Oh my gods, so many reviews :D I love all of you people so much, and it spurred me to write this chapter really fast. I can't even explain how happy I was!

So thank you to everyone who reviewed! A lot of people seemed to like geek!Alfred too :D

So, without further ado, here is chapter 2!

As he left the school Alfred flipped his phone open again. Dialing a number he knew all too well he started off on the sidewalk, waiting as it ran once, twice, three times.

A click. "Hello?"

Alfred grinned. "Hey, Kiku! Can I come over later? I got something really awesome to show you."

"Is it about the notes?"

"Yeah, kinda. So, you free?"

"I'm always free," Kiku answered. "You can come."

Alfred pumped his fist into the air, grinning. "Kay, so I'll be over there in just a second!"

And it really was just a second. He turned the corner and onto Kiku's street. The shorter boy lived remarkably close to the school so he and Alfred often walked home together. His house was the largest one around, made to fit his large extended family. They seemed to be from all over Asia, giving him a different answer as to the family's origin every time. The answer he got most was "Korea. Everything originates in Korea."

He walked up the short path to their door. It was flanked by the various flowers and things that Kiku's mother liked growing. Most of them were pink or white.

He knocked three times in rapid succession, waiting on their doorstep as he heard the familiar footsteps from inside. He'd been to Kiku's house so many times that he knew the sound the floor made when someone was heading for the door. After a moment the door opened, revealing a young Korean man. It was Kiku's brother, Im Yong Soo, recently home from college.

"Hey, Alfie," he greeted the high-schooler, grinning. "Kiku's in his room. He's gonna be a sec."

Alfred stepped inside and Yong Soo closed the door behind him. "Hey! Yao! Alfred's here!" he called, shoving his hands in his pockets and going into the kitchen. It was right off of the front hall along with the living room.

"Alfred!" Yao was Kiku's uncle, his mother's brother. He came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands off on the apron he was wearing. His long black hair was pulled up in a ponytail. "Hi! You didn't come over yesterday."

"I was tired," Alfred explained. "Had to sleep."

"That's fine," Yao said with a smile. "Have fun."

Alfred thanked him and started up the stairs. Kiku's room was the first one on the left, the only sign that it was his a black dreamcatcher on the door. Alfred had always wondered why he had it but figured it wasn't important enough to ask.

He knocked on the door, the other hand closing around the strap on his backpack again. There was a pause before there was a series of clicks and the door opened. Alfred grinned, cell phone still in his hand. He had to show Kiku the picture.

The shorter boy stood in the doorway, his usual slightly pleasant smile just as unaffected as always. He'd been growing his hair out lately, letting long bangs sweep to the side. Today was one of the days he wasn't wearing eyeliner (while Alfred had protested at first to the makeup he had finally realized he couldn't do anything about it.) The long sleeves of Kiku's black and white hoodie covered his hands and he was wearing yet another pair of purple skinny jeans.

"Hi, Alfred," he said evenly. Alfred shook his head.

"Nuh uh. You gotta say it in Japanese, remember?"

Kiku sighed but it wasn't angry. "Konnichiwa," he said, letting Alfred into the room. The taller boy set his backpack down, pulling down the back of his shirt where it had been hiked up.

"Konnichiwa," Alfred repeated. "Now do the next part."

"Genki desu ka?" Kiku asked, a small smile betraying his thoughts.

"Um…" Alfred bit his lip and looked up, thinking. "Genki…desu…right?"

Kiku nodded and Alfred grinned. The former had been teaching the latter a little bit of Japanese, which Alfred accepted wholeheartedly. He had always thought it looked really cool, and it was much better than the Spanish he'd been forced to take in school. Because half the time Spanish was just an English word plus "o" or "a" or like "dor" or something, and it didn't seem like a real foreign language.

"So what did you want to show me?" Kiku asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. Alfred looked lost for a moment but quickly regained his train of thought.

"Okay, so you know how the last note told me to go to the gym?"

Kiku nodded.

