Arthur stood alone, in the middle of a bunch of kids, looking around as they got closer, surrounding him. He couldn't be older then a lad in kindergarten.

"Dork! Freak!"

"You are a loser! You suck!"

"Eww, you're so gross!

SO gross!"

"Stop it!" Arthur shouted, feeling tears prickle in his eyes, sniffling while covering his ears.
"Stop!" He repeated, but the kids just moved closer, and tears started to fall from under his glasses.

Then, one little boy snatched the glasses away, and Arthur heard a snap. There went his sight. .

"Glasses? Nerd!"
"Guys guys, he's crying! He's crying! What a baby!"

Arthur's lip quivered as he just buried his face in his hands, crying silently, until he was pushed to the ground by the group.

He landed on the dirt harshly, surely scraping his knee.

"Little whimp!"

Arthur just silently bawled his eyes out, as they all stood over him, a little blood on his cheek from falling.

"Leave! No one likes you!"

The brit started to wheeze, his tiny, and not yet fully grown hand grabbing a bit of the dirt under him, trying to not listen.

"No one likes you, so you might as well just die!"

How could a little kid say such harsh words? Where did he learn them? Why... didn't Arthur just do that... He wasn't important... They were right, he was a dork, and a loser, and... a nerd... So... why not?...

"STOP IT YOU GUYS!" A voice shouted. But... That wasn't Arthur. The voice moved closer, pushing them all out of the way. "If you all think you're so tough for being stupid bullies, then you're wrong! You're nothin' but a bunch'a mean kids, and I can tell you that nobody wants to hang around with a mean little kid! Ya got it? Leave 'em be, or if you have beef, deal with me!"

The small crowd immediately dispersed. Who was this boy?

"Hey...Arthur, was it? Are you alright..?"

Arthur felt a small tug at his shirt, and he looked up, though everything was blurry without his glasses... He just nodded, wiping at his eyes.

"Kids are brutal... But no one should ever be that mean..." The voice whispered. He was Arthur's age, too. Nothing more than a lad.

"...Why did you say those things?...Now, they're gonna be mean to you, too. And if that happens-"

"So?" The other boy said, in a very carefree tone. And, though Arthur couldn't see well, he could tell his facial expression didn't care about the consequences.

Arthur looked down a bit shyly, tears pooling in his eyes again. "But...What they said about me was true...You really didn't need to do that.."

Then, he felt the other boys hand grab his own, and pull him off.
"Wait-!" Arthur panted slightly, suddenly bursting into a run with him. "What are we doing?! Where are we going?! I still can't se-"

"Just follow my lead, you'll be fine!"

So, Arthur did. They ran. And ran. And ran. Until both of them were panting, and Arthur was sure that his heart was going to explode. Finally stopping, Arthur let go of the boys hand, kneeling over to catch his breath.

"We're here."

"Where?" Arthur choked out, sweat trickling down his forehead. "I still can't see..."

The little hand grabbed his again, pulling him back up to his feet to stand straight, then positioned him in a certain direction.

"Close your eyes." The voice said, a bit enthusiastically.

Arthur, unsure why, did so. He still couldn't see, though. What was the point of closing his eyes?

Then, he felt a pair of frames set upon the bridge of his nose.

"Now...Open."

Arthur did as told, and opened his eyes to see a very still, but beautiful lake, and a dock, and a bunch of flowers surrounding him... His eyes were wide, as he stared at the water, he'd never seen anything more beautiful... Never seen something more breathtaking.

"Whoa.."

"You like it~?" The voice cooed.

Arthur just nodded, stepping closer to the water, touching it gently. It was warm, and the small rings started to form in the water from where he'd touche

"It's... beautiful..." Arthur whispered.

The voice behind him spoke once more. "Can you see with my glasses?" He laughed a bit. "Sorry if the prescriptions a little off..."

Arthur shook his head, now running his fingers over the soft petals of the many flowers.
"No...They're perfect."

The voice spoke once more, "I'm glad... Arthur...Listen...What those kids said isn't true, and you should never listen to them, okay? You don't have to die... People do like you... I like you... And... I really wanna be friends."

Arthur stunned in his place, blinked, blushing a little, before standing, with his head down in embarrassment. "...You'll get bullied if you're my friend."

"I don't care."

"You'll regret it."

"I'm sure I won't."

