Chapter 10 Innocence
Gilbert cracked his crimson eyes open to see Amelia pacing in his hotel room nervously.
"What's got you worked up, love?" Amelia jerked her head to look at the albino barely sitting up.
"Gil Gil!" The blonde went over and gave Gilbert a big hug.
"Hey, 'Melia," Gil greeted, hugging his girlfriend back. He inhaled scent of Amelia's golden hair that fell perfectly on her shoulder. When she pulled back, Gil saw the worry in her deep blue eyes.
"Promise me, Amelia, that whatever happens, you'll stay strong," Gil said, scarlet eyes locking with blue ones.
"Gilbert…."
"Amelia, promise?" The look on Gilbert's face looked almost begging.
"I promise," Amelia whispered before crashing her soft lips against Gilbert's.
"Okay, so how many businesses are sponsoring this?" Ludwig asked. Antonio was looking off into space while Francis was texting someone.
"Bastard," Lovi said elbowing Antonio in the ribs.
"Ow! What?" Antonio asked. Lovi pointed to an irritated Ludwig.
"Oh! Francis, where's our list?"
"What list?" Francis asked putting his phone down.
"The 'Help save Gil' list," Antonio elaborated.
"Oh right here," Francis said taking a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handing it to his friend.
"Okay, we have fifteen businesses so far," Antonio read.
"Sehr gut [1]. And we have twenty-seven individual donations," Ludwig read from his own paper.
"How much money does put us at?" Feli asked, combing her copper hair through her slender fingers.
"For individual donations, $300."
"Fuck! That's not nearly enough!" Lovi said crossing her arms, causing Antonio to rub her back in a calming way. Lovi turned slightly pink at the Spaniard's touch, but didn't object.
"I know," Ludwig sighed.
"Wait! Isn't Gil friends with Elizaveta Héderváry?" Alfred asked suddenly.
"Yes, I think so, you git, but that doesn't help," Arthur said.
"But Lizzie knows, like, everyone, doesn't she?" Alfred continued.
"She does have a lot of connections. With her random organizations for yaoi or whatever," Mattie remembered.
"Do you think if we talked to her, she would help?" Kiku asked.
"Maybe. It can't hurt to try," Francis said.
"How about Kiku and I go talk to her and the rest of you set up. We'll see if we can get the walk for Saturday, okay?" Ludwig said.
"Okie dokie, Luddy!" Feli said giving a salute.
Ludwig rolled his eyes playfully at his silly girl and he and Kiku left to find the Hungarian.
Liz sat at her computer desk, staring at documents on the screen. More people wanting to join her club. Though this club does give her a lot of profit. Then she heard a knock at her door. She sighed as she got up from her chair. She smoothed out her black skirt and straightened her olive green top. She walked to the door, while tucking her hair behind her ears, and opened it to see Kiku and Ludwig standing there.
"Oh Ludwig, Kiku, hi," Liz said smiling.
"Hallo Elizaveta," Ludwig greeted.
"ハイ [2] Elizaveta," Kiku said.
"Didn't I tell you both to call me 'Liz'?" The Hungarian put her hands her hips playfully.
"Can we talk to you?" Ludwig asked.
"Sure. Come in," Liz said, a bit surprised. The two guys walked in and sat down. Kiku took Liz's hand and sat her down as well.
"Liz, Gilbert has COPD," Ludwig started.
"And he's in the hospital," Kiku continued.
"He's in the hospital?" Liz repeated in shock.
"Ja, and he needs lung surgery or he's going to..." Ludwig took a deep breath "To die."
"Gilbert? Well h-he's gonna get surgery, right? He's gonna be okay, right?" Liz looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"Nein. We don't have enough money to afford the surgery."
"G-Gil's gonna... die?" Liz choked.
"Unless we raise enough money, then yes," Kiku explained. Ludwig wiped his eyes with the back of his hand quickly.
"What can I do to help?" Liz had a determined look on her face now. Like if Gil died on her, she would bring him back, and kill him again with her scary frying pan of doom.
"Well we were hoping you can have people from your club join our walk," Ludwig said shyly.
"Of course! Anything to help Gil! I'll send out an email right away!" Liz jumped up and hugged both boys as they stood up. Both turned a light shade of pink.
"Thanks Elizaveta," Kiku said.
"It's 'Liz', Kiku," Liz smiled as the two said their goodbyes. Then she went straight to her computer and sent out an email saying to meet for the walk for Gilbert.
