Falling For My Exchange Brother | B... - Chapter 72: Chapter 72

"Tell me how you feel on a scale of one to ten when it comes to your excitement. Now!"
I stare at my mom in amusement as we were rushing around the mall. More like she was rushing and I was just following. She was so obsessed with buying baby things right now when I don't even know the gender of the babies myself.
"Why...did you not want Arthur to come?" I ask her awkwardly as she pointed at some baby booties. Staring at them...they were cute to look at. There were some with symbols and some with plain colors.
Just so tiny...my hand could ball it up in my palm.
"This is mother and son time. Arthur has had you ever since he showed up into our lives. I miss being able to be around my baby boy, my only son... About to become a parent with twins...how time flies." She sighs sadly, and I grin awkwardly.
"I mean, was I ever a mama's boy?" I ask her when she gasps at a twin set of booties. "I don't think I ever clung to either of you. That's why I'm so clingy to Arthur...I kinda want to leave now. Why did you just randomly want to go out like this-?"
"Is there a problem hanging out with your mother William!?" She snaps at me, raising her eyebrow at me in frustration.
I shake my head slowly, looking away from her. I honestly just wanted to be with Arthur. It's just weird to be away from him when I'm so used to being around him.
Almost like...this odd form of separation anxiety. I don't want to be dramatic about it and scare him off, but I know that won't ever happen.
"I never said that. It's just random. Why didn't we ever plan for this ahead of time?" I question her, except she wiggled her finger at me.
"See, when you say stuff like that I kinda feel like you don't want to hang out with me. Is it because I'm old?" She pouts, and that just didn't look right to me. "If it's not that then it must me-."
"It's nothing, honestly. I just am not used to this. It's usually him and me. Not my mom and me." I state calmly as I grab ahold of this cute little tutu.
"What are you going to do when you have these babies William?! Are you going to get upset because it's not just you and Arthur now?"
"That's something entirely different from this. Stop spouting nonsense." I stick my nose up at her, snorting as she just sashays away to look at other clothes.
I honestly want the babies to be born already. Everyone can think whatever they want...I want them here already.
No one ever has faith in me as a good person. I'm always this bad person in their eyes.
"You know what I want to change when these babies are born?" I rush towards my mom as she was gawking at some baby toys. "I want to change the people I place myself around. If no one has faith...in my good nature, they don't deserve to be around me. So..."
I raise my eyebrow at her, causing her to smack my chest. I fold my arms at her doing such a thing.
"Are you implying something?"
"Yes." I nod adamantly, and she shakes her head at me. "What? It's you, dad, Dylan, Nathan, Bella, Raphael - everyone that I meet. The only ones...who doesn't is Arthur. He sees me for the amazing person I am. You all think I'm just this...this monster. Well guess what?!"
I grab ahold of a blue polar bear, staring into its eyes.
"I'm going...to be the best parent I can be. I won't let myself be that old William, and you know that. It's not about me or Arthur, it's about the babies. Don't you know that that's the case? I just want to go home to him...I'm done here-."
"William!" My mom grabbed my arm, and I look at her funny as she looked panicked.
"What's the problem?" I snap at her. I was confused by what she could possibly want. "Are you...needing anything else from me then what you've already gotten? Do I have to...stay here-?"
"We're having a mother and son bonding moment! Why are you trying to run from me?" She snaps at me too. Except I didn't really want to keep doing this. She's gotten me enough baby things even though we don't even know the genders.
Why do all of that? I did go to an ultrasound, but the genders weren't revealed...at least, I think they weren't.
"Listen...it isn't anything personal, but I don't really want to be...nothing. Gosh! Why are you doing this now? Like...tell me the truth. I know you would never hang out with me like this under normal terms. What aren't you telling me? What are you hiding from me...actually?" I raise my eyebrow at her, and her face becomes red.
I know she isn't good at suppressing her emotions or feelings. When she tries to hide something she gets like this. All red and awkward...
