Alfred F. Jones never really noticed that strange boy. Alfred was a jock, popular, and positive. While on the other hand, that other guy, he kind of talked to himself.
He was an outsider.
He wasn't very social.
He was negative.
He never really talked to anyone.
His eyebrows were oddly sized.
Despite all of these interesting facts, Alfred didn't even know this kid's name. He kind of just, he kind of…he was just always there. As the years went on, Alfred became more and more curious about this guy.
"Hey you!" Alfred called, one day in the hallway. The boy kept walking. "HEY!" The boy tensed a little, but kept walking. Then Alfred made his move. He pounced on his shoulders, causing him to fall to the floor. Alfred grinned. "Hey there! My name's Alfred F. Jones! What's yours?"
The boy seemed like he was about to speak, but his face quickly went into shock as he remembered something, so he got up, and ran.
Unfortunately for him, Alfred was faster.
"C'mon! Tellll meeeeeeeee," Alfred whined. The boy looked at him with disgust. Finally, while looking around cautiously, he whispered.
"Why?" he finally spoke. Alfred instantly noticed his british accent, which made him even more curious.
"Because I really really want to know! You seem really really interesting!" The boy looked at him with disgust. Does he really need to know his name? Fine.
"It's Arthur Kirkland," he said carefully. "Now please, never talk to me again. Ever again. Are we clear?"
"Whaaaa why? You're so much fun to talk to Artie!" Arthur immediately tensed at that nickname, and he looked like he held back a tear.
"Just…don't."
Despite what Arthur said, Alfred found himself hanging around him every day. Even on weekends. He even knew where Arthur lived. Finding out was simple. Alfred followed him home using his super ultra spy skills and found his address. Boy, was Arthur scared as soon as Alfred came over to his house the next day with a box of cookies.
Something Alfred noticed about Arthur was that he lived alone. Alfred saw pictures sometimes, but as soon as Arthur noticed, Arthur would grab his hand and lead him somewhere else. Sometimes, he would even go as far as slapping him in the face, then taking the pictures down and pretend that they never existed as Alfred was recoiling from the hit.
The next day, Alfred decided to sneak up on Arthur to scare him. Alfred smiled at the thought, because Arthur would probably freak out. He snuck in through Arthur's open window, and silently tip-toed to Arthur's room. He was about to open the door when he heard a voice.
"Please…please don't let Alfred find out…I can't keep running."
Alfred froze. Was that Arthur? And he's on the track team?
"I miss America, but I just couldn't do it anymore. I hope he's not worrying anymore…" Alfred was confused. America? Why was he talking like America was a person? That made no sense. And by technical terms, he should say the United States, because America would have been Canada and Mexico too. It could even include the South American countries too. But why was Arthur…
"I just hope that America's okay, along with Japan I guess. And probably Cana…Cana…something. Sigh…"
Alfred's ear was basically pressed upon the door, but then, the doorknob suddenly clicked, implying that it was unlocked. Alfred felt the door push against him, and suddenly, he fell on the floor, in front of a shocked and embarrassed Arthur.
