A/n: Chapter six! You guys are so lucky~ I wrote two in a span of like, three days.


Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Carnations are white,

Just like you
~~~

It was the end of spring now, and the final exams were upon everyone. The students of all years were bustling back and forth and throwing themselves into their studies as if there were no tomorrow. Matthew was the same. Especially since Arthur and Alfred threw a mega fit at him for being out so late. He was at that hospital for quite a while. He never wanted that feeling he had to end. But when he did leave, boy did he get an earful. Alfred yelled at him first for being out late, telling him something about "I can' be your hero if I don't know where you are!" and then Arthur walking in looking frantic saying something like, "Matthew you know you are not supposed to be out this late! I was worried sick! And so forth. Thus, ended in being on watch and had to be home at five unless stated otherwise.

Gilbert took the rest of the week off, and was back on Monday morning. It was safe to say he was looking better than ever. It was more lively at the lunch tables now, Romano complaining like always, Antonio being the cheery self Matthew had first met, Feliciano being oblivious like usual, and Ludwig wanting to shoot himself. The Canadian didn't mind, he enjoyed sitting there, with them. It was also nice how Gilbert always tried to include Matthew into the conversation topic, asking for his input. It truly felt nice to be…well…acknowledged. He found himself everyday engaging in conversations with Antonio, Feliciano, and even exchanging a few words here and there with Romano.

When exams were finally over, there was two weeks before summer break. Most classes were relatively uneventful, and seniors had the most time off, since they were graduating. The albino was very much enjoying his time off, lounging around, getting into even more mishap. Matthew was also enjoying himself, and began to think about all the new friends he'd made this year. The blond almost didn't want it to end. This year was pure bliss, full of enjoyment, laughter, and love, lots and lots of love.

But alas, all great things must come to a closing. Two extraordinary weeks later, it was graduation day. Gilbert, Ivan, Yao, and Alfred were going to graduate this year. Matthew, of course, was attending the ceremony for Alfred, and now, it seemed as if he wanted to see Gilbert too. Antonio was obviously going to be there too. Funny enough, the Canadian noted Kiku, the bus boy was there too. Probably for his brother Yao. Arthur was there for Alfred. The graduation was upbeat and happy, everyone congratulating everyone else. When Matthew found Gilbert, Antonio was sobbing all over him.

"Don't leave me! You can't leave me Gilly! You can't!"

"T-Toni! Cut it out! It's not like I'm moving to Alaska or something!" he scoffed. "Besides, why would I want to stay with these bitches anyway?"

"Nooo! Don't leave!" The Spaniard wailed.

The albino sighed and let him cry. Matthew chuckled softly and smiled. The silverette in turn noticed him there and grinned back.

"Sup Birdie~!"

"Birdie…?"

"Dunno. You remind me of a birdie. Going here and there…but you always come home…"

"That's very poetic of you," the violet-eyed boy commented.

"Yeah…don't get used to it!"

"Sure, sure…"

"MATTIE! Mattie, Mattie, MATTIE!"

Alfred suddenly tackled the younger brother, causing him to fall.

"I can't believe I passed! I was sure my math teacher would fail me!" he shrieked with joy.

"That's great Al…I bet dad's proud!" the shorter blond choked between breaths.

"Hey! Get your fat ass off of him! Can't you see you're killing him?" Gilbert yelled, suddenly angry.

Alfred obeyed, but in turn glared at the German.

"Shut up Beilschmidt! How are you even graduating?"

"Because unlike you, I've got enough awesome to pass by more than the skin of my teeth!"

The American growled and grabbed the other roughly by the collar.

"You wanna fight me? Huh?"

"Love too," the silverette retorted cockily, grabbing his collar as well.

"Oh no…" Antonio murmured quietly.

"Alfred stop!" Matthew commanded, though he was ignored.

"Alfred Kirkland! Unhand that child!" a new voice entered.

