The next morning, Jake sat on the edge of his hospital bed. He wore his black jeans and white tee shirt. It matched his blue cast so well. He was waiting for Elwood, whom was changing in the bathroom.

"Uh, Jake?" Elwood called.

"Yes?" Jake asked.

"Help, please."

Jake chuckled and stood. He opened the door to a shirtless Elwood. Elwood was quite tall and skinny, Jake sometimes was jealous of Elwood's figure, let alone his abs. Jake didn't like seeing Elwood with bandages draped across his torso. Elwood didn't seem to take any notice to them at all, but he sure probably was feeling it.

"These freaking bandages are Satan's spawn!" Elwood laughed, and then he winced at the sudden pain, "ow."

"Take it easy, man. You're lucky Abby got you your sleep pants rather than jeans," he laughed.

"Yeah, because that's what I'm gonna do when we get back," Elwood grinned.

Jake laughed and took his tee shirt. He held it open so Elwood could manage his bad side in first.

"I got it from here," he said pulling his right arm in next. He finally managed it on, "thank you."

"Anytime, man," Jake smiled. He handed a set of crutches the doctors had given him for his ankle, "at least your wrist wasn't as bad as they thought."

"No kidding. I was hoping they were lying about my rib though."

Jake ignored the comment, "let's head back."

Elwood nodded. Jake lead out first then Elwood behind, clicking along on his crutches.

"Jake? You alright?" Elwood asked.

"Ya, fine," he said.

Elwood knew his brother had something on his mind, and he wanted to know.

Damnit, Jake thought, it'd be odd if I told Elwood I cared about him and I'm freaking worried about him! How can he simply brush off the other night like nothing freaking happened? I wish I could be like him more, less worrisome and more carefree. How can he have a smile on his face? I'm freaked out about him! Maybe I'm being too much of an older brother of him.

The whole way back to the orphanage the boys were both silent. Jake sat up front and Elwood in the back. It was 1:30 on a Tuesday afternoon, meaning the younger children were still in session. Sister Abigail drove.

She finally broke the silence, "Sister Mary would like to speak to you two when we get back."

The boys simply nodded. Jake kept sneaking glances back at Elwood through the mirrors.

He seems content, he thought, how?

They finally reached the orphanage and got out of the car. Jake managed to help Elwood out.

"Thanks, man," Elwood said.

Jake simply nodded.

Is Jake ok? Elwood thought, quiets my thing.

The three walked up a small stair case to Sister Mary's office. Sister Abigail lead the way followed by Jake then Elwood.

Sister Mary allowed them in. they boys sat in the two desks that set in front of her desk. They chairs probably had their butt imprints from the amount of times they've been in the victim chairs.

"Boys, this is by far the most insane act you two have done to date. I demand t know who's idea this was," Sister Mary said sternly.

Elwood and Jake exchanged looks. Jake shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

Elwood spoke up, "I did. It was my fault. I take full responsibly."

Jake shot a look to Elwood then said, "No Sister. It was my fault. Elwood had nothing to do with it. It was mine. I forced Elwood out of bed at two AM."

"Jacob? Elwood? Who's idea was this?"

"Mine," Elwood said first, "Don't listen to Jake. It was me."

"Well," Sister Mary began, "at least you two are in one piece. I suppose you two are off the hook, this time. It wasn't entirely your fault. You may leave."

The two boys stood and walked out, Elwood clicking behind Jake.

Once back to their room, Jake slammed the door shut. Angered, he turned to Elwood whom was now on his bed.

"What the hell, man?" Jake asked.

"What?" he asked, carefully hugging his chest.

"Why did you take the blame? You know damn well it was my fault."

Elwood shifted to a more comfortable position on his bed, "I'm not allowed to get in trouble? You get in way too much trouble as it is. So I took the blame."

"But you do know that it wasn't your fault."

"I know that, but I felt more at fault for this one."

"How? I was the dumbass that dragged you out of bed at two in the morning."

"I drove, so I should've been paying attention to the road."

"Els, you're killin me here, man. You should've let me take the blame as usual."

"Why? You get in trouble way too much as it is."

"That's not the point this time round man. Back in that hospital, you have no idea how freaked out I was when I finally put two and two together on what happened. I thought I lost my little brother."

"And you don't think that was on my mind too? When I woke up I coulda pierced a lung on how fast I shot up lookin for you!"

"I heard the doctor say that if that car was a few more inches to the middle, you might not have made it!"

"But it didn't Jake!"

"It coulda happened though, Elwood," Jake shouted, "You worry me dude!"

"And you don't think I worry about you too? Course I do!"

"Elwood, as the older one of us, I think I have more of a right to worry about you. I think this whole situation is my fault. I don't wanna hear that it's your fault."

"Since when did you go all big brother on me? I think I could take some of the heat for this too ya know."

"Els, I don't care what you say. It's my fault, end of story."

"Jake, what the hell? You're kinda treating me like a kid. I thought you were the only one that didn't," Elwood stood on his good ankle. Thought he was younger, he was at least three inches taller.

"I care about you, Elwood ok?" Jake said and walked out of the room.

"Jake!" Elwood called.

The door slammed shut before Jake could hear him. He never argued with Jake. Ever. Elwood flicked off the lights and slid down the door. He hugged his good leg to his chest carefully. He let his bad leg extended.

"Why am I a dumbass?" he asked aloud.

Elwood soon fell asleep in that uncomfortable position. A few hours later, a knock was heard at the door, awaking the teenager. He jumped up on his good leg and called, "what?"

"It's me, man," Jake called.

Elwood opened the door, only to be hugged by Jake.

"I'm sorry dude!" Jake said apologetically.

"Jake! Can't breathe!" Elwood gasped out, "pain… in… chest!"

He let go quickly, "my bad."

Elwood coughed a few times then held onto the bookshelf near the door to keep from falling over, "it's all good."

"Els, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier. But it's all true."

"But still, you did treat me like a little kid. I may be younger than you, but I'm not that much younger."

"I know. I'm sorry bout that. My older brother part of my mind kicked in. But you do worry me, man."

Elwood smiled, "so, you're not pissed at me?"

"Nah, man," Jake smiled.

"BOYS! BED!" one of the more strict nuns yelled.

The boys laughed, and then Elwood stopped quickly.

"I don't care that it's only 9:30, I am beat," Jake said.

"I hear that, dude."

Jake helped Elwood into his bottom bunk. They were one of few boys that had bunk beds. Jake was on top while Elwood was on the bottom.

"Glad I took the top?" Jake asked with a laugh.

"I guess now," Elwood smiled, "Night Jacob."

"Night El."

The boys fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.