Chapter Three:

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! has just signed in.

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* Hey Lizzie! Where were u lunch?

Liz; 3 Roderich says:

* I was with Roderich.

HERO – HELLZ YEA! says:

* I still don't get what u c in him

* but i need ur help w/matthew

* he's rly pissed me :S

* I THINK HE BLOCKED ME ON MSN OMFG

Liz; 3 Roderich says:

* I can't really talk right now

* Roddy's really pissed at me.

* don't wanna be seen on msn

* only came on to ask Mei something for chem.

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* noooooo don't go! :O

* I neeeeeedddd uurrr helllpppppp!

* tis is a matter of life & death!

Liz; 3 Roderich says:

* sorry I can't

* I gtg – ttyl skool

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* NO LIZZIE DUN GO

* I NEEED U!

Liz; 3 Roderich has just signed out.

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* I hate u.

Ur motha originated from me has just signed in.

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* bro – matt's rly pissed me

Ur motha originated from me says:

* rly? Still?

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* yea. he sent dat creepy Russian after me.

Ur motha originated from me says:

* oh.

* :T

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* IKR.

* what do i do?

Ur motha originated from me says:

* flowers?

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* dat's so gay

Ur motha originated from me says:

* aren't you gay…?

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* shut up.

* what type of flowers?

Ur motha originated from me says:

* iuno…roses?

* those are romantic right?

* lol roses originated from korea!

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* o rly?

Ur motha originated from me says:

* ya!

* I discovered them!

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* LOL.

* but do u think i shuld give him roses?

Ur motha originated from me says:

* ya!

* aw shit – gtg

* mom caught me on msn when i was supposed to be doin science…

* OTL

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* sucks.

* aiiight i'll c u tmrw practice

Ur motha originated from me says:

* shiit i forgot about practice

* 8:30 at the gym rite?

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! says:

* yee.

Ur motha originated from me says:

* ok!

* I'll see you tmrw!

Ur motha originated from me has just signed out.

HERO – HELLZ YEAH! has just signed out.


"Did you bring the flowers?" Yong Soo asked as Alfred arrived into the gymnasium at 8:40. Coach Miguel García glared at him as he threw his backpack near the bleachers and joined the rest of the team in warm-up. Alfred nodded.

"Got them from my dad's garden. They're in my backpack," Alfred replied as they started jogging around the gymnasium. "When d'you think I should give him it?"

"Doesn't the hockey team have practice after school? Just give it to him then," Yong Soo suggested.

"I guess… oh hey wanna hear a joke?"

"Alright!"

"Why do Mexicans run so fast?"

"Why?"

"Because running across the border gave them good practice!"

"Excuse me?" a voice said behind them. Alfred gulped. Coach García glared at him. Coach García seemed to have something against him. Alfred really didn't know why. Then again, Mr. Wang and Braginski [aka the creepy Russian] seemed to hate him too. Maybe it was a communist thing.

"Yes sir?" Alfred asked as he stopped running, turning around. Yong Soo sent him a sympathetic look as he ran past them.

"Were you just telling a Mexican joke?"

"Yes sir?"

"You do realize that jokes about certain races are inappropriate and very disrespectful?"

"Yes sir – I was only-"

"Kidding? Of course ya were. What was next? A Cuban joke?"

"Well…"

"Well?"

"…"

"Which one?"

"The one about Castro."

Coach García sighed. "20 more laps," he said, shaking his head at Alfred. Alfred made a noise of protest.

"But sir!"

"No questions. Now run."

Alfred glared at the coach before running. Coach García was definitely a communist.


Normally, if someone told Alfred F Jones[-Kirkland] that he looked like a nervous wreck, Alfred would've laughed, told them they were stupid, and walked away because it wasn't true.

For the first time ever, it was true.

"Alfred? Are you alright?" Toris asked, turning around and staring at the blonde nervously. The boy beside him laughed.

"Please Toris – he's probably like, thinking about hamburgers or something like that," Feliks Łukasiewicz said airily, flipping his blonde hair back. Alfred stared. Sometimes he really wondered if Feliks was a boy.