"Well I did, and this is what I saw on the wall," he said, giving Kiku the cell phone. He waited a moment, eyes sparkling. Kiku furrowed his brow, bringing the cell phone closer. Then he turned it to the side, still looking rather confused.

"What is it?"

Alfred's face fell. "You can't see it?" he asked, scooting around behind Kiku to look. He could tell the papers were on the wall but the screen was too small to see the writing. "Awwww…" he groaned, taking the phone back. "Anyway, it said…" he paused for effect, "'I love you, Alfred.' Isn't that awesome?"

Kiku nodded appreciatively. "That sounds wonderful."

"I'm serious! We can just go back now and see it if you don't believe me."

"No, I believe you," Kiku said, raising his eyebrows. Alfred couldn't help but feel as though it was a bit sarcastic but he didn't press it. Kiku often sounded more sarcastic than he meant. At least, that's what he said.

"So I don't know what to do now. You think there'll be another note tomorrow?" Alfred asked, still trying to manipulate the image on his phone so the sign could be viewed properly. They both sat down on Kiku's bed, Kiku falling backwards onto it and letting an arm cover his eyes.

"It depends. Who do you think it's from?"

Alfred bit his lip, narrowing his eyes at the screen again. "Dunno. Maybe like Claire or something. She's shy, isn't she?"

"She's a senior. And she has a boyfriend."

"Okay, then what about Lilly? She's in our grade."

Kiku sat up again, flipping his head a little to put his hair back in place. Alfred wondered why he kept it so long if all he did was bitch about how it was in his way. "Her brother will kill you. And how would she have gotten that up on the wall?"

Alfred gave up on the cell phone picture, letting his head fall into his hand. "I don't know, okay? I don't know any girls."

"It may not be someone you know. Maybe you'll just have to wait."

Alfred stared at Kiku in horror. "Me? Wait? Where did you get that idea?" he asked incredulously. Kiku's eyes widened.

They stayed that way for a moment before bursting into laughter. Alfred's laugh was loud and boisterous, filling the whole room. Kiku's was smaller, less pronounced, but Alfred could tell he was really laughing when his eyes closed and he rocked forward a little. This time he wasn't doing that, but then again it hadn't really been all that funny.

"So what if they don't give me anything tomorrow? Like, they just give up and ditch the whole thing?" Alfred asked, slightly concerned. Kiku sighed again. He did that a lot.

"Alfred-kun," he started. He only used Alfred's name when he had to say something important or completely obvious. "They made a giant banner for you. On the gymnasium wall."

Alfred blinked. "…so?"

Kiku looked Alfred in the eye, giving one of those 'why are you so dense?' looks he used a lot. "They'll give up when Yong Soo gives up violating us."

As if on cue there was a loud "Get the fuck away from me!" from downstairs, followed by rapid Korean that Kiku had told Alfred meant something to the effect of "Your breasts are mine!" He'd heard it often enough that it was really the only Korean phrase he could say with a degree of accuracy. Kiku said that was a bad sign.

"So there'll probably be a note tomorrow," Alfred said, understanding. Kiku nodded before holding up a finger. The yelling was still going on downstairs, probably something between Kiku's cousin Li and Yong Soo. That was how it usually went.

Kiku disappeared out the door and Alfred waited. He knew from experience that these things only took a few minutes. There was more yelling, then a big thud. Everything went silent for a moment, and then Kiku returned. He smiled pleasantly at Alfred before taking a seat next to him again.

"Everything good now?" Alfred asked. Kiku nodded. They sat in silence for a moment before Alfred spoke again. "You think it could still be a joke?"

He looked to Kiku, eyes vulnerable. The shorter boy opened his mouth as if to speak, eyes running over Alfred's face. Then he let his hand fall on Alfred's shoulder.

"I don't think it is," he replied. Alfred seemed to think about it for a second before his worried expression dropped, replaced by a grin.

"You're awesome," he said, clapping Kiku on the back. The smaller boy nearly pitched off the bed but he didn't say anything. Alfred laughed.

