+ + + We get into an argument in the car about which fast food restaurant to go to. I want to go to Burger King but he wants to go anywhere else. For some reason, he's so against going to Burger King that he threatened to change the route of our drive so we wouldn't come in contact with any of the restaurants. "Come on! I have to pee! Can we at least stop at Burger King so I can go?" "We're not going to this one," he retorts as we approach one of the fast food chains. "I really have to pee!" I tell him. "I'll pee myself if I don't go now!" "Don't you dare," he snaps in annoyance. I smirk in satisfaction as I stare out the window. I know his weak spot- his car. "I can't help it. My bladder feels like it's going to explode. I shouldn't have drunk all those sodas," I complain as I dramatically press my hands over my stomach and cross my legs in the seat. "Fine, we'll stop!" he barks. "But I'm not going in." "Are you banned from Burger King or something?" I wonder. I thought it was just him refusing to get the food I wanted, but I guess it's something personal. "Something," he responds mysteriously. He's a very open person, I've noticed. Except, not. "Well, I'm going to run in and out," I tell him as he slowly pulls into the plaza. I sigh in relief as I exit the car and enter the restaurant. I walk up to the lengthy line and stare at the overhead menu, contemplating what I'm going to get. About ten minutes later, Maddox bursts into the restaurant with a hoodie on. I'm not sure where he got it from but it's on and up on his head. When he sees me in line, he walks over and begins to whisper angrily at me. "I thought you had to pee," he hisses. "I want Burger King," I reply with a shrug. What's he going to do? Drag me out of here? "Welcome to Burger King, how may I help you?" a guy's voice asks and I turn my attention to the boy behind he counter. Maddox immediately looks down at the tiled floor. "Maddox, is that you?" Maddox grunts and glares at me. I let my head bounce between the excitable boy behind the register and the miserable boy to my left. "Maddox! I thought you vowed never to come to my place of employment!" Upon further inspection, I realize that they guy behind the counter looks very similar to Maddox- the same full lips, dark hair, and green eyes. Except, the guy behind the register, whose name-tag reads "Abel," looks a lot happier. His eyes are wide and glowing, unlike Maddox's, which are usually narrowed and cynical. It's very, very likely that the two are brothers. "And who are you?" Abel asks as he turns to look at me. Rather than saying it rudely, he seems curious, amused almost. "Oh my god," Maddox mutters through gritted teeth as he glowers at the floor. "I'm Olivia," I tell Abel with a small smile. Though I wouldn't mind this introduction had it been planned and anticipated, I can't help but feel awkward and tense. Maddox obviously didn't want me to meet his brother. Now, I see why he wanted to avoid Burger King. This was the first one on the road we were taking and I'd obviously demand we stop here to get food. "I'm Abel, you could probably tell by my name tag," the guy grins. "So how do you know Maddox? Are you his girlfriend?" With a bright red face, I shake my head quickly. "No," I concur. "I should have assumed so. My brother can't get a real girlfriend to save his life. Isn't that right, Maddie?" he asks with a smirk. I can tell that Maddox is getting angry by the clenching of his jaw. Abel leans over the counter, allows his legs to flail around behind him, and unzips Maddox's hoodie to reveal the tuxedo. He then glances at my dress as he returns to his standing position. "Isn't homecoming today?" he questions, though it's clear that he knows the answer. I nod slowly and he grins. "Did you guys go together?" Another hesitant nod from me. "How cute," he coos as he examines our matching outfits. Abel yanks down Maddox's hood and grins at his brother, who glowers back. I thought his annoyance with me was bad; he looks like he wants to rip Abel's head from his body. As I continue to assess the two, I struggle to determine who's younger. Abel is shorter and immature but Maddox rarely shows any sign of emotion, so you can't exactly compare personalities. Plus, height doesn't exactly clue me in on much. Maddox's hair is ruffled and his eyes look as if they can turn someone to stone; however, Abel doesn't look even slightly fazed. "When did you plan on bringing her home to meet mom and dad?" he wonders. Maddox doesn't speak; instead he stands there with clenched fists. His brother continues to pick with him. Eventually, I decide to speak up. Though it's not my place to talk, I can't help but feel the need to stop the arguing before something goes wrong. "Uh, Maddox and I were just leaving." I step out of line and the lady behind me immediately took my spot with an annoyed look on her face, obviously not amused with the introduction. When I see that Maddox isn't moving, I tug on the sleeve of his sweater, not at all surprised when he yanks his arm away from me. He storms out of the restaurant and I follow behind him with a quiet sigh. And I thought that the night couldn't get any more awkward.