"I hope I don't get Mr Jackson for Maths again. He is so boring, once Gilbert brought a pillow to lesson once and went to sleep and he didn't even notice! Well he was on the back in the corner and everything but how can he forget Gilbert? I mean he's louder than a foghorn! And Sir absolutely lost when Gil said he should go to Weight Watc- Hey Artie are you even listing to me?" Alfred asked, nudging his friend making him step on to the deserted road.
Arthur snapped his head upwards and looked at his friend with his signature scowl on his face.
"No Alfred I'm not listing to you. I'm listing to Kyle warbling on about how he wrestled a crocodile this big" he said, stretching his arms as far as he could. "Ludwig is also talking to me about when they were returning to England, Gilbert got some tic tacs in a bag and hid them in his dad's suitcase. And when they found them he was put in custody for over a day put them in custody. Of course I am listing to you who else would I be talking to?! Sometimes I think all your head is filled with is air and the McDonald's menu!" He spat, and increased his pace.
Alfred's smile faulted slightly at his friends harsh words but it quickly regained its previous state and the other boy quickened his pace to match the other, which wasn't very fast, since Arthur was not known for his athletic skills.
Jeez what's up with him? Alfred thought keeping a few paces behind the angry boy. The only time he gets that riled up is when Francis is near him. Or that time when I gave him coffee and not tea.
Alfred shuddered at the memory of the angry Englishman threatening to pour enough tea down his throat till his brain bursts if he doesn't learn the difference between tea and that 'American shite'. He also learned that proper English tea was Earl Grey and not that "Asda Price stuff you get because your a fucking cheapskate."
Alfred smiled fondly at the memory and glanced at his friend who had slowed his pace a little so they were side by side again. He wasn't scowling anymore but the expression he wore couldn't be considered happy either. He had a vacant look in his emerald eyes, a trend that was becoming more common for the Brit.
They always said the eyes were the window to a person's soul. If that's so,then Arthur soul must be going through a midlife crisis. Once upon a time those eyes were always alive; they blazed with fury, they cried waterfalls and they lit up in pure joy. Now they were so dull and lifeless that if you told a person how his eyes glowed with such a roaring passion they would look at you funny and say you were crazy. Alfred loved his eyes; it was the first thing he saw every time he looked at him.
His large and bushy eyebrows were the second thing.
Maybe something's happened at home. With Colin moving out and everything and the wedding, I bet things have gone downhill a bit. Everyone one in town knew that Arthur and his step dad despised each other. No one knows why not even Arthur's mother. Something that wasn't as well-known was that sometimes their arguments often turned a bit… Violent
Arthur denied that such things ever happening but Alfred saw the aftermath of those 'arguments and disagreements'. Sometimes when they got changed for PE there would be a new bruise, and when he got asked where they came from, (This question was frequently asked by a certain American), he would just say, " I fell over" or "I had a fight with my brothers, again" or the most frequent one "It's none of your business you American idiot. Now hurry up I really don't want to be kicked out of the changing room without anything but my track suit bottoms on,".
Alfred thought at first it was Arthur's pride getting in the way of admitting what was going on at home. But then he realized he was scared.
He was scared of the man who had basically been a father to him his entire life. And that disturbed Alfred greatly, he even stayed up some nights just thinking if his friend was in or not pain.
Everyone knew that no one could calm down Edward Kirkland when he was in a rage, except Colin, which was very strange since it was Peter who was his own blood and not stepson. The reason he could calm him down was probably due to the fact that out of Kirkland brood Colin was the calmest and happiest. Well… that all depended on how much sleep he got.
"Arthur?" Alfred said softly putting his hand on Arthur's shoulder, making them both stop, "Are you alright?".
Arthur flinched when Alfred touched him and Alfred soon put his arm back beside his side. After what seemed like an age Arthur finally answered Alfred's question.
"Yes… I'm fine," he said, straightening up and he started walking again with determination.
"C'mon we better get going if we want to meet up with Kiku. He'll probably leave without us if we're not there on time."
Alfred watched his friend walk up the road.
Why does he always do that? Whenever anyone tries to get close to him he just pushes them away. It's so frustrating! How am I suppose to help him when he doesn't tell me what's wrong. It's like he doesn't want any help, he has to realize that having help once in a while isn't such a bad thing.
"Alfred! C'mon you're standing around like a wet lemon!" Arthur shouted from the top of the road, with one hand on his hip.
Wow he walks fast.
"Coming!" Alfred yelled and sprinted up the slight hill stopping at the road to catch his breath
"You didn't have to sprint up the road you twat. For god's sake you could have had a heart attack because of all those burgers you scoff. Have you ever tried a salad from McDonald's?"
