Chapter 4~ What a Name
Thursdays were always great days. It meant no football practice. Alfred could leave school at a normal time like all his other class mates. He could go out with Ludwig and the other guys on the football team and get ready and hang out before the next days game. Today however, the game was the last thing on his mind.
"Al? Alfred!" The husky German accent that echoed in his ears pulled him from his thought. He turned his head to the source of the voice, who was sitting across the table from him at their usual spot in the quad. Ludwig sighed in annoyance. "I was asking if you would like to work on the science lab for this week after school." While waiting for a reply, he took a bite of the bread roll that sat alone on his tray. Dropping his forehead on the table with a small bang, Alfred gave a curt "sure" in reply through the hard surface of the table. The words reaching the large blonde as only a mumble.
"What's wrong Al? You have been acting like this all day and it's quite, unnerving."
With a loud sigh, he lifted his head to look at Ludwig. "I gave Artie a ride home last night after practice and I grabbed his hand and I, blushed like a moron." He could feel the pink creep to his cheeks as he confessed how he acted. "Please don't laugh Lud."
Looking up from his half eaten bread roll, Ludwig gave Alfred a quizzical look. "Why would I laugh at you Alfred? I know you better then anyone. It wouldn't be the first time you have acted a fool in front of Arthur. I always thought that you should just get over yourself and tell him how you feel. If not that, at least ask him to hang out this weekend."
Alfred smiled nervously at his friend, "Maybe I should."
"Tell him?" Arthur gawked at his friend. "Are you crazy, Bear!"
"No. You did say you couldn't stop thinking about him last night, and that you would like it if he would stop being a fool and ask you out all ready. Honestly, I don't think he will, so you should make the first move," Berwald said matter of factly as he worked on finishing his lunch in the largely crowded cafeteria.
"I-I can't tell him that. This is Alfred we are talking about for Christ's sake. He would never want someone like me to ask him out, and even if he did, he would never let me live it down."
Sighing in frustration, Berwald looked at his overly stubborn, British, friend. "I just say ask him out because you like him. If you decide not to fine. I don't see why this is any of my concern anyway." Turning his attention back to his food, he was able to take one last bite before the bell rang to signal the end of lunch. With a defeated sigh, Berwald left Arthur behind at their lunch table to head for class.
After sitting for a moment to sulk in his own thoughts, Arthur final decided to get up. He grabbed his tray and turned from the table knocking his tray into the person that was now in front of him. He gasped in shock as the watered down school spaghetti covered the Captain American shirt. "Dammit." Arthur knew that voice. Very slowly he looked up at the face of Alfred who was still spewing curse words under his breathe about his now ruined shirt.
"I- i'm so sorry, Alfred." The look on his face was none other then pure terror. He couldn't believe that the boy he was just thinking about was right in front of him, and he has accidentally dumped his half eaten lunch all over him too.
Alfred laughed weakly, "It's okay, I'll have Mattie clean it when I get home." He looked at Arthur's face for the first time and his smile faltered a little and cheeks began to pinken. "Hey, umm, Artie? Would you. Umm..." Arthur looked at him almost hopefully, maybe Alfred would ask him out before he had too. "Would you like to work on the science lab with me after school today?" Arthur gave him a quizzical look. Wasn't Ludwig his lab partner? Why was Alfred asking him of people. "Lud and I aren't working together this time and I need need help with some stuff and I know you're super smart and good at that kind of thing." Alfred rubber the back of his neck and looked away sheepishly.
"Oh, okay.. Very well. I'll meet you in front of the library after school then," Arthur scoffed and walked away.
After grinning and making a small fist pump in the air, Alfred sent a quick text to Ludwig that plans had changed.
Arthur was the first to arrive. He sat down at an empty table away from any studying student. It had only been about 10 minutes before another figure joined him at the table. He looked up into the blue eyes of his small crush, causing his lips to twitch into a soft smile. Quickly, he looked down at the work that was on the table in front of him. "I've already started. It shouldn't be too difficult to finish it within the next couple of days."
"Okay," Alfred replied as he plopped down into the seat next to Arthur, a small blush and smile on his face.
They worked on the assignment for a few hours with little talk and a lot of side glances on Alfred's part. "Well, I think this was a very productive day." Arthur said as he closed his text book, causing a small thud to come from the cover. He stood up to pack his things in his bag. Alfred looked over at him as he stood and could only stare at the butt that was so close to his face. "Good bye, Alfred."
Alfred looked back up at the retreating boys head. "W-wait! Arthur." He stood abruptly, hitting his thighs on the small table causing him to loose his balance and stumble backwards back into his chair. Arthur just watched with amusement as the boy stood back up with more caution this time.
"What is it? I have to get going. It's late."
Alfred looked at him, "I was wondering if maybe you would like to hang out sometime." He looked down. "Ya know. Maybe this weekend? Or we could go and grab some food after my game tomorrow?" Ha gave Arthur a hopeful glance, hopping he wouldn't laugh.
"Oh, Sure. Tomorrow night should be alright."
The jock gawked, missing the surprised look on the others face. "R-really?" Alfred smiled wide. "Awesome! Alright um, let me get your number." He grabbed his phone from his pocket before putting it back and grabbing his wallet. "Here's some money for the ticket so you can get into the game. It's on me." After shoving the money into Arthur's hands, he pulled out his phone and and held out his hand for Arthur's who gave it to him silently. After just a few minutes the phone was handed back. "There! All set." Arthur just nodded. After hastily throwing work into his backpack he slung the strap over his shoulder. "Okay! Well i'll see you tomorrow. Bye Artie!" He left in excitement, not even registering Arthur' bright face.
Arthur looked at the excited boys back as he all but ran out of the library. "Bye..." He whispered softly and looked down at the phone and the money in his hand. He smiled lightly at the name that was on his screen.
'Alfred'
