No One At All

–Clothes! –Need clothes!

The boy rummaged through his white closet, searching for some sort of clothing to wear to school. Thing is: he should've been dressed already. Out of all the piles of clothes he could pick from, he still can’t seem to find anything to wear. It was nearly eight-o’clock in the morning and he still isn’t dressed yet, and worst of all: the clock’s ticking. It must be the nerves of the math test getting the better of him. –Yeah–yeah! That was probably it. The nerves of the math test. Frickin’ hate math!

The boy let out a loud huff as he dug his hands under a pile of clothes in the right corner of the closet. -Dark-kinda dark-can’t see that well-c’mon-find something-gotta find something!

The boy managed to pull out a grey t-shirt and navy blue cargo pants from a pile of clothing from the same corner of his closet. He smiled. Plain and simple, just the way he liked it. -Took ya long enough! He let out another huff, so tired-want to just go to sleep.

The boy turned to his white bedroom door that led to the hallway. Should be going soon…

Knock!-Knock!-Knock! Someone was knocking at his bedroom door.

“Who is it?” -is that them-please be them!

“It’s just us Florian!” Said a muffled voice.

“Ah! Come on in you guys!”

The door opened, and Liam came in first, with Sophie directly behind. “Hey!!” They both said together. Sophie’s sounded way more emphatic, she gets it from their old man.

Liam walked straight in and gave Florian a pat on the shoulder before sitting down on the blue beanbag next to the outside window between the closet. He stared out towards the window at the gleaming sunlight that lit up his perfectly blue eyes and his signature grey suit that he probably got one of his friends to make for him.

“You guys were pretty quiet going up those creaky steps!” Said Florian.

“I know right? It's like we're ghosts.” Sophie made a “booo” sound.

“How's my little brother doing?” She walked over to Florian in her white summer dress with red roses all over.

They gave each other a big hug. Florian perched on his tip toes, trying to look taller.

“Not bad I guess. Feeling a lot better now that you guys are here.” He finally replied.

“You know I can tell you’re on your tip toes, right?” She let him go.

“Yeah, I know. So, how’s the singing going?”

“It’s going amazingly! I just finished recording a new song yesterday!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.” Florian smiled.

“Thank you. We’re still in the editing process though. It may take another week or so before the song can be released. But, things are looking great.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks bro.” She rubbed his arm pretty gently. “Say, are you ready for the math test later today?” She stared into Florian’s dark eyes.

“Yeah, I think so. I mean I did study this time.” -fell asleep-why did he have to fall asleep. “But you know… there are still those annoying-ass nerves that I get.”

“I’m sure you'll be fine.” Sophie reassured him. “You’re a smart kid.”

“Thanks Soph.” Florian jerked his arms back.

“Hey Liam! My big bro! How are ya!” He was still sitting on the beanbag with his face glued to his phone.

Liam looked up at him, his phone still in hand. “I’m well. I’m very well as always. So, I hear you have a math test later today. You study for it?”

“Yeah, I did. Many, many hours.” -Should’ve studied, idiot!

Liam nodded slightly.

“Watcha lookin' at?” Asked Florian.

“The stocks. They've been plummeting these past few weeks.”

“For real? Why?”

“Because people don’t know how to do things right in this day and age. It’s like the entire world has gone into a dumpster.”

He always said that. “Then it's good that you're there to save the day. Riding on your white horse looking all proper with your nice grey suit and perfectly greased hair.”

Liam chuckled, “thanks.” And then he went back to looking at his phone.

Florian turned back to Sophie, she was sitting on the edge of his bed with her legs crossed, it's so weird that she always does that when sitting down? It must be a celebrity thing or something.

“I love your dress.”

“Aw, thank you.” She gave a bright smile, showing her perfectly white teeth.

“You love wearing those summer dresses, don’t you? It’s like every time I see you you are always wearing one of those dresses, even sometimes in the winter too.” How does she do that? Does she just not get cold of something? What is she like Elsa, from Frozen? She probably is because she has a damn good singing voice. And also, does this woman have a whole closet filled with different summer dresses and stuff?

“It’s just my style, you know?” She shrugged.

“Even in the winter time, you frickin’ wear a summer dress. Do you not get cold or something? What are you like Elsa from Frozen?”

“Maybe,” she laughed. “I can sing. So it doesn't seem all that far-fetched.”

Florian chuckled. “You can, you sure can.”

“Out of curiosity, what period is your math class this year again?” Sophie asked.

“It's the first period.”

“Oh, wow. Starting off with a big one right off the bat. Do you like having math as your first period?”

“No, not really. But you know, it also gets the period over with. Which kinda makes me happy. What about you? What was your math period at?”

“Depends on the year; first year it was day two period three; second year it was day two period four; third year it was… day one period two,” she hesitated. “And fourth it was day one period three.”

“Wow, surprised you remember all that. It’s been like what… five years since you graduated?”

“Yeah, about five years. Same as Liam.”

No one spoke for a second.

Florian started thinking about the math test again, -that dreaded math test.

“You ok? You seem a little uneasy?” Her voice was very concerning.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s just nerves about the math test.”

“Hm, you hate math.”

“Yeah, I do. I frickin’ hate it.”

“But you did study, right?”

“Yeah, of course I did.”

Liam chuckled.

Florian turned towards his brother. “What? What’s so funny?”

Liam chuckled some more.

Florian looked at him curiously. -He's… he's chuckling. That’s strange. Why is he doing that? Does he know? Is that why he's doing that? “What is it?” Florian said anxiously. “Wa-what’s so funny?”

“Oh, you know.” He waved his right arm around. “You think we don’t know that you didn’t actually study. I mean come on Florian, you never study for math tests. That’s why you are getting a failing math grade.”

