Countdown

By Chi

Summary: A deep groan catches my attention, making my heart skip a bit. I feel my face heating up, and I have to convince myself that it's due to guilt for waking up the person and not because said person has this after-sex look on his face at the moment. USUKUS

Today is Monday, beginning of the school week after a welcoming short weekend. Alfred F. Jones, a freshman student of Hetalia Academy, takes discreet long strides in the hallway while throwing random "hi's" and "morning, peeps" on the individuals he knows by face. He's excited but it doesn't show much on his smiling façade. He's expecting the result of their midterm exams today. And by tradition the school posts a ranking list on the bulletin near the Guidance Councilor's Office and that is where he's heading now.

He casually waits for people to clear up the crowd that has formed in front of the usually vacant spot. "LOL I passed!" He hears a whooping freshman in the front. He chuckles and simply shakes his head. He feels someone tugging his sleeve so he turns to his side. "Kiku!"

A Japanese-decent black-haired student flashes a small smile before bowing in greeting. "Have you seen the result, Alfred?"

The taller kid shakes his head in response. "I'm cool with whatever I got so I'm just chillin' here while they look at their results." He motions his head to rowdy crowd.

Honda Kiku, another student of Hetalia Academy, stares at him for a good number of seconds before a knowing smile appears on his normally stoic face. "Of course."

When the crowd has cleared a little, Alfred can no longer hold his anticipation so he tells Kiku with casual tone and shrugging a little, that they should check the result before they arrive late for their first subject. The shorter man nods wordlessly. Alfred pushes the crowd a little harsher than he intends to and when he's finally in front, he directs his eyes to number 1, the top scorer for the first year's midterm exam.

KIRKLAND, Arthur (598)

JONES. Alfred (590)

"So my answer was like wrong and teach was totally fuming and bitching about my pink nails. He said something like detention or whatever and he made me go outside the classroom. And I was totally ok with it so I dragged my darling Liet with me-"

"I think they know the rest of the story, Feliks." Toris Lorinaitis, or nicknamed Liet by his Polish friend.

Everyone in the table groans in agreement. It's lunchtime and they want nothing more but eat their food. However, Feliks has always deemed it necessary that his friends should listen to him or he will throw a tantrum. And no one likes to witness that. They flash Toris a grateful look before resuming their meal.

Feliks huffs but doesn't say anything. He follows the rest of them by chomping his food a little noisily.

"Oh!" their Italian friend, Feliciano Vargas, exclaims before grinning widely. "Congratulations, Alfred! You're top 2 in the exams. You're so smart, ve~"

"Thanks, Feli. It's nothing." Alfred laughs loudly to cover his joy from being praised. He receives more sincere praises from his peers and he good-naturedly thanks them in return.

"But you know, I'm surprised that Kirkland jerk manages to, like, rank 1. I mean, he usually skips the classes I have totally with him." Feliks says, frowning a little that the guy he rarely sees in his Geography subject has outranked him.

"I don't share any subject with him," Ludwig Beilschmidt withholds. "So I can't say if this Kirkland person deserves to be ranked one."

"Uhm I take English Literature with him but so far he skipped twice or thrice only. And he's well-versed with the subject. I think he always get A+ on his papers." Matthew Williams says but none has heard him properly.

"Did you say something, Matt?" Alfred asks when he notices the man across him is mumbling something. The Canadian only shakes his head and eats his food in sullen mood. Alfred shrugs and listens to his friend chatter about the mysterious top 1. Just who is Arthur Kirkland anyway?

Someone coughs in their table, managing to get hold of their attention. Kiku Honda smiles tentatively. "Arthur is…" he gulps, suddenly feeling small with the curious stares directed at him. "I share a few subject with Arthur. And despite his low attendance, he aces the quizzes. He rarely recites during discussions but when the teachers ask him rather very difficult questions, he always get the answers right. I guess one can consider him a genius but I think no one really likes calling a…" he pauses, hesitating a moment. "punk as a genius." When he receives startled and surprised looks from his friend, he quickly amends his last statement. "Uhm he may be slightly eccentric but he's not entirely a bad person. We're kind of… acquaintances, actually." He finishes lamely 'cause he isn't quite too sure what his exact relationship with the guy.

"So you think he isn't the type to cheat during exams?" Ludwig asks offhandedly. Kiku nods with a small smile. "Well if Kiku says so."

"Ve~ What does he look like?" Feliciano inquires innocently. Alfred perks up at this. He's also interested in knowing the man's appearance.

"Actually he's here." Several pairs of expectant eyes, minus Feliks', once again are directed at him. "He's a few tables away from us." He points at a table in a corner where two blond students appear to be arguing.