"Alfred?" Toris asked again. Alfred gulped and smiled weakly at Toris.

"Is this really a good idea?" he asked, holding up the roses.

"Oh my God yes – roses are so cute! Whoever you're giving them for would totally love them!" Feliks cooed. Toris sighed as Alfred's eyes lit up.

"You think so?" Alfred asked hopefully. Feliks nodded. "Alright then!" he said, walking into the arena.

The hockey team regularly met at the community centre's ice rink for their team practices. Of course, being a basketball/outdoor sports-type of guy, Alfred had never set foot in the ice rink and boy, did he wish he had.

"Is it always so cold here?" Alfred whined as he, Toris and Feliks made their way to the bleachers to wait for practice to end. Alfred would've gone earlier, but he had managed to land himself a detention from Mr. Wang for not completing his homework [furthering his belief that all communists hated him]. Being the awesome friend Toris was, Toris had volunteered to wait for Alfred before going to pick up his brothers.

"Um… yes? That's how the ice stays frozen."

"They should figure out a way to keep it warm and not melt the ice."

"You are so right – bulking up in sweaters is totally ruining my style."

"All right boys – come back in! Practice is over! Remember that we have practice tomorrow at 3:30 sharp – no coming late! No if ands or buts – that means you Mathias!" Ludwig's grandfather, the always terrifyingly intimidating Mr. Beilschmidt barked at the team.

"But sir!" a tall boy with wild hair said, pulling off his helmet and making a face at the coach.

"No! You're coming on time tomorrow – no last minute making out with your boyfriend!"

"He's not my boyfriend. And we weren't making out. As if I'd make out with someone like him," another boy said, face stoic. The tall boy with wild hair gave him a heartbroken look while the rest of the team laughed.

As the hockey team filed into the change rooms, Alfred accompanied Toris and Feliks to the entrance of the change rooms to wait for Matthew. Alfred wondered why there were no parents waiting to pick up their kids before remembering most of the team was of driving age.

Lili, Elise, Katyusha and Natalia came out first, the first three girls chatting amongst themselves while Natalia glowered at them. The hockey team was the only sports team in the school that was co-ed [although Elizaveta was on the basketball team, it was still technically considered a boys team]. Lili and Katyusha bid farewell to Elise as they stayed to wait for their brothers. Alfred noticed that Natalia was staring at the entrance impatiently, a hungry look in her eyes. It was common knowledge that Natalia had a weird obsession for her brother. Alfred glanced at Toris, who was staring at Natalia, a stupid smile on his face. Alfred and Feliks exchanged a look and both shuddered. They really didn't know what Toris saw in her.

Finally, the boys began to emerge. After a blonde boy lighting what definitely wasn't a cigarette, a tall boy with an almost terrifying stare along with a smiling, shorter blonde boy that Alfred recognized as Tino Väinämöinen were the first to leave, Alfred overhearing Tino talk excitedly about a puppy as they passed by him.

Next to leave was the stoic looking boy from before. Apparently, stoic boy had a friend. Alfred remembered the second boy vaguely from grade 4, back when he had first moved to America from Iceland. Alfred remembered calling the kid Björk for the longest time because he kept forgetting his name. The two boys walked by Alfred, their faces expressionless. Matthias, the boy with the wild hair, ran out of the changing room, still attempting to put on his socks, chasing after the brothers who Alfred noticed had started to speed up at the sound of Matthias's voice.

"Erik! Hinrik! Wait up!" Matthias shouted, still attempting to put on a shoe as Erik and Hinrik walked out of the arena.

Vash Zwingli rolled his eyes at Matthias as he exited the change room. Alfred made sure to keep a distance between him and Vash. Ever since the day he had been caught talking to Lili, Vash seemed to have a certain hatred for him. Not that Alfred was offended though; Vash seemed to hate most of the members on the basketball team for one reason or another. Together with his sister they left the arena. Lili smiled at Alfred as she passed. Alfred smiled back wondering how such a sweet girl could be related to someone like Vash.