And then, Arthur was hugged. He was happy... He had a friend... He hugged the little boy back gently.

"I think you'll leave me.."

"Never."

"But...Who are you...?" Arthur asked, pulling back from the hug a little.

Arthur's new friend pulled back slightly, and Arthur saw a small smile before-

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

His eyes opened with a start, as Arthur realized he was back in bed, feeling slightly hot, staring at his ceiling, the dawns sunlight peaking through the crook of his open window. He shut his eyes, sighing, and bringing a hand up to his head.

Then, he lazily sat up, pushing the snooze button on the alarm clock, and grabbing his glasses, setting them upon his face.

Only in boxers, he looked around his room. With a sigh, and running his hand through his hair, he leaned back against his bedpost, opening his eyes slightly to scan his room.

"...I never get to see his face..."

And, he sat there...Just sitting in the silence for a few moments... Before getting up and getting ready for school.

Arthur's bike was a bit shaky this morning. He'd need to check it out later, usually getting to school on her was a morning, he'd nearly fallen off in traffic, which would've been quite the bad start to the morning... Either way, he'd made it to school alright. Now, the challenge was getting back home after school.

Sighing, the overwhelming thought of stress eating away at him, and the thought of fixing his bike crowd his thoughts, he locked up his 'ride', and half heartedly walked up to the school entrance. Walking up, he glance over at the picnic tables. Gilbert was there... And the thoughts from yesterday poured in.

That's right. Today, they were going shopping... Arthur still needed to get some money for that. He, once again, didn't realize how long he'd been staring for. Gilbert caught him, and smirked a bit, winked. Arthur, blushed slightly, and rolled his eyes before walking into school with the rest of the crowd.

Arthur walked to the second floor, to his locker, grabbing his his few textbooks and notebooks he'd need for the morning classes, stuffing them in his bag.

"Artieeeeeee!" Oh, great. It starts early this morning. The Brit sighed, looking over his shoulder, acknowledging the fact that Alfred was here. It'd be better than being glomped from behind like the day before. "Good morning, Alfred. By the way, next time you call me that i'll be forced to rip out your tongue." He said casually, going back to his backpack.

Alfred flinched, a bit wide eyed, and sarcastically pouted. "Artie... I'm so hurt that you'd even think of doing that to me..."

Arthur shot him a glare. "Shut up, idiot.."

Alfred just grinned his goofy grin, laughing. "Right right~ Got it, no more calling you Artie~! So, what's first period, Iggy?"

Arthur just let out a groan, letting his forehead hit his locker door, giving up. "Chemistry."

Alfred laughed, leaning up against the locker next to him, crossing his arms. Though Arthur didn't pay mind to it much, Alfred really was attractive. With the movie star smile, gorgeous glass blue eyes... But, the only way 'Iggy' saw Alfred was annoying. And one could only wonder why...

After chit chat, and Arthur grabbed his stuff, he was walking to first period with Alfred, as always. Arthur might deny it, but they were friends. No matter how he looked at it.

"By the way, Alfred, did you do your paper?"

Alfred blinked innocently a few times, before tilting his head. "Paper?"

Arthur looked up at him in disbelief, just staring. "...The 7 page essay do today for ?"

Alfred first laughed. Then stopped. Then began to freak. "Ahh! Arthur! Why didn't you remind me!?" He said in worry, running a hand through his hair.

"Damn it, Alfred, it isn't my responsibility to remind you about your school work!" He sighed, even though he normally did. He didn't get a chance to yesterday, since Gilbert kind'a interrupted lunch.

"Shit..." The american sighed, whimpering. "I'm screwed..." He thought for a few moments, before turning to Arthur. "When's American Studies?"

"Last period." Arthur replied dully.

"..I can get it done during lunch...Arthur, do you mind if I-"

"No no! By all means! Go ahead!" Yes! Finally, Arthur got a lunch to himself! He could study in peace, eat in peace... Read in peace... He was already looking forward to it, smiling smugly. On the inside, of course.

Alfred ran a hand through his hair, letting out a worried pout, before crossing his arms. "What if that BTT dude shows up at your table again, though..."

Arthur blinked, glancing at Alfred with a raised brow. "What? Oh, no... I'll be fine. I talked with him yesterday..."

Alfred looked at him, and his eyes looked kind'a... Sad. A bit dark, too. "What'd he say?"

