AN:

Warnings: Profanity, and in later chapters sexual content (mostly yaoi, maybe some yuri or hetero too, especially if you review~) violence, others I will add in warnings of later chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, if I do in later chapters, I will tell you which, but in this one, no.

PLEASE REVIEW. I may not decide to finish if I don't get reviews, for priority's sake.

The alarm cut through Matthew's unconscious mind like a knife, blasting Pink Floyd.

I am just a newborn! Stranger in my time! Where are all the good times? Who's gonna show the stranger around?

He squeezed his eyes shut tighter. He'd hoped the night would last forever. This was not a day to look forward to. Today, Matthew was being enrolled in a private high school, Young Academy. Far away, in Canada, where he would live with total strangers for a year. Sighing, he rolled over.

Matthew sat up and shivered. It was August and his parents had the Air Conditioner on full-blast. He quickly changed, pulling on some jeans and a white tee shirt. He threw on his tattered red hoodie, he'd been meaning to get a new one, but he was kind of poor. The only reason he was being sent to this school was because his uncle was rich and Matthew was the only heir to the family name, and he wanted him to get a good education. Never mind the bastard never once sent a birthday card, or visited, or even called.

He brushed his teeth and hair, vaguely wondering if other guys make fun of you for brushing your hair. He hoped his roommate wasn't too judgmental. His wavy blonde hair got tangled so easily.

He tugged his shoes on and looked at his bags, gathered by the door. He picked up his boom box and tucked it into the largest rolling suitcase, having left enough space the night before intentionally. He knew they probably wouldn't just let him carry a boom box into a prestigious school.

He trudged downstairs, lugging his... well, luggage, and dropped it unceremoniously in the front hall. He walked into the kitchen, the warm smell of maple bringing him the first happiness he'd felt all day. All week, maybe.

Matthew's mother smiled. "I made your favorite, Mattie." She placed a plate of pancakes in front of him as he sat down.

"Thanks, mom." Matthew smiled. She probably knew he was nervous. She only made him pancakes when he needed cheering up or encouragement. He would miss that for the next year... He gratefully dug into the pancakes.

"You nervous, Matt?" His father asked, glancing up from the newspaper and taking a sip of his coffee.

"K-kinda, yeah..."

"Don't be." The man shook his head dismissively. "You'll be the smartest, and if anyone doesn't like that, you're also the fastest-"

"Thomas!" Matthew's mother snapped. "Don't scare the boy!"

"I-I'm not scared," Matthew lied.

"I didn't mean it like that, Kendra," Thomas explained calmly. "I meant, he doesn't have to worry." Kendra just gave him a stern look until he went back to his paper.

"I'm so proud of you, Mattie." Kendra gushed, stroking Matthew's hair while he ate like he was a little kid again. He didn't protest though, he was about to go away for a long time. "I just know you'll show them all up." Kendra has always been openly proud of her son's intellect. He'd always seemed brighter than all the other kids, even as a small child, he would teach other kids how to tie their shoes or climb the monkey bars without missing. "I'll miss you so much though." She hugged him.

Matthew put his fork down and hugged back. "Me too. But at least they said you can call me, and maybe they'll let me call once in a while. B-but I'll have lots to tell you when I get back." He forced himself to say optimistic things in favor of cheering his mom up. She smiled.

An hour later, Matthew was staring out the car window at the passing scenery. It would be so different where he was going. Matthew was born and raised in Arizona. It was hot, and sparse, and dry. Only in the mountainous areas could you find pine trees, though they were short, and most of the rivers were dry. He'd never been outside the country before. In fact, he didn't even have a passport until his uncle paid for one. Matthew wondered if he would ever get to go camping up in Canada. He loved camping and he'd never been to anywhere as amazing as Canada was supposed to look.

At the airport, Matthew hugged and kissed his parents goodbye, promising to send a postcard, if nothing else. He stepped through the gate and turned just in time to see his mother start sobbing into his father's shirt. He turned back quickly and got on the plane, finding his seat and stowing his baggage away.

Someone bumped into him, not even stopping to say sorry, as he shoved through the crowded aisles, carrying a couple of greasy McDonalds bags with him. Apparently airliner food wasn't gross enough for some people. Matthew rolled his eyes as the noisy blonde shoved some guy out of his way. "Back up out the way, fool! Fuck, I should be in first class, this shit is crowded up in here!" Ugh. How annoying.

Luckily, the remainder of the flight was quiet and uneventful. Matthew listened to his iPod and wound up falling asleep before they landed. He woke up to a stewardess gently telling him to fasten his seat belt. On the ground, he stepped out into the airport and looked around, humming along to the music in his headphones.

There is no pain, you are receding. A distant ship, smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying...

