Sudden Turns

"Psst."

I glanced up from my French worksheet. The girl sitting in front of me passed me several scraps of paper.

I gave her a questioned look but she only timidly smiled and placed them on my desk.

Francis was helping another student with the worksheet at the other side of the classroom. Assured that he wouldn't nonchalantly walk by, I decided to see what was up. I picked one note from the pile.

"I'm sorry for being mean to you. -Signed..."

Okay? I looked at another one and it had a similar message. The rest did as well. What's going on?

"All right classe, whatever you don't finish now will be homework," Francis announced as he was erasing the white board. There was about five minutes left in class.

I stared at my half finished worksheet. Today I barely saw Ryan or Kyle all day, even during lunch; I wasn't targeted in PE during volleyball; I had apology notes in my locker rather than the usual hate messages; and Savannah's been seriously frustrated and directing all her anger in messing with me. She constantly tried to trip me in the halls and even spilled her morning coffee on me but... people defended me rather than laughed.

I twirled my hair around my finger. It's been a weird day. I looked toward the front of the room. Lilia's been gone too lately.

Ring ring ring.

Francis opened the door to let everyone out. "Bon week-end, mes anges {Have a great weekend, my angels}."

The majority of the class was girls. There was that deep sigh of affection from them all when he smiled sweetly at them. I rolled my eyes and collected my stuff.

"Did you finish your worksheet, ma cherie?"

I closed my bag. "Nope." I stood up and realized that I forgot something in my locker. "I'll be right back, Frenchie."

When I left the room I felt like a fish swimming upstream. Everyone was going out of the school while I was trying to reach the lockers at the other end of the hall.

I eventually tagged my lock. "Finally..." I grabbed my chemistry notes and started to make my way back to the room.

"Nana."

I blindly looked around as I kept walking. Did someone call me? Instantly, I was grabbed my wrist and pulled back. I met face to face with Ryan in an empty classroom.

Flustered, I shoved him away. "Wha-wha-what do you want?" And where was he all day?

"Guess why your day's been so-much-less-crappier?" He smiled at me, not fazed by the situation at all.

I combed my bangs back away from my face. "You noticed too?"

"Well, yeah, of course." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's because..."

I stared at him. It wasn't like him to be the troubled one. I sighed. "Could you hurry? I have someone waiting for me."

"You know how you didn't see me all day?"

I nodded. Much to my relief honestly.

"And you know how everyone's been nice to you all day?"

I crossed my arms. "Just get to the point."

"I told everyone the truth, about what happened to me and the car accident. They believed me and I had them apologize to you."

I gave him a blank stare. The truth...? How would anyone believe it after the rumors? Then again everyone knows Ryan and hearing the story from the person themselves is stronger than a claim... I dropped my arms and shook my head.

Ryan clasped his hands together. "Aren't you glad? You'll be able to go through school without worrying about stupid bullcrap floating around."

I just looked at him. I guess I felt a little relieved... I cast my gaze to the side. I owed him now... again.

"Nana?"

I faced him again. I couldn't get myself to say anything. 'Thank you' wouldn't form on my lips.

He looked a little flustered once more. It seemed like he wanted to say something else.

"Why did you do it?" I decided to break the awkward silence.

"Why..? Why ask why? You're my bud and I can't keep watching you struggle. Especially this time since I was part of it." He grinned, "Can't make myself look bad too, you know?"

Same old Ryan... I sighed. I met his wild blue eyes. "Well... thank you for that."

He blushed and turned away. I just watched him as he collected his thoughts.

Francis has to work later… Can't keep him waiting… "I got to go now..." I turned to leave the room.

"No, wait!" He grabbed my hand this time.

I was caught by surprise as he held his and my hand up. I stared at him while he was trying to figure out what to say next. It was really weird seeing 'Mr. Cool' fall into this. Probably hit his head too hard...

"Will you hang out with me tomorrow?- I mean I just want to catch up with you. You seemed busy over the summer and now it's school and all, you're probably freer over the weekend now, right?"

I blinked and tried to process the ramble in my head. "Hang out..?"

He nodded.

Well, I owed him and I don't really have homework... "I guess, fine."

He did a victory fist pump in the air. "T-that's awesome!- I mean I'm really glad."

I pulled my hand away from his and held onto my notebook. This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

Ryan recollected himself. "Can you meet me at the park around eleven?"

I thought back. Anything planned? Nope. "Yeah, sure..."

"Great!" He seemed super excited. "I'll see you later then!" He jumped out of the room in joy and I watched him leave the school with his friends.

What... just happened..?

It was the night. I sat on the couch after dinner and crossed my arms. I told my units about what happened.

"It's totally a date, dude."

"Definitely a date..."

"C'est un rendez-vous~."

"Ve~ you're going on a date?"

I rested my head against the wall. I knew it!

"I thought that was sweet of him though," said Ivan.