All of a sudden... Arthur felt guilty... Like, he had done something wrong to talk to Gilbert... A small blush formed, and he cleared his throat. "Err.. Well... N-nothing really-"

"Did he pick on you?"

"What?" Arthur asked, looking up to his friend. Alfred's eyes were much too serious. And he looked like he meant business. Arthur slowly shook his head. "No, he didn't. He just needed to ask me about homework."

"What about that whole proposal he was blabbering about?"

"A front. For you... Because he didn't want anyone else to know he was talking to a nerd, so..."

Alfred grumbled, shaking his head. "Low life..."

Arthur just nodded, looking down. Why did he lie? Why couldn't he have just... told him. After all, Gilbert asked him if he wanted to be cool. Arthur could tell anyone he wanted... But... Telling Alfred... Just made him feel guilty... He couldn't.

Alfred looked down at his quiet friend, as they arrived at his class. Alfred had class, not with Arthur. Arthur just mesmerized the gits schedule. Which really helped, because Alfred couldn't remember things for the life of him. Arthur finally looked up at him, blinking a few times, and went to say something, but Alfred hugged him before he got a chance.

"...Be careful around that guy... I don't trust 'em..."

Arthur's eyes widened. He nodded, blushing a little.
"F-Fine...Alfred, stop... People could get the wrong idea..."

"So?"

Arthur's widened at the resemblance of the voice... Alfred... No. His face went a deeper shade of red, as he laughed a little pushing Alfred off. "Git... I'm fine, alright? Now, go to class. Bye!"

Without another word, Arthur scurried into his classroom, And Alfred reached out a hand, but sighed, shoving both hands into his pockets, and walking off to class.

Periods passed, until 4th period spun around, and lunch was here yet again. Arthur secluded himself in the back corner like always, not even noticing the stares he was getting from the other in the lunchroom. Probably due to the little episode yesterday... But, the Brit could care less, nose buried in one of his latest novels, The Witch And The Wizard, by James Patterson. Every so often, he took a sip of tea, and mumbled to himself his own opinion on a certain scene, or a protest in one of the actions a character carried out.

"Sup, Birdy~"

Arthur hadn't even noticed that Gilbert was sitting there. He was to in tune with his book. But, hearing his new nickname, he glanced over the top of the book, looking quite unamused at the grinning man that sat across.

"Stupid jerk. What're you doing here?"

"Practice."

Arthur slowly lowered the book, the unamused look still carved deeply into his features.
"Practice?"

"Yeah, practice!" The albino smirked, leaning on his hand, picking up Arthur's apple, examining it, before taking a bite.

"That was mine!" He protested.

Gil smirked, speaking in between chews. "Wan' eet bauck?"

Arthur scoffed, rolling his eyes and going back to his book. "That's disgusting."

Gil just laughed, putting the apple down and swallowing. "That's what you're sayin' on the outside, but on the inside, you're probably like 'Oh gosh! Gil is so cool! And hot! Ahh~'"

Arthur snorted, just laughing. "Like i'd ever think that about an narcissistic arse like yourself."

Gil just grinned. "You will. Anyvay, we need to practice."

"Practice for...?" Arthur asked, reading over the page in the book whilst trying not to pay attention to Gilbert's words too much.

Gilbert brought a hand up to Arthur's book, right over the next line he was going to read, pushing the book down so they were looking eye to eye. "Practice for your coolness, obviously."

"I was reading that, bloke." He growled, tugging at the book, while giving Gilbert a slightly intimidating glare.

"I already told ya'. I hate being ignored."

"Explains why you're always striving to be the center of attention..." Arthur sighed, setting the book down, marking his page, and putting his novel to the side. "Fine. Cool practice though...?"

"Ja. How else do you think you'll be able to live up to mein expectations?" He smirked, leaning back in his seat lazily.

Arthur raised a brow. "You have expectations for me?"

"Ja. Only the best, too. So you better work your ass off..."

Arthur blushed a bit-

"nerd." Gil added, snickering.

"You're an arsehole."

"Tell em somethin' I don't know~ But, anyway. we do need to practice... So, to start, what are you good at?"

"What do you mean...?"

"You know! Like... I'm awesome at being awesome. But, i'm a killer driver. Franny is a kick ass cook, and Toni is good with guitar. What can you do?" Gil asked, eyeing the Brit.

