Guys, by far this has been the hardest chapter to write. Sooo much work went into this, that I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Yet just as promised, a chapter a week! Here's this week's chapter!

Chapter 15

"Hello Alfred," the sickly sweet voice of Bethany rose to his ears in the middle of the hallway. Alfred almost didn't stop, lack of sleep and fatigue from football practice and schoolwork piled on top of it was driving him into exhaustion. He was sure that he imagined she was talking to him, even as her voice was so unlike her normal voice he was sure it was someone else.

"Morning, Beth. What's up?" he asked, covering his yawn with the inside of his arm, hoping that he didn't look too tired to talk to her. She was at least trying to be friends with him, and he couldn't very well be rude to her when she was just starting to talk to him. He did not want to just lose her friendship simply because he was too tired to talk to her.

"I was wondering if you wanted to get a bite to eat after practice, you know maybe talk about things?" she asked. That sounded more like the Bethany that he knew, with the voice of caution, almost afraid to say something wrong. Alfred smiled at her, running his hands through his hair.

"Sure. Just as friends though right?" Matthew would have probably smacked him for being so inconsiderate, but he was too tired to think of a way to voice it. Her face fell, a combination of sadness and anger decorating her features, a stark contrast compared to the caring look she held moments before.

"Of course. Just as friends, what else would there be?" she asked rhetorically, her sickly sweet tone returning, before turning and almost storming off down the hall. Alfred sighed, knowing that he made a mistake but not knowing how to fix it.

"You said he would want me!"

'Hush child, we still need to work on this. Your boy isn't too bright.'

"You said that if I did that for you he would like me!"

'We're just going to have to work more. Do not worry, we will get him to fall for you. Then you will never be alone.'

"Bethany? Who are you talking to?" the teacher asked. Everyone turned and stared, sure enough, Bethany sat in her seat, muttering into her lap while looking frustrated. She moved her hands constantly, wringing them and touching her desk, never letting them sit still.

When her name was said, her head snapped up, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. The teacher took a small step back, almost unnoticeable if one had not seen her feet move.

"Nothing, child, does something seem wrong?"

Feliciano was sitting in class, drawing randomly while the teacher droned on and on about something that was too boring for him to pay attention too. Instead he was randomly sketching lines as Lovino took notes meticulously. Feliciano enviously looked of at brother who was always able to pay attention in class, while Feliciano himself never could.

As he looked at the clock he realized that there was still another thirty-five minutes left until the bell rang. He almost groaned aloud at how much boredom was crippling him just while he was sitting here. Getting out a new blank piece of paper, Feliciano began to work on a list that was playing on the back of his mind.

While online for a research assignment, he came across a website that let you figure out your perfect man. Sure he was a guy, while before he hadn't been okay with the thoughts that he might be attracted to other guys, he woke one day and it didn't seemed to matter anymore. He might be a male himself, but as long as his friends didn't care, he shouldn't make a big deal out if either.

He quickly titled his list, 'My Soul Mate'. There wasn't a lot on it at first, but the more he thought the more features came to his mind.

My Soul Mate

1. He will be big and strong to protect me from the scary monsters under the bed

2. He will help me out with school when Lovino won't

3. He will always be happy to see me

4. He cooks or bakes

5. He's always happy to see me

6. He makes the bad dreams go away

7. He listens to me about the new pasta I try

8. He will always come and save me from the monsters

Feliciano glanced down one last time at his list as the bell finally rung. The last half hour of class completely disappeared as he wrote out his list, filled with just what he knew his soul mate would be like. They would always be there for him even as he changed and grew up.

Ivan liked school. He liked how when he walked down the hallways, people almost parted for him because they were afraid of him, and how the teachers didn't even try to talk to him as they asked for the answers to their questions. Sometimes though, he wished the teachers would bother asking for his opinion, and called on him when he raised his hand. He wished someone would bother standing up against him as he walked through the halls and pushed around others.

Yet it seemed as though no one was going to stand up against him, or at least tell him their true opinion of what they thought he did. Not even his friends. And that's what Ivan really wanted.

He tromped down the hallways once school ended, fetching Matthew to make sure that the small Canadian didn't miss the bus like he was prone to doing. It seemed as though his friend really did just fade into the background unless someone brought him into the spotlight.

'Maybe that's why he and Alfred complement each other so…' Ivan thought. Then he literally shrugged off the thought. Alfred and Matthew got along great, but they would never do as a couple. It just didn't work right in his mind.

"Matthew? If you don't hurry you're going to miss the bus…" Ivan said as he turned the corner. The sight that greeted him was not one that he expected.

Matthew was pinned to the wall by two boys. One who was holding him in place as the other punched him so hard that Matthew didn't even have time to bounce back as he was hit. Ivan felt his anger flare at the sight of his best friend being beat up so badly. Ivan let his anger take over as he stalked up to the boys, cracking his knuckles in preparation of the beating they were about to receive.

"Stupid fag! We told you to have our homework ready by today! What can your stupid mind not handle that simple-"

"What are you doing?" Ivan snarled. The two boys jumped away quickly, letting Matthew fall to the floor in a heap. Ivan moved to his friend, gently lifting the other up so that Matthew wasn't lying on the floor anymore. The culprits took the opportunity to take off while they had the chance.

"Ivan?" Matthew asked, groaning the single name out. Ivan nodded, looking over his friend and wondering if he needed to go to the hospital.

Beside a busted lip and a black eye, Ivan couldn't see any damage that was visible. Yet he thought that most of the damage was under his sweater, where Ivan wouldn't be able to see right away. He decided that the hospital could be avoided, if he took Matthew somewhere to rest.

Ivan unceremoniously picked his friend off the ground, heaving Matthew over his shoulder. Matthew groaned and confirmed Ivan's suspicious that he was at least bruised under his hoodie. He sighed as he carried Matthew out of the school and down the road. The bus had left long ago.

"You're going to be fine comrade, let's get you somewhere safe."

In a park not too far away, the birds were beginning to sing once again. For the first time in a long time the air blew through the leaves and the park where for an era no new air had touched before. The creaking of wood filled the air as the wind moved the carousel, around and around, even as the springs screamed in protested and the wood began to crack.

Eventually the carousel began to slow down and nothing more was heard beside the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves. Yet for a moment nothing moved, and time itself stopped.

Creaking of wood, unlike anything that had ever been heard before in the park, was echoing throughout. Things were moving, and what had been still for so long now moved, without the aid of anything else, the wood moved on its own. Joints were stretched, clicks and clacks were heard. And one single phrase rang through the forest.

"Wake up."

Gosh guys, let me tell you. First anyone notice anything about Bethany? Anyone get's it right and you get a free cookie (go internet)

Second, felt like Feliciano and Ivan weren't getting enough attention, and these two are some of my favorite characters. They deserved a bit of insight about how they were feeling and what goes on through their minds. Who do you think should get more 'screentime' as it is? I love suggestions and all those sorts of good things.

Third, who is talking during the end? It's a secret but I want to hear what you think!

Finally, review! Reviews get me through the day and let me know if I'm missing anything. You lovely reviewers have given me so many new idea's, and make me think of things that I never would have thought of! So let me know!

Until next week (or sooner)!