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Ryland hates gym class with a burning passion, the only muscle he needed to exercise was his brain. There is absolutely nothing appealing about having to change in a locker room full of his peers into the scratchy clothes the school provided and then proceeding to spend the next hour running or jumping or doing whatever torturous activity was planned.
The worst of it was the awful test they had to take to measure their progress. It had nothing to do with the fact that Ryland's lungs tended to work against him when he tried to run, and everything to do with the fact that it was weird how concerned middle aged adults were with how fast a group of eleven year olds could run.
It's hell, and the way that they spread the test out over days makes it feel like a never ending embarrassment ritual. It used to be easier when he was in the same gym class as Colt, who was practically made to take the test. His brother was always the fastest, the last to quit. It always felt easier for Ryland to fade into the background, to not be so embarrassed by his lack of ability, when everyone was watching Colt excel.
"Stop sighing," Colt whispers from where he's laying in his bed on the other side of their room. It had been cool to share a room when they were younger but the novelty has definitely worn off over time.
Ryland turns over, turning away from the wall and trying to find his brother's face in the dark. They used to stay up far too late making silly faces and trying to copy them under the glow of their nightlight. "Colt," he says, eyebrows furrowing in thought.
"Ry," Colt answers back, shifting to try to see him better. They got rid of the nightlight years ago, Colt always said it was because they were too old for it now but Ryland knows the only reason they don't still have it is because the light in it blew. Buying another one would mean money out of Court's pocket for a reason that felt childish and stupid to the two of them. It was ridiculous to be scared of the dark at their age.
"You're my best friend, you know that right?" Flattery had been the way to go with Colt recently. It was a lot easier to say: wow, Colt, that kick flip was so cool and awesome! No, I didn't see you lose your footing and eat pavement, but even if that did happen I'm sure you looked epic doing it. Can I have five dollars? Than it was to ask for anything straight up.
"What do you want?" Ryland winces at how bluntly he asks, rest in peace to his wonderful flattery strategy.
Colt had complained at dinner— which they ate in the living room while a show played quietly in the background, something they could only do on nights their dad didn't come home— about a test in science tomorrow he was definitely going to fail because he was refusing to study. Really, he was refusing to do any school work at home. Every time anyone asked about it, Colt would say that the school was infringing on his personal time and since he was legally required to be there for eight hours a day for a majority of a year, they shouldn't be sending him home with more work. It was something Court was just barely allowing because Colt's grades hadn't slipped too badly yet.
Failing the science test would certainly push Colt's grades past an acceptable point in their older brother's eyes. "I want you to run the mile for me tomorrow," he says, squeezing his eyes shut as if it'll make Colt's reaction easier. It doesn't, he thinks as Colt starts laughing. "Shut up," he says, cutting his eyes to the door. He didn't want to wake up Court, who had work in the morning, or worse if their father had made it home quietly. They didn't want to attract his attention at all.
"Why would I do that? Not to mention, everyone would notice it wasn't you, Ry. You can't run for shit, no offense," he says in a way that makes Ryland feel like he's supposed to feel the slightest bit offended. He's not though, Colt is unfortunately very right.
"You'll have to run slower, but not my type of slow. I'm supposed to have made progress this year." Colt goes to object but Ryland cuts him off. "I'll take your science test for you." Ryland was in an advanced class, they covered what Colt was supposed to test on towards the beginning of the school year.
Colt pauses, thinking it over. "Okay." He gives in easily because it's a guaranteed win-win, Ryland nearly congratulates himself for thinking of such a great idea before remembering that it is just and idea and he has no idea how well it'll pan out. It'll probably go well, it's not like it's a poorly thought out, under-discussed hail mary or anything.
Breakfast is difficult, Ryland picks up the conversation while glaring daggers into Colt in hopes of keeping him quiet. It's a stark contrast from average mornings where Colt talks a mile a minute about anything and everything under the sun while Court nurses a coffee and tries his best to listen and Ryland rests his head on the table in hopes of a few more minutes of sleep.
He can tell Court is suspicious when Colt starts tapping his fingers anxiously across the table. "Why aren't you both dressed yet?" They were usually ready to go before breakfast. Ryland's eyes find Colt's and he finds nothing helpful behind them. Thankfully Court keeps talking before he can blow the whole thing with a poor excuse for a lie. "I'm not letting you skip today, if that's what this is."
"Darn," Ryland says trying to force himself to look disappointed. "Bested once again, whatever shall we do?" He turns to Colt who looks two seconds away from facepalming at Ryland's attempt at being nonchalant.
Colt sighs dramatically, because as much as he may cringe, he's also in too deep at this point. "We must retire to our chamber and ready ourselves for our timely departure," he says stiffly. And Ryland, who's pretty sure his brother just suggested they go to their room and die, nods in enthusiastic agreement.
"You guys are so weird," Court says pushing away from the table. He gathers all their now empty plates before glancing over both of them. "Just… whatever you're doing, don't let it be too bad." Colt smiles, wide and feral. Their older brother stares at them for a while longer, only turning away when Ryland gives a firm nod of agreement.
They don't leave the table until Court leaves for work. It gives them less than ample time to become each other. Colt looks ridiculous in Ryland's clothes, he can only imagine how he looks. It's kind of strange because arguably they look the same, but Colt stands tall in a way that makes his cat t-shirt seem off.
"This is never going to work," Ryland says, halfway through the walk to school. "We're going to get caught and we'll be in so much trouble, they're going to– oh gosh, do you think they'll call dad?"