A rather androgynous looking person who looked vaguely familiar walked out next. After looking around he spotted Alfred and walked up to him.

"Do you know where my brother is?" they asked. Alfred stared at them.

"Who's your brother?" Alfred asked in confusion.

The boy [or girl] glared at Alfred.

"My brother. Jack. Your cousin," they said and Alfred suddenly realized he was talking to his cousin Riley. It was sometimes hard to recognize the boy ever since he had gotten that haircut that made him look like a girl and a boy all at once.

"Oh. Right. Heh… I think I saw him with some girls," Alfred said and Riley scowled.

"He forgot me… again," Riley muttered before stomping away, most probably off to find Jack.

"Isn't that like, your brothers?" Feliks said, nudging Toris out of his Natalia-induced stupor, pointing as Eduard and Raivis came walking out. Alfred always found it amusing that someone as nerdy as Eduard was one of the fiercest hockey players on the team. Alfred noticed was Raivis was shaking… as usual. Alfred followed Feliks and Toris towards the boys.

"Toris! It is a surprise to see you! You normally do not come here, yes?" a childish [yet insanely creepy] voice came from behind Eduard and Raivis. Toris, Eduard and Raivis all visibly paled.

"H-hello I-Ivan," Toris said politely as Ivan emerged, standing beside Raivis, much to the poor boy's horror.

"Brother!" a voice exclaimed. Natalia. Alfred smirked at Ivan's sudden horrified expression as Natalia approached the group, Katyusha following.

"Perhaps Toris and his brothers would like to come over for a visit?" Ivan asked hopefully as Natalia threw her arms around him.

"Toris already has plans. With me. So you and your creepy-ass sister can leave," Feliks said prissily, glaring at Ivan. Toris paled even more, if that is even possible.

"Feliks…" Toris whispered but Feliks shushed him before grabbing him [who grabbed Eduard, who grabbed Raivis] and dragged him away. Toris glanced at Alfred apologetically before exiting the arena.

"What are you doing here?" a voice said behind Alfred. Alfred's heart leapt as he turned back to face the entrance to the change rooms.

"Hey Matthew!" Alfred said enthusiastically, not faltering as Matthew continued to glare at him. "Nice day, isn't it? I'm kinda-"

"What are you doing here," Matthew repeated.

"Shall I make him leave again?" Ivan asked hopefully, cracking his knuckles. Matthew glanced at Ivan, looking terrified.

"No! No Ivan… I don't want you getting in trouble because of him," Matthew said, directing his gaze back at Alfred.

"Suit yourself," Ivan said shrugging before walking away with his sisters. Katyusha paused to wave Matthew goodbye before following Ivan and Natalia. Matthew waved back, blushing and suddenly Alfred hated Katyusha with a passion.

"Are you going to answer my question?" Matthew asked Alfred again. Alfred noticed that when Matthew was angry, his violet eyes had a certain glint in them that in the light of the arena, made Alfred's stomach flip around. Blushing and shaking that thought away, he cleared his throat.

"I uh… I came to give you these," Alfred held up the roses. Matthew turned a little pink [much to Alfred's joy] but continued to glare at him.

"Why?" Matthew asked.

"B-because of what happened… what happened on Friday. To apologize…" Alfred stuttered nervously.

"I hate roses." Alfred blinked, his heart sinking. This was all Yong Soo's idea. Stupid Yong Soo. Alfred made a mental note to punch the Korean boy next time they met.

"Oh." Alfred and Matthew stared at each other for a few seconds, neither boy sure of what to say.

"Mathieu? Is practice over?" a voice said behind Alfred. A horribly familiar voice. Crap.

"O-oui papa," Matthew stammered as Francis pulled him into a hug. Alfred gulped. Well, this was certainly awkward.

Francis let go of Matthew and glanced at Alfred. "Who is this? A friend?" he asked, winking at Matthew, who looked just as astonished as Alfred. Francis didn't remember him? Finally, God decided to help him out!

