A/N: Before I begin this chapter, I have a word of real-life advice for everyone: NEVER get a haircut if you aren't positive you want it! Ugh...


December 17th

Ivan glanced up when Matthew returned to the library. "What was that about?"

"Oh, nothing," Matthew sighed, sitting back down and taking a sullen bite of his sandwich. "Arthur's in a bad mood today, and something happened to his face."

"Well I saw him talking to Michelle," Ivan pointed out. "He didn't look too happy about whatever she was telling him."

"Ah, it's unfortunate that all these things are happening." Matthew checked his watch. "We've only got a few minutes left. You ready for some more finals?"

Ivan groaned. "Nyet."


After a few minutes, Arthur stood up, brushed himself off, and headed back inside. He had no desire to return to the cafeteria or the library, and besides, the lunch period was almost over. Arthur shuffled to his locker. Ever since December 1st, he was starting to look more and more like a zombie with every passing day. He knew Alfred and Francis would be wondering where he was, but he didn't have the energy to care. They'd get along fine without him anyway.

The hallways were deserted. Arthur noticed Katyusha Braginskaya, the Ukrainian senior, hanging up Student Government posters on the walls, but that was it.

Arthur opened his locker. To his relief, there wasn't a note accusing him of murder. But there was something else.

A single rose sat on his Chemistry textbook, a string and a note looped delicately around the stem. Arthur grabbed the flower and looked at the note with interest.

I love you. -E.H.

At that moment, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Arthur knew that in a few seconds, the hall would flood with people rushing to get to their lockers and their next class. He shoved the rose back into his bookbag and slammed the door shut.

The blond headed to his English class and quickly found his seat.

E.H.?

That had to be Elizaveta Héderváry. It had to be.

But wait. Why would Elizaveta say she hated Arthur and then turn around and leave a rose and a love confession in his locker?

As students began to file into class, Arthur discreetly reached into his bag and took out the rose. It was real and sweet-smelling and confusing. In the past forty-five minutes, Arthur's emotions had been tossed around so much he was beginning to wonder if he could call his mother to come pick him up. Mathias was taking a mental health day (if such a thing exists). Maybe Arthur could too.

"Here's the test. Fill in each answer space clearly and darkly. If you must erase, do so completely," the teacher instructed, passing out test copies.

Arthur found it hard to concentrate on the exam. He kept reminding himself that no matter how bad he felt, someone had it worse. Someone had it worse than a cut cheek and a confusing love life. Someone had it worse than two dead friends, Arthur told himself over and over.

But it didn't really make him feel any better.

December 18th

"I hate Thursdays," Michelle grumbled, taking a sip of coffee.

Elizaveta rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it! One day away from freedom." The two friends were in the entry hall, waiting for Mei. People were just beginning to show up for school that morning, as it was still pretty early.

The door opened and a blast of chilly air rushed into the building.

"G'morning, Mathias!" Elizaveta said, smiling. "Where were you?"

"Oh..." He looked confused for a second, then broke into his trademark megawatt smile. "I was sick. Sucks, 'cause I've gotta make up the exams I missed yesterday. But Michelle! I'd like a word with you."

Michelle raised an eyebrow. "Me? Okay, shoot."

"I just got an email, and it was the cast list for Spring Musicale. So I asked Vladimir Lupei, who, as you know, is the Drama Club president this year. I said, 'Hey, Vlad, why didn't ya cast Michelle? From what I hear, she's one hella good actress.' And you know what he said?"

Michelle looked nervous and stunned. Elizaveta was obviously confused.

Mathias grinned. "He told me, 'Oh, Mathias, she never tried out.'" The Dane winked at Elizaveta and headed into the academic hallway.

Elizaveta frowned. "Auditions? Spring Musicale? The day I..."

"You what?" Michelle demanded.

"I stayed after," Elizaveta whispered. "I saw you on Monday afternoon..."

"So you didn't audition!" Michelle exclaimed.

"Well, neither did you!" Elizaveta fired back. "You didn't even tell me you were staying after!"

"Oh my God, Elizaveta!" Michelle yelled. "You're the one who never tells me anything. I swear! Like with Arthur and Matthew saving your life. You never said a thing! Oh, and I know all about—"

"What?" demanded Elizaveta. "You know all about what?"

Michelle clamped her mouth shut and shook her head.

"Tell me!" Elizaveta exclaimed. "I thought we were friends! You shouldn't keep secrets from me!"

"Says the person who lies about everything!" Michelle hissed. "I know how many secrets you're keeping, Elizaveta. I don't want to be friends. Bella was right. You're a bitch!" Michelle flipped her hair over one shoulder, grabbed her bag, and stormed into the hallway, leaving Elizaveta stunned.


"Ivan, can we talk?"

Ivan looked up from his book. "Oh. Elizaveta? Sure, what is the matter?"

Elizaveta sat next to Ivan's desk. "Everything. I just—okay, I know we aren't exactly best friends, but we got through the vodka thing, so I thought maybe—"

"You can talk to me," Ivan said. "Go on. What's wrong?"

"Thanks." Elizaveta looked down at the floor. "I was talking to Michelle a few minutes ago, and she got really huffy. And she started talking about secrets."

Alarm lit Ivan's eyes. "Maybe she's a secret-keeper. We could get another secret-keeper—maybe Emil or Natalia—to talk to her."

Elizaveta jumped up. "Oh, I know! Michelle said something about Arthur. I should go talk to him!"

Ivan shrugged, looking back down at his book. "Sure. I think he's in the library. You've got fifteen minutes before first bell." Elizaveta thanked Ivan again and rushed into the bright hallway. She noticed Bella.

Michelle had mentioned Bella.

Elizaveta wanted to talk to the Belgian. But it wasn't like she could just stroll up and say, "Hey, Bella, Michelle said you thought I was a bitch."

Instead, Elizaveta walked over to Bella and plastered a smile on her face. "Oh, Bella! That lipstick color is so pretty."

Bella nodded in reply, glancing in the small mirror mounted on her locker. He lips curved into a catlike grin. "Thanks, Elizaveta."

"It's such a bright red," Elizaveta commented. "I'm sure Michelle would love that color, too."

Bella's smile faltered a bit. "Um, yeah. I guess!"

"I mean Michelle's just been acting so weirdly," Elizaveta breezed on. "She happened to mention you earlier today—"

The pleasant smile on Bella's face disappeared and she slammed her locker shut. "Listen," she growled, her accent growing stronger, "you're messing around where you don't belong." Her red lips twisted into a sneer. "Besides, Elizaveta, I'd be a lot better for us—for everyone—if you'd just disappear."

Elizaveta opened her mouth, racking her brain for a reply—for anything—when a hand rested on her shoulder. Elizaveta turned. "Ivan?"

Bella rolled her eyes and began walking down the hall, disappearing.

Ivan's eyes widened. "Are you crying?"

Elizaveta sniffled. "Y-yeah. Anyway, what's up?"

"Arthur stopped by my class a few minutes ago," Ivan said quietly, though no one was listening.

"W-why?" Elizaveta hiccupped.

"He and Kiku and Tino are in the library. You're going to want to see this."

The bell rang.

"We only have five minutes until class starts," Elizaveta protested.

Ivan shook his head. "This is more important, I promise."

"What is it, though?" Elizaveta asked as she and Ivan began walking to the school's Media Center.

Ivan grimaced. "It looks like someone's going to get expelled after all."