Arthur just sat there, thinking. "..I... Don't know.. I am pretty good at poetry, I guess..."

Gil yawned, waving his hand. "Lame."

"Well sorry for being lame." Arthur huffed, crossing his arms. "I don't do much else besides studying."

Gilbert groaned, leaning in and rubbed his temples. "That's so not awesome..." He then looked up, staring Arthur in the eyes. "Can you drive?"

"Never tried."

"Wanna?"

"Well... I don't know.."

"With a kick ass driver like me, you'll be pro in no time.~"

Arthur thought about it, frowning a little. "I mean... I guess I could try..."

"Awesome! Today, after school then. You'll take my ride for a spin when we go to the mall. Here, gimme your number by the way-" Gilbert said, shoving his phone into Arthur's hands.

"What ride?" Arthur asked curiously, and mindlessly entered his number without disapproval, to curious about the answer to his question.

Gilbert just smirked, and replied with a "You'll see.~" taking his phone back.

Arthur was going to continue badgering him for the answer but, the lunch bell rang, and Gilbert and Arthur parted their ways.

The rest of the day dragged on, and Arthur endlessly looked at the clock. He was going to drive. Sure, he might know about it and all... But thinking about driving worried him. What if he crashed or something? He didn't want to owe Gilbert... And what if they got caught? These thoughts flowed through the Brits mind until the last bell rang, and he did the usual routine, stopping at his locker. He grabbed the necessities, and walked out of the building.

"Arthur!" He heard behind him, while spinning around to look at his American friend charging forward.

"Alfred, I-"

And, he was hugged. "Dude, where were you!?"

Arthur furrowed his brows, as students around stared at them, half because they were standing in the middle of the walkway, the other half because well... Two guys, randomally hugging.

"What- What do you mean-"

"Locker. Why weren't you there?"

Right. Arthur usually waited for Alfred... He did it out of habit, of course, but he was in such a rush today because he was so excited that he forgot...

"I... Finished up there and was heading home... Alfred, are you okay?" Arthur asked, frowning a little. "You've been acting strange..."

Alfred sighed, pulling back from the hug, and looking down, rubbing the back of his neck childishly. "...Dunno...I mean...Just..." He crossed his arms, shaking his head.

Arthur decided it was best to just... dismiss it. He put a hand on Alfred's shoulder, and smiled up at him. "Come on, let's go."

Alfred smiled, and he nodded ecstatically. They walked and talked.

"Did you ever hand in that paper?"

"Mhm~" Alfred cooed, chewing on a candy bar he had pulled out of his bag, gulping before responding fully. "It was pretty close, but I made it in time. That's why I was a little late to your locker.."

Arthur nodded, pulling his phone out of his pocket and turning it on. "That's good, then. The grade would of been rubbish if you had to turn it in after the weekend.

Alfred laughed and nodded, "For sure! And I wouldn't of been able to go to the midnight release tomorrow for the new Assassins Creed!- Ah, bro, wanna come? It's gonna be wicked!" Alfred exclaimed happily, taking another bite of his snickers bar.

Arthur frowned, looking up at Alfred. "Video games?...I don't know... I don't really play..." He sighed, as his phone buzzed. Arthur glanced down. A text?

"I see you."

...What the hell did that mean? Arthur pondered it, while glancing around him, and Alfred frowned, whining.

"Aww, come onnnn Iggy! It'll be fun! We can get some McDonalds before we go, and chill in the line and talk and stuff! After, we'll go back to my house- I can teach ya' how to play!"

Arthur sighed, while replying to the text. "Alfred, I don't like video games, and certainly don't want to eat any McDonalds crap. Their food sucks!"

"Who is this?"

"But Artie!"

"Don't call me that, wanker! Besides... Tomorrow night I was going to finish my book..."

"Just finish it tonight!"

*Phone buzz*

"I can't..."

"Why not?"

"I..." He couldn't... He couldn't tell him he was going out with Gil, the same person he'd been told to stay away from... "...Well, I mean, I just figured tomorrow would be a better day to finish it-"

"But you can finish tonight, right?"

"I suppose, but-"

"Then it's settled! Tomorrow, you're mine!" Alfred said, quite happily. And Arthur couldn't protest. The book would have to wait until Sunday... "Fine..."

"Take a wild guess."

