches in time to watch Brian hit the sidewalk. “Hannah!”

“Leave my boyfriend alone!”

“Awe, I missed Hannah kicking Brian!”

Declan hopped up and wrapped Hannah in a hug. He quickly took the backpack off Hannah’s back. “Let me carry that for you.”

Hannah caught Declan’s hand and smiled. “Thank you, but that’s not my backpack.” She dipped down to press a kiss to the shorter male’s cheek.

“Then who’s is it?”

Levi grinned and winked from where he was standing next to Drystan. “Thanks, boo.”

“Why do you guys pick on me?” Declan whined. “You never pick on Drystan.”

Drystan stood up and took the backpack from Declan. “I’ll take that. This way, you can carry Hannah’s bag for her.”

“But you’re a grade lower than him. You don’t have any classes with Levi.”

“My class is next to Levi and Brian’s.”

“But your locker is on the other side-”

“It’s art. I’m good.”

Brian grumbled as he stood up. Levi grinned as he asked, “How’s the trip?”

Drystan snorted and turned away to hide his face as Brian groaned. “Levi, why?” He wiped at his knees. “That’s not even funny.”

“He thought it was funny.” Levi pointed at Drystan.

“Nope.” Drystan waved them away as he started walking. “Nope. I found nothing funny.”

A grin was on Levi’s face as he quickly followed after Drystan on his crutches. “That’s okay, Drystan. We can keep your secret. I mean, it’s normal to like punny jokes.” Brian was a few paces behind the two shorter males. “Drystan! Come on, Drystan! I have more if you wanna hear it.”

Declan and Hannah followed after their other three friends. Hannah gave a smile as she handed her bag over. “You’re amazing. But I’m ready to toss my own brother in the dumpster if he tries to do the same to you, okay?”

Declan smiled at Hannah. “He won’t hurt me. But I would pay to see you toss him in the dumpsters.”