Something weird had happened whilst I was hanging out at Ivan's house. Not bad weird, but not really good weird either. Well, I guess good weird… But just really, really weird. I had started to enjoy myself.

In my defense, it hadn't started out like that! In fact, my little visit to his house had started really boring and awkward. Apart from my apology, it was all little blips of speech about me being Ivan's only friend and whatnot. And it had started to make me feel pretty depressed.

The poor guy really DIDN'T have any other friends! I mean, it sure didn't seem like he tried very hard to make them, but I really think that he couldn't help it. He was always blushing like a schoolgirl or grinning like a serial killer. That was what usually turned people away.

But he wasn't really such a bad guy! Sure he was awkward, and really freakin' scary at times, but he could be really hilarious, too! He had a lot of good qualities that went unnoticed because his bad ones were just so blatant and freaky.

So, my five-minitue-apology-visit turned into a five hour thing. I know, how did I live through it? I guess it was those damn brownies- they were amazing! That Katyusha lady sure was hell of a cook!

He and I chatted about school, but the conversation easily went to the pressing topped of the bet.

"You know I'm so not going to lose, Ivan!" I remarked smugly. He shook his head.

"We still have many days to go, chelovek,{" he replied, smirking. I rolled my eyes, though my previous thoughts of more perverted or scary commands came back to me. And I was alone in his house, too! Yeesh…

"Pppfftt!" I scoffed loudly. "But you haven't even really DARED me to do anything yet! And what does 'chello-veck' mean?"

"Kakoy? do you WANT me to make bad commands?" He said, feigning genuine surprise, face still adorning that same evil smirk.

"No! That's not what I meant! I mean, like, you made a whole big deal out of all of this and you're just sort of going easy on me and stuff-"

"So you DO want me to make you do harder things."

"NO! Weren't you listening? I just meant that you seemed to be almost sort of chickening out on me and going so and I'm the hero so you don't need to do anything like that but I still don't mean that I want that or any-"

"Stop rambling. I'll take that as a yes~" He purred teasingly. I felt my blood go cold and my face turn red from anger and embarrassment. Why, all of the sudden, did he think he had some sort of REAL control over me? If worse comes to worst, I'll just run away to Alaska…

But it's not like I could voice that. No, 'Stop ranting' was a direct command. Did it mean stop talking in general, or stop talking about the bet, or just be quiet for a minute or something else?

"You can talk, Fredka, but not in such run-on sentences, pazhalsta," he clarified. I rolled my eyes ad pretended that I knew that. That can be our little secret, okay?

"Wait… you're welcome?"

"Nyet, I meant it as please. It means both."

"Oh yeah, I forgot…." I shrugged. "Oh, and by the way… What does that whole chello thing mean again?"

He offered a noncommittal shrug. "It mean like young man, I suppose." He didn't seem to be lying. Not that I could really tell the difference.

"Oh. I just wanted to make sure you weren't cussin' me out in Commie."

"Not communist, chelovek. And it is called Russian."

"Pppssshhh, sor-ry!" I said, sarcastically awesomely. And Russia is still totally Communist. I mean, Socialism and Communism are the same thing! He doesn't even know that about his own country! The edumucation there must be horrible, no wonder he came here to learn!

"Well…." He leaned back in his chair and got a look in his eyes that made me want to run for the hills. "Let us have little bit of fun!"

"Stop! It won't fit!" I screeched. Ivan only chuckled darkly, ignoring my requests for him to stop.

"Nyet, nyet, it will!~ I promise~" His voice was positively dripping with evil. Damn him! How could I get myself into this situation?

"Nooo!~"I whined, but he took no heed in my begging. He reached over and gripped my stick, pushing my own hands away.

"I told you, it will! Now shut up and just let me do it, Capitalist filth!"

"No, damn Commie jackass!" I tried to move his hands, but his grip was too strong. "P-please~"

"Nyet! I told you! There are FOUR spaces! Not three, you dolt! Can you not see?" He pointed to the screen and effectively turned the longest piece on it's side with the joystick, completing a row and filling the room with the winning music.

"Damn you! I can so count! You totally cheated with your stupid Commie powers! I hate you!" I stood and threw the controller at him. I should have NEVER challenged him to Tetris. Who knew that he was the fucking best? I sure didn't! All you gotta' do is match up stupid little blocks! I thought that I'd be able to win… And, of course, HE can do it better and make the stupid long piece fit!

"Ufu~ I told you, Alfredka~" He giggled.

A thought came to me and I turned to him, smirking. "How about we play one of MY favorite games?" He shrugged and I set it up.

I beat him in EIGHT. SECONDS. FLAT. Heh, beat THAT, Commie!

"What the Hell?" He said, dumbfounded. After a few minutes he threw his controller in the air and groaned.

"M-my controller is broken!"

"You always say that!" I happily replied. We had been playing for at least four hours, and he had been determined to try and beat me. Fat chance. I smiled cutely.

"Ah… This character is RUBBISH!" He replied angrily.

"Heh, you always say that, too!" And yet he still picked the same character each time…

He was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "Best of three?"

"Whatevs!" So we played for a few more rounds, me still beating him.

"I have no idea how you are so good at that…" He commented as we took a break for a snack.

"Dude, I don't ever do anything else besides play video games! World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Red Dead Redemption, and SKYRIM!" I gleefully accepted a soda and cast a glance to the clock. "HOLY FUCK."

It was almost NINE. NINE I TELL YOU. God damn, I had to get home!

"What is it Fredka? I-" He looked over at the clock and was shocked. "It is that late already? How did… I don't even…" He motioned to the door nervously. "You must leave, now!"

"That's okay with me!" I replied quickly, putting my shoes back on and rushing to the door. "See ya tomorrow, big guy!"

He called out a reply, but I had left already, running as fast as I could to make it back to my house. As soon as I got to the door I knew that I was in for it. I was NEVER going to hear the end of it from Mom!

I silently opened the door and tiptoed to the stairs, hoping my mom was upstairs or had the TV on or something..

"Oh, Alfred, you're home." Her voice was far too calm. I swallowed nervously.

"Y-yeah, Mom… Sorry that I was o-out so late…"

"Where were you?" She appeared in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed and hair up. So she was working… I had probably got her all nervous, too!

"I-Ivan's… I'm so sorry-"

"Oh? Did you have a good time?" What the…? She sounded almost… cheerful.

Sorry guys, that this update took forever and it's not that great. The good news is that I got into my Russian Language and Culture online course through VHS, so I'll have at least five minutes a day to upload new chapters!

Some itty bitty plot points are introduced, and Alfie's mum may be giving away too much with her... happiness... -evil grin-

I hope you all enjoy this, I should have the next update by Thursday! LOVE YOU ALL~!~! YOU MAKE ME HAPPY!