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Maurice was lying on bed with a couple of textbooks and notebooks around him. His favorite Green Day album was playing in the background. Maurice had only just gotten it a week ago – had exchanged one of his favorite toys to get it. For the next few days it was the only cd he would listen to on repeat to the point that even Robin was bumping his head along with the music. At the moment Maurice was finishing with math homework while Robin was working on his literature assignment. He felt lucky his twin possessed some outstanding writing skills. Rob could copy Maurice’s handwriting and had in mind not to get carried away and make the essay suspiciously good. So far they had gotten caught only once, but managed to get away with it.
“Finished!” Mo cheered and rushed to close all of his books. “Robin, how’s the essay going? It’s nearly seven o’ clock, hurry!”
“I am, I am!” his brother whined from the other side of the room and continued writing.
Mo sighed in anticipation. Almost every evening the brothers Gibb go to the local skatepark just 15 minutes away from their house. And today was no exception. The californian clear blue sky was so inviting. Maurice put on his colorful oversized shirt and his favorite pair of light blue jeans while waiting for Robin to get done with the assignment. He picked up his guitar and attempted to play along with the song that was currently playing.
“Done!” Robin exclaimed a few minutes later.
Maurice lifted his head and smiled. “Did your magic again, huh?” he teased.
Robin laughed while trying to find his roller blades in the messy room they shared.
“Don’t forget you owe me ice cream for every assignment I do for you!” he reminded playfully.
“Oh, come on, I’ve spent all of my pocket money to get you candies!”
“But I’m the reason why you haven’t failed literature and english yet.”
“Alright, fine! Let’s get Barry and go.”
Opening the door of Barry’s room had always been quite impossible because of all the things Barry usually throws on the floor; dirty clothes, school bags, guitar cases.. Robin stepped forwards and struggled with the doorknob. When the door finally slightly opened, Robin squeezed himself to get through. He found Barry reading some brand new manga with his feet on the biology notes he was supposed to be studying.
“Will you lend me that once you finish it?” Robin pleaded pointing at the comic.
“No.” Barry replied while turning the page. “I think you remember very well the reason why I don’t let you lay a finger on my collection.”
Robin sighed and decided not to say another word about it. “Anyway, we’re going to the park. You comin?”
“Now that’s what I want to hear!” he said and his whole face lit up. “I’ll be downstairs in a minute, don’t go without me!”
It eventually took longer than eight minutes for Barry to style his hair and get ready. The twins were impatiently waiting for him in the front door.
“Don’t be late, boys! And be careful!” Barbara reminded from the living room.
“We will mum!” Barry groaned, gave her a quick kiss on the chic and rushed outside.
Later in the evening
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The skatepark got more lively than ever once the sun begun to set. Barry had successfully performed some risky tricks on his bike and was getting the attention of more advanced bikers who ended up chatting with him. Maurice spotted Michael in the crowd, Barry’s childhood friend, whose siblings were blasting loud music. There were people were dancing on rollerskates and many of Maurice’s classmates cheering for him. A girl from the 10th grade nailed some really cool tricks on the biggest ramp of the park. Her face sounded quite familiar, she must have been that Linda for whom Barry couldn’t stop talking about during lunch. Robin had been quietly skating around his brothers and bumped into his friends a few times.
Everyone was there tonight. The atmosphere was beautifully chaotic and youthful.
“Hey boys” Barry called “I think we better get going now if we don’t want any trouble at home.”
“Uh, right.” Mo rolled his eyes. “Come along, Rob.”
“Yeah, coming!”
By now the sun had completely set and the streets were dark. A cool breeze was blowing in reminder of the early spring weather. Three brothers were skating through the quiet neighborhoods filling them with laughter and noise. They quite enjoyed being troublemakers. There’s always something fun in earning disturbed looks by people you pass by two seconds later.
“Staircase aheeeaad!!!” Barry yelled amused before going down the stairs at full speed.
Maurice went second. He jumped over all five steps with his skate and nearly lost his balance at the landing. Barry high fived with him once he made it and ran his finger’s through Mo’s hair as a recognition to his accomplishment.
“Your turn, Rob!”
Robin didn’t really like performing tricks. He was terrified of falling and the staircase seemed too big for him. He shyly looked around looking for an excuse to not do it.