"I'm not falling for this William! I know, it must be the end of the world to hang out with the woman who gave birth to you; but listen to me when I say this," I watch her grab my hands, gripping them softly, "I love you, very much. Your dad and I spoiled you mercilessly because we believed just having one child was enough since we had such busy lives. We would go on business trips and leave you alone...and we weren't fair to you. By doing that, we spoiled you to get your mind off such things. Except it didn't help at all..."
I look around her, seeing a man walking towards the exit. There was this odd look to him...that reminded me of Arthur...wait, was it him?
"Arthur?"
"William, what are you-?"
I pull away from her, rushing towards the man. When I run around him I saw the guy stop abruptly before me, frowning. Though there was this familiar feeling even though I knew he wasn't...Arthur.
"William why did you just run off like that?!" My mom cries, rushing beside me as she still held the bags full of baby things. When she looks at the man I see her stare a little bit, but soon have the brightest smile on her face.
Suddenly this man started smiling too, and I was shocked by how nice his smile was too.
"Wait...William do you remember him?" She gasps, and she starts smacking my shoulder excitedly even though I was...on the fence. There was a familiarity to the smile though. Is it because of Arthur or...?
"I don't think he does Mrs. Moretti. It's fine though, we were little kids back then. I don't expect him to remember me. Oh! I heard all about the pregnancy though, congratulations-."
"Who are you? You remind me of someone I know. Can you remind me?" I interrupt him breathlessly, and he smiles.
"Sorry. We met when we were little kids, in elementary school. We used to be good friends until I had to move away. It's probably best you forgot about me - my name's Michael; but you called me-."
"Micha!?" I cry out loudly, and he gasps excitedly. I suddenly remembered everything from when I was little. He was this really nice boy that I knew first, before Dylan. Dylan was the third-wheel at first until Micha had to move.
When we were kids I idolized this guy. He's honestly the reason why - as I grew up into a teenager - I was the way I was. He was so cool when we were in kindergarten because his parents are these famous African aristocrats.
They are much more cooler than my parents.
He actually had siblings too! That's where I got the obsession from to have siblings.
Honestly...he grew up well, as I can see. Arthur is much more handsome and cooler, but he is handsome too.
"I'm honestly impressed by you Micha. You've grown up well." I smirk, wiggling my eyebrow at him as he smiles.
"So have you. Do you still have contact with Dylan?"
"Yeah, he's actually dating...my husband's father; so, fun right?" I chuckle awkwardly, causing him to glance off.
"I mean, he can do what he pleases. I guess it's weird in a way since it's your husband's own dad, so...if they ever get married-."
"Eww..." I cringe, causing Micha to shrug as I thought about such a thing. "That'd be the weirdest thing. It's already weird seeing them date, but that?"
I see Micha laugh at my response, and it was nice talking with someone like this. With Dylan...I haven't really had talks like this in a while. Though when I speak to Arthur it's all lovey-dovey, sweet, and I feel inferior at times because he's so perfect.
We don't have talks like this...ever! I feel like it's just not possible. I just...is Arthur even fun? He'll correct me and all, try to bring out some other side of me instead of letting me just do me. Am I not allowed to say any underhanded comments and have fun?
"Want to come to my house? I want to introduce you to Arthur. You're one of my first friends and I haven't had a fun conversation like this in forever." I suggest, hoping he'd accept.
"Let's go for it."
____at home____
"It's a boy!"
I flinch when the door flies open, revealing Arthur wearing all pale blue. He had the brightest smile on his face as he waved his arms around excitedly.
"They're boys?!"
"Boys!" Arthur shouts back, and I screech as I hug him. Only for me to gasp as I pull back, nodding over at Micha. "Arthur...that's one of my old friends from when I was younger."
I see Dylan already rushing to him, but I grab Micha just in time. Taking him towards a wall of pictures, I grab one.
I smile at Micha as I show him a picture of Arthur.
"You both kinda look alike, but he's...way more handsome. I mean, not going to lie I think I have a thing." I bit my lip, wiggling my eyebrow at Micha and he snorts. I saw Arthur walking towards us as he held three cups of blue fruit punch.
I was so excited as I rush towards him, grabbing my punch and Micha's. Handing it to him, I drink some of it.