Mattie sat in the hospital with Gilbert. Gilbird sat in Gilbert's palm and nipped at Gil's hand.
"Are you sure Gilbird is supposed to be here?" Mattie asked.
"Pssh! Me and Gilbird are a pair! You get one, you got both," Gil said petting the bird affectionately.
"You really love that little guy, don't you?" Mattie laughed.
"You bet! Hey Mattie, you got any pancakes? Hospital food sucks!"
"No but I can make some later and bring you them," Mattie said.
"Kesesese~ awesome! Gilbird loves your pancakes too," Gil said.
"I'm flattered," Mattie smirked.
"Ha you should be! Hey speaking of awesome pets, where's Kumajiro?"
"Who?"
"Your polar bear, Mattie. Where's the polar bear you always carry around?" Gil smiled at Mattie's tendency to forget his pet's name.
"Oh Kumakiki! The hospital wouldn't let me bring him," Mattie looked slightly disappointed.
"Next time just bring a backpack and put him in there. And some pancakes with extra maple syrup," Gil suggested.
"I'll make sure to do that, Gil," Mattie agreed sarcastically.
"Ja just get rid of any witnesses."
"You'd be a witness Gil," Mattie pointed out.
"Ah I'm gonna die soon anyway," Gil said placing Gilbird on his head.
"Gil, don't say that. We're going to make sure you don't die," Mattie assured.
"Mattie, let's face it. I've been going downhill for a while now. Working three jobs and having all the money go towards bills and tuition," Gil said. Then he looked as if he just remembered something.
"Mattie?"
"Hmm?"
"Has Ludwig been going to school?" Gil asked.
"School?" Mattie's violet eyes opened wide.
"Ja, has Luddy been attending school?"
"Oh, umm..." The Canadian fixed his glasses on his nose and starred at the albino.
"Mattie?"
"No. He hasn't gone in a few days," the blonde admitted.
"How many days?"
"He hasn't gone since you've been here," Mattie said.
"That's, like, four days!" Gilbert yelled, causing both Mattie and Gilbird to jump.
"Yeah but he's only worried about you, like the rest of us," Mattie explained.
"What about Feliciana? She goes to school with Luddy! And Kiku?"
"They've been skipping too."
"Mattie, please make Luddy go to school," Gil asked.
"B-but I can't..."
"Please Mattie? Please?" Matthew sighed.
'Why can't anybody ever deny Gilbert?' Mattie thought.
"Eh, alright. I'll make sure he goes to school tomorrow. Does he need an excuse or something?" Mattie asked.
"He's fine. Could you just tell a teacher or someone why he's been out?"
"Sure."
"Danke Mattie," Gil thanked.
"Yeah you're welcome," Mattie said.
"Hey Mattie?" Gil asked.
"What?"
"Here." Gil took Gilbird off his head and handed him to Mattie. Mattie took Gilbird and starred at Gilbert.
"Take care of Gilbird for me," Gil said.
"W-what?" Matthew stuttered.
"Ja. Make sure you feed him and give him a little pillow to sleep on and let him sit on your head and stuff," the German said.
"No, Gil. You're not going to die," Mattie insisted.
"Well then until I get out of this hellhole?"
"But- oh fine," Mattie caved.
"Thanks, bro," Gil smiled.
"Anytime Gilbo." Mattie's phone rang in his pocket. The 'American Idiot' playing told both guys that Alfred was calling.
"Hello?"
"HI MATTIE!" Alfred's voice rang from the phone so loud, Gilbert could hear. Mattie yanked the phone away from his ear and glared at Gilbert, who was snickering at the yelling American on the other line.
"Indoor voice, Alfred," Mattie reminded, letting Gilbird fly onto his head.
"Yeah... Okay... But... Al... Okay... Yeah... I'm coming now... Bye." Mattie hung up his phone and turned to Gil.
"I have to go. Alfred's being a hoser," he said.
"Ha alright. See you later with those pancakes," Gil joked.
"Yeah yeah you get some sleep and dream about my pancakes and syrup," Mattie said. Gilbert laughed loudly.
"Dude I don't dream about pancakes! That's dirty!"
"Oh grow up," Mattie smirked walking out, Gil's laughter still ringing through the hallways.
[1] Sehr gut -German "Very good"
[2] ハイ -Japanese "Hi"