It was a rather awkward period. Math had never been a favorite of Mexico's, but it was required so she might as well get it over with. It was not usually awkward, mostly boring, but the former was recently added when Mr. Fat Bald and Ugly, otherwise known as Mr. Kent, paired everyone off into groups of three's. Mexico, as luck would have it, was thrown in with Spain, who was not on her favorite list at the moment, and Australia who was on her favorite list, forever and always. It was weird, but not unexpected, that Spain her boyfriend, at the moment—and at the moment meant hanging on a thread—was not on her good side, whilst Australia her favorite friend of childhood happened to be both on her good side and more enemy than frenimy (is that how you spell it?) towards Spain. By the process of induction Mexico figured that was not a good thing.

The entire period went something like this:

Spain: "Mexico, love, come sit on my lap." Paired with an adoring look with those great vivid apple green orbs.

Mexico: "Ah, no thanks, I'm not exactly happy with you at the moment." Paired with a dangerously calm expression.

"Spain: "Please Amor! I'm sorry for whatever stupid thing—"

Australia: Now sickened by Spain's disgusting display of obviously fake love and one hundred percent real lust, "She said no you fucking idiot."

Mexico: now very shocked that her sweet innocent childhood friend knew such words, "Whaaaa?"

Spain: a dark face on that reminded Romano who had been watching them for some time now, of his conquistador days, "I wasn't talking to you bastard and I don't care what you say…stay out of me and my girlfriends business."

Mexico: shifts in her seat slightly, not to excited about being talked about like an object, still she refrains from saying anything because at the moment she is busy trying to slip away towards Romano who has made urgent 'come here signs', because frankly a dark Spain isn't a safe one.

Australia: "I don't care what you say! I'm telling you that she doesn't want to!" after growling that out he slams his hands on the desk gaining the attention of his 'adoptive father', England who was a senior and somewhat fond of Australia, who inherited both his language, and love of drinking. He would have been fonder had Australia not been able to hold his liquor much better than England.

"Listen you stupid crocodile hunter!" Spain spat out standing up and matching his glare with Australia's, "She's my girlfriend! Therefore what goes on between us is none of your business!"

The teacher took one look up saw Spain's expression and decided it safer to phone security and get the hell out of there; even amongst the staff it was rumored that Spain was a demon whenever the old Conquistador in him came back.

"You prick!" Australia yelled, too angry at the crocodile hunter jab and Spain's sheer inconsiderateness.

"Oh I'm sooo cool, with my fancy accent," Spain yelled at Australia not bothering to retain himself, "'Oakey Doakey'! And your damn outback! And your fucking Kangaroos!"

Mexico looked on, shocked and disgusted. Spain really was a dick. She looked over to Australia who was quiet, head down and his fists clenched, England rushed over and she heard him murmur, "He didn't mean the Kangaroo thing, and I think Outback is really good!"

Mexico felt sweaty her stomach churning. How could she forget this Spain. Bastard Spain who stole, raped, pillaged her people. How could she forget that he was the one who took away her father, her Auntie Inca? She couldn't Spain was a jerk. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Glancing at Spain she saw France pound him on the back and Prussia looking back and forth between Australia, Spain, and Hungary who was glaring daggers at the Spaniard and watching the Australian with something close to sympathy. Mexico bit her lip; she couldn't go against her boyfriend right? Why did Spain have to be such a jerk? Why did Australia have to be so damn noble? Why was she complaining? Why was she such a…bad friend? Why was she worried about a man's (Spain *cough cough*) opinion? Why was she still standing here and not by Australia?

Tossing her head she walked forward behind a few people and nudged Australia's shoulder with her own, "I think your accent is cute." She said softly, locking eyes with her friend. Australia who was much taller lifted his head slightly to hold her gaze better, he smiled and Mexico's heart leapt. At that moment, to Australia there was only her and him in the room. Not even the security guards who came running in to pull back Spain whom had just charged at him could distract Australia from Mexico's friendly eyes. Not even when they pulled him out to check for injuries was the feeling of the moment wiped away, melodramatic perhaps but Australia savored every bit of it.