"You're having two boys, right - twins?" Micha asks me, and I nod excitedly. "Congrats, that'll be a lot though. I bet you'll be an awesome parent. I bet you'll be fun."
I nod ecstatically, watching him nod with me and I chuckle.
"William..."
Looking, I see Arthur looking at us awkwardly. There was this weirdness to how he was being and I don't know why.
"Your name is Arthur, right?" Micha asks him curiously, and Arthur nods at him. "You're cool. I didn't think I'd meet William again like this. It's so nice to see how things of have changed, how he's grown. When we were little we used to always have sleepovers at my house and his. Even Dylan was there. I was the first 'Dylan' until I had to move-."
"Yeah! You told me and I cried for...for a while. You hurt my feelings Micha, but you're here now. Now things won't be so boring. Add more excitement, someone to hang out with, to have some fun." I rub my hands together, and Micha mimics me.
"What about Arthur though?" Micha asks now, and I look at him.
I saw Arthur's eyes hooded slightly as if he was in some mood. There was animosity that I saw...it was weird. Only for him to grin out of nowhere, nodding a little.
"I here, you know. I like fun. I am fun person." He smiles brightly, and I shade my eyes. I look and even saw Micha doing it, causing me to snort. "You tired of hang out with me?"
"I mean...I love hanging out with you, but it was always you. Not going to lie, but you are hella boring. You don't really like doing what I like-."
"You never...tell me what you like, William." Arthur interrupts me softly, his eyes become solemn. "I know the basics. Even if we do anything, I do it with you anyway. I'd do anything you would want to do without question; and you know that."
"Okay, but I'll feel inferior to you, like always. I know you told me your reason, but still. We're having a child together, remember that? We'll definitely have to hang out a lot then. Micha here, is one of my old friends. I can't pass this up. You should be thanking him, I didn't even realize it, but you look like a hotter version of him. Imagine when I was a teen you reminded me of my little childhood idol and I fell for that. That'd be something." I laugh, seeing Micha laughing as well.
"That'd be something, all right."
"Yeah! Like I only fell for him because he reminded me of you deep down!"
We both laughed more, and I knew we both were kidding. Micha had my sense of humor when it came to these things. I look at him again and we both started to wipe our eyes.
Only for him to stop and he shook his head at me as if I should too.
"What?"
"I should be thanking him...right?" Arthur says, and I look at him. He didn't look angry, but then he did. There was this sadness present as well, yet this weird anger was more obvious.
"I was kidding, sheesh." I snort, only for him to stay looking the same. "See? You're not fun, like lighten up a bit. This is our baby shower and we're having boys, that's exciting. This whole conversation, not so exciting because you're such a debbie-downer."
"Hecka debbie-downer." Micha whispers, and I couldn't help but smile at that.
Arthur however wasn't enjoying the fun at all.
"Est-ce qu'on y revient vraiment... William?" ( Are we really going back to this...William?) Arthur questions me in a monotone-manner. His eyes looked like he wasn't expecting much and I glance at Micha now.
Only that he was messaging someone on his phone, so I turned to face Arthur really fast. I narrow my eyes at him and groan.
"Arthur, tu as juste besoin de te détendre. Tu sais toi-même que tu es ennuyeux et tu sais que je n'aime pas vraiment faire ce genre de choses avec toi. Vous êtes juste pour-." ( Arthur you just need to chill out. You know yourself that you're boring and you know that I don't really like doing these types of things with you. You're just to-. )
"Perfect. Dis juste que tu en as marre de moi, c'est aussi simple que ça. Si vous voulez une pause de moi et que vous voulez faire votre propre chose, dites que... Au lieu de blesser mes sentiments maintenant." ( Perfect. Just say you're tired of me, that simple. If you want a break from me and want to do your own thing, say that... Instead of hurting my feelings now.) Arthur interrupts me, and I sneer.
Only to see Ava and Isabella walk up. They grabbed Arthur's hands, only to suddenly let go and grab mine.
"Dad don't be dramatic. He's not wrong...you are kinda boring-."
"You're just too good!" Ava groans out loud, and Isabella nods crazily. "It's not bad, but it ruins the fun is all. Dad has a point, he isn't tired of you, just wants some actual fun. No...offense."