Arthur was getting fed up with whoever this texter was. His face showed it, too, as he replied.
"I don't want to guess, I want to know. Who are you?"

"Artie?" Alfred asked, a little concerned, taking obvious notice to his frustration.

"Mm?" Arthur asked, looking up.

"Who're ya' textin'..?"

"Ah- Nobody." Alfred was going to continue, so Arthur came up with something to say quickly, "Do you have practice tonight?"

"Practice? Yeah, till' 5:00, why?"

"Just curious."

*Phone buzz*

"Arthur..."

"Yeah?" He replied, holding back the urge to answer his phone, while they arrived at his bike, and started to unchain it.

"Who're you texting?"

"Nobody, honest-" Then, Alfred grabbed the bike, looking Arthur dead in the eyes. He wasn't angry, but his eyes were... softened, almost. "You can tell me anything, you know..."

Arthur blinked a few times, before clearing his throat. "I..I know.."

Then, silence came over them.

"You have practice, don't you?" Arthur finally chimed in.

"Yeah, but I can be late."

"Being late to football practice? You're going to get your arse handed to you."

"It's okay."

"Alfred..." Arthur sighed a little, getting himself onto his bike. "I'll be fine. Trust me."

"But..."

"Go on. Tomorrow, remember?" Arthur smiled a bit.

Alfred then slowly, brought back his smile. "Yeah. Tomorrow."

Arthur nodded, and waved by, as Alfred walked off. Sighing, he looked at his phone.

"I'll give you a hint.

You're my birdy, we're going out later, and i'm awesome.

Who am I~?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

"A wanker."

He replied, then rode home, not looking at his phone on the way, since it'd be dangerous, and Arthur wasn't really a risk taker... Now.

The ride home was slightly bumpy, and the Brit would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to look at his phone. But, he didn't. The bumpiness reminded him that he needed to look at his bike. Sunday... He'd need to fix it up. After getting home, he put his bike in the garage, went straight to his room and let his bag fall off his shoulder, onto his bed, flopping down backwards on his bed with it. He pulled out his phone. 3 new messages.

"Kesesesesese~ Wrong! Since you're wrong, you owe the awesome me a favor."

"Hello? Birdy, are u still there?"

"Come'on Birdy, the favor won't be that brutal! I'm not that mean... kind'a. By the way, where do u live?"

Arthur was kind of scared to reply. But, he did.

"Favor? I live at P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way."

He then got up, looked at the clock. 3:00. He'd take a shower and stuff before Gil came over... He wasn't getting ready or anything. Simply because taking a shower was okay to do after school- It was completely fine! Sighing, the wheat colored hair boy stood with his phone, walking to the kitchen to get some grub. As in grub, cereal or something. What to eat?

CoCo puffs.
Fruity Pebbles.
Rice Crispy's.

Deciding on CoCo puffs, just because he liked the silly bird in the commercials, Arthur got himself a bowl and prepared some, before sitting down, and eating a spoonful, checking his cell.

"Yeah, well... Sunday, I'm supposed to go to a party, ya'know? But Franny can't go, and Toni will be with that Italian kid the whole time, and mein awesomeness can't show up alone. Wanna go?"

Arthur frowned. How did he expect him to go to a party? Why did he want him to go in the first place? He took another few bites.

"You really expect me to go to a party? I haven't even gone through this 'transformation' yet, and you want me to go to a party of all things?"

Was that albino crazy... Arthur sighed, and texted him again, finishing half the bowl of cereal.

"Be right back."

With a 10 minute power shower, he threw on some new clothes, and checked the time. 3:50.
Looking at himself in the mirror, these were the best clothes he could find. A plaid purple and black shirt, black jeans, combat old sneakers, and a white hoodie. As good as it was gonna get... And that's the closest to "cool" Arthur would be. He sighed, putting on his glasses, and rushing out into the kitchen, not bothering to check the texts on his phone, but picking it up and shoving it into his pocket. Before even being able to look, he heard a beep outside.

Arthur ran out of the house, grabbing his keys, and locking the door before looking to Gilbert, sitting outside with his 'ride'.

"...You've got to be kidding me..."

Chapter end~ I hope you enjoyed it!

Who was that mysterious boy in his dream? What's up with Alfred? Will Arthur last at the party~?

Keep reading to find out~!
As always, the more reviews, the sooner I update! So, please review! c: