Ch. 10 Unexpected Dramas

Saturday morning came by quickly as Mei nervously went through her morning thinking about tonight's play. Kiku tried to calm her down but it had no effect whatsoever. Mei would have to leave around two for the play's final rehearsal before the play itself which was just making sure that they ran through it without any problems but there was only one scene that bothered Mei. The scene she talked about with Xiang last night which was making her very nervous and flushing furiously whenever she thought about it. Xiang was having an opposite feeling about the play yet somewhat similar. He completely despised the fact that Mei would have to kiss Hyung. Therefore to get rid of some of this rage, he mediated alone in the silence of the backyard. As Xiang silently meditated, small little birds would land at his side and some on him and Arthur watched by in the house. Arthur knew there was nothing he could do about Xiang's emotional state currently and there was no point in him trying to stop him unless he wanted to a focus point for his rage.

Two o'clock came, Xiang and Mei meet up at the school as they waited for the teacher to come out and give them directions. She started to do a role call and almost everyone was accounted for but this amount of people made her nervous. The problem was that Hyung and Yong Soo weren't here yet. Suddenly Yong Soo burst through the door in a frantic sprint to the teacher. Everyone expected Hyung to shortly follow afterwards but no one else came. Yong Soo went to the teacher and whispered something to her.

"What! Are you serious! This can't be!" shouted the teacher. Everyone looked at her nervously and wondered what Yong Soo told her.

"I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't lie about something like this," answered Yong Soo.

The teacher's face deepened and she looked very strained. She walked out to the front of the stage and had a microphone with her. "Everyone, we have some very tragic news. Yesterday the two brothers Yong Soo and Hyung were apparently rock-climbing and Yong Soo almost fell but Hyung was able to save him at the cost of him being the one that got injured. He twisted his arm and tore some of the muscles in his arm and is in the hospital receiving treatment currently so he cannot come to the play."

Whispers started to fill the theatre about how the play might have to be canceled and about how terrible Hyung must feel. Mei was worried and felt sorry for Hyung but more importantly if the play didn't go on, she wouldn't get her full hours. Xiang mentally grinned at Hyung's displacement although he did feel some sympathy for the guy.

"Fear not everyone, for we still do have our understudy. Xiang, please stand up and present yourself."

Xiang stood up and everyone turned to see him. Again whispers started to go on through the theatre. Another thought just popped into Xiang's mind at the moment he stood up; if he had to be the one to play Romeo then…all the things that came with that part fell on him which meant he would be the one kissing Mei. At this thought Xiang flushed furiously and Mei seemed to realize this too as she blushed along with him. The teacher clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention and told them all that we would rehears as much as we could with our new Romeo and they only had less than four hours to do this. Everyone started to scramble and head to the back stage to get ready and started enacting their parts. They would focus on the parts that involved Romeo since this would be a different actor and the ones that didn't involve him were to be left alone.

The rehearsals had to be done quickly but also perfectly as well. To everyone's surprise, Xiang was doing far better than anyone could have hoped for. Xiang had to thank his rehearsals with Mei for that. The group had finally reached the final act to practice when the manager came in and told everyone the play would begin in another half hour. Rehearsals had to stop so that everyone could get into character and costume. The assistants would go out and start to accept or sell tickets. Everyone went to their dressing rooms and placed their costumes on. Xiang felt somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden change of attire; he expected that he would only have to change into a tail coat suit and instead he was wearing an old English outfit. He waited at the side of the stage as people began to enter the theatre.

"Xiang?" Xiang turned around to see Mei in her costume which made him slightly blush. The costume fit her well and complimented her features. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," he commented. Mei blushed at the comment and told him that he didn't look so bad himself. Xiang smiled and they laughed with each other for a bit.

"Do you think this will go well? I mean, we didn't even get to practice the last act."

"Don't worry; we've done this over a hundred times together, I'm sure we'll do fine. We just have to put all the practice out there."

"I don't know how you can remain so calm in all this but I'm glad someone can do it."

"It's nothing really. I just know what I have to do and I do it. Being with you will make this more fun though."

"Same here. Well, it's about to begin, let's go do this."