"Calm down." Colt bumps into his shoulder lightly. "We're not going to get caught." He says it with so much certainty that Ryland has no choice but to believe him.
First period goes surprisingly well. Colt has english, something that they're both just okay at. He thinks them having the same skill level makes it easier for the facade to pass. It is strange how many people greet Colt, Ryland, in passing. He knew his brother was well liked, but this seems excessive. He's had to smile at so many people that his face genuinely aches a little.
Science is next. It serves as a nice reprieve from all the people. The exam is a word for word copy of something Ryland aced months ago. He marks enough of the questions incorrectly so that no concerns of cheating could possibly be raised, he also draws in the corners of the pages just because it seems like something Colt would do.
Ryland makes it to lunch without a hitch. "How'd it go?" he asks, setting his tray down next to Colt. His twin turns to face him, he's wearing a poor attempt at one of Ryland's common expressions— eyebrows raised and mouth set in a line. It kind of makes his skin itch, seeing Colt as an imitation of him. He shoves him slightly after he sits down.
"I, Ryland Gentry, have made significant progress with running the mile," Colt says, puffing out his chest in pride.
He guesses the Gentry twins are on a roll today, he got what must be and A- on the test with the few mistakes he made. He's eyes widen as a thought dawns on him. "Oh no, you didn't do too well did you?" Ryland's going to have to top whatever performance Colt did at the start of the next school year. This is entirely a future Ryland problem, but he doesn't want it to be too hard on him.
"Of course not." Ryland smiles, it feels like they got away with something. They did get away with something.
But then, a teacher Ryland has never seen before enters the cafeteria and b-lines straight for them. He holds his breath as he looks up at her. "Colt and Ryland Gentry?" She asks and it feels like her icy blue eyes are staring straight into his soul.
It's so over. He nods. "You both are wanted in the office. Bus your trays and bring your things," she says before turning away. It's beyond over, it quite frankly has never been this over in all the history of things being over.
"Welp, we're fucked," Colt cheers sarcastically.
They're not. Court stands in the office, talking with the lady at the desk. It might be over, but at least Colt was wrong. Court was always, first and foremost, on their sides. There's no way their older brother would allow this to be a life ruining type of over.
Court turns around calmly but Ryland can see the knowing look in his eyes. He bids farewell to the woman before walking to the door, not checking behind him to see if the twins were following. Colt casts a glance to Ryland before rushing out the door.
The parking lot is a bit away from the front entrance— something Ryland thought was incredibly inconvenient in the past, but felt horrible at the moment. It felt like they were marching to their impending doom. Court slows down halfway through the walk to the car. "Did anyone notice?"
"Did you not just… are we not in trouble right now? What is happening?" Ryland asks, looking over to Colt who looks just as confused.
"You're a really poor imitation of Colt," Court says glancing at the way Ryland was fidgeting with his fingers nervously. "I technically checked you out for a 'dentist appointment' which is just code for, I was really worried that you were planning on blowing up your school or something like that, with the way you guys were acting this morning. So you both should brush extra well tonight, make it seems like a professional has had a hand in there."
"I would never blow up the school," Ryland objects, quickly. Colt mutters not purposefully under his breath. Sure, he had blown up a few things in their backyard— gosh forbid a boy have a hobby— but those were just experiments gone a little sideways. He was curious at most, he wasn't looking to reenact Heathers.
Ryland elbows Colt in the side as hard as he can and smiles at the glare he receives for his actions. He turns back to Court who's watches them with a smile, it's soft and it lights up his eyes. "Nobody noticed that we switched, I play a very convincing Colt."
"Oh god, I probably lost all my social aura. I'm going to have to start from square one now." Colt places his head in his hands and begins fake crying, both of his brothers decidedly ignore him.
"Why did you pick us up?" Ryland asks. Courtland is usually the type of older brother to watch disaster play out at least a little bit before stepping in to stop it.
"I figured if you were blowing up the school then I should stop it because I really can't afford to pay for property damages right now," Court says jokingly, or at least Ryland thinks he's joking. You blow up one thing once (a few things, many, many times) and all of a sudden your older brother sees you as a domestic terror threat, the absolute mutiny of the world.
"We were being upstanding citizens," Colt says, faux affront heavy in his tone. "Trying our hardest to maintain grades worth writing home about, and here you are. Our dear brother, thinking the worst of us." Court rolls his eyes so hard Ryland can hear it.
"You're doing your homework from now on," he says tossing an arm over Colt's shoulder. Ryland snickers until a heavy arm is thrown over his shoulders. Court smiles down at him, not entirely unkindly, and says, "you're going to help him do his homework."
Ryland opens his mouth to complain, but a sharp look from Court has him nodding in agreement. They clamor into Court's car, it's a beat up secondhand that still smells like cigarettes no matter how many times they clean it.
"We're going to get ice cream because I'm admittedly a little proud of you both for not getting caught, but that does not at all mean I think you should do this again. Do not internalize my pride"
Colt, who got to the passenger seat first and therefore won the right of shotgun, looks back at Ryland with a joking grin and laughs out, "I think he wants us to do it again, Ry." Ryland laughs along as Court shakes his head while trying to hold back a smile.
None of them know there won't be a chance to do it again, that their worlds will be torn into three pieces soon. Not that it matters much right now, as they laugh their way to the ice cream shop and fill each other in on the strange happenings of today. It's a future Gentry problem.