"Alfred!" Yao's voice rang through the house. There was always quite a bit of yelling around here. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"Sure!" Alfred called back. Then his eye caught a piece of plastic leaning against the nightstand. He knew what it was immediately. "Hey, Kiku? You up for some Dissidia?"

So that's what they did.

Alfred knew something was up in the morning. It started when some guy he didn't know bumped into him in the hallway, knocking him into the wall. It wasn't unusual, not really, but for some reason it felt different. Probably because it was accompanied by kissing noises and laughter. He tried ignoring it, as usual, until he reached his locker.

It was covered in Post-it notes, some with hearts but others with juvenile drawings of male anatomy and obscene messages. His hand was shaking as he reached for the lock.

"Hey, Alfie! I loooove you!" someone yelled. His eyes widened and he froze, hand resting on the open locker door. There was some laughing and he shook his head, putting his backpack inside. He kept his binder and a notebook. And there was no note inside, as far as he could tell. Alfred just bit his lip and slammed the locker shut. A few of the notes fluttered to the ground as he started down the hallway.

Kiku had a lot of advanced classes so they didn't see each other much. The only time they were able to meet up was lunch. Kiku was like a safety blanket sometimes. He was one of those people who really didn't give a shit about what people thought of him, and because he never reacted (and was absolutely beloved by every teacher he'd ever come across) the bullies had given up and gone for easier prey. Like Alfred.

He passed the main office, looking up at the number posted on the wall proclaiming the scheduled day. As he did he felt his chest tighten. Today he had gym first period. Gym. The banner. He froze. Ooooh…

That was why. That was why there were notes on his locker and why he was being harassed more than usual. So, he realized with a sigh, it was a joke after all. A really well orchestrated joke he'd fallen for completely. Shit. He swallowed thickly.

Maybe he could fake an injury or something and get out of gym. He could pretend to be sick to his stomach. Or maybe he could have a headache or something. He could start shaking and say his blood sugar was low. That way he'd get food out of it too. The Nurse was right across from the main office.

But no. He couldn't do that. He couldn't run away or else he'd never live it down. Alfred let out a shaky breath, keeping his head down as he started for the gym. He wondered if the banner was still up. If it was he was probably going to have to have a convenient seizure or something. Not that that would help his reputation any.

For all the world he wished Kiku was there. Then maybe he'd have some kind of backup, even just for reassurance. Kiku always knew what to say in any situation, and more often than not the fact that he shouldn't say anything. That was an art Alfred had never figured out.

It seemed like forever before he finally reached the gym. He decided that today would be one of those days he'd just wear his street clothes during class and take the lower grade instead of risking the locker room. Because there the abuse could be taken to a new level. He set his binder down outside the doors in case he had to make an escape.

He peeked inside, already seeing the first few guys dressed and shooting baskets. It was what they did until the class actually started, all the guys who played sports year round, the ones who were on the football team and the basketball team and the baseball team all in one year. They were the kinds of guys Alfred preferred to avoid.

One must have seen him because he heard some low talking and then laughter. He had entered from the door opposite the one he'd used the day before so he'd be able to see if the banner was still there without having to go inside. It was gone but there was a pile of wadded paper on the floor in the corner. Alfred felt sick to his stomach.

"Yo, Alfie!" The nickname was widespread through the ranks of people Alfred didn't like. "Where's your buddy?"

"Shut up," he countered weakly, glaring. He stood awkwardly in the doorway until he felt a shove from behind. He went stumbling forward, nearly falling over. Another one of the big guys went past him, faking concern.

"Hey, dude, you okay? I thought your girlfriend would catch you," the guy said. Alfred crossed his arms protectively, gravitating over as far as he could from the other people in the room. He only hoped the Coach would come soon to start the class.

"Alfie!" someone yelled. Alfred barely had time to react before a basketball hit him straight in the stomach. There was some laughing. "You're supposed to catch it!"