The music began to play and the curtain rose. The narrator did his part and the play began. The beginning was going smoothly as everyone spoke their lines perfectly and with the proper amount of emotion. Xiang made his debut and made it very convincing that he was heartbroken which surprised many of our class mates since Xiang usually never shows his emotions. Some of the other girls were eyeing Xiang and Mei felt somewhat annoyed by this but more importantly to her she would have to kiss Xiang already as the end of Act I came close. She walked onto the stage and began to play her part. Further into the act the two finally meet and Xiang's acting seemed to give off more than what everyone thought. The admiration in his voice seemed to be true and some truly believed this. The ball was over and the two meet at the center of the stage. It seemed as though everyone had vanished and only they remained, gazing at each other. They approached the other and said their lines without any error. They closed the distance even more as their hearts began to pound as they got closer and closer. Within that moment, they shared a kiss. It seemed to last an eternity before they parted, each in a daze. The two remained silent as the orchestra's music broke them of their trance and they continued and finished their lines before the act ended for the both of them. When they took a break for the next act and they went to their dressing rooms, Mei blushed furiously and she held her hands to her lips. For Xiang the feeling still lasted and he remembered it as if it only occurred seconds before.

The rest of the play went on fairly quickly as Romeo and Juliet go married, Romeo got incriminated and had been banished, and Juliet took the sleeping potion. The final act was halfway through as Xiang had just reached the catacombs where Mei rested in her fake slumber. Xiang says his lines and drinks the potion and gives Mei a swift kiss before falling dead. Soon Mei awakens and does her part and with a final ending thrust the knife into her abdomen. The play soon ends with everyone resolving their feud. The curtains begin to fall and from some of the audiences, soft tears could be heard and applause exploded throughout the theatre as the lights came back on and the curtain raised as everyone gave a bow. The assistants began to clean up the props and things everyone used as everyone got dressed back into their normal clothes for the after party.

The party began and the time was around nine o'clock. Xiang and Mei stood side by side, silently, neither one of them looking at each other. The tension in the air was so thick that even the most cheery students were replaced by bothered faces. The teacher rose her cup in the air and congratulated everyone on a wonderful performance. Mei took a drink and looked over to Xiang who was still looking into the air.

"Xiang…" Xiang turned to her but couldn't look at her in the eye. "Great job umm, so how do you feel now?"

"I feel a bit relieved that it's all over but umm you know…those scenes…"

"Ehh, yeah, it was all just in the act right? I mean, it was all for the play, right?"

"Umm, yeah. It didn't mean a thing."

"Yeah…so that was our first kiss basically though."

"And?"

"Well you were a better kisser than I thought you would be," she teased.

Xiang blushed, "How would you know then? You don't have any experience either."

"Haha, I'm just messing with you."

The two friends laughed out their worries and tried to enjoy the party as much as they could. Just then a familiar group of blond headed men was seen by Xiang. He walked over to them, shortly followed by Mei, and Xiang saw the group that seemed so familiar. They turned around and their faces brightened considerably and they went over to him. One was Arthur, and the other two looked incredibly similar with only a few differences to tell them apart.

"Xiang! Congratulations on the play. I thought you were just going to be playing your violin but who knew you would be playing the male lead. I am so proud of you," exclaimed Arthur.

"Thanks."

The other two blond headed males came forward and one of them exploded with talk. "Wow that was a long play but I liked the part where they were fighting. That was kind of cool. Oh Artie, where can I guy get a hamburger around here?"

"Be quiet you git! Sorry about Alfred, Xiang. You know how he gets." Xiang nodded. Xiang then turned his attention to the more silent twin and began a small conversation.

"That was an excellent performance Xiang. Is that your friend there?" he asked as he pointed to Mei.

"Yeah Matt, she's my best friend Mei."

"Oh, well she seems like a nice girl."

"She is but she can be a bit…overbearing at sometimes."

"Hey! What's that suppose to mean Xiang!" exclaimed Mei.

"Nothing."

"Liar!"

The two began to bicker, meanwhile Matthew watched quietly from the background with Arthur while Alfred was searching for something greasier to eat.

"It was really nice of you and Al to come watch Xiang's play with me," commented Arthur.

"It was nothing. I wanted to spend some time with you after all and see Xiang again."

"Really? Well it was nice spending time with you again too."

The party ended around 10:30 and everyone began to leave for home. Mei said that she would be getting a ride from Kiku so it'd be fine if Xiang left first. Xiang rode home with everyone else. He and Matt talked about what's happened since they last saw each other. The two were somewhat close because both were silent-ish and they helped each other with some things back then.

"So Xiang, you don't seem to have changed much since we last met."

"I could say the same for you."

"I think I've become a bit more noticeable. Also I don't remember ever meeting that friend of yours."

