It was raining, and Alfred was stuck inside the school for another 45 minutes.

It wasn't all bad though. It wasn't thundering or lightening and was certainly calm.

But, he felt alone though. An empty school for another hour was harsh, but it wasn't like he was completely out of things to do.

Alfred could talk to the school janitor! He was a cool guy! Had some interesting stories about his family. But then again, he wasn't anywhere to be found. Not only that – but he talked slowly and got off track fairly quickly; and that meant having to save the story for later in which both would inevitably forget.

Then there was his Algebra teacher, Mr. Von Brock. He was nice company. Or at least he was someone there to remind you that there WAS someone in the room with you if you didn't want to be a alone. But the downside to that was Alfred has a tendency to talk a lot more than he should without actually SAYING anything. This easily turned grating; and not many people are too happy to recognize that part of, so he made it an obligation to keep that part of himself locked away.

Then there was Mr. Vargas, his art teacher and the one he was forced to sit with at lunch. But if you were to ask him – Mr. Vargas is too scattered brained most of the time and easily gets distracted.

Lastly, Mr. Beilschmidt and Mrs. Hedervary, (Everyone just called her Eliza.) But that was his principle and school counselor and found that to be a bit tacky.

So this left Alfred completely and utterly alone.

The battery on his phone was sufficiently charged. Leaving the blond on his own with thoughts and his own ideas wasn't a good idea; but it wasn't like he was going to throw a fit. But it still felt like he was suffocating himself with just pure silence.

"Alfred?"

A voice rang next to him and Alfred shot his head towards the sudden disturbance.

"Oh, Ivan!" Alfred smiled. Cheeks growing pink from the sudden embarrassment of well…

"What are you doing here? I figured you would've hiked home." Alfred spoke as softly as he could, but his cheeks were red, and he was starting to fidget again.

"Uh, nyet, I drove here," Ivan smiled back, "Are you waiting for someone. I can take you home-"

"No, no, no, my dad took my brother to the doctors, and typically I would walk home, but its-"

"Raining, I see." Ivan finished.

Alfred's face flushed more. His skin was crawling with anticipation and curiosity. Alfred didn't know much about Ivan. He lived with his sisters, and his parents stayed behind in Russia. He lived halfway across down near the River Front Park, and he was a year older. All that information through days of partnerships and small talk. But other than that – Alfred was either too embarrassed to actually talk to him or the time never appropriately came.

But maybe this time would be different.

"So," Alfred drew out as his fingers clasped together. "How have you been?"

Ivan's expression was light, and the aura was welcoming almost, "Ah, it's been well, and you? I intend to talk to you during lunch, but you're never in the lunchroom."

Alfred gasped, "I-I'm sorry, my parents force me to sit in the art room. But I'm pretty sure if I ask, they wouldn't mind." He chuckled and brushed a piece of hair behind his ear. They probably wouldn't let him, to tell the truth as it is. Maybe they would try and bargain with him first, and he wasn't about to step into that at all.

Ivan seemed to join Alfred on the floor. Their legs rubbed against each other for a split second, and before Alfred realized it, Ivan was looking directly back at him. Violet eyes and their almost piercing gaze overtook his thoughts for a split second before Ivan could speak.

"What about you, hm?" The Russians voice was like butter. Alfred didn't know what to. It was hard awing for a man that was either a.) Taken, b.) Not gay, or c.) Not interested. Letters A, and B were something Alfred could respect and understand just like any normal person; but If it was C, then not only would he be heartbroken, he'd be angry like anyone else. But let's face it. Couldn't hurt to try. But Alfred bounced back to reality and chuckled whilst rubbing the back of his head in discomfort of the brick he was idly laying his head on.

"Oh me? Uh well, it's been okay." He tapped his fingers together, "Just been kinda busy dude, you know. School, home life… and other things. But its fine." His blue eyes avoided dark ones as he bit his lip. His fingers curled together on his lap, and the pink tint on his cheeks were becoming slightly more noticeable than he'd like. The nervous coughs, and the sudden change in voice octaves was drastic. Sounding more manly and nasally than was reasonable or intended. But it was only a habit amongst other things.

But the patters of the raindrops outside seemed to die down slightly. And Alfred felt like he needed to say something. Anything. Break the suddenly tense atmosphere. But there wasn't anything to say! He can start off with something slow.

"Listen," Alfred sighed and itched the corner of his jaw, purely out of nervous habit, and his hands needed to do SOMETHING, "I don't mean to be so boring. But I appreciate the company."

Ivan nodded, "You seem to be tact though. Oh so generous that you've seem you have taken up part of my leg with your hand. We're not even at stage one yet." The sophomore was smirking, but he was right.

