A/N- Sorry if anyone takes
offense to the Christian thing, I don't mean for it to be offensive.
Not all Christians are like Alfred's mum, and it's only
For the sake of the plot
(It feels like I'm using that excuse… "It's okay, I'm an artist". Hah.)
It had been three days since the glorious realization occurred. Now, it's not like it hadn't been sneaking up on him for years. He just never thought of it up until now. Those casual glances as he passed, a friendly wave to cover up what he was staring at.
It was inevitable. Alfred was in love.
There was no problem at all, aside from the fact that it was the wrong person he was in love with. Being raised in a strictly Christian home, being gay was considered a crime.
"Mom, can I go outside and play with Francis and his friends?"
"No, honey. Stay inside for now."
"But why?"
"I don't want you around that Bonnefoy kid. He might have the wrong influences on you."
That was when he was six. Alfred didn't understand what 'influences' his mother was speaking of yet, but he soon realized a few years later when Francis' flamboyant nature presented itself a bit more clearly. His problem was, though, that Francis wasn't a bad guy. Yes, he may be loud and a bit too affectionate, but not a bad guy, nonetheless.
Well, Alfred didn't know what else to do, so he might as well just let it be for the time being.
There wasn't much he could do anyway.
Arthur despised walking down the halls. He despised the people walking down them, and the friendly greetings they threw about. The only greetings he ever got were a wave from that obnoxious American kid, or a slap on the arse from Francis.
He swore to the heavens above that if that pervert touched him one more time—
Oh well. Arthur had a way of making it abundantly clear when he didn't like someone. He supposed on one hand that was a good thing, since he didn't have to deal with many people he didn't like, but on the other, it was what got him outcasted amongst the student body. They saw him as the perpetually irked-by-everything, rude one who always sat in the back of the class. The teachers were alright with him, he turned in most of his papers and made no outright disturbances in class, but the constant look of either boredom, or extreme apathy caused general feelings of dislike.
His clothing didn't help much either. With the ever-black t-shirt, ragged black shoes, and an occasional hole worn in his trousers, it felt as if he was stuck part-way between the punk era, and modern-day society. He had often gotten remarks from those popular ones as to 'when he was going to start painting his nails black'. Arthur's usual sarcastic witty response shut them up for a good while, then one of them would think up something new. He was just another form of entertainment to them, curiously different, and with just enough mystery to spark interest. He may as well be a bloody stripper.
There were those, however, whom his outright hate didn't seem to affect. Francis and his posse being a few, simply because idiots like that were stronger in numbers, and Francis had enough prideful idiocy for all three of them. Then, there was the Obnoxious American. Arthur didn't know his name, and that title seemed to fit well enough. Despite his utmost effort to rid himself of the boisterous jock, the American kid seemed to cling to him anyway. It hadn't always been this way. Before, he was just another face in the packed hallways. But bit by bit, the American tried increasingly to attempt friendship. Arthur did not want this friendship, and usually brushed off his exuberant greetings and questions with an impatient sigh. But since it was unavoidable to say he would never have to deal with the American, he had become a part of Arthur's life whether accepted into it or not. And it was this American that seemed to take up the majority of his thoughts, of late.
As per usual, he was sitting in his seat waiting for class to begin when someone approached him. Not looking up from the iPod he had in his hands, Arthur waited for them to leave. He really didn't feel like dealing with their shit today.
To his surprise, the voice that spoke was one he knew. "Hey! I heard we were doing a project today, so—"
Arthur rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. "You're not going to wait for me to say hello in return?" He turned his narrowed green eyes on the Obnoxious one.
He was favored with a bewildered look as a response. "Never mind," he said turning back to his iPod, "What do you want?"
The exuberance returned to the American's voice, and he continued with a grin. "Well like I said, since we have a big project assignment today, we could work on it together!"
Arthur thought a moment. I'm probably going to end up with most of the work… Deciding it wasn't a good idea, he asked himself why the request was even in debate. "No." He answered bluntly. The smile of the other boy deflated. "Why not?"
Why not. The reply Arthur most wanted to give was something along the lines of 'because you're a blathering idiot and there is no way in hell I would consider working with you', but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to say it. So he settled on something a bit nicer. "I don't know you. Ask your other friends, you have plenty of lapdogs to choose from." The teacher entered the room at that point, and Arthur watched the American kid walk slowly back to his seat.
As was predicted, the teacher's opening statement explained the project that was to be due two weeks from then. "I need you all to partner up, this is a big project, and no one will be able to get it done by themselves. I didn't have time to make a class list, so you'll have to choose partners yourself." A chorus of quiet triumph went off across the room. "Alright, be quiet. Raise your hands, and I'll note down the partners."
The teacher got through the majority the class, when the American kid raised his hand.
"Alfred? Who's your partner?"
So that was his name.
Alfred paused for a moment, then said "Arthur."
Looking back, Arthur was vaguely aware of the whole class swiveling their heads towards the two of them.
Angry and startled, Arthur stood up to protest his indignation. "What? No, I'm not working with him."
Alfred gave a pleading look. "Aw, c'mon Artie. I'm not that bad." A smile, then.
Before Arthur could sputter out 'that's not my name', the teacher cut them off. "There's not really many people left, so you two will have to work together." And with a pointed look at Arthur; "Try not to make too much of an issue out of it."
He sat down with a huff. He would have to deal with this idiot for another two weeks, probably even go to his home at some point! Anger was shown plainly on his face, and the small blonde kid sitting near him scooted farther away. How on earth Arthur got himself into this situation, he didn't know.
A/N: I'm probably going
to continue this, but I can guarantee erratic posting.
Hope you guys liked!