“It’s not as hard as it seems, Rob, you’ll do just fine.” Barry encouraged.
That gave him a boost. Robin knew he subconsciously wanted to try.
He took a deep breath and skated towards the staircase. His legs were shaking, but there was no turning back. Robin had built up speed and was flying over the first few steps. He would have almost made it if he had kept his feet steady enough. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Robin fell on his right foot and twisted it, causing him to collapse on the concrete pavement.
“Damn!” Barry shouted.
Mo got off his skate and rushed to Robin’s side. Barry was soon with him.
“Rob? You ok?” Maurice asked softly and poked his shoulder.
“Sort of..” Robin groaned and looked up to his brother. It was only then Barry noticed the scratches on his chic and hands.
“Mum is going to kill us if she sees your face!” he exclaimed.
“Huh?” Robin huffed confused and rubbed his red chic. “Does it really look bad?”
“Well, yes..”
“Never mind about that now.” Mo interrupted. “I think you twisted your foot there. Can you walk?”
Robin untied his roller blades and tried to get up with Maurice’s assistance. But with every step he made, he felt tears coming up to his eyes.
“It hurts a lot, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah..” Robin took a shaky breath. “How are we getting home now? I can’t skate.”
“Or walk, apparently”
“You could ride double on Barry’s bike.” Maurice suggested. “I’ll carry his rollers.”
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The three of them quietly entered the house. As much as Robin had protested about it during the ride, the plan was that since Barry was the oldest and the strongest one, he would pick up Robin and rush him upstairs before little Andy sees them. Andy’s a tattletale. Mo would stay behind as a distraction while Barry steals some ice for the bruises.
“Hey mum, dad! We’re hoome!” Maurice greeted as soon as his brothers made it to the twins’ room.
“Right on time!” Barbara smiled. “If you’re hungry, there are some left overs from lunch, I was too tired to make dinner this time.”
“It’s alright mum. I’ll take some upstairs if that’s ok.”
Before Barbara could question on that, Andy came to interrupt.
“Mauriiice!” he yelled and ran to hug him.
“Hello there” Mo chuckled.
“Where are the others?”
“Uhh, Barry and Robin were really tired, they said they are going straight to bed. As you should! Come along, it’s late for you.”
Maurice took Andy by the hand and leaded him to his room. The ceiling was covered in glow in the dark star stickers and Andy didn’t like turning the lights on, so that they were visible even during the evening.
“I don’t want to go to sleep!” he complained. “I’m nine! I’m not that small anymore!”
“You’re only eight and a half years old, not nine. There’s a difference.” Maurice teased
“Barry always says he will someday take me to the skatepark, but he never does! It’s unfair!”
“Unlike you, Barry is 15.”
“I can skate.”
“You can barely skate. The place is crowded with people twice your age, it would be dangerous, trust me.”
Andy didn’t have anything to say about that and buried his face in Maurice’s shirt Mo patted his head and put him in bed.
“See you tomorrow then, big guy.” Maurice poked his nose before leaving the room and Andy giggled.
Maurice kissed goodnight mum and dad and went upstairs. Robin was lying in bed. Now the bruises around his cuts were more visible.
“Brought you dinner- Holy cow, Robin!”
Maurice sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forwards to observe Robin’s face. Robin sighed and pushed him.
“Hey, I’m not an exhibit to stare at.” he grumpily replied.
“Alright, alright! Don’t get mad, I only brought you some left overs in case you wanted to finish this spaghetti.”
Robin arched an eyebrow and muttered a barely inaudible ‘thanks’ before accepting.
“Barry went to his room?”
“Yeah. We decided to tell mum tomorrow, it was only an accident anyway.”
“Mhm”
Once Robin finished dinner, Maurice put out the lights and went to sleep. After a few minutes in the darkness, he rolled over Robin’s side.
“You know what?” he whispered.
Robin mentally rolled his eyes. “What?”
“That jump you did there was so sick! You should have seen yourself, it was five freaking stairs!”
“You should try it again once you get well.” Maurice added after a few moments of silence.
He knew Robin was smiling in agreement, even though he couldn’t see his face in he darkness.
“Maybe” he replied, but technically meant ‘absolutely’.
Maurice smiled too and closed his eyes to sleep.