He quickly removed the hand and shoved it into his lap. Face flushed completely with a nice red shade, he stuttered out his apology. "Oh shit! Uh, I'm so sorry. It's a force of habit, I swear!"

Ivan was still smiling though (it was more of a grin unfortunately) "It's okay Mr. Jones. Just please be more careful." He winked and Alfred coughed into his arm. Flustered and embarrassed. He should have never started the conversation in the first place.

Several minutes later, and Alfred seemed to have taken up the proximity of his time lulling at the sound of rain, and the low breathing next to him. A surprisingly good mixture. Comforting. So this is what it's like then. Emotions being registered through the sounds of two completely different things. This was the art of love then. Someone he barely knew. Someone he wants to get to know.

It was sad but true.

"I hear it's going to be like this for the next couple days, hm," Ivan started miserably, lightning struck in the background, and Alfred flinched.

He scoffed and scowled, "Yeah, for the next month I guess. It's almost like we've taken a vacation gone wrong to England." Soon enough there was a barrel of laughter right next to him, and the freshman eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. So Ivan liked cheesy jokes, huh.

"I suppose you're correct Alfred! I went there one weekend with my father years ago, and it was nothing but rain and despair. I prefer sunlight, that's why I agreed to transfer to the US."

His lips curled into a smirk of his own.

"You're a funny one," Ivan giggled quite girlishly to be honest.

"I also know a bunch of science puns because I got bored one night," Alfred pushed his glasses up on his face.

"Please tell me one."

"They're super corny." The boy warned.

"I don't mind.

He cleared his throat. "Okay, uh. What did the negative charge say to the positive charge after the first date?"

The older teen shook his head, "I'm not sure. What?"

"We have potential!"

Ivan was laughing once again. And Alfred be damned if he didn't do the same.

How corny was it though? To sit with your crush on the floor in school. Tell horrible jokes. How much of a nerd did he have to be to start something that was barely anything yet? How bad does it have to be to just be friends with someone and not fuck it up for once? But for now, it was just nice having someone he at least knew in his company. And would like to get to know more of. It wasn't sadly, technically speak. Just… in the early stages he supposes.

"I have so much more than that. Lately I've been using my 'above average' IQ to try and figure out what I'm being forced to shove down my throat in the morning, and read terrible jokes."

"At least you're doing something creative with it, Da?"

Alfred nodded, "I guess you're right." He laughs and lets his head lay back on the brick wall.

"Tell me another one?"

The boy perked up from his spot as soon as he heard it. Oh yeah, Ivan better get ready for a nerdy time.

"Okay! Uh, what did the cell say when his sister stepped on his toe? Mitosis!"

He giggled relentlessly. And it seemed Alfred was joining him. Not because of the joke. But because of the absurdity of it all.

"I know, I know. Super geeky and nerdy, Ya caught me." He laughed along with and Alfred's smile was absolutely beaming.

"My older sister would adore you and your 'nerdy' jokes." The scarf was pushed back behind his shoulder. But his face seemed flustered too. "But thank you for your incredibly geeky jokes, you've made my day even better."

'Even better?'… "Hey, it's not a problem, it's made my week talking to you actually."

"Well, that's good. And I would love to talk to you more Alfred, but it seems like your ride is here."

Sure enough, there was a Kia sitting right outside the main entrance.

"Oh yeah, uh. I see you tomorrow then?" He shot up and grabbed his belongings that were scattered around the hallways. Umbrella, notebook, pencils shoved into his bag.

"Of course you will Alfred."

He hummed as he stuffed his phone in his pocket. Alfred wasn't in a rush to leave.

"You might want this too." Ivan called out, just before Alfred was at the door. But something was handed to him.

… His. Number.

"Moving a bit too fast for yourself Braginsky. I haven't even said yes to the first date yet."

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Well, I just figured since we're lab partners for the rest of the year; you would've felt inclined to have it."

Alfred put it in his pocket. "Well, drive safely. It's wet."

"Same goes for you Jones." The older teen replies quite sarcastically.

"It's not Jones. That's my middle name, Braginsky."

He hums, "I see." He mutters.

Alfred nearly bursts through the doors of the school. Speed walked to his car and without hesitation – shoved everything into the backseat, and himself in the front.

"Dear Lord, Alfred. What the hell has gotten into you?" Arthur exclaims from the sudden harshness and force when the SUV door is slammed shut.

"Uh, nothing." He lied, took out the number out of his pocket.

'-since we're lab partners for the rest of the year; you would've felt inclined to have it.'

Oh, Ivan Braginsky, you have no idea.

Honestly. Could you please tell me what you think of this story? I'm looking for critique and a beta right now and it would be awesome if y'all could lend a hand :') I also just want reviews because im a desperate 17 year old still into this fucking anime.