"Oh well, we met a long time ago, I think it was a few months after you left for Canada, so about eight years."

"That's surprisingly long. You were only ten if I remember correctly and arrived to Arthur's house when you were eight. Must've been good to make such a good friend."

"It was and it is. It seems like only just yesterday we became friends."

"Is that so? Could I ask how you guys became friends anyway?"

"Yes it is and I don't mind. Well like I said earlier, it was after a few months since you left. I was really alone you know and it was pretty quiet without anyone to talk to. One day at school, I was walking and I saw a girl lying under a tree, crying…

I walked up to the girl and I asked her what was wrong. She only looked up for a moment to look at me before she told me to just go away. I sat down next to her as she continued to cry but she didn't tell me to go away again. She stopped crying and lifted her head to me.

"Why are you still here?" she asked.

"Because I want to know why you're crying."

"It doesn't concern you. You probably wouldn't understand anyway."

"You don't know unless you try."

"Fine…my parents. They're gone."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? You can't possibly understand…"

"What you feel?" I finished. "I know what you're going through because my parents died two years ago."

"Huh? You mean that you too?" I nodded. "I'm sorry I said all that to you. I didn't know."

"It's alright. I might not be able to bring back your parents or the void that they left but I can say that with time it gets better. You just need good people around you to support you."

"Really? Can I be your friend then?"

"I don't mind."

"Thanks."

"…With that short little conversation we became friends I guess. At first I just wanted to help but as I got to know her I guess I was just trying to keep her from being alone with those feelings."

"You're just so nice Xiang."

"I just did what anyone would have done."

"No Xiang, you're just saying that. No one could've done what you did."

"Hmm, I guess."

The group returned home and they all went to the living room. Arthur offered to make everyone something to eat but everyone at the same time said no. Matthew instead offered to make some pancakes and everyone but Alfred agreed because he wanted hamburgers. Matthew then went into the kitchen and Arthur volunteered to help. Xiang was skeptic about the idea but was reassured by the fact that Matt would keep him out of trouble. Xiang and Alfred then got into an argument about who was a better video gamer. They decided to settle it by playing on the Xbox.

Matthew got out the ingredients for the pancakes and made sure that everything was ready. Arthur stood by and made sure that Matthew wouldn't go without assistance but he assured him that he was quite capable of cooking everything himself.

"So how have you been Arthur?"

"Oh well it's been going okay I guess. It's just business and all and going up against that company."

"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll be able to surpass them."

"Thanks. That means a lot coming from you."

"It isn't a problem. Also, do you know that girl with Xiang?"

"Who? Oh Mei. She seems alright but I don't want here around here."

"Why is that?"

"She's the cousin of the head of our rival company, so I don't want her around here, much less around Xiang."

"Oh come on, she hasn't done anything wrong you know. Don't be so prejudice against her."

"I can't help it."

"Hmm, well there's no way I'm going to be able to change your mind."

"Anyway, how have you been? I've missed you."

"I've been fine. I made a really good friend. And that's sweet."

"So Matthew, you would say that we're close, right?"

"Definitely," exclaimed Matt. Matt began to pour his batter onto an oiled pan.

"And would you say that I'm likeable?"

"Hmm, yeah. I would say so, why do you ask?"

"Well it's because I wanted to tell you…"

A large crash resounded from the living room and Arthur stopped short in his sentence. He then ran into the living room, worried that Alfred broke something again.

"Alfred! What did you break this time!"

"What? I didn't do anything. We have company."

"Huh?" Arthur then turned to the door and there he stood with his silver white hair and red piercing eyes.

"Kesesese! The awesome me is here so the fun can finally start!"

"Gilbert, what the bloody hell are you doing here? And how did you get in?"

"I broke through your door, what else? I smelled Mattie's delicious pancakes cooking so I came over."

"W-what? Why on Earth did you have to break my door? And how did you smell pancakes from wherever you were?"

"Because ore-sama has to make an awesome entrance and your door was in the way. And I can smell those things from anywhere."

"What makes no sense you git! Next time you come, knock instead of breaking other people's doors!"

"You don't have to be such a wet blanket. I was just having fun."

"Grr, I am not. I am telling you that you need to be more considerate of other people's property!"

"Kesesese, okay Artie."

Matt then walked into the room with several plates each with a large stack of pancakes. "Pancakes are served. Oh Gil, I didn't know you were coming over."

