Δ
Chapter One: And So It Begins
"When you are in love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams."
-Dr. Seuss
Arthur did not like his new school. It was bad enough that his parents had moved them to America, but now they were forcing him to attend this filthy, overcrowded, all boys school? It was just unfair. He tugged nervously on his uniform jacket and scrutinized the school map again. The first thing he had to do was find the library and check out his class textbooks.
After fifteen minutes of fruitless searching, he finally found the oversized building in the middle of the campus. The peaceful silence he was immersed in when he walked inside was welcoming after he'd weaved his way through a thousand screaming kids to find the place. At the back of the large entryway was a long counter, behind which a kind looking old woman was standing. She smiled sweetly at Arthur and asked, "Do you need something dear?"
"Ah, yes, um," The British boy said, walking timidly up to the counter and handing the woman a yellow card, "I need to check out these books, please." The librarian smiled and nodded, slipping into the back room to retrieve the books.
Arthur stood awkwardly in the silence, starling slightly when the library door opened behind him. It was quiet for a second before-
"Hi!" shouted an obnoxiously loud voice. Arthur turned to see a tall blonde boy standing in front of the door. He had sparkling blue eyes behind square, wire-rimmed glasses and wore an oversized bomber jacket over the usual school uniform, which slightly concealed his lanky figure. His smile seemed infuriatingly arrogant. "You're new here right? I'm Alfred F. Jones, pleased to meet ya."
A large hand extended toward Arthur, who blinked at it in confusion for a moment before shaking it carefully.
"Arthur Kirkland," He replied, his lips quirking up in a small, polite smile. Alfred however continued to stare at him fixedly. Arthur coughed uneasily.
"Your eyes are really pretty," Alfred blurted out suddenly. Arthur blushed.
"What are you talking ab-" He spluttered.
"Arthur Kirkland? Here are you books darling," The librarian interrupted, dropping five large books on the counter. Arthur groaned inwardly. I have to carry those around all day? "Oh Alfred, sweetie, is that you?" The librarian's voice shook him out of his thoughts. "How are you honey? How is your mother?" The woman started bombarding Alfred with questions, completely forgetting Arthur it seemed.
Arthur picked up his books (with some difficulty) and mumbled a quick thank you to the librarian before turning to leave. He hadn't gone farther than two steps when he felt a hand grab his wrist. He flushed and tried to move away, but the grip on his wrist only tightened, and Alfred gave him a piercing sideways glance that kept him rooted to the spot.
"Well sweetheart, I'll let you go," The librarian finally said, eyes lingering on Alfred's hand clutching Arthur's wrist, much to the British boys embarrassment. Alfred smiled pleasantly.
"Thanks Mrs. Brea, I'll be sure to tell my ma' to call ya when I get home," The American boy said, winking at the librarian before pulling Arthur outside.
"W-what was that all about?" Arthur asked, struggling under the weight of his books and trying in vain to make his blush dissipate. Alfred just grinned.
"Here, let me take your books," He said. Arthur watched in astonishment as Alfred effortlessly grabbed all five books with one hand. "What's your first period?" He asked. Arthur pulled out another slip of paper and glanced at it.
"Advanced English in room 1203," He said, looking up at Alfred. The other boy smiled down at him.
"I'll walk you," He said. Arthur shook his head.
"No, no I don't want to be a bother," He said, reaching to grab his books. Alfred tugged them away.
"It's no problem, my class is right by there, come on," He said, holding out his free hand for the second time that day.
"What, you want me to hold your hand? No!" Arthur scoffed. Alfred pouted.
"Please Artie?" He pleaded. Arthur shook his head stubbornly. "C'mon! I wanna hold you haaaaaand~ Please let me hold your hand," Alfred sang. Arthur clenched his teeth and glanced around to make sure no one was watching.
"Fine, fine!" He hissed, cutting off Alfred's singing, "I'll hold your bloody hand, just for the love of god, stop singing." Arthur glared at Alfred pointedly before gripping his outstretched hand. The taller boy just grinned triumphantly and led the way to Arthur's class.
When they got to the classroom Arthur took back his books. "Thank you," he mumbled shyly, blushing and staring at his feet.
"Do I get a thank you kiss?" Alfred asked with a charming wink. Arthur's flush deepened.
"Absolutely not," he said flatly, glaring at Alfred again to prove that he was serious.
"Your accent is too cute," Alfred cooed, making Arthur all the more flustered. The British boy huffed and walled into the classroom without a backward glance. Alfred watched him go longingly for a moment, and then started to walk to his own first period on the opposite end of the school.
Arthur paused once he was inside the classroom. Am I supposed to just pick a seat? He thought, looking around the empty room. "Sit wherever," a dull, bored voice said from the front of the room where the teacher (or at least Arthur assumed it was) was sitting at his desk. He nodded at picked a seat in the back corner.
A loud bell rang over the intercom and a river of students immediately came streaming into the room. Arthur ignored the chatter and focused on the latest book he was reading.
"Excusez-moi," A silky voice said, causing Arthur to look up from his book. A boy with shoulder length, wavy blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes stood, one hand on the desk next to Arthur. "Would you mind if I sat here, mon cher?"
"Oh, no it's fine," Arthur said, not wanting to be rude. The boy gave him a lecherous smirk and Arthur began to regret allowing him to sit there.
During that 50 minute class period, Arthur learned that Francis (the boy) was rude, annoying, French and a pervert. Francis had spent the class practically molesting Arthur under the table and asking him very inappropriate questions.
Arthur almost cried with relief when the bell rang again, signaling the end of class. He grabbed his books and bolted for the door. "You run quite fast, mon amour," a French-accented voice purred in his ear. If Arthur hadn't been holding his books, he would have punched Francis.
"Arthur! Arthur!" The Brit heard another familiar voice shouting at him. "How was your first period? Did you make any- oh," Alfred sounded much less enthusiastic when he saw Francis.
"Bonjour, Alfred," Francis greeted cheerily. Alfred gave him a disgusted look.
"Francis," He said, saying the Frenchman's name like it was a disease. Francis appeared unhurt. Arthur looked nervously between the two of them as they had a small stare-off. Finally, Alfred looked at Arthur and smiled. Grabbing Arthur's books with one hand, and the British boys smaller hand with the other, he said "Come on, I'll walk you to your next class."
Francis smirked as he watched the two walk away hand in hand, Arthur blushing and Alfred talking enough for the both of them. I'm sure Seychelles would enjoy meeting these two. He thought happily before flipping out his phone.
End Chapter One
….
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine.
By Elizabethsickkk
Thank you for reading.