"Hey, isn't that Francis?" Alfred voices out, his brows knitting to a frown. "Why is he hanging out with a second year?" His friends nod in agreement.

"Ah you see-"

A bell rings loudly inside the cafeteria, signaling the end of lunch break.

The issue is dropped as they all go to their respective classroom. Alfred is disappointed but doesn't show it. He only needs to ask Kiku later since he doesn't have subject with Kiku till last period.

Alfred's POV

Maaaaaaan. This is a bummer. What will I tell dad now? That I got beaten by this punk dude. I'll never hear the end of it. If only this Kirkland guy is some kind of geek or nerd. Tsk. I mean, he's not even in the top 10 last preliminary exam. Sure, I ranked 1 and dropping only a rank this time. But come on, dad will still get my ass for this one mishap. grr I shouldn't have cramped Eng Lit.

Well whatever. What's done is done.

"Hey Matt, did Francis mention Arthur Kirkland to you before?" I ask my friend who somewhat resemble me a little. It creeped me out actually when we first met during student orientation. And I had to phone my mom if she secretly delivered twin. Well I got an earful after that. Ah crap. I missed what he said again. "What?"

Matt pouts at me before repeating what he has previously said. "Francis didn't say anything about Arthur Kirkland. I didn't know they are acquainted with each other till now."

I cluck my tongue. Well that's helpful. Not. "Hey, what do you think of the guy?"

He blinks a few times then a frown settles on his face. "I already told you we share Geography subject."

It's my turn to blink now. "Really?"

"Yes, during lunch. Anyway, like Kiku has already mentioned, he isn't entirely a bad person. He's weird but, I don't know, it's cool weird."

I have to snort to that. This Arthur Kirkland is a lot of things, isn't he? A punk. A genius. An eccentric. And now, a cool weird? I won't be surprised if later on he's a prince of some country. Ah that's funny so I laugh. Maybe a little loud.

"Jones! Is there something funny about the process of cell division?" Mr. Farty-Pants roars and he doesn't even give me a chance to answer as he goes on. Damn. He really hates me. I just hope he doesn't give me a – "Detention after school!"

Great. Just freaking great.

Matt pats me on the shoulder while giving me a pitying look. I drop my head on the desk table.

This is all Arthur Kirkland's fault.

Unfortunately, Kiku's busy jotting down notes during Elem. Algebra class so I couldn't ask him about Arthur. I pause on my track. This is weird. I've been thinking about the faceless blond dude for half the day already. It feels like I'm getting obsessed with him! Creepy. I better stop this nonsense. I really should.

But fuck curiosity. I am interested to know the person who has outranked me. But before that, I better inform the coach of tennis club that I am not attending practice today. "Hey Jane, do you know where coach is?" I ask our club manager. She's my senior and she takes good care of the club.

"Oh Alfred, coach has some errands to do concerning the regional match taking place next month."

I purse my lips before flashing a grateful smile. As expected, she flushes. "I see. Uh by the way, I'm skipping out practice today. I have detention." I check the time and splutter "I gotta run. I'm late." She waves me off.

After a full five-minute mad dash, I finally reach the detention room. Crap. Ms. Hedervary's already here. "You're late."

I laugh a bit shakily, still catching my breath. "Sorry 'bout that, ma'am." I approach her to give my detention slip and she motions me to the desk next to a sleeping figure. My eyebrows shot up when I realize there are only two students in the room, me and that snoring guy. I suddenly have the urge to accidentally kick his seat. So I do. LOL

Ms. Hedervary sends me a reproaching look but I can also detect amusement there. I mouth a "sorry, accident" and she only rolls her eyes. Heh. She's a cool teach.

A deep groan catches my attention, making my heart skip a bit. Err what's with the skip there? But I don't have time to ponder about that as a pair of brilliant green eyes gazes at me heatedly. I feel my face heating up, and I have to convince myself that it's due to guilt for waking up the person and not because said person has this after-sex look on his face at the moment.

I hear Ms. Hedelvary giggles in the background. Giggles. But my eyes are too fixated on the man glaring daggers at me to care. "Well this is interesting," she begins. "Arthur Kirkland and Alfred F. Jones in detention."

WHAT?

To be continued…

Author's Corner:

I'm trying to get back to writing fanfics. I really am. But every-fucking-time I do, I stop midway. And I really hate that. But be reassured that it won't happen to Countdown. This is my first multi-chapter AU Hetalia fanfic and I wish to complete this. Reviews are very much appreciated. Thank you.

England: Am I topping America?

America: WHAT?

England: 'cause Chi makes me sound so…sexy in this story.

America: … can't argue with that BUT STILL!

Chi: Hold your horses, dear. Better watch out for the next chapters. *winks*