Gilbert's face brightened up even more (if that was possible) and he ran over to Matt and put his arm around him. "Mattie! How are you? You should have told me you were going to make pancakes and were at Arties' house."

Matt began to blush a bit from the contact. "I well; we were watching Xiang's play and met up back here. I decided to make something to eat since we didn't want Arthur to cook."

"Is that so? Why didn't you invite me then?"

"I uhh, I didn't know if you wanted to come, I mean it was a play."

"What? If it's with you, of course I would like to come and since I never met this Xiang that you mentioned, even more awesome."

"Oh, well I'm sorry for not inviting you then."

"No problem. I get to spend time with you now though."

"Gil, stop harassing Matt," exclaimed Arthur.

"What? I am not harassing him. I'm just talking to him," retorted Gil.

"Well stop bothering him so he can get those plates out of his hands."

"Well he doesn't seem to mind it. Right Mattie?"

"Huh? Uhh, yeah I'm fine."

"See, nothing to worry about," exclaimed Gil.

"Fine but at least help him out."

Gil lifted his arm off of Matthew and then went into the kitchen to get other plates to serve everyone. Matt placed the stack of fresh pancakes onto the coffee table and Gil came back quickly with plates for everyone. Xiang got two, Alfred didn't want any, Arthur wanted four and Gil wanted eight which lead to a small competition between the Englishman and Prussian. Xiang, Al and Matt could only watch as the two began to devour the pancakes, each not letting up. Matthew had to run back to the kitchen every now and then to restock on pancakes since the two were going through them quickly. After about an hour of endless pancake eating the two finally stopped but Xiang silently kept count and Gilbert had eaten one more than Arthur. Even with the amount eaten, Gil didn't seem at all phased by the amount of carbohydrates he had consumed while Arthur looked like he was on the verge of vomiting.

"Thanks for the meal Mattie; that was delicious."

"No problem Gil. Arthur? Are you okay?"

"I'm…Fine. I just need to lie down for a while."

"Umm, okay then. "

While Arthur was taking a short nap, Xiang excused himself and went to bed, Alfred had to go home and the last two began to chat for a bit about how the play went. Surprisingly, Gil was somewhat interested with it but mostly on Matthew's opinion.

"Oh you should have seen it Gil. It was so romantic yet so sad. Xiang performed amazingly."

"Is that so? Well I wish I could have come and seen it then."

"Yeah, I was kind of surprised that Xiang could act so well and kiss his friend even though she wasn't his girlfriend. That should have been awkward for any two."

"Maybe they both just like each other and can't confess it," joked Gil.

"Hmm, I think you may be right Gil."

"I am?"

"Yeah, I mean, it would make sense. Seeing that they're best friends and how natural all that romance seemed to occur with them."

"Hmm, romance huh? Speaking of that, would you like to go out tomorrow?"

Matt began to blush and his answer came out very shyly, "W-what, umm, sure."

"Awesome. I guarantee you'll have a great time."

Unknown to the both of them, Arthur had woken up at just the moment where they talked about tomorrow and he couldn't help but feel a sense of over whelming jealousy and rage. Xiang expected such a thing from how they were all acting and lied to them that he was going to bed when instead he waited at the corner of the stair case, hidden behind the wall. He now had an entirely new problem; he had to make a choice between giving Matthew or Arthur their own happiness. Matthew, who he has treated as his own brother and even more so, being able to tell him almost anything. Then there was Arthur, who has cared for him since he was young and even though he doesn't like him as much as Matthew, still cares about the British man. Xiang took out his cell phone and began to make a call to a certain girl.

"Hello?" answered Mei.

"Mei, it looks like we have another mission to attend to," he whispered.

"Really? Well this should be exciting if you're calling me this late."

"Well, it's important. That much I can say."

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. All rights go to Hidekaz Himaruya

All credit of North Korea OC goes to Lo-wah.

A/N:

Sorry about the late update everyone but it's finally up. Well you can probably guess the amount of drama that's about to happen now. Who will end up with who? Well I can't spoil that for you, just know that this will be interesting to say the less. Also, I've been having major writer's block so I'm sorry to say that I'll be going on a bit of a hiatus. Yeah, I know you guys don't want to hear that but I just don't know what to write anymore and I need a break. I promise though that as soon as I get out of this slump, I'll get back to this. I have all the plots ready, just can't put enough substance into it, sorry. Reviews are greatly appreciated and any advice to get out of a writer's block will be much appreciated. Thanks to the readers and reviews. Bye for now.