“Liam.” Sophie said sternly.

“I…” Florian hesitated. “I did study.”

Liam laughed, “no you didn’t. I know for a fact that you didn’t. We both do. She just doesn’t tell you, but I do.”

“Ok maybe I didn’t study as much as I wanted to. But at least I actually gave it a shot this time.”

Liam looked at him curiously. “Did you though?”

“Liam.” Sophie said louder. “That’s enough. Seriously, that’s enough.”

“Oh come on, Soph.” He turned to her. “Why don’t you ever push him. I mean, what exactly does he have going for him as of right now. When I was his age, I was leader of the chess club, I was on student counsel, I was also leader of the business club. And I was on the front lines to be the valedictorian. And I was in grade eleven the same as he is right now.”

Florian turned to Sophie, her face was starting to get red.

“Well, I was never the valedictorian when I was in high school, and you never said anything to me about it.” She said firmly.

“SO?”

“So, why are you getting on his case about it?”

“Because right now he isn’t doing anything with his life. He’s going absolutely nowhere. He’s like a hamster running inside of a hamster wheel for God's sake."

Florian was starting to get a little annoyed with him. Why did Liam always have to do this? Why couldn’t he just mind his own damn business for once in his damn life? Instead of just getting in Florian’s face about his life all the time.

“He’s doing things.”

“Yeah? Like what, Sophie? What’s he doing as of right now?” He pointed to the wooden floor.

“He’s figuring stuff out. Just like any teenager would be.” She stood up, “and you know what: maybe he doesn’t have all his dreams or aspirations or you know… he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do in his life as of right now, but so what!?”

“‘So what!?’ This world is going to eat him alive once school finishes. And when that starts to happen, he is going to be totally clueless as to how to get out of it.”

“Yes I will!” The boy finally answered.

“You'll what!? You will be totally clueless when school ends!?”

Florian's face turned red, and he clenched his fists. “I meant that I won't be totally clueless when school ends!”

Liam chuckled, “pleeeeaaaassssee, you don’t even have your G-one licence, and you're going to be eighteen next year! What are you waiting for? The end of the century?”

Florian stared at him uncomfortably, he started fidgeting with his fingers.

“See! See, look!” Liam sat forward in the beanbag chair and pointed to him. “He’s doing that thing again with his fingers! That… that sign of weakness he does whenever shit hits the fan!”

The room went silent.

Florian stood at the corner of the room, his face red with anger. But deep inside he was really anxious. Is his fidgeting a sign of weakness? Should he stop? Is Liam just saying all this because he loves him, and this is how he shows his love? Surely not!

Florian’s mouth opened, -say something-say something! But nothing came out.

“Say it. Say what you’re going to say! I want to hear it!”

“I… do not… run… when shit hits the fan!” He finally said.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yu-yeah. I mean,” he shook his head. “Yes I am!”

“Really? Then what about all the friendships that you’ve had over the years?” He spread his arms out. “What about them? You don’t even talk to them anymore! I’ve still managed to keep my friendships from high school alive. Hell! Even some of the ones from elementary school!”

“I-”

“You what?”

“I… just don’t,” Florian shrugged. “I just don’t.”

“Why’s that?”

“I don’t know… it’s like I get so scared–”

“See that’s what I’m talking about! You get scared when shit hits the fan! You're such a coward!”

“Liam!! That’s enough!! Alright, he’s our brother!!! We shouldn’t be talking to him like that!! Mom and dad did not raise us to talk to him, or each other like that!!!” She pointed all around.

“I’ll tell you how mom and dad raised us!!” He breathed in, “they raised us to be strong and to take risks!!”

“Yeah, but they also taught us to be kind, and compassionate towards one another!!”

Florian observed Liam’s face, it was now red all over. He’s going to flip out! He’s going to flip out!

“That shit doesn't work on this guy!” He pointed to Florian. “It never will! It’s either we do it my way!!” He pointed to his chest, “or he stays being an absolute nobody for the rest of his miserable life!! Friendless, undisciplined, and lonely!!”

Florian’s face was now fully read, built up with rage as he listened to what Liam was saying about him. He curled his fingers into a tight first. He wanted to flip out! He was going to flip out! But how could he? Liam was his brother after all. But was he supposed to just stand there in the corner of his own bedroom and take all this? –No!

“SHUT THE FUCK UP LIAM!!!” He lashed out. “YOU DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!! YOU DON’T GET TO WALK INTO MY FUCKING ROOM, LIKE YOU RUN THE PLACE, AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE!! IT’S NOT FAIR!! IT ISN’T FAIR!!”

Florian took a few steps back, the floor creaked, he almost lost his balance. Tears started falling down his face, an overwhelming sense of loneliness came over him.

Liam laughed hysterically. “You’re dead. You are so dead.”

“Liam, for the last time… STOP!!” Sophie yelled. She looked like she was about to attack him.

“C’mon Soph. I’m just having some fun! Can’t a man feel entitled to have some fun in his life?”

“No…” Florian whispered to himself. “No… no more… please no more.”

-Thump!-Creek!-Thump!-Creek!-Thump!-Creek!-Thump!-Creek!-Thump!-Creek!

Florian turned towards the door, the sounds were getting louder.

-Knock-Knock-Knock!

Florian hesitated, his heart pounding.

“Florian! It’s me!”

He stared at the door, it’s her! It’s mom! He wiped the tears from his face.

“Come in!” He tried to say happily.

The door opened, and his mother stepped in. “Hey honey, it’s time to go.”

Florian nodded, “alright I’ll see you down there, mama.”

“Alright…” She started closing the door, then pushed it back open. “By the way, who were you talking to just now?”

“Uh, n-no one.” He looked around the room, it was empty. “No one at all.”