Wow you guys! I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting such a good reception of this story; though I do have a higher opinion of it than my previous ones. Thank you so much and please continue to give me your support.
Arthur quickly walked into the classroom and took a seat at the back of the class. This earned him many confused stares. (Since when did Arthur Kirkland sit in the back?) Arthur arranged his books neatly on his desk and remained silent. The teacher cleared his throat and began giving the traditional "Welcome Back to School" speech. Arthur sighed and wrung his hands in his lap, feeling eyes on him and pointedly refusing to meet them. His mind, despite his trying to push the images away, reminded him of that summer night. He had lost so much that night, his sanity and dignity vying for the foremost spot. Was there anything left for him? Arthur was snapped out of his depressing reverie by the intercom.
"Arthur Kirkland please report to the main office. Arthur Kirkland to the main office." The secretary's honey-coated voice called. The intercom shut off with a clicking sound and Arthur rose slowly from his seat. He walked down the aisle of (high end material) chairs, his eyes trained on the floor in front of him and his head bowed, once again ignoring those inquiring eyes (stop staring dammit). He quickly slipped out of the classroom and into the hallway. The hallway, of course, was also gorgeous and pristine. The floors were made of smooth and sparkling granite and marble columns lined the hallway like sentinels on watch. Intricate statues and paintings were placed aesthetically on the walls and throughout the hall.
Arthur walked quickly down a staircase, hurrying to the office (I have to get out of the halls, he could see me-). Once he entered the cubicle-filled room, he looked around curiously. Most of the secretaries were speaking on the phones, not all for work-related reasons. Arthur began to fidget again and wondered why he was called when there was a light tap on his shoulder. He flinched of course but hid that by promptly turning around. He was met with the brown eyes of the head secretary. What was her name again? Oh yes, Mrs. Morris.
"Good morning Mr. Kirkland." The secretary greeted cordially. She warily pushed her sole strand of gray hair among the other red ones behind her ear.
"Good morning Mrs. Morrison." Replied Arthur, nodding his head in greeting. His eyes flitted to the side as something, or rather someone, caught his attention. Standing behind the secretary was a young man with dark blonde hair and the brightest sky blue eyes Arthur had ever seen framed by wire-rimmed glasses. The blue eyes met Arthur's and the bespectacled boy grinned brightly at him displaying a mouth full of perfect, straight, white teeth. Arthur immediately returned his eyes to the wall nearest Mrs. Morris's face. The blue eyed young man cocked his head to the side and looked curiously at the other blonde.
"Arthur I was wondering if you could do something for me." The secretary stated cautiously as her brown eyes looked pleadingly at Arthur. Arthur slowly met her gaze, throwing a quick glance at the blonde behind her.
"Of course. Anything you need." Arthur replied quietly, providing the secretary with a wary smile.
"Thank you so much!" The secretary gave a relieved sigh and grabbed Arthur's hands. Arthur kept himself from flinching by continuing to force a strained smile. Mrs. Morrison beckoned for the blue eyed young man and he stepped forward beside her. "This is Alfred Jones. As of today he is now enrolled as a student here." The secretary stated in an effervescent manner that greatly contrasted her previous one.
"Nice to meet ya!" Alfred enthused, politely extending his hand towards Arthur.
Arthur, meekly extending his own hand, shook Alfred's outstretched one and responded with a quiet, "Pleasure."
"Now I know you're busy but I also know you're an extremely capable and well-balanced young man as well. I think you are the perfect person to act as a guide to Mr. Jones. At least until he becomes accustomed to things." Mrs. Morrison said, patting Alfred enthusiastically on the shoulder. "Oh, look at the time! You too had better hurry on to class!" She exclaimed after a rapid glance at the clock mounted on the wall above the door. She promptly handed a single sheet of paper to Alfred. "Here is your schedule Mr. Jones. Mr. Kirkland will see you to your class." The secretary said, ushering both blondes out of the office.
Both were silent for a moment before Arthur decided to speak. "What's your first class?" He queried, not meeting Alfred's eyes.
Alfred brought his schedule up to his face. "Uh…Shakespearian tragedy." He responded, glancing sideways at Arthur.
"That's the same class I have right now." Arthur stated. "Follow me." He said quietly, walking ahead of Alfred keeping his eyes away from Alfred's.
The strawberry blonde stared quietly at Arthur while they walked. "So…" He began as he continued to walk behind Arthur. Alfred pursed his lips as he tried to find a subject for conversation. The atmosphere was awkward and stifling. "So what's it like here?" Alfred queried lamely.
"It's a great environment to learn, but you have to work hard." Arthur murmured in response.
"Great! Who doesn't like lots of work?" Alfred quipped, laughing awkwardly.
"B-but it can be fun too! There are loads of clubs to join!" Arthur added hastily. Trust him to make someone hate this school on their first day.
"No, it's cool! I like to work hard. It keeps me busy and you know, it builds character." Alfred replied. "So your name is Arthur, right?"
"Yes." Arthur responded. He stopped outside the classroom door and looked curiously at the strawberry blonde.
Alfred smiled brightly and Arthur again felt the urge to lower his eyes but found himself unable to look away. "Cool, then I'll call ya Artie." He announced, giving Arthur a grin and a thumbs up.
Arthur felt his face begin to heat up as he finally let his eyes return to the floor. He nodded and quickly opened the door. Alfred grabbed it and winked at the shorter blonde.
"After you Artie." Arthur quickly shuffled through the open door and to his seat at the back of the class. He didn't raise his eyes as Alfred stood beside the teacher at the front.
"Well class, it seems we have a new student." The instructor announced, pushing up his glasses. "Please introduce yourself." He said stiffly, obviously perturbed at being interrupted.
"Sorry I'll make it short." Alfred apologized. He smiled a bit sheepishly at the instructor and the petulant demeanor slackened some. "So, um hey, I guess. I'm Alfred F. Jones from New York. It kinda sucks that I came here the last year of high school but I look forward to getting to know all of you." Alfred flashed one of his smiles and the effect was immediate.
"Hey!~ Sit over here!"
"No sit over here Alfred!"
"No way! The new kid's sitting over here! Right new kid?"
Students sitting in various areas of the room yelled for Alfred to sit by them, competing to place claim on the charismatic newcomer.
The strawberry blonde smiled but scanned the room. His sapphire eyes landed on the Brit at the back of the classroom. Alfred's smile shrunk when he noticed there were no seats empty near Arthur, who still refused to look up. Alfred visibly slumped as he took a seat at the front of the class near a group of broad-shouldered jocks. They all proceeded in congratulating Alfred on his "good choice" and clapping him on the back.
Arthur twiddled his thumbs in his lap and did not look up for the remainder of the class.