He really, really didn't want to be there. The basketball bounced away, only to be scooped up by someone else. They raised their eyebrows at him, looking like they were going to pass it again. He held his arms up to catch. Maybe if he caught it they'd leave him alone.

The boy faked a throw but Alfred went for it, nerves too tight to stop himself. He grabbed at the air, spurring on another laugh. But he couldn't leave. He had to stay here and show he wouldn't back down. Like Kiku. He faked a smile, pretending to laugh along with the other guys.

"Nice," he said halfheartedly. Nobody was listening. Some of the guys had gone back to shooting as more and more guys trickled into the gym. Alfred always wondered why, when there were so many other guys like him, he was the one who was targeted. Well, he kind of knew. It was always Ivan, and for some reason the imposing boy had it out for him. Ivan was cool. People liked him, and if they didn't they feared him. Either way it had the same effect. And if he was an asshole to someone they were an asshole to that guy too.

"Okay, everyone!" a booming voice echoed through the gym. The guys by the basketball hoop held onto the ball, turning to the door. The Coach entered, a wild grin on his face and a red ball tucked under his arm. Nobody ever used his real name; he was just Coach. And he was crazy. Certifiably insane. Like talking-to-yourself-not-caring-for-the-sanctity-of-human-life type crazy. From his randomly spiked hair to canines that looked like they'd been pointed to the necklace in the shape of a battle axe he wore all the time he was really something. "Kickball! You, you, you and you outfield, you and you plate…" he continued until teams had been formed. His finger settled on Alfred. "Jones! Why're you wearing jeans?"

Alfred opened his mouth to answer, though he should have known better. "He's waiting for his girlfriend!" someone called. Alfred glared at them.

"Sure, whatever!" Coach called, shrugging. "Kick!"

Alfred trudged over to the line forming behind home plate. He stared ahead, not looking at any of the guys to his sides. They were unimportant anyway and he didn't want to encourage any comments.

From there gym was okay. Alfred only had to kick once and he almost made it to second base before called out. When they had a goal the people who usually made fun of him were okay. During games they got serious and were more concentrated on winning than teasing Alfred.

The moment the bell rang, however, Alfred was out. He snatched up his things outside the door, thankful that nothing had been done to them. At least not that he could see, and that was good enough for him. His next class today was study hall, a wonderfully welcome respite.

Study hall was held in the cafeteria, and as Alfred entered he was happy to see that it was very sparsely populated. Some days it was full to the brim with people working on projects or talking but now he had nearly the whole room to himself. Still, he sat in the back corner, all the way at the end of one of the large lunch tables.

He saw the piece of paper when he opened his notebook.

As his eyes fell upon the folded piece of lined paper his heart soared. A grin slowly formed as he unfolded it, eyes sliding over the writing. Kiku had been right. He almost felt like laughing.

Alfred,

I'm so sorry. In no way did I intend the reaction my message would get. It's my fault. I will try to find a way to make it up to you. If you don't wish for me to bother you anymore that's fine. But if it's okay, I have included something special here. I hope you use it.

Alfred re-read the note twice. Whoever had written the note had signed it with the words "Love, Sunflower." That was new. Who the hell was "Sunflower?" Was it a nickname or something? He didn't know anyone who was called that.

He unfolded the rest of the note and saw a bit of writing at the bottom. It was a series of numbers followed by the words "text me if you want."

Alfred's breath caught. He looked around, pulling out his cell phone. Nobody else seemed to be paying him much attention, what few people there were. He flipped it open, heart pounding. Carefully he put in the number, eyes wide.

Now he had to decide what to say. If it was a joke and this was just some random number the message had to be unassuming, random, something only the person who wrote the notes would get. This was a real gamble, he realized. But after the events of the morning he decided there wasn't much farther he could fall.

So, with a quivering thumb, he wrote one word and hit send.

…sunflower?

Oooh, one step closer...and emo!Kiku makes an appearance! I think as this story goes on you'll start to notice how many of the characters spring from my headcanon. Like the "Coach." Can you guess who that is? X3

Review? And if you can find any typos I'll give you a sticker :D