So that was how Math class went. Interesting, yes, unexpected, yes, fun…not really. But Mexico was busy trying to figure out what to do now. Finally biting her lip and admonishing herself for being a coward she strode into the lunchroom and plopped herself down next to Switzerland who was busy glaring at his food.

"Hey." She mumbled.

"Good Afternoon."

"…Wha?" Mexico asked staring at him mouth opened wide.

"Hello Mexico, care to tell me why I saw Spain punching the bathroom wall?" he asked stonily.

"Nothing happened! Just a small—"

"Gonna eat that mate?" a care free voice interrupted from behind her. Whirling around Mexico stared up at Australia who looked so much more handsome in the light of a window. He smiled down at her and spoke to Switzerland keeping his eyes locked with Mexico, "It's just that, shrimp salad can get soggy and it's better fresh y'know?" He sat down next to Mexico and smiled across at Switzerland.

"I'm Australia by the way." He reached his arm over the table and Switzerland returned his gesture allowing himself a small smile.

"I'm Switzerland." Mexico smiled at his friendly tone, she grinned bigger at Switzerland when he glanced at her, she nodded her head encouragingly and he sent her a 'Fuck You." scowl.

"So, Mex what have you been up to lately?" it was a simple question but Mexico couldn't fathom the underlying meaning.

"Uh, that's my seat." A cold voice said from behind both reunited friends. Turning is head Australia grinned up at him, "Nah mate I was sitting here but you can sit over there." Australia pointed towards the restrooms.

"Seriously you stupid freak move, I'm sitting next to my girl." Mexico stood up to glare at Spain. Mexico flinched, the voice reminded her of the nights when she cried about her father, the stony snarl told her to stop. It was Spain then and it was Spain now. He wouldn't rule her life like he had years and years ago. She was a country, she was a woman, she was revolutionist, she was a fighter, she was stubborn, she was determined, she was fierce and loyal, she was strong, she was her own, and she was Mexico. One of a kind.

"Shut up." She said glaring, "He's a friend, we haven't seen each other for years, you need to calm down, he was here first, and you can either sit across or go find another seat."

Spain stared, "Mexico, what part of 'you-are-mine do you not get?" he hissed his eyes going dangerously bright, "If you won't make that fucking bastard move, I'm going to sit next to Panama." He threatened, Mexico wanted to hit him and scream at him for being a shallow asshole, but she wouldn't bow down that far.

"Great." Mexico said standing up pouting her pretty full heart shaped lips and leaning forward just so Spain could see her figure in all its glory and realize what he was missing, "Tell her I said hi." She turned around, remembering to smack his face with her braid.

Spain stared down in shock; he didn't want her to say that, he wanted her. Dammit why could he see that he loved her so much more than that idiot Australia ever could. Growling he turned on his heel refusing to sacrifice a small piece of pride to sit next to his 'girl'.

"That was fanbloodytastic." Australia said grinning at her.

"What?" she asked indignant, "What is a fanbloodytastic?"

"It means that you were brilliant." Australia said chucking her chin and digging into his homemade lunch.

Switzerland glared back and forth between the two countries across from him. Mexico stared back her face warm, exhilarated with her victory. To her pride and joy it didn't hurt to send Spain away, it didn't hurt to see him sit next to Panama in fact she was happy for her, and it sure as hell didn't hurt when Spain started to flirt obviously, tugging Panama's braid and moving his mouth to her neck. Whenever he looked over at her, she always made sure that she was either laughing with Australia or she sent him a friendly wave. He wasn't getting shit out of her. Catching Switzerland's eyes he opened his mouth.

"Mexico?"

"Yeah?" she asked, Australia looked up his body moving slightly in Mexico's direction.