"H-he's no friend of mine," Matthew answered stiffly. Alfred felt crushed. Francis glanced at Alfred, then Matthew, and then at the roses.

"But he is giving you roses! And such pretty ones too," Francis protested, motioning to the flowers in Alfred's hands. "It's very sweet of him, oui? You know…" Francis said, staring at Alfred thoughtfully, "it feels like I have met you before – perhaps it's a sign that you are perfect for my Mathieu," Francis purred, winking as Matthew looked horrified.

"Uh…" Alfred stammered. It was time to make his escape before Francis actually remembered who he was. "Um, I have to go… help my dad with gardening. Here," Alfred said, shoving the roses into Francis's hands. "You can have them since you like them so much," He said quickly before bolting out of community centre and into the cool afternoon breeze. He jogged away from the building, pausing for breath only when he was 3 blocks away. It was then when he realized that he had just given roses to Francis instead of Matthew. Alfred swore. Fuck his life.

"I'm guessing the roses didn't work?" a voice said from nearby. Alfred looked up to see one of the members of the hockey team, leaning against a store's wall and smoking something that didn't smell like cigarettes. Alfred knew him faintly as Lars Meijer, the pothead who occasionally got suspended for possession of drugs.

"H-how did you know…" Alfred stammered.

"Saw you holding them after practice. Guess you found out the hard way 'bout Matt's dislike of roses, eh?" Lars asked. Alfred frowned and nodded, running a hand through his hair. "For the record – he hates them because roses are his father's signature 'mark'. He leaves them on the beds he sleeps on, or so Matt tells me. Matthew likes tulips," Lars continued through a cloud of smoke.

"How do you know that?" Alfred asked curiously.

"I give him a tulip every month." Alfred stared at the Dutch boy. Were Matthew and Lars…dating? Or did Lars like Matthew?

Noting the look on Alfred's face, Lars smirked. "Don't worry – I don't like Matthew that way. I like girls."

"Then why do you give him a tulip every month?"

"Because a while back I found out my locker was gonna be searched for… stuff. The principal already said if they found anything I'd be expelled rather than suspended and I felt sorry for my mom and Elise because that'd mean us moving to 'rid the family of such shame' so I decided to hide it. Matthew caught me trying to hide the stuff and offered his locker. I didn't get caught and Matt didn't get in trouble, and for repayment he told me to get a hobby so I wouldn't smoke as much. I found out he liked tulips so I took up gardening. I give him a tulip every month so he knows I'm still gardening and not going back to drugs," Lars replied.

"But you're smoking now," Alfred pointed out. Lars grinned.

"That'll stay between us, ok?" Lars said, winking.

"Uh…"

"Anyways, you should try to figure out a new line of action if you want Matt to forgive you for sleeping with his dad," Lars continued, puffing out more smoke. Alfred wanted to gag; the stench was so bad.

"How did you know about that?" Alfred asked. Lars shrugged.

"You basically told the entire table at lunch yesterday," Lars replied casually. Alfred blushed in embarrassment. Great, now 15 people thought he was a total douche. So much for trying to keep it quiet.

"What should I do?" Alfred asked. "Give him tulips?"

"Nah, flowers are for girls. The last thing you need is for Matthew to assume you're questioning his masculinity. Nah… give him some time before trying anything else. It's only been what? Four days? Give him a week; Matt's usually not one to hold grudges," Lars replied. "That's all I can say." Lars considered Alfred for a moment before holding out what he was smoking. "You want a puff?" he asked.

"Uhh – I should probably get going," Alfred stammered. "See you… around." Alfred took off. Lars rolled his eyes.

"Pussy," he muttered to himself before taking another puff.


A/N: Matthew's hockey team consists of himself, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Latvia, Denmark (Mathias), Switzerland, Belarus, Norway (Erik), Iceland (Hinrik), Ukraine, Belgium (Elise), Netherlands (Lars), New Zealand (Riley), and Liechtenstein (Lili).

Review please? *makes puppy dog eyes and goes down on feet* I would really like to know if people actually like this story! D: