Roderich

I was starting to wonder if I was making the right choices. I mean, one night looking through three thin portfolios is enough, right? I was lucky enough to have made my decision before the break of dawn. At times I would question my own sanity because the usual Roderich wouldn't spend that much money on something as stupid as this 'Kissing Program'.

But of course, the memories of Ludwig and Lovino laughing still haunt me. So I have to do this to do some pay back.

And morning found me calling for Elizaveta, who apparently wasn't answering any of my calls. She eventually answered on god-knows-what try.

"What?"

"Sheesh. Is that how you greet your best friend in the morning?"

"Roddy, you woke me up in an ungodly hour! Why wouldn't I be cranky? Girls need their beauty sleep, too! Now, tell me what you need to tell me, or I'll drop the call."

"Can you help me choose what I'm gonna wear today?"

"Roddy!" Elizaveta exclaimed. "Your father is one if the world's most famous fashion designers! One of the best! Why on earth didn't you take after him? Are you sure you're his son?"

"Elizaveta, are you going to help me, or just question my lineage?" I asked.

"Fine," she said sighing. "But you so owe me that really pretty and expensive dress we saw the other day when we were shopping, okay?"

"Whatever. It's yours." I quickly replied.

"Damn you, rich kid..." she muttered. "But sorry I can't go to your house today! I have a club outing today and-"

"I won't accept any lame excuses this time," I said, but she cut me off, saying, "Listen to me! Do you remember the grey vest we bought the other day? Wear that over any white polo you have and wear some black slacks and you're good to go! And just wear any brown loafers you have. It suits you."

"Are you sure I'll look presentable?" I asked.

"Dead sure, Roddy. Also, it would really give a very attractive look if you slick back your hair and not wear your glasses today. Just use the prescription contacts I got you." she said, and it sounds like she was packing something over on the other line.

Whatever, I just let that pass. My extensions would be useless if I just let them down, so why not give some style to my hair? And I've only ever had one hairstyle my whole life.

"Copy!" I said.

"Great. Now, see you in two days! My club and I will be heading to Japan. Courtesy of Kiku of course. I'll be back soon, I promise!" she said, before adding, "Anyways, good luck Roddy! Gotta go!" And then she hung up on me.

I took out the grey vest and white polo she insisted, along with all the other garments she said, and wore them. I must say, I look pretty damn good.

The grey vest was a little tight, but it sure gives me a flattering figure. Not like a woman's Coca Cola in a bottle figure, but male supermodel-like body-or like Adonis, the Greek god!

I'm still wondering how I remember my history lessons, though. It's the worst subject the world has ever seen.

Argh, school aside. I really, really don't want to talk about school right now. What was I gonna do? Oh, right. I'd better call them already. But it was too early, so I decided to get some sleep.

I found myself waking up seven hours later, which was not a good idea. I quickly took a bath and ironed the clothes I was going to wear. I took a quick lunch, and fixed myself up. A few perfume here and there, and oh, that's right, no glasses.

Once I did a last check if I looked decent enough, I called Antonio... I think. I'm not sure. I just dialed the number written on the folder.

He then picked up on the third ring. "Hello?"

He sounded a lot nicer than Gilbert did, that's for sure. "Yes, hello. Uh, is this Antonio Carriedo?" I asked.

"Si mi amigo! I'm guessing this is Roderich Edelstein?" he asked.

"Y-yes it is. Anyway, I've already decided my instructor. Is it alright if we meet up later?"

"Oh sure, no problem. I'm going to guess you chose... me?" He said, laughing.

I laughed myself, but said, "You'll find out later. Thanks. And see you!" I said.

"Meet us at Starbucks again by the mall, at 3:00 same place, ok? Same place." he said.

"Yeah. See you!" I was about to hang up but he seem to have muttered something.

He sent me a follow-up text message, saying, "Hey there! Don't be shy to us, okay? We'll be together for six months, so might as well start getting used to us being around you!"

I disregarded the text, but with all due respect, I simply replied, "Oh, haha, right. I'll try to open up as best as I could."

I sometimes wished that Antonio would be my instructor. He's a really great guy, I mean, all the girls would want a guy like him. Oh how I sometimes wished I was a girl.

Then I realized that I was lucky enough to be born as a guy and not experience whatever icky stuff girls go through. Well, let's not get into detail with that.

I did some final touch-ups and before I knew it, it was already time for me to 'confront' with them. Such a deep word, I know.

I arrived at the said meeting place almost an hour early, and thought I might be a little excited for what's gonna happen. But I was surprised to see that Antonio already seated there by one of the booths.

"You're a tad bit early, don't you think?" I said to him as a greeting, sitting down in the seat across him.

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" he asked. Ouch, just because I got a haircut and all those other make-over things doesn't mean he could easily forget me.

"I'm Roderich."

As soon as I said that, it was as if I was going to melt. My chest felt fluttery, just because of his smile.

"Roderich!" he exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise! I almost didn't recognize you! You look different! Totally different!"

Oh god, don't say those things, I wanted to say. I could feel a blush creeping onto my neck, but I tried to ignore that so Antonio wouldn't notice.

What I blurted out instead was, "Thanks, I got a makeover. With a little-or should I say, a LOT-of help from my friend." And I also gave him a small smile to compliment my statement.

"It looks good on you," he said. "You look more, handsome," he said, caressing my cheek.

I jerked my body in surprise, but he immediately took back his hand, and said, "Haha, sorry. I'm just so used to doing that to my other clients." I'm pretty sure my face was red right now. The blush that was creeping up my neck earlier was probably extending until my ears right now. Oh god, this is really embarrassing.

"Hehe, you're a cute guy. So, why're you so early?" I asked.

"I've always been an early bird," he said with a sheepish smile. "I really, really hate being late. And I always have a lot of spare time, so why not, right? Well, what about you, Roderich?"

"Same reason as you. I really hate to be tardy in occasions like this." I replied.

"Let's just wait for Gil and Francis," he said. "It'll take them a while, trust me."

We decided to order our food and before we knew it we fell into comfortable conversation. We talked about a variety of things, and I found out that he works at a bar (it took you that long to find that out, Sherlock?) and he seems to enjoy it. And he's a really talkative person, not that I don't mind. I'm really enjoying his company.

I asked him why they decided to start up a Kissing Program, he started talking a little less. He said that they weren't allowed to tell the reason why they started to make a business like this. I made this a point to figure out why when I soon start the program.

Before we knew it, it was already 10 minutes before the said meeting time, and the other guys still haven't arrived.

"They're still not here," I told him.

"They're most likely caught in the traffic. Again." He said with a sigh.

He fixated his eyes on something else and smiled. "Look, there's Gil,"

Gil-shortened of Gilbert, I assumed-went to our table when he recognized Antonio. He immediately plopped down the seat next to Antonio, without even bothering to greet us. Rude, I thought. But that wasn't new, he was like this ever since our first encounter. It's not as if I can change his attitude overnight, right?

Oh well, snobs will always be snobs. Gilbert and Antonio chatted for a while, leaving me to just patiently wait for their last member. What's wrong with that pervert? Doesn't he realize how much of other people's time he's wasting here?

After what seemed like eternity (but in reality was probably roughly 20 minutes) the last member arrived. He had an off-hand apology the moment he sat next to me, and said "Sorry I was late, I had a lesson to finish." He looked to me, and smiled. "You're Roderich, oui?"

"Yes I am." I answered curtly. "And I really hate latecomers. We've been waiting here for god knows how long! Who do you think you are? Would you think we'd just keep quiet here while you just waltz in here as if you were like the god Apollo himself and allow ourselves to forgive you this easily? I don't even think I give a single damn about your existence mi-"

He held my cheek just like what Antonio did early, and before I could even speak to protest, he's already planted his lips against mine. He's done it again. As much as the kiss was passionate enough, I pushed him away from me.

"What the hell!" I screamed. "Pervert! Molester! Rapist!" I threw at him while slapping him.

I then realized that people were already looking at us, and throwing us some strange looks and glances from the employees, but in this kind of situation, did it look like I care? I still kept screaming all sorts of things to call him, and before I knew it, I was speaking in German. Or should I say swearing in German.

Apparently, Gilbert seemed really creeped out and occasionally laughing. I asked him, forgetting to speak in English, "Was soll lachend? Wagen Sie es niche mich lustig machine!" He replied to me, in German as well, "Sie… sie rief ihn ein Schwein! Ich kann nicht lhre Wortwahl! Es enface za lusting!" The last part though, it was kinda offensive.

"Chill down!" Francis, if I remembered correctly, told me as he put a hand over my mouth, and gave the employee who was approaching our table his thousand-watt smile, and a flying kiss. The employee swooned and eventually went back to work.

What the actual hell! I was about to be raped, and they'd just forgive him for smiling at them?

Irritated, I bit his hand and once more pushed him away. Hey, I was desperate to win this fight, okay? More than anyone else. "What the hell did you do that for?!" I demanded.

He gave me a sly smile and tried to fix my bangs because they were getting in the way of my face already. I promptly swatted his hand away from my face, and of course, any part of my body.

"That's the only way I know how to make you keep quiet, mon ami," he replied, with a grin.