He spotted a man in a green and black uniform, Young Academy's colors, and neared him, making out his name on the sign the man was holding. He walked over, pulling off his headphones. "H-hi, I-I'm Matthew." He looked at the sign. There were two names. 'Matthew' and 'Alfred'. Someone must have also been coming from Arizona.

Another man, who was standing next to the first man, approached Matthew. "Follow me." Matthew followed the man outside to the curb, where a black and green limousine was waiting. The man opened the door for Matthew, who got in, and then closed it again. Matthew went to the far side of the seat and looked around. It was a small limo, but he'd never been inside one, so it was cool. It had neat lights in the ceiling that threw ambient shadows. It was dramatic.

The door opened again and Matthew's jaw dropped as he was met with that annoying voice. The blonde from the plane got in. "Thanks, Jeeves!" He laughed as the man who'd escorted him rolled his eyes and shut the door. Matthew felt the limo start and wondered if it was too late to jump out of the car. "Hey there, kiddo, you going to Young, too? How come they call it that, they calling us babies?"

Matthew stared at him. "The founder's name was Alex Young."

The guy frowned. "It was a joke. You're s'posed to laugh."

"...haha."

"Hey. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot." The cocky teen grinned. "I'm Al. Alfred 'Freedom' Jones. Whatcher name?"

Matthew rolled his eyes. "Matthew Williams."

"Pleased to meetcha, Mattie." Alfred grinned wider. "Don't be so shy, man, say something. Whatcha like to do?"

Matthew shrugged. "I like nature a lot..."

Alfred laughed. "Plenty of that up here, I bet! Hey, maybe we can go camping or something. We might have to sneak out." He chuckled as if it was a joke.

"I wish." Matthew admitted.

Alfred nudged him. "Hey. If I figure it out, I'll go camping with ya." Matthew smiled and Alfred grinned cockily again. "That's more like it. buck up, kid."

It wasn't long before Matthew and Alfred were walking into the entrance hall of the school. Their bags would be taken to their dorms for them while they ate supper. They were herded into a dining hall where several other students were already sitting around waiting. Alfred tugged Matthew to an empty table near the edge of the hall and they sat there until the last student came in, Alfred chatting animatedly at Matthew about how much he loved video games and football.

Finally everyone was settled and the headmaster and some other staff members gave a brief introduction and went over the rules. Everyone was to be in their dorm room by ten thirty, no exceptions. No one was allowed to keep animals in their dorms unless it was a fish (the only thing that can't escape). Electronics are to be kept in the dorm room except on weekends and in the evening, when class is not in session. No blasting loud music, school uniform (provided) must be worn during school hours and on field trips. You are not allowed to alter the uniform in any way, other than badges awarded for merit, which will be attached by a staff member only to blazer sleeves and lapels.

After the introduction, supper began. The dining hall was like a cafeteria, with several open counters at one end, all serving different food. Alfred lead Matthew over and he noticed the different foods were all ethnic dishes from different countries, though only a few. Nevertheless, it seemed to satisfy everyone, they didn't all have to eat the same food at least. Alfred dragged Matthew through the pizza line with him. Matthew didn't protest. He wasn't very hungry and at least he could tell it was hand-made pizza, not the frozen crap.

After he and Alfred had eaten, they went to the office right next to the cafeteria, where everyone would be receiving their schedules and room numbers. They also received a map of the school. The boys' dorms were numbered 100-399, the first number also corresponding to the floor number. The girls' dorms were on the opposite side of the school and were numbered 1-99 and 400-599, because Young Academy used to be a boys only school and the girls' dorms were new. There were also parts of the school that were colored solid black and marked "off-limits".

"What room're you in, Mattie?" Alfred asked, peering over Matthew's shoulder. "Ew, look at all that math! Are you really gonna do all that?"

"I'm good at math." Matthew retorted. "I'm in room 101."

"Aw, I got 334. Whatever. Lemme see what classes we have together." Without waiting for a response, Alfred snatched Matthew's schedule away and scanned it. "Biology and gym. Sweet. I can copy off you second period, and you can copy off me 5th! This is cool!"

"Wh-who says I need to copy to pass gym?" Matthew asked, slightly offended.

"You can always learn new moves, Mattie!" Alfred grinned. "C'mon, I'll walk you to your dorm!" He grabbed Matthew's arm and dragged him to the dorms. "Man, these stairwells look dark. Watch your step right here, Mattie-" Alfred cut of as someone shoved by the two of them, knocking Matthew into Alfred and Alfred into the stair railing. "Ow! Watch it, motherfucker!"

