High school AU Arthur's POV Italics are thoughts

Arthur All Alone Besides a Foreign Pen Pal Chapter One Responsibilities

As I walked into class today, I felt kind of depressed, and trying hard not to show it. The problem lies with family and home life. My parents are constantly fighting due to my mother discovering that father was meeting with 'clients', which she thought meant that she was being cheated on by him. Soon after discovering that he was doing this action, I don't know how she did, mother began to become a bit paranoid, but maybe a lot more than should have been allowed in a sane mind. Then my older siblings get dragged in as well.

As the second youngest, everyone just dumps the responsibility of my little brother on me and ignores me; no one would listen even if I voiced my opinions. All throughout the day, teachers from every class did not notice that I was acting different, or if they did, they did not care much to say anything or give me a second thought. That statement was true until my last hour class. Of course, my last hour teacher notices, since he notices everything wrong with everyone. When I sat down in my seat the teacher, Mr. Bonnefoy, walked past and discreetly dropped a notecard on top of my book. The note read to see him after class.

Great. Well at least he was kind enough not to announce it to the whole class. As the class was ending, I was starting to dread this student-teacher conference. The bell rang so I started to pack up slowly so that the other students would not notice me staying behind. Mr. Bonnefoy sat in his chair waiting for me to make my way to his desk. Seeing as I was sitting back in my seat, not moving, he came to my desk and pulling his chair behind him. Oh god. Now I really am anxious. I just want to leave right now. He sat there for a while studying my emotional state.

"Arthur, you don't need to worry it's not bad or anything like that. You just seemed out of it in class today and I would like to know why and if I can help." Mr. Bonnefoy said trying to ease my way into speaking to him.

"I don't really want to talk about it," I said softly. Even more softly and much more quiet, I whispered, "Not like you could fix it anyway."

"Oh, how do you know that, unless you let me have a try?" He argued with a smile plastered on his face.

"Fine. If I tell you will you let me leave?" I asked sounding indifferent.

He, with the same smile stuck on his face, says with a slight laugh "Hmmm. Now, that all depends on what it is you tell me and if I can help now or later."

Okay. What's the most he could do, tell my parents. They won't care. Their too caught up in their own problems to realize that they are the cause of mine. I thought to myself hesitating on whether or not I should tell him.

"Well if you don't want to talk to me, I have a friend in the U.S. with a son your age, maybe a bit younger, and would be okay with being pen pals with you. I'm sure of it! Well that is if you don't mind." Mr. Bonnefoy enlightened me with his plan to make me sort of happier.

I, slightly suspicious of this, replied "Sure, I don't mind. I don't know if I'll find the time though."

"That's great." Mr. Bonnefoy said with a smile fixed on his pleased face. He wrote something, probably the address of this American and handed it to me. "When you find the time to write just explain who you are and that I gave you the address so the two of you could be pen pals and the kid you're writing to is called Alfred and whatever else you intend to write about to him. Okay, you are now free to leave."

Not knowing what else to do I said my thanks, goodbyes, see you tomorrows, and left the building. On the way home, considering if, I should try this pen pal thing or not I stopped in a coffee shop to think and not go home. After fifteen minutes, I finally decided to write a letter. Grabbing a piece of lined paper and my favorite light blue pen, I started to at the top with his name.

Dear Alfred,

My name is Arthur Kirkland. I live in Manchester, England, and I was given your address from my French teacher, Mr. Bonnefoy, telling me that it would be okay if we became pen pals for various reasons. I am a sophomore in high school and I have a younger brother named Peter and three older brothers named Angus, Gavan, and Allistor, If this is not going to work for you please tell me and I won't continue with this.

A pen pal

Arthur K

After signing my name, I left the coffee shop, went to the post office got a stamp and envelope, wrote the address and return address, and handed it to the woman behind the counter. I left the post office starting to go home slowly. On the way home, I was starting to feel like I would be imposing on this person. Oh well I already sent it. What's done is done, can't do anything about it now.