Alfred laughed. "Dude, I can't believe you said 'yes', especially after you kept hatin' on him."

I groaned. "And I can't just ditch him now..."

Feliciano patted my back. "Don't worry, just pretend it's an actual 'hang out' and things won't be so awkward."

"I guess," I sighed. "I don't even know what he has planned."

"Nice lunch, stroll in the park, the movies; who knows?" Francis leaned back in the couch. "But he was being like a certain stubborn head and couldn't ask you on a real date." He glanced over at Arthur.

"Are you implying that 'certain stubborn head' to be me by any chance?" He sneered at him.

I hit my head repeatedly against the wall. I couldn't do this but I didn't want to leave him alone. I should probably just take Feliciano's advice.

"Keep it up and you'll break the wall, aru."

I turned to Yao who had just finished washing the dishes. "You're like 4,000 years old," I dropped to my knees in front of him, "don't you have any advices, oh wise one?"

"Aiyah, just because I'm the oldest doesn't mean I know everything!" He crossed his arms. "But... I will just say take Feli's advice. It's probably best for you."

I hit my head against end of the couch. "Okay..."

The next day.

I swung up and down. Up and down. Up and down. I looked at my watch. He was ten minutes late. I dug my foot in the dirt to stop swinging on the swing. I looked down at my outfit. Francis and Feliciano just had to dress me up for this. I would have rather followed Alfred's idea of jeans and a hoodie, but no.

I wore a grey sleeveless top with a tan blazer, skinny jeans, and flats, which were now dirty from the ground. My hair was up in a half bun and I managed to avoid makeup being applied on me. I'm not a dress up doll...

"Sorry I'm late. Granny wouldn't…let...me..."

I looked up at the said late person.

"Whoa," he breathed, "Is that you, Nana?"

I stood up and put my hands on my hip. "Who else would be waiting for your sorry butt?"

"Yep, it's Nana." He went up to me to get a better look. "You... look great."

I just shrugged. "It feels like Barbie puked all over me..."

He just laughed and gawked at me for a bit more. It was getting uncomfortable so I walked away from him. "So..." I turned around, "Where do you want to go?"

He ended up taking me to see a movie I was not really familiar of, although it was pretty interesting. Ryan mocked me for not hearing about it. It wasn't my fault since I had no TV to see or hear anything about it. Then he took me to a small cafe for lunch.

I stared down at my lap. This definitely is like a date...

"Two iced mocha and club sandwiches, please," Ryan told the waiter.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Relieved to have something to distract me, I opened the text message. From Alfred?

"Nana~ don't be so tense. Just relax; you're only catching up with a friend. -Feli"

Feliciano..? I looked around the cafe and saw the familiar auburn hair by the window seat. He and Alfred were watching us from afar.

"So Nana..."

I snapped my attention away from the two and to Ryan. "Y-yeah?"

"After I moved... Were you lonely?"

Lonely..? I weakly smiled and shook my head. That was not something to ask a person that's been alone all their life.

"No? Are you sure?" Ryan's blue concerned eyes were locked onto mine.

I just laughed. "You wouldn't know anyway since you left me alone long before you moved..."

He leaned back in his chair. "What do you mean?"

"You'll figure it out." I stuck my tongue out at him as the food came.

The atmosphere got a little tense from the silence about halfway through. I decided to break it this time. "What have you been up to in Washington?"

He swallowed his food. "Nothin' much, I guess. Played video games, played football, skateboarded, and other stuff."

"I see..." I'm not sure if that's fun or boring for him… "Did you do that with some friends or what?"

"Yeah, sure." He took a sip of water. "My dad was always out so I had to do something, right?"

I just nodded at him. Was he lonely too?

After we were done, he decided to take me to an arcade. Some of his friends were there as well and they went off to play their shooting games and such. I sat at the table to the side and watched them shoot zombies or whatever they were. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Alfred and Feliciano playing air hockey. After that, we randomly walked around town and realized that we were in front of a mall.

Kyle went to get us some ice cream and Alfred and Feliciano came up to me.

"We're gonna go now," Alfred yawned, "Arthur just wanted to make sure you two were fine on your own."

I shrugged. "Okay then. See you guys later- Where's Feliciano?" Alfred and I looked around.

"Ve~ ice cream, please!"

I facepalmed. He would…

After walking through the mall, seeing another movie, and having a simple dinner at Carls Jr., it was ten o'clock. The sky was pitch dark and Ryan finally decided to take us home. I felt really tired. I haven't gone out for this long just to 'hang out'.

Ryan yawned and stretched. "Did you have a good time?"

"If you consider dragging me around town the whole day a 'hang out' then... maybe." I pulled out the band that was holding my hair up. It was getting kind of cold. I combed my hair in place with my hands.

"You look better like that..."

I glanced back at him. "Say something?"

He blushed and shook his head.

We walked in relative silence. Almost home... Just three more blocks.

"I'm sorry."

I looked at him. "What?"

"I'm sorry." He stopped walking.

I stopped too and faced him. "For what?"

"A lot of things..." His hair covered his eyes.

What's up with him?

"I was just thinking all day. About how I've been treating you for the past few years."

I stared at him. Then a smile crept up my face and I started to laugh.

He blushed and looked up. "What are you laughing at?"

I covered my mouth and continued laughing. "I'm sorry. It's just so unlike you." I sighed and faced him again. "You've changed too..."

He messed with his hair, flustered. "D-don't want to hear it from you."

I shook my head. "Anyway..." I smiled at him. "Thank you for today."

He blushed and turned away. I stifled a laugh. I didn't know why. I don't know if it was funny to see him lose the energy and confidence he usually had or it was because I felt some relief in my heart. I looked at my watch for the time. 11:45... I really should get going...

"I'm going to go on ahead before the guys start spazzing from me being this late." I started heading to my street. Well, it was an interesting day...

"Nana!"

I stopped and turned around. Ryan ran up to me and hugged me. Startled, I just stared at him as he held on for few more seconds. He finally let go and held me by my shoulders.

"I..." he started.

I watched him as he was collecting thoughts in his head. I averted my eyes away from him. I knew what was coming.

"I really like you, Nana. I had since eighth grade, honestly."

I gazed at the rock on the ground. For that long?

"I didn't really notice how I treated you like crap for a long time until I moved." He lowered his head.

"At least... you notice now," I murmured.

He raised his head. "Will you forgive me?"

I gave a faint smirked. "What's the point of holding grudges..?" Totally going against what I've been doing... I need to drop it eventually, right?

Ryan had a look of relief sweep across his face. He hugged me again. I raise my arms up to do the same but decided to drop them. I couldn't return the feeling. I just couldn't.

He let go and took a deep breath. "I've wanted to get it all out..." I nodded at him, "but I'm not done."

I cocked my head. There's more?

"I... I love you, Nana." He held onto my hand and looked into my eyes. "It's not just a crush I've had. I really do like you and I want to protect you and your feelings."

I just stood there and stared back at him. Love..? Protect..? I did not know what to say.

He let go of my hand and laughed timidly. I saw him blushing madly under the streetlamp. "I-I'd better go or else Nanny will freak." He looked at me one last time and ran off to the direction of his house.

I blinked, trying to process everything in my head. I knew he had feelings for me but... but I did not expect all this. I ran my hand through my hair. I felt my cheeks blushing. I didn't know what to do.

"Heyy." Someone hit me on the back of my head.

I flinched and swung around. "Alfred?"

He raised up a plastic bag. "Yello."

I glanced at the bag. "What are you doing out?"

He shook it and I heard muffled cluttering noises.

"Pills?"

"Yeah..." He didn't look too happy. "Just for later."

I was going to ask but I decided I was too tired to. We went back home and as I walked through the door, I heard glass shattering. I gasped and ran to the living room.

"What's going- on..." My eye twitched.

Arthur, Francis, Feliciano, and maybe Ivan were all drunk. There were empty bottles of… things and clothes thrown here and there. I turned to Yao who was cleaning up a broken alcohol bottle.

"What happened here..?"

"You don't want to know, aru..." He was a little drunk himself but only slightly; enough to keep his sanity.

"Ah~ ma cherie, welcome back~" Francis glomped me from behind. He tightly wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Let go-" I blushed madly and covered my eyes. "And put something on!"

He was tugged off and someone lifted me up over their shoulder.

I sighed in relief. "Thank you, Alfred..."

"The hero will always save you." He grinned and I told him to drop me off at my room.

"HOATA~"

I twitched. "Did he just say..?"

Alfred swallowed. "He totally did..."

He tried to run but we only saw a bright flash of light around us.


1) I'm alive!

2) This was so long orz;;;

3) I am aware of typos and grammar mistakes (which I will fix later)

Yep, I'm back from hiatus. I'm really sorry for the almost-full-month delay. I'm the type that spazzes when their grades drop too much so I just had to get my distractions out of my way. Then again it's testing season so it doesn't seem like a lot of people are currently following anyway… *Cough* Anyhow, I decided to take the 'bitter' out and replace it with 'sweet' for this chapter~ I know I squeezed in a ton of things into one chapter but how was it? (Erm, I never been on a date but for Nana's sake I kind of made it into a hangout-date hybrid day so I guess it's fine...?)

I missed writing so so much. During my writing 'break' I came up with a ton more fun ideas after this school arc (which should end in 2-4 chapters) so I can't wait :3

Also during my break I have been drawing a lot. They're only sketchbook drawings but check them out if you want ^^ (Deviantart- MiracleHeart14)

Oh man it's over 3,000 character naow . I'm hoping to update semi-regularly now. Ciao for now~

-Miracle (wow I said 'now' trice in a row…)