There was Arthur, arms crossed with a scowl that practically said, "Go against me, I dare you."

"But dad! He started it!"

"No buts! Now unhand him!"

The blue-eyed boy huffed, but yanked his hands away, grimacing at Gilbert.

'Suck up…' he mouthed.

Alfred walked over to Arthur, who immediately began to scold him. Matthew laughed, and approached the albino, straightening his shirt out.

"Sorry about that, Alfred's like that…"

"Matt? Who are you telling? I've been in a war with that kid since sophomore year."

"I guess, so what will you do now that you're done with school?"

"I don't know, laze around the house or something. No way I'm getting into college!" he joked.

"I'm sure you could if you tried!" the shorter responded sincerely.

"Mattie, you have way too much confidence in me."

"Is that bad?"

"Ja, it is. I'm not all that great,"

"Oh you're fine!"

Antonio seemed to disappear suddenly, probably to find Romano. Gilbert and Matthew chatted for a while longer before Gilbert asked.

"So when's your birthday anyway?"

"Eh? Oh…it's in July…the first actually…" he responded quietly.

"Really? Then it's coming up isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. I don't really celebrate my birthday though…"

"What? Why?" the silverette demanded.

Matthew paused and thought up an answer. Why didn't he celebrate his birthday he asks? Because Alfred Kirkland always got in the way. Only because his birthday was three days after his. No one ever thought to wish Matthew a 'Happy Birthday'. Oh no, Matthew wasn't the important one. Only Alfred was.

"Because no one ever remembers…no one ever remembers little Matthew Williams…no one remembers the little brother…the one who's birthday is three days before Alfred's…no one…" the blond choked out, swallowing.

The other only stared in disbelief. He knew that the Canadian boy had been lonely before he'd entered his life, but the thought of him always being alone for his birthday just never crossed his mind.

"So…I don't celebrate my birthday too often…it's usually…just another day on the calendar…"

"Is it so hard…to be loved? I'm amazed with you Gilbert. Just how do you…do it?" his voice was cracking now.

"What about your dad? Doesn't he ever remember?" Gilbert quickly asked.

"Of course…but he's always away from home…which I prefer because then he has the decency to actually tell me on my birthday…when he is home he tells me on Alfred's birthday after he asks me when my birthday is…"

Matthew sighed again, and then smiled lightly.

"But when papa was still alive, he never forgot…he always remembered. Sometimes he would even play around and make me find my presents…I wish…he were still here…"

The German was trying to think of something comforting to say to him, but nothing came to mind. How was he supposed to cheer a lonely, despairing kid up?

"I-I'm sure he's still here…watching you…I don't think he'd want you to…be sad…I guess…" Smooth, Gilbert thought to himself.

Surprisingly, his words seemed to have some effect on the violet eyed boy. He nodded in understanding.

"Maybe…I think…you're right. Sometimes I swear I can still feel his presence there…just…I don't know…"

"Well…" the albino paused, then looked over. "I think your dad is calling."

"Oh! Yeah…well…this is goodbye?" Matthew asked gently, his lavender eyes twinkled.

"It…doesn't have to be…here…" Gilbert quickly felt around in his pockets for something to write on. Luckily, he found a napkin. He scribbled a number onto in with a marker.

"Here…you…can call me sometime…if you want…"

The younger took the paper and stared. He grinned, and put it into his pocket.

"I just might take you up on your offer, thank you for being my friend…"

"Don't mention it! I mean, you're pretty awesome kid~!"

"Matthew come along now!" Arthur called.

"Coming!" the Canadian waved at Gilbert before running over.

This was going to be a long, long summer.


Okay~ There it is.

If you noticed, I changed Alfred's last name to Kirkland, for Arthur. Just to imply family relations. I will go into why Matthew isn't Matthew Kirkland later. So, since there is no translations ( I Don't Think...) Thank you everyone for the reviews, story alerts, and favorites!

-IchigoMelon