The other student stopped and turned, glaring at Alfred, who quailed. The other boy was at least a foot taller than Alfred, and much bigger. He wore a long coat and scarf, as if he'd just come from somewhere cold. His boots were big enough to crush a man's skull in one stomp, and the look he gave Alfred, despite his fair hair and soft eyes, was a cold, sharp, menacing one. He didn't say a word before continuing on his way up the stairs.

"Woah. That was fuckin' scary." Alfred sighed when the other student was gone. He hurriedly lead Matthew to room 101. "Dude, lemme see your view." He pushed by Matthew and entered the room first, making a beeline for the window, which was actually a sliding door that opened onto a small balcony. "Cool, you can see the sunset from your room. Mine's an even number." He glanced at the map. "I think mine faces the garden."

Matthew sighed as he took it in. The sunset reflected off a nearby lake, lighting up the grass around it. Pines and maples littered the area, also golden from the sun. It really was a nice view. "Wow."

"Yeah, it's a lot cooler here than in that fucking dust bowl back home. I'm from Arizona. It sucks." Alfred grunted.

"M-me too. I kinda like it. But it is nice to get away." Matthew shrugged. "But the desert's pretty cool too."

"I've always wanted to film a Western back at home, dude! It's so perfect!" Alfred was psyched, off on a tangent already. He started ranting about the main character, the greatest western hero to ever live, who fought for freedom and justice and all that jazz. Finally, the sun went down and Alfred stopped. "Oh, guess I better find my room and unpack." He patted Matthew on the back. "Seeya, Mattie!" And with that, he walked out.

Matthew watched the last wisps of orange and violet melt away before turning to to the room. This was a living room sort of area, with a small kitchen area set apart and a small door off to the side. He went through the door to see two beds on opposite sides of a large room. There was an adjoining bathroom and the beds were surrounded by curtains. Everything matched and the whole room was fancy, down to the mahogany paneling on the walls.

Matthew's bags were sitting at the foot of the bed by the window. He looked at the other bed, where his roommate's bags were. They were white with black trim and looked brand new. There wasn't even a fingerprint on the white leather. Matthew eyed his own bags, tattered plaid. He probably looked so poor. Would the other kids make fun of him when they saw his everyday clothes? He didn't even own a suit or even a blazer. His Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead tee shirts would be the laughingstock of the school.

Matthew jumped when he heard the door open and close in the living room. Seconds later, a boy walked in.

"H-hi. I'm Matthew Williams." He greeted the other student, extending his hand.

Instead of shaking it, the other boy bowed slightly to Matthew. "Konnichiwa. Watashi no namae wa Honda Kiku desu."

Matthew started. "Y-you speak English too, right?"

"Hai." Kiku nodded. He had short black hair that bobbed when he moved his head. It was kind of girly, but Matthew would never tell him that. "I'm from Tokyo, but I speak a few languages fluently."

"That's cool." Matthew smiled. "I'm just from Arizona. It's just desert. And I can only speak a little bit of French and that's it."

"Oh? Vous parlez français? Le langage de l'amour, non? Combien de temps avez-vous étudié?" Kiku babbled off in rapid French, obviously showing off. Matthew only caught the very first bit and shook his head.

"S-sorry, I don't know that much, I only took one year." He blushed.

Kiku smiled. "Why would you be sorry? You can learn any time." With that he went to his own bags and began unpacking, setting everything in his drawers, desk, shelf, and closet in perfect order.

Matthew followed suit, unpacking what he felt like unpacking and tossing it wherever it would fit. He noticed the closet was already stocked with at least a week's worth of school uniforms in his size. He set his boom box on the windowsill and sifted through his CDs, speaking up. "Hey, do you have any adversity to classic rock?"

Kiku shook his head. "Iie, I like it very much."

Matthew smiled. "Good. I kinda have a habit of playing my music out loud and I don't wanna bother anyone."

"It is fine. I'm not easily bothered." Matthew believed him. Kiku seemed very calm compared to anyone he'd met so far. He was relieved. He could have been roomies with that creepy guy in the hall. He shuddered at the thought.

Matthew spent the rest of the night reading in his bed while Kiku made tea and and hung oriental decorations in the living room and bedroom. Matthew slipped a Queen CD into his boom box before tugging his curtains shut. "Goodnight." He muttered and heard a quiet reply from Kiku before passing out.

AN: Characters I already plan to try and use in this fic are Canada, Japan, America, France, Russia, Prussia, Germany, England, Italy, Romano, Greece, Belarus, Hungary, Liechtenstein, and maybe Taiwan. If you want you can suggest a character you like that I'm not using and I'll try and add them, I'm just only used to a few of them. Please review if you have any suggestions, queries, or anything else. I am willing to take constructive criticism, but any hating will not be tolerated.