Hi~ this is my last chapter. Sorry for the long wait, I kept on forgetting to upload this cause I had been really busy at work. Thank you so much for your comments and supports. I am already planning for my next story though it might take some time to complete. :D
Chapter 10 – Falling for you
Arthur's heart was heavy with sorrow. He checked his phone for the hundredth time and there was still no message from him at all. He knew that Alfred would not contact him again after what happened. But he couldn't help but hope that Alfred will change his mind. A tear trickled down his cheek at the thought of never seeing Alfred again.
It would be Christmas next week and he felt miserable all over again. He knew he had to pull himself together, otherwise he would not be able to perform on Christmas morning. But all he really wanted to do was just curl under the warmth of his blanket and escaped from reality.
Christmas was just in three days. There was no class until after Christmas. Everyone was busy decorating the hall for the School's annual Christmas ball. There will be several performances scheduled on Christmas morning by the various clubs such as the Drama Club and the Music club.
While Alfred didn't have a date yet, Christmas Ball was unsurprisingly the last thing on his mind. He wasn't sure he even had the mood to attend either. He leaned against the far wall in the hall, letting his mind wander as students rushed past him, doing last minute preparation. He didn't help. He didn't want to help.
He was going to leave early to the airport to pick up Matthew Williams, his cousin who was flying all the way from Canada to celebrate Christmas with him and his family. The young Canadian looked very much like Alfred, except his hair was longer and he had a nicer personality compared to Alfred.
"Hey, Matt. It's been so long!" Alfred gave Matthew a manly hug as soon as he came out from the arrival hall.
Matthew hugged back, "Al, I missed you! I take it everything is well for you?"
Alfred only gave him a look of sadness. This is Matthew. His cousin, his best friend. He can confide anything with him. "Let's talk about it when we get home, ok?"
That night, Alfred told Matthew everything.
"So, do you love him?" Matthew asked finally, after listened to his story.
"If I know, I won't be asking you, man," he shrugged helplessly.
"Ah I see! Let me show you something, Al," Matthew rummaged in his wallet and showed Alfred a picture of him with another guy. They were snuggled close together, with pure bliss on their expression. "That's my boyfriend," he smiled warmly.
Alfred looked at him in shocked. "Your.. your boyfriend?"
"Yep," Mathew nodded cheerily.
"How can you bear it? People looking at you two like you were freaks?" Alfred wondered aloud.
"On the contrary, we rarely care about what others think. Al, I knew better than anyone what happened to you in the past. The past is the past, you have to let go," Matthew urged. "And you are clearly in love with this Arthur guy here but you are just too stubborn to admit it." Then, he whacked Alfred hard on the back of his head.
"What did you do that for?"
"Thought you needed that," Matthew said innocently. Then he added, "What do you think is more important? Arthur or what other people think? This is your life! Ask yourself this, does people's opinion really matter that much? Do you want to give up Arthur just because you are afraid of what other people think? I think that is just silly."
Alfred was quiet, letting Matthew's words slowly sink in.
So that was why he was feeling so irritated when he saw Francis with Arthur. He was actually feeling jealous. And there was the way he was attracted to him and why he was so afraid to do anything that might hurt Arthur. And the way he panicked when Arthur overheard him talking to Antonio. He couldn't denied but he found he didn't want to lie to Arthur either. Because he had came to value Arthur more than he realized. He thought back to the time they spent together and couldn't help but smiled. Everything he ever did was just an excuse to spend time with Arthur. Gosh, I think Matt is right. I do like Arthur. More than I realized. I am an idiot, after all.
"But I am afraid… I am still scared about what people are gonna think," he admitted to Matthew.
"Of course you would be. It's only normal to. You're human. Not everyone will be so accepting in the beginning but just give them time, eventually, the right people will come to accept it. And those who don't? Screw them!" Matthew said. "Why don't you try inviting him to the ball, Al," Matthew suggested gently.
"Will he still go to the ball with me? After how I hurt him?" Alfred wondered.
"Nothing's gonna change if you just sit there. Try calling him now!" Matthew urged.
"Now?"
"YES! What are you waiting for?"
Alfred grumbled then he dialed Arthur's number, which he memorized by heart, on his cellphone. "No answer." He repeated the calls a few times but there was still no answered. Alfred slumped down on his bed. "He is not answering! He hates me now."
"And you are just going to give up just like that? Where is your spirit? Go to his place now!" Matthew aimed a kick at Alfred.
"Ok ok! Wow, you are being so demanding today!" Alfred said as he backed away from Matthew. "Thanks for the advice, man. Wish me luck?" Then he ran off.
Five missed calls.
Arthur was curled up like a ball on his bed. He knew Alfred would try to call him but he didn't want to answer. He longed to hear Alfred's voice but he was afraid to. He wasn't sure how he would react. He just wasn't ready to. So he let his phone ring… and ring… and ring…
He felt tired. He wanted to sleep… He thought as he squeezed his eyes shut.
After ringing the door bells at Arthur's house for three times and receiving no response, Alfred gave up. He looked up towards the window where Arthur's room was and wondered if he was there. I will try to contact him again.
It was now Christmas, and Alfred still hadn't seen Arthur. He missed him. He had tried calling him many times but to no avail. He even messaged Arthur telling him that he wanted to see him but there was also no reply. At first he was worried that something might have happened to Arthur. However, after a second trip to his place and his parents telling him that Arthur did not wish to see anyone, he understood clearly that Arthur was avoiding him.