Arthur looked like he was going to have a full on rant but only got so far in his scolding because someone picked him up from behind and bellowed in his ear, "Eyebrows! I haven't seen you all summer! How is my house time buddy?"
Arthur screamed like a little girl and tried to pry the stranger's hands off his waist but his scrawny body wasn't meant for physical activity. The strangers grip tightened on his waist and Arthur started to loudly swear at the man.
"Oh Eyebrows, that's not the way to greet your buddy who you haven't seen all summer," the stranger said in Arthur's ear. The man's voice was deep and had a very thick German accent
"Gilbert! What the hell! Put me down now!" Arthur shouted kicking Gilbert's legs, but his legs were like bars of steel and had no effect on him. "Not until you admit you missed me while I was in Germany" Gilbert said defiantly, and mouthed to the stunned Alfred "Help me with this".
Alfred came out of his daze and debated what boy he should help. "Hey Gilbert weren't you suppose to meet Francis at 10 weren't you "Alfred said slyly and raising an eyebrow. Gilbert's expression was a mix of betrayal and shock as he dropped the flailing boy in arms and ran down the street Alfred and Arthur were walking up.
"Thanks Alfred I better scram. I'm already gonna get a lecture from Francis for messing up my uniform." Gilbert shouted as he ran down the road."
"See you in House Time, Eyebrows!" Gilbert's voice echoed down the street. Alfred chuckled and pulled his friend up who was still sitting on the floor. Arthur dusted himself and muttered, "Stupid bastard. Why the hell would I miss him and his stupid brother,"
Alfred laughed again and put his arm around Arthur's shoulder, "C'mon we better hurry up, we know what Kiku's like if he's late for something".
Arthur nodded," You didn't have to help me you know."
Alfred turned towards Arthur and flashed him a smile," Of course I do. That's what heroes are for!"
Arthur smiled and the pair carried on waling to their friends house.
Kiku looked at his watch for the umpteenth time. They were late. Again. If there is one way to make a bad impression is to turn up to school late on the first day. The teachers wouldn't really care, but still.
Kiku looked out the window and saw two figures walking down the road. He squinted and saw it was the two people he desperately wanted to see. Finally.
He carefully lifted Pochi off his lap, trying not to disturb him and put his bag strap over his shoulder. It was a present from his parents for having 100% attendance the previous year.
He looked at himself in the full length mirror in the living room. His uniform was immaculate and crease free. He had some hairs from Pochi on his trousers but he couldn't be bothered to try to get them off. But something was missing and Kiku couldn't remember.
He suddenly clicked his fingers and said aloud "Blazer".
He ran upstairs and opened his wardrobe, getting out his new blazer that was still covered in packaging. He always liked blazers for some odd reason. I always preferred school uniform to normal clothes. No one can see what class or culture you are from; it makes me feel equal to everyone and normal. Plus I have to admit I look very… What's that word that Gilbert-san said? Dapper?
Kiku went back downstairs and checked that everything was turned off, his father kept complaining about the 'absurd' electric bill. Even though he was the one who kept leaving the computer on overnight.
Satisfied he turned towards the door but felt something brush against his leg. He looked down and saw Pochi gazing at him. He chuckled at patted him affectingly before heading out the door.
Locking the door behind him he put the key with his Sakura tree key ring in his inside zip pocket.
"Yo! Kiku, dude! Did you see us coming or something?" Alfred asked leaning over Kiku's wooden garden gate.
Kiku nodded, "Hai, I did Alfred-san. But where is Arthur-san? I could have sworn I saw him walking with you down the road."
Alfred grinned," He's here," pointing to the ground, "He says he's taking a break since putting up with me is very tiring."
Kiku nodded, "I can agree with Arthur-san on that."
"What!" Alfred exclaimed, the shock in his voice clear.
"You don't really mean that do you?"
Arthur groaned and stood up, "We're only kidding Alfred. It's you when you're scared and hyper, now that's really tiring."
Kiku nodded and went to exit his 'garden', which were really only a few clumps of grass and a stone path. Alfred stopped leaning on the gate so Kiku could get out and turned to face the other boys.
"Now then," he said rubbing his hands together."Kiku what time is it". The small boy looked at his watch and replied, "10: 05, so we've got about 35 minutes till we have to be at school,"
"So we better hurry if we want to go to the shop beforehand" Arthur said and started to walk towards the shop and the school. Alfred grinned at Kiku and mouthed "Watch it he's grumpy today" and followed after his friend. When is he ever in a good mood? Kiku thought, and ran to catch up with his friends.