"All my friends keep asking why I'm not around. It hurts to know you're happy and it hurts that you've moved on."
Amnesia (5 Seconds of Summer)
Alfred F. Jones was now the owner of the internationally famous Williams-Jones Group of Companies. He had been for 3 years now with his half-brother, Matthew Williams as the Vice President. He was young, successful, rich and famous.
But he was still heartbroken.
Even after 7 years, all he ever thought about was Arthur. Work became a good distraction from those thoughts once in awhile, but sooner or later, the Briton was going to be the face he saw in his dreams and nightmares.
Of course he tried dating. His brother wouldn't let him sulk around the house, drowning his sorrows in different types of alcohol. He had tried getting out; he really had. But it just didn't feel right. It was just because they weren't Arthur. Arthur was the only person he had this special connection with. A connection he felt whenever the other was there. There would always be fireworks, sparks, bombs, slow motions and fast forwards when he saw the other. The first time he felt the connection, he knew that the Briton was the one. How he wish Arthur felt the same.
Apparently, he didn't.
The American sighed, climbing into the dark night blue Porsche that he owned before buckling himself in and revving up the engine. He was supposed to meet up with a close group of friends he had back in High School; High school: his life before Arthur. One of his hands reached out to turn on the radio to one of his favourite radio stations as his other hand manoeuvred the wheel, driving him towards the pub he was supposed to meet them in.
A familiar tune greeted his ears causing him to groan, his heart shattering at the notes that began to fill the car.
"I never dream. 'Cause I always thought that dreaming was for kids; just a childish thing."
It was their song. The song that would make them both grin wickedly at each other whenever they would hear it; the same song that they would sing with in sync to the lyrics despite being off key due to their joy. It brought back memories of all the happiness they spent together yet for Alfred, it also reminded him of what he had lost all those years ago.
"And I could swear that love is just a game that children play and no more than a game."
The song continued, the melodic voice of the singer echoing around the almost empty vehicle.
" 'Til I met you.
I never knew what love was 'til I met you.
This feelings seems to grow more everyday.
I love you more each day."
His free hand immediately jabbed at a button to change the song, gulping down the tears that threatened to escape from his eyes. Why was fate really cruel to him? Couldn't it just help him forget?
The blonde arrived at the place earlier than he expected. He took a deep breath, swallowing the tears he was threatened to spill. He needed to look successful and happy. He needed to look good.
He turned off the engine, jumping out and straightening his suit only to have it messed when a frail pair of arms wrapped his neck in a choking hug.
"Alfie!"A feminine voice yelled in his ear earning a real laugh from the American. He tore away from her, blue eyes meeting hazel ones. "Hey Maria." He greeted the Filipina who was patting her raven black hair down while her eyes remained steadied on his face. Their lips were both stretched into wide grins at the new mature look the other had grown into. "Look at you, Jones; all successful looking. I'm sure you're still a sucker for video games and action heroes just like you were back then."She said casually earning another boisterous laugh from the man she was talking to. It felt so good to be so happy again even if it was just for awhile.
"Well, are you still prancing around like you always have?"Alfred asked, a teasing grin on his face causing the raven haired woman to pout playfully and punch his shoulder. "For your information Alfred Foster Jones, I am releasing my third album this week and my single is number one on the charts! It has been for three weeks now."
It was true. His Filipina friend was the famous singer, Maria – Clara de la Cruz y Carriedo or most commonly known as Maria- Clara de la Cruz. Despite her new found fame, the American still saw her as the same girl who would stand up on cafeteria tables, starting a whole "High School Musical" number right then and there. Then the whole place would join in; there would be laughing, singing and dancing as everyone enjoyed and have the time of their life for only an hour each and every day. Even the lunch ladies would be joining in.
Alfred reached out to take her hand in his for old times sake, swaying it to the pounding music from inside the night club. He remembered flirting with her back when they were younger even when he had no personal interest with her. Until now, he would shamelessly flirt with her, be it though chat or through Skype.
The two entered the place, getting past the guards easily once they had recognized their faces. Both their eyes skimmed over the sea of sweaty bodies moving along to the beat of the music, finally finding familiar white hair that stood out from the sea of brunettes, red heads, blondes and black haired men and women.
Still hand in hand, they went through the crowd, fighting their way to get to the other side. "This place..."Maria muttered under her breath, distinct disgust for the sweat that was sticking onto her night dress. "Just go."Alfred mumbled, his hand other hand pushing her by the waist towards the end of the sea. They finally made it only to be greeted by a "Kesesesesese~" mixed with a "Fusosososo~"
"That was torture."The two simultaneously complained causing the two men they had just met to laugh even louder. "Hello to you two too."The brunette greeted in his Spanish accent as his albino friend winked, grinning madly at them. "Hey there, Antonio. Gil."Alfred greeted back as his female companion slid into the seat beside the brunette man that was her brother. "Hello as well, Lovi."He continued, sliding into the seat beside the Filipina earning only a grunt from the man that Antonio had his arms around with. The albino named Gilbert pouted playfully, his cheeks flushed due to the alcohol he already downed. His red eyes glittering with amusement while he eyed the crowd as if waiting for someone to magically appear out of nowhere.
"Didn't Mattie tell you he wasn't going to come?"The American chuckled earning a puppy-like whimper from the Prussian man. A waiter set down more drinks at the table causing the two new arrivals to take them in hand and only sip, not wanting to quickly be intoxicated.
"Where's the Frenchman?"Maria suddenly asked, the music begin to pound into an even better beat than it was playing moments ago. The man named Lovino pointed towards a long-haired blonde that was making his way hand in hand with another blonde.
"He's going to brag about his new boyfriend again."Antonio sighed, eyeing how the two made lovey-dovey eyes at each other. Alfred sighed, shaking his head and downing his drink before turning to look at the Frenchman's direction, his heart shattering almost instantly.
Arthur was Francis' new boyfriend.