Hi everyone! I'm pretty happy with how quickly I'm getting out these chapters, I have to say! :D also, I'd like to give a big thank you to Maddeline Kirkland-Bonnefoy for being my first ever reviewer! :') hope you all enjoy the next chapter!
A/N: Please read!
There will be a section of French in this chapter, so just so you can distinguish it from people's thoughts, which are written like this, when any one is speaking French, it will be written in English, but in bold italics, so whenever you see something in "speech marks" and written like this, they're speaking French, 'Kay? Thanks!
It had been over a month since Francis started teaching Arthur French, and the two of them had to admit he was getting pretty good at it. The Brit found he could easily engage in conversation, only occasionally stumbling on a few words or phrases. One night, when they were due for another lesson, Francis decided against it. Arthur couldn't believe it. "W-what!? But, I was getting so good..." What about Jeanne? To his surprise, Francis smiled. He wasn't entirely sure at what point he had stopped calling Francis a Frog. It was probably seeing as he'd been talking to Jeanne for so long now that he'd been unwilling to insult her and her family, or maybe just the fact that he and the Frenchman had grown closer. He couldn't quite be sure. "Exactly, mon chere, and that is the exact reason why we are stopping. I believe you are now ready for Stage 2~" Oh god. Stage 2. The next step in getting Jeanne. Making her realise I might be better for her than Ivan. Arthur sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Yet, he couldn't quite bring himself to be totally nervous. Over the past month his feelings for her had grown tremendously, although the Brit somehow still found the 'L' word so distant from his grasp.
Arthur walked into school with Francis the next day, which happened to be a Friday. He found himself getting sentimental over the old building. He would be leaving in a few weeks in order to start work in Parliament again, although he couldn't help feeling a little excited. He missed being able to take part in governmental things concerning his country. Dragged from his thoughts by a pat on the back and a 'Good Luck' from Francis, he made his way towards his locker. The placement of lockers in the school was based off connections with other nations. Seeing as so many people from his own country holidayed a lot to Southern France, his locker was right next to Jeanne's.
He piled his books into his locker, getting more and more worried by the second. What if I screw Up? What if I say something wrong? What if I- "Bonjour Monsieur Rosbif~" Arthur turned to look at her. Oh good lord she's beautiful. He cleared his throat. Time to put these lessons to good use.
"Good Morning to you too, Jeanne. I trust you've had a nice day so far?" Jeanne was obviously trying very hard to hide the shock from her face, but then she smirked, accepting the challenge. "Yes, indeed I have. I hope you have as well?" He grinned back. "Of course, now that you're here. Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?", "Absolutely fabulous. You know how much I adore the rain, Sir". She was having way too much fun with this, although Arthur had to admit he was quite enjoying himself as well. "Of course I do, and I also know how much you adore Science, which happens to be your next lesson, Madam". He smirked, and he couldn't help but notice she looked a little impressed. "I suppose I'll be off then~ Good bye, Arthur!" She waved to him and ran off before Arthur could reply, and he was simply left standing there with a stupid grin on his face. He didn't even notice when the self-proclaimed Prussian came up behind him and threatened to tip a bucket of water over his head for being a big-headed bastard.
For the rest of the day, Arthur felt elated. He wasn't particularly sure why- he hadn't gotten a kiss or a proclamation of love from the girl, not that he had expected it- but he felt that it could partially be because he had impressed her. He had shown her that he knew the language of her people, that he cared about something that meant so much to her.
Jeanne stared at her Science text book. She didn't know why she was doing so though, as the words seemed like total gibberish to her now. There were so many thoughts buzzing around her head at the time she felt she couldn't bring herself to concentrate, no matter how much she enjoyed the subject.
Arthur knew French. He had learned it. For what reason, there was forever a blank page, but the fact that he had taken the time and effort... She sighed. If only Ivan could be like that... She frowned slightly. The way she felt about Ivan felt so very different to the way she felt about Arthur. One, she knew was definitely how one should feel for a good friend, while the other she knew to be a stronger feeling. The only problem was however, the fact she could not distinguish which feeling belonged to who.
Ivan did indeed make her feel special, always buying her gifts and taking her places, but it all felt very material. She knew that Ivan loved her, he had told her, but she always had a slight gut feeling that the way he looked at her seemed almost possessive, almost lustful even. Arthur, however, he looked at her in a loving, adoring way, like he always wanted to keep her from harm. There was never a hint of lust. Of course he had never bought her anything, but they always managed to have the best conversations, the most fun. She felt so comfortable and at home around the Brit.
However, there was still her relationship with the Russian to consider. She couldn't just up and leave him. Could she? No. She'd need a valid reason other than 'I might be in love with another nation, but I'm not quite sure'.
That's when it hit her. She might be in love with another nation. No good was going to come of this.
Hi guys, only a short chapter today :') Sorry about that! But there will be some action going on in the next chapter.
Just warning you all, the rating of this story will probably be boosted next chapter.
R&R!
Susie xx