A shiver went right through my body. A hot, strong muscle was pressing on my lips and almost immediately I yielded, inviting the intruder inside to the hot cavern. But that was when the fairy tale ended. The kiss was forced and sure as hell I will not allow myself to be violated- be it a kiss, be it anything else. My hands closed on the wet fur of the bomber jacket and I pushed Alfred away. The sky blue eyes stared at me with surprise and unable to withstand it one second longer I slapped him. The sound seemed to echo and a few raindrops fell from his golden hair. I was shaking.

"Don't let me ever see this face of yours again! I don't care what bloody games you're playing but I don't want to be a part of it." I was already about to turn around when he grabbed my elbow.

"-Arthur, you don't even understand..."

"I don't think I want to understand. You've shown me more than enough. Now, if you'll excuse me" I shook off his hand and walked away, the image of a pulsing red imprint on his cheek was still in my mind.

***

This is pointless. I've been in my room trying to figure out a physics problem which in theory I should have no problem with. The sums add up and the equation stands clear on the white page. And yet... it is 2 am and I can't find any sense in it. Or may it be that it is a peace of mind that I'm seeking? The shadows of my room bring no comfort. Even the strong scent of the red roses in a tall vase doesn't make me relax. I'm straining my muscles and furrowing my eyebrows. I'd do anything to have my mind back. My brain refuses to think of anything else but the Yankee. I hate it how I surrendered into the kiss. I despise his firm hands which felt just right on my waist and that his lips... his lips moulded perfectly with mine. There was chemistry, this I could not deny. Another thin impossible to simply dismiss was how he looked at me. The puppy dog eyes, the poor beaten puppy that is just looking for attention. These were so much different from the usual cocky glare. Now that I think on it though... the rebellious and arrogant stare sends a shier down my spine.

And my lips want to scream. They want to scream his name, unaware yet whether it is to call him close or to push him away.

***

On the whole I spent another night hardly sleeping. I was longing for weekend because being a member of the school council meant I had to come into school during the week no matter how much I didn't want to. During the restless night I have made my decision about some issues. It still bothered me what Alfred wanted to explain yet I had no intention of approaching him. So instead, I will use my connections to find out something about him. After all it's not that common to get a new student at the end of October – very bizarre, not to mention the student being a foreigner. There was one big problem though- the council member who knew most about nearly all students was rather difficult to talk to.

"Mon ami!" Of what service can I be to you today? I'll do anything for my dearest friends!" Francis' face lit up immediately as I have greeted him at lunch break and even sat down opposite to him. It was easy to scare his fandom away with just one stare. "Oh lá lá, Artzur! Why so harsh? I don't mind getting l'intime with you however..." Oh, did I mention that Francis' definition of a 'dear friend" was a male or female with tight bottom and young features?

"Shut up. It's not your kind of service that I'm after. I'm... just interested in why they allowed the American kid join halfway through term?" I posed the question trying to make it sound as normal as possible.

"Does he interest you, mon ami?? Tres bien! I can feel amour in the air! I'd be careful though because he looks as if he'd be rough!" I grimaced while Francis laughed at his own jest. "But actually the story is pretty sad. He and his brother Matthew were orphaned a year ago. After staying with their grand-parents for a while Alfred decided to move over here to live with his aunt he used to visit when he was a kid. His petit brother stayed behind." The Frenchman explained, his playful face grew just a little more serious and composed. I was actually shocked. For some reason I didn't expect Alfred to have such sad background. He was the happy-go-lucky guy in my eyes but... it's not like I knew him that well right?

"So... umm... but how do you know him this well?" I enquired.

"Peu important. But does this mean you didn't mind me giving him your number?" Francis smiled and there was something in this smile which implied he knew more than he wished to share.

"So it was you, you git! You bloody impossible toad-eater! Snail-..." he closed me off by giving me a quick peck on the lips. It's nothing out of ordinary with this ridiculous joke of a human. Still it always made me angry.

"You're the most beautiful shade of rouge when you blush mon ami." He said with a chuckle. A few girls nearby gasped and before I was able to do anything Francis was pulled up to his legs by an angry, tall American.

**

This was peculiar. Extraordinary in its own right. Alfred almost immediately apologised and murmured that he didn't know what got into him. As if this wasn't enough, Francis apologised as well. And he sounded sincere. At the time being I found myself confused and bewildered. If I acted differently would our present be different?

***

PS: I know it's cliché and all over the place. I blame it on my inspiration not working as it should. Sorry for not posting anything yesterday –I was celebrating my 18th :D Please, keep reviewing and giving me tips for improvement or just some encouragement- it doesn't take long and it's very important to me. Another thing... this story may actually get pretty long!