I just wanna say thanks for those who have read this so far…

Also if you catch spelling errors or find typos or things written in a way that doesn't quite make sense, please let me know so I can change it and improve. I'll never get mad if you point out my mistakes!

Another thing, someone pointed out that the story was just bad because of the fact that Alfred Jones is the jock, popular guy and Arthur is the unpopular one and somehow they share a past…

Let me just say this, I do agree that the whole popular!Alfred unpopular!Arthur is clichéd but there is a reason for that. I can't say much about it because it would spoil the fun… at least my fun anyway.

What I can tell you, or ask you rather, is to give the story a chance, we're barely on the first three chapters. A lot of times you can't tell if a book is good just by reading the first pages, you have to read more before you judge whether is good or not.

In any case, thank you for reading!

Keep giving me your opinions, every type of criticism is welcome!


U gotta love High School!

Chapter 3

Hetalia©Himaruya Hidekaz

Story©Juichi Inanna

The next day was busy as usual, he didn't have time to think or worry about anything that wasn't school related, not at least until lunch break. This time the Britt hadn't gone outside in fact, he was so busy getting worked done for his AP literature class he didn't even go down to the cafeteria to grab lunch.

"I swear.. It's like they're trying to bury us in homework, then again, it is almost the end of the school year so I guess it makes sense, but still… this is just insane."

Arthur had mumbled this almost in an unintelligible way yet his voice somehow reached the ears of the energetic American who just so happened to pass by.

"It is ain't it dude!" Was Alfred's unrequested reply to Arthur's musings. "For real, don't teachers know we have a life outside school? I mean seriously it's like they're tryin' to make us into reading zombies or sumthin'…"

Arthur sighed and turned his head around to face the unwelcome visit and shoo him away, he didn't want to see or talk to anyone, even less an obnoxious and loud brat like that Alfred guy.

"Excuse me, did you need something?" He asked politely, he was a gentleman after all.

"Me? Nah, just passin' by… but I heard what you were sayin' and I couldn't help barge in" Alfred smiled content with finally having the blonde's attention. He had been looking for him all day between classes in the hallways and out by the front of the school during the first lunch hour. He hadn't been satisfied by the results of their first meeting, and he just needed to see the other again and apologize properly, maybe this time he'd let him be a hero a perform some heroic deed.

He was lucky he knew so many people in school, so getting the information he need to locate the Britt wasn't that hard at all. Just had to play prince charming with a couple girls and a minute later he was headed for the school's library. Who spends lunch time at the library! It's what he first thought, as if the sole idea was ludicrous… and it was to him; he wasn't that fond of studying, especially not during play time…

As soon as he entered the library he spotted the boy whose name he had yet to learn. It was kinda surprising to him that he had never met such guy before, with those eyebrows of his, it should be impossible for him not to be noticed. He really couldn't believe he'd just met the blond a day ago. Maybe he was a transfer student or something?

"Well, and again, I don't mean to offend but as you can plainly see I'm a tad busy, so if you don't mind I would like to get back to my work." Arthur hoped this time the American would get it that his presence there was not desired and would promptly leave.

"I could help you!" Apparently the blond really was a blonde, he sure didn't know how to take a hint. Arthur was starting to become annoyed. How could he have possibly thought this person could be the same Alfred he had met and befriended as a child? Now it was more obvious than ever. It is definitely not him.

Why he still had that foolish hope it was the same Alfred, he didn't quite understand it either. Nonetheless he needed to get rid of the annoying boy at any cost.

"Thanks, but no thanks…" If the American didn't leave now he would have to kick himself. "…Besides, I can tell you're not one to read and this is very advanced literature, there's no way you could comprehend it, much less help me with my work." Arthur commented offhandedly eyeing the blond from head to toe in a very rude way then went back to his book intent on ignoring the other until he left so he could go back to his studying.

Alfred frowned at such attitude from the Britt. He was just trying to be nice. Maybe he's still mad about yesterday?

"Look, I'm really sorry about yesterday, really… but you don't need to hold it against me, b'sides if you keep frownin' like that it makes you look like you have a unibrow… plus you'll get wrinkles."

Arthur's eye twitched. The dumb American dare make fun of his eyebrows again! He was starting to get really ticked off.

"But fine, whatever, I'll leave you alone… I have to go anyway, I'm starving. Good luck with your homework…" He paused remembering he still didn't know his companion's name. "Um… what's your name again?" He asked hoping to get an answer. Arthur just shrugged and continued to ignore him pretending to be reading.

"…ok… good luck anyway eyebrows, an stop being such a prune! You're acting like an old geezer!"

After that he left and Arthur could finally relax. He sighed again and let his shoulders slump. That had been quite an ordeal, he had been so close to punching the daylights out of the American, restraining himself had taken quite the effort and energy on his part. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He had a headache. It's that idiot's fault, blast it!…

. And are my eyebrows really that bad? Damn it you stupid wanker!


"And thus we came to the conclusion that although Socrates wasn't guilty of some of the charges, he was still guilty of the others and simply put guilty in general. He was good with words and by just reading Plato's Apology it is easy to be swayed by his almost godly representation of his teacher and by Socrates' words themselves. But based on the historical background an our outside research we were able to see past the adornments of the words and get straight to the core of the matter. And so we declare Socrates guilty of persuading and corrupting the youth and not believing in the Gods of the state."

"Nicely done Mr. Williams and brother! See here everyone, this is what a good presentation is like. A+ for both of you. Well the bell is about to ring so just finish writing down your comments and bring them up to my desk. Alfred and Matthew, give me a copy of your research papers before you leave so I can give you're your grades."

Alfred and Matthew were both beaming. Their presentation on Plato's Apology: The trial of Socrates, had been a success.

"Ha! I told you we were gonna ace this Mattie!" Exclaimed Alfred making the victory sign.

"haha yeah, I know. I guess doing all that research really did help huh brother?" Matthew smiled back at his brother. It definitely had been a great presentation and everything had been Alfred's idea. He felt kinda bad, as if he hadn't done a thing, but it was always like that when he worked with Alfred. His brother was just so smart; he couldn't compete with that. Granted, he was smart too, but he simply couldn't compare with his brother. There was a reason why his brother's name was in the list of the top five students at the academy while his barely made it to the top ten.

"Congratulations Matthew, Alfred, it was really a great presentation, just as expected of the Williams brothers, da?" It was Ivan speaking. Alfred's smile disappeared in an instant to be replaced with a frown. He had been so happy he'd completely forgotten about the Russian's presence in the room.

"We don't need your snobbery Braginski, we know you too got an A+ so just shut it will you." Alfred spat crossing his arms and looking at the purple-eyed boy defiantly.

"But Al… he's just trying to be nice to us, right Ivan?" Interjected Matthew with a worried expression, the last thing they needed was another fight.

"That's right" Ivan smiled innocently shrugging off Alfred's angry remarks. "Can't you at least say 'thank you' Al, I did just give you a compliment…"

"I didn't ask nor did I want a compliment from you so I see no need for me to thank you, good bye" Was Alfred's dismiss as the bell rang announcing the end of the class. He grabbed his school bag and stormed off the room merely stopping at the teacher's desk to leave a copy of his and Matthew's paper. Matthew stayed behind pretending to be packing his things, he needed to talk to Ivan, there was no other way around it.

"You're brother really is a handful, da?" Ivan's voice behind him startled him he couldn't help to yelp.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that Matthew" Ivan apologized laughing innocently.

"It's ok, I just… didn't expect you to be standing right behind me… that's all" Replied Matthew nervously. Talking to Ivan was gonna be even harder than he thought. The tall Russian was scarier up close, especially now that he was alone with him.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Asked Ivan looking straight into Matthew's blue eyes.

"H-how did you know!" Matthew's eyes grew wider in sheer surprise. How could the Russian had possibly known he wanted to talk to him!

"I can read your mind" Stated Ivan matter-of-factly. Matthew almost gasped in astonishment but was cut off by Ivan's laughter.

"It's a joke silly! Lol Mattie you're so cute. Can I call you Mattie too? That's how Alfred call you all the time, da?" Ivan patted Matthew on the head, which only made the Canadian feel more foolish for having fell for such joke. But seriously, with the Russian anything was possible, anything.

"It isn't fair" Cried the blond, Ivan's big hand still atop his head.

"Da?"

"You're so tall.. It makes me feel like an ant…" Ivan laughed again. Matthew Williams was such a funny little guy. He had definitely made the right choice in befriending him first in order to get closer to Alfred.

"And you're so tiny, it makes me feel like a giant… it's not funny actually. Say, why are you so short Mattie?" Smiled the Russian, he needed to get the boys trust though he wasn't quite certain how to do it for you see, he wasn't all that good with people since he had always lived an isolated life.

Coming to America to study abroad and in an actual school rather than with private tutors, as had been customary in is family, was a big challenge to him. He wasn't used to having to deal with people, especially people so different from him, as were both Williams' brothers.

"H-hey! I'm not that short!" Pouted Matthew, Ivan just laughed again.

"So um… yeah, I did want to talk to you…" The short boy got serious and nervous again. Even though Ivan had just showed he did have a sense of humor, a heavy one but sense of humor anyway, it was still intimidating talking to him, even more so with what he was about to request. He had noticed Alfred was Ivan's prime target to make fun of and bug all the time, most likely because his brother was always trying to compete with him and beat him, and because he got ticked off so easily by the Russian. But either way, their fights were becoming more frequent and more aggressive; they needed to stop.

"It's about your brother, da?" Ivan already had an idea what was going on through the blonde's head. He wasn't blind as to not see how much his and Alfred's interactions troubled the smaller teen. He still didn't want to hear it because it would mean he would have to say no, and that might compromise his current mission; Matthew might not want to become friends with him after the refusal.

"Well, um yes. I just think… um… well, you should stop bothering him and trying to make him mad all the time… I don't want you guys to keep fighting and getting into trouble. So please Ivan, can't you just leave him alone?"

"I'm sorry Mattie, but I can't do that" Replied Ivan with a somber look on his face.

"But why not!" Asked Matthew raising his voice just a little.

"I..can't answer that yet, but please don't be mad, I want to become friends with Mattie, but I can't leave Alfred alone, forgive me, da?" He looked as innocent as ever which made Matthew more irritated. How could Ivan possibly think about befriending him when he was making his beloved brother get into trouble all the time. How could he even think Matthew would betray his brother by becoming friends with the enemy. Because he could see it now, Ivan really was the enemy.

"I don't know what you pretend by saying all that, but I'm not as stupid as you think. Forget what I said, good bye." He hung his book bag over his shoulder and walked past Ivan throwing a last glance at him with a disapproving look.

"But Mattie…" Ivan was sad; things hadn't turned out the way he wanted, they never did.

"…please don't call me that, we are not friends."


AN: I hope you guys are catching on to what's going on now…

Anyhow, I really enjoyed writing Matthew here. The way I see it, he is a little insecure and unsure of his own capabilities, yet when needed he has a strong character, strong enough to defend and protect what he loves. Gosh I really love Canada!

Oh and random fact… a lot of the scenes and interactions between the characters are actually based on real life experiences, things that happened to me or my friends in high school, so yeah just thought I'd let you in on that xD.

And with that, I'm off!

~Juichi