I smile at them as they had my back because they were nosy. Only for Arthur to not look so pleased.
"Arthur, I don't really know you, but you should just chill out. William is allowed to hang out with whoever he wants and do whatever he wants. You're getting pressed about him wanting to do something without you I see. He was kidding about the whole looks thing, like come on." Micha nods as he pats my shoulder. "We can clearly see you're....the hotter one I guess. I don't get that, but whatever. Just relax, gosh."
Now Arthur just stood there and didn't say anything. I saw freaking Nathan at the doors and he got here just on time to save his crush.
"Nathan what?"
"What are you guys doing-?"
"Don't you think dad's boring? He said that if dad is growing tired of him, just say so since he said he was boring and wanted to hang out with others. Admit it!" Isabella points at him, and Nathan turned red.
I already knew he was going to side with Arthur, not that that's so bad. Arthur just needs to calm down.
"Arthur...isn't boring, just so good at things that it can sometimes ruin the experience. There's nothing wrong with that though, Arthur don't worry. Oh, your dad just arrived with another gift so I suggest you guys come." Nathan says, and I nod. We all go in and I look. Arthur, of course, was just standing here idly.
"I know, it doesn't feel nice to have people come up against you. That was...always me, you know." I chuckle, grabbing his hand. Only for him to yank it away from me.
I flinch when he turns to face me. He had the deepest scowl on his face and he looked like he wanted to implode. It was weird to see that...but not really. If I had that many people against me like that and calling me boring I'd be mad too...not.
"Arthur chill out."
"William be quiet..." He hisses at me, and I glare at him.
"Wow you're really mad because you were called boring-?"
"There's more to it than that. You...you wouldn't get that because it's you. You don't see that your words have consequences, they hurt feelings. You said three things that I shouldn't have to hear from someone I'm married to. Micha...who even is that?"
"Oh...?" I snort, nudging his shoulder as he frowns. "You're jealous because of the possibility that I might've fell for you because you reminded me of my idol?"
"I'm too perfect. I'm too boring. I'm too serious. I'm a 'debbie-downer'. I'm too forgiving. I'm too nice. I'm too - what now? William how about we talk about the things you're too much of, since I get to hear you spout all that nonsense about me - can it be my turn now?" Arthur snaps at me, and I roll my eyes. "You shouldn't have...brought Micha here. I don't know-."
"Stop being so insecure and calm down, I can't joke without you being dramatic! You're being really pathetic, hope you don't act like this around our kids."
"You...made me this way. I've just had it William!" Arthur cries out, and I snort. "It's not funny!"
"Oh calm down. You're being worse than me."
I see Arthur's eyes widen, and I raise my eyebrow to see what he'd say now.
I haven't really argued with him like this...ever. It's really rare, if it ever happens... I don't think it did, ever since we were teens at least.
"Arthur, let's just go inside, this conversation is stupid. Come on." I grab his hand, pulling him inside with me. It was very blue, much more blue than necessary; but I won't complain.
This was so sweet of them to do. No wonder my mom went crazy about this. I go to her, hugging her as she giggles.
"Why this so suddenly?"
"Thanks for the baby shower."
"It wasn't me that planned it, it was all Arthur you know." She states, and I pull back as I look. I see him folding the baby clothes we got by himself in a corner. "You should know it was him."
"I mean...but it's so fun and festive though."
"Are you trying to say Arthur is boring?" She snaps at me, and I nod. "William...you're something else, I swear."
Now it was weird. It was so cool and fun in here. I honestly wouldn't mind leaving the house like this for a bit. He really went all out? I just called him 'boring' so many times. I mean, I said a lot of things.
I go towards him, crouching before him as he folded clothes.
"So...a little birdie told me you did this fun shower?" I tease, and he doesn't acknowledge my words. "Anyway, I'm impressed. You're not as boring as I thought, sorry. Want to go open more presents with me?"
I see him smile at me, nodding as he stood. Except I've been with him long enough... I know fakery when I see it; or do I? He's just that nice so I wouldn't be surprised that he moved on from that.
That was nothing.