It never struck me before, that "attention" in school might actually be important. Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about getting attention and making myself popular. I knew from the start that me being... well normal... was impossible.

However, apparently something as simple as paying attention was vital. Like a bolt from clear sky I walked right into him, just because I had my head in the clouds thinking about Antonio. So annoying. I let out a little oof of surprise when the, ceverily, larger man collided with me.

"I'm sorry."

I said hastily and looked up. It turned out to be no one else but Marten van der Meer. Marten looked down at me with surprise in his eyes.

"I didn't see where I was going." I apologized.

"It's okay." Marten promised with a smile. "I was distracted too."

"Diana, we have to get to class." Feliciano reminded, looking at me with big round eyes.

"Oh, shit. Thanks, Feli." I said, hastily pulling myself together. "I don't need Ludwig's lectures today."

Feliciano giggled at the statement.

"Well, sorry again, Marten. Good luck in class." I said, waving slightly before we hurried off.

Ludwig was waiting outside the cursed classroom (math) when we reached it.

"You're almost late."

"Almost late, is still on time." I reminded and shuffled inside. "Say Ludwig, what was it you were going to say yesterday?"

"N-nothing." Ludwig said, averting his eyes and practically pushing me into my seat, just before the teacher arrived.

Now, I don't know if I've told you but I have some great talents to brag about. One of them, is being able to look like I'm working while I'm actually doodling yaoi (no hardcore of course). This was a talent I frequented in math class, since math was more than just useless. It was torture. How I envied people who were good at math. People like Eduard, Arthur, and (believe it or not) Raivis Galante. They solved problems as if it was nothing more than 9x6=66... no wait. That's not right. 9x6=54... I think. Anyway, Eduard, Arthur or Raivis would have known it without even trying. As for me... it just didn't stick in my mind. Oh well.

"May I have all of yours attention?" Mr. Sprout called out when he entered.

No one listened... like always. I pitied the poor man. He wasn't a bad a teacher, he was just stuck with a bunch of kids who didn't care about math.

"PAY ATTENTION!" Ludwig yelled.

Everyone (even Mr. Sprout) jumped in their seats and stared straight at Mr. Sprout.

"T-thank you, Mr. Weilschmidt." Mr. Sprout said, still a little startled.

"Now, class. We have a guest from the school council. Now be respectful, welcome in Mr. van der Meer."

Well that was an odd coincident.

Marten stepped inside, carrying a bundle of papers in his arms.

"Hi, sorry to disturb your math class." he apologized.

In respond to this some of guys in the back (Logan, Alfred, Matthias) whistled and applauded. Marten rolled his eyes.

"I've got some news that I think you will all like." he informed. "Our school is hosting a prom in three weeks. There will be a selection to determine a king and queen for the night, and it won't cost you a thing."

Some girl behind me squealed in delight, making me thrown in annoyance.

"Anyway." Marten continued. "I will need some help to put up these posters around the school during the first period. This mean one of you will unfortunately miss math class."

Within seconds almost all hands were in the air, everybody willing to do anything to skip out of math class (excluded some students that actually liked math). As for me, I was still thinking it over. I was the worst at holding a conversation going, and I still felt awkward since I'd bumped into Marten earlier. I sighed. One of his fangirls could take care of it.

"I'm glad to see so many wants to help out." Marten chuckled. "Who should I choose? Perhaps you could pick someone Mr. Sprout?"

Mr. Sprout raised an eyebrow and scanned the class. By now, I'd already lost interest in the conversation, since I didn't even raise my hand, so I was occupied with doodling a picture of Ludwig and Feliciano kissing.

"Ms. Allen." Mr. Sprout said, making me jump in my seat. "You don't usually work in class anyway. Why don't you do something productive and help Mr. van der Meer out?"

I sighed and nodded.

"Yes, sir." I muttered and gathered my stuffs, sending an apologetic smile at Feliciano and Ludwig.

When I'd walked past Marten out of the door, Marten stepped out too and closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry if I pulled you away from something you liked." Marten said and handed me one half of his bundle.

I send a skeptical glance at Marten.

"Are you mocking me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well you weren't exactly jumping in your seat to get out."

"It's not that I like math or anything." I explained. "I was just too lazy to raise my hand, when there were so many other who would kill to be in my current position."

Marten chuckled.

"So you only help out if no one else will?"

"You make me sound like such a heartless person." I said as I fastened a poster on the wall next to me.

"I just don't bother when I know there's others who will be better help."

"Interesting point of view."

"You're still not buying it are you?"

Marten shrugged.

"I don't doubt that you are a good person, Diana."

Marten said absentmindedly.

"I just don't believe that it's just about you being a little lazy."

"You think too much of it." I sighed, even though he was right.

"Then why are you sighing?"

"It's called breathing." I said sarcastically and put up another poster. "You can do it at the same time as almost everything. Like putting up posters for example."

I nodded at Martens bundle, which still hadn't grown smaller even by one poster.

"O-oh, sorry." Marten said hurriedly.

"I asked for help, but in the end I got too distracted so I forgot to do my part."

I smiled in amusement as Marten reached over my head and placed a poster on the wall above me.

"Wow, talk about tall." I chuckled.

"Is it bad?" Marten asked looking down at me.

"N-no... just a little intimidating." I said awkwardly.

"Am I that scary?" Marten asked teasingly.

"Not you in particular. Just... tall people in general."

I tried to explain although it still didn't come out very good.

"Tall people eh?" Marten asked, placing one hand on each side of my shoulders.

"Huh? Marten? What's up with the sudden seriousness?" I asked, looking up at Marten (still avoiding eye-contact).

"You're not scared of me are you?" Marten asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Course not." I promised with a small laugh.

"Good." Marten muttered. "Cause..."

"Well isn't that cute?" a french accented voice said suddenly.

Marten instantly jumped back in startle upon hearing the voice. Gilbert, Francis and Antonio were all leaned against a nearby wall and smirked at us.

"What are you three doing here?" Marten asked, sending a dark glare at Antonio.

"Eyebrow Iggy, send us to help out with the posters."

Gilbert said with a shrug.

"Oh, and Diana, you can go back to class now. The bell will be ringing soon. Unless you want to stay with us and have fun."

"Even math is better than spending time with you, Gilbert."

I reminded and handed my bundle over Francis to (since I hated Gilbert and had a crush on Antonio) and turned to Marten.

"I'll go back to class now. Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"Don't worry about it." Marten promised. "You were great help. Good luck in class."

I smiled as a thanks before I hurried off, reading myself for my next class as the second bell rang.