He will show up for the play, I know he will. Alfred thought, folding his program book over and over again.
The hall was decorated with multi-colour lights and a large Christmas tree stood in the middle. Soon, the hall was filled with excited students, waiting to see the performances. He was looking forward to seeing Arthur again. He checked the programme book and found that the drama club will be the first to perform.
The light in the hall grew dim, signaling the start of the performance.
"Ladies and gentlemen! First up is our very own Drama Club who will be performing their rendition of Romeo and Juliet!" The announcer said loudly.
And there he was, looking elegant in his Romeo costume. Alfred had never realized how small Arthur looked until now. Arthur did not disappoint his audiences as he put on what Alfred thought was an amazing show.
When the performance ended, Alfred tried to catch him backstage but to his disappointment, he wasn't able to find him.
This was starting to drive Alfred crazy, he wanted so badly to tell Arthur how he felt, especially now that he finally understood how he felt. And he didn't want to do it over the phone. He knew he have to do something. He took out his phone and tried to call again. As expected, there was no answer. This idiot! Then Alfred sent a message.
Please come to the ball tonight. I need to speak to you urgently.
Arthur stood at the far corner of the hall by the refreshment table that night. He sighed and wondered for the hundredth times why he was here. He didn't feel like attending the ball but a part of him was tugging at him, telling him to come. He really, really wanted to see Alfred again. Even if it was just a glimpse from afar.
God forgive me, but I miss that git.
Even though Arthur was not in the mood for celebration, but that didn't stop him from dressing up properly. So for this occasion, he had chosen to wear a grey fullback vest over a white dress shirt, with black and white striped tie underneath a black slim fit jacket blazer with peak lapel.
He glimpsed at the big clock on the wall, it was only eight o'clock in the evening. The night was still young but the dance floor was already packed with students. He still hadn't really decided whether to meet Alfred or not.
"That was a good performance, Arthur. You did a great job, as always," Vargas praised. Beilschmidt was standing behind Vargas. Oh, they are here together, Arthur noted.
"Thanks, I couldn't have done it without you all." He smiled as he raised his glass of juice to Vargas.
"Ladies and Gentleman, may I have your attention please, is Mister Arthur Kirkland in the house?"
Arthur looked toward the stage in surprised at the mentioned of his name. Everyone had stopped doing what they were doing and looked around, whispering.
"I repeat? Is Mister Arthur Kirkland in the house?" The voice continued.
"There! There he is!" Someone exclaimed loudly.
Music began to play softly over the speaker. He recognized it as the starting music of the song Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade.
Arthur was still dazed and wondered what was going on. People were clearing ways in front of him all of a sudden and that was when he saw Alfred, looking so charming in his dark gray layered style slim vest over brown plaid dress shirt. The sleeves of his dress shirt were pulled to his elbows. Even his hair was slicked back neatly.
Alfred was advancing toward him, his eyes steadily holding Arthur's.
The best thing bout tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before?
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core
There was a loud roar in Arthur's ears as he tried to absorb what was happening. Students were whispering excitedly to each other. And Alfred was staring at him with an expression so gentle and so tender that he was captivated. Am I dreaming? He wondered. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.
But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night
That I will fall for you over again
Don't make me change my mind
Alfred was already standing in front of Arthur by now.
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
"Arthur, can I have this dance?" Alfred took a bow clumsily.
Arthur was still staring at him. So much for avoiding him. He thought. Arthur pinched his own cheeks and felt a slight pain. This is not a dream.
"Arthur, I am sorry for hurting you before. Will you give me another chance? Please?" Alfred said softly as he held a hand toward Arthur.
"Do it!" "Dance with him!" People around him were chanting.
Arthur's face flushed with embarrassment. He noticed that Alfred's hand shook a little as he took his hand. Gosh, he must be feeling so nervous now. And in front of the entire school body!
The song, Fall for You was repeated again. Alfred put his other arm around Arthur's waist and they began to slow dance to the song.
"Are you sure? Is this really what you want?"
"I was an idiot. I was too afraid to admit that I had fallen for you. I knew you wouldn't believe me even if I tried to tell you. I knew I screwed up. I thought if I announced it in front of everybody…" his voice trailed off.
"You.. you git! How can you be so sure I would accept you," Arthur huff.
"'Course I do! How could you resist my charm!" Alfred winked with confidence.
And with that, Arthur melted, literally. "You are impossible!" He gave Alfred a little shoved on the chest and looked sideway.
"You will give me another chance, right?" Alfred asked as he put a finger under Arthur's chin and forced Arthur to look at him in the eyes.
Arthur gave a tiny nodded and Alfred cheered loudly. There were thunderous sounds of clapping around them and that was when Arthur realized that everyone was looking and listening to them the whole time.
"I love you," Alfred confessed, holding both Arthur's hand and kissing his knuckles tenderly.
"Me… me too," Arthur mumbled, his face turning as red as his ears. Then he broke into a joyful smile. His heart soaring with happiness.
Alfred gave Arthur a long lingering kiss before embracing him again, swaying to the music. Alfred was humming the song in Arthur's ear.
Because a guy like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find
~End~
Note: link to the song will be on my profile as well as the picture of costumes worn by Alfred and Arthur in the last scene. :D