Arthur's jaw hung loose as he processed everything Francis had just said to him. He felt the urge to screech out due to exasperation from the accusation. However, being the gentleman he strives to be, he kept his tone down and whispered to Francis. "How do you know this? Either you are a god of love or your perception is excellent..."

"I won't deny that I'm a god, mon ami. Mais, Natalia dropped her papers by her locker, un jour. My locker is next to hers and I was there when she dropped it. I went to help la fille, but then I saw a heart with her name and Ivan's inside it... And more hearts... Then more hearts... Did I mention more hearts? And m-"

"I get your point." Arthur rose his hand up to silence the Frenchman. "I think we should tell Ivan, though..."

"I'm sure he all ready kno-"

"I'll tell him after school. I'll slip the poor sod a note during lu-"

"Slow down Arthur." Francis interrupted, finally gaining control of the conversation. "Why do we need to tell him?"

"To warn him. Bloody hell Francis, have you been following along?"

"We should warn Alfred, stupide. Not Monsieur Ivan." Francis explained, trying to dissuade Arthur from spreading the dirty little secret to the poor victim. Francis shifted in his seat, a tad bit uncomfortable, as he glanced around to see if there were any prying eyes. "Eat lunch with Alfred and tell him. So then he won't be stupid and flirt with Natalia. It'd be a shame if you confess to him while he has bruises on his face!"

"I don't think those people at Alfred's lunch table will accept my existence near then..." Now it was Arthur's turn to shift uncomfortably in his chair. "Well, granted, you're there. But everyone will probably think of me as your ex."

"Then go eat in the gym. You have to tell him."

The bell shrieked, causing the students to gather up their papers and make a dash to their next class or to visit with their group of friends. Francis and Kiku slipped on their backpacks and bid adieu. Arthur stood from his desk, after retrieving his red homework folder from within the endless void of his bag, he placed the folder-now carrying his calculus worksheets-on top his textbook and cradled it in his arms. With his messenger bag styled backpack slung over his shoulder, Arthur disembarked from the classroom as he was texting Alfred.

'Go to the gym for lunch. We need to talk ASAP.' Arthur typed out with his thumb as he maneuvered through the crowded hallways while staring down at his phone. However, not even a minute had slipped on by before Arthur glanced back down and added. 'No talking to Natalia either.'

The cell phone buzzed in his hand as Arthur walked into the journalism room-being greeted by Feliciano saying his signature "Ve~" to his boyfriend Ludwig. Arthur set his stuff down in front of his assigned computer before his eyes glanced over the text messages.

':'('

'Sure dude... I'll see ya there'

Arthur patiently sat on the dull red colored bleachers inside the school's gym. He tapped his foot as he waited and he munched on one of the scones his mother made the night before. It had been ten minutes since lunch began, and Arthur was seriously considering the possibility that Alfred ditched him and ventured off to go flirt with Natalia. The Brit was about ready to pull out his cell phone and assault Alfred with loads of texts demanding where he was then and there, but the doors leading in busted open and in came the American... With a greasy bag of McDonald's in his hands.

"Yo! Sorry dude!" He proclaimed right as he stepped onto the glossy wooden floors of the gym. "I left to go get lunch."

The Brit watched as Alfred climbed up the steps to reach where his friend was situated at top. "At least you're here..." Arthur sighed as Alfred took a seat beside him. He waited for Alfred to finish opening the brown bag, along with one of his burger wrappers, before he spoke again. "Natalia is not the girl leaving the notes. Sorry to burst your bubble..."

Alfred prematurely swallowed a chunk of hamburger he bit out of his cheeseburger. "Huh!" He indulged in a second to ensure the chunk traveled safely down his throat. "But, I saw her leave my locker! She had to have left the newest note."

"Listen to me, you bloody idiot, I know who it is. Remember? That's why you asked me to help you." Arthur scolded as he solemnly shook his head. "Besides... Natalia is in love with..." His voice turned quiet as he reached the end of his sentence.

"Dude, what was that?"

"I said, Natalia is in love with..."

"With who?"

"Her..."

"Speak up, bro."

"Ugh, her own brother for God's sake!"

Arthur was thankful that Alfred finished his burger, otherwise it would have slid right out of his hands due to the shocked state he was in. "WHAT THE HELL? HER OWN B-"

Before Alfred could finish screaming his sentence to the heavens, Arthur clasped his hand over Alfred's mouth to ensure anyone walking on by wouldn't hear. "You don't have to yell!" He stated after Alfred was done muffling his sentence into his hand. "It's the truth."

Once Arthur redrew his hand, Alfred said. "How the hell do you know this?"

"Well, Francis told me after he peeked at your text. I don't trust the wanker with most things. However, when it comes to knowing other peoples personal business? I believe him."

"Ew... She's in love with Ivan... Of all people..."

"Yes, I believe I all ready stated th-"

"Then, who's left?" Alfred interrupted, trying to erase the mental image of Natalia and Ivan as a lovey-dovey couple.

Arthur immediately began to dig through his backpack, in order to retrieve the holy notepad. He took the liberty of crossing out Natalia's name as Alfred began to munch on his large order of fries-munching at a hastened pace that his large order of fries was nearly gone. "Laura and me."

"Who's Laura again?"

"The Belgian girl who likes cats."

Alfred's mouth formed an 'O' shape as he remembered this fabled Emma. "Is that all for today?"

"Yes, unless you want to investigate after school."

"Nah dude." Alfred stood up and slid on his backpack. "I got plans after school. Maybe tomorrow." He grabbed ahold of his greasy lunch bag-which now only contained another order of large fries-before he began to descend down the stairs. Arthur appeared defeated and crushed by the rejection Alfred nonchalantly presented him, and it made it even worse when Alfred shared, "I'm gonna go sit with my friends 'till lunch's over. See ya dude!"

"Goodbye..." Arthur muttered as he watched Alfred exit the gym.

Alfred slumped back in his seat, his back hitting the painted white brick wall behind him, as he sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose before returning to the scone he was taking nibbles out of earlier. All the while, he couldn't shake some odd, foreign, feeling off. It honestly felt as if he was being watched. However, since Arthur had taken note that the gym was empty when he walked in, he tried his best to ignore the nagging feeling.

Unbeknownst to him, someone was indeed eavesdropping on him.