"I like him a lot better that Spain. Keep this one." And he got up, throwing her a meaningful look before he grabbed his gun bag and walked towards his shooting class. Courtesy of a Swiss headmaster the school had had once. He was forced into early retirement after shooting a teacher who had insulted the gun class as un-educational and unhealthy for young minds, an unworthy slander and shameful to say about the beauty of shooting guns.

"He likes me." Australia said happily giving her a goofy look.

She had to laugh.

~0~0~

Lunch passes in a blissful blur, heedless of Spain's death stares Mexico found herself enthralled by all of Australia's stories.

"And then this 'uge alligator came up and I had to save Mexi (The koala's name), she had fallen off her perch and I couldn't jus let it eat her. So I jumped in and the thing was coming at me, believe it or not a branch fell and hit him between the eyes. I was so damn lucky."

Mexico watched wide eyed. Licking her lips she smiled, and shook her head.

"What?" he asked.

"Hmm?"

"You shook your head."

"Oh I just think you're a crazy bastard." She teased.

The bell rang.

"Oh a crazy bastard huh?" he grinned grabbing her bag for her.

"Allow me to show you just how crazy I can get…" and he sprinted off out the doors leaving Mexico just staring, shell shocked her mouth wide opened.

Walking past her was Iran; who looked at her, "Mexico! You just going to let him get away? That was a whole lot of man right there…" Mexico didn't hear the rest she flashed Iran a sheepish smile and ran out right after him.

There he was standing in the quad with light bouncing of his bright caramel hair. Catching sight of her he grinned, "Come get it." He mouthed. He took off towards the fields, shrouded by trees. Mexico followed suit, "Hey!"

She laughed as she followed him into the clump of trees that Australia had drowned in. Out of breath she walked amongst the tall pines looking around for him, smiling she walked around a tree and was tackled by a blur of brown and green.

"Gotcha." He whispered in his accent. Mexico laughed, because that was all she could do. He was sitting on top of her. Dangling her book bag above her head and smirking at her failed attempts of catching it. When their laughter died down, Mexico found herself in the ever so cliché situation of being lost in someone's eyes. Australia's eyes. Drowning in the waves of deep vermillion and gold specks she felt subconscious, his face was getting closer to hers. Closing her eyes till she could only see through slits, her breathing grew quicker as his lips brushed hers, softly. Then came down with a bruising intensity that she returned happily, his hands came up to her face and cradled her cheekbones, rubbing her temples softly, she rewarded him with a small nip to his lower lip and something low and deep rumbled in the back of his throat. Mexico pulled her hand up and pressed it to the side of his face; he held it there with long tanned digits of his own.

Mexico didn't know exactly how long it had taken but when they broke apart she wished for bigger lungs.

"Wow." She said softly.

"Wow." Australia agreed, looking somber, "That was fanbloodytastic." His face broke into a devilish grin.

"Stop saying that!" Mexico yelped, but the Aussie just grinned and leant down for another kiss.

~0~0~

Mexico sat in the back of Paraguay's car, leaning against the car window, refusing to touch her lips for fear that they would still be swollen from the millions of kisses Australia had snuck from her, right under Spain's nose. She loved the adrenaline rush but despised the nervousness whenever Spain was around.

For example:

"Mexico…" A voice whispered. Mexico looked around startled, Spain was walking a few paces behind her, his eyes were locked on her but he didn't look as if he had spoken, she stepped back when his face broke into a scowl though. Australia had shown up behind her and dragged her behind a potted plant, out of sight from Spain while he attacked her mouth just as the Spaniard walked by.

Or when Mexico was walking to fourth period:

"Excuse me…" Mexico said trying to edge her way past Spain and France who were conveniently placed in front of the wall that covered the entrance to the girl's locker room.

She was about to turn back around when Spain made a grab for her wrists but once again Australia dragged her back, unbeknownst to Spain who thought that she had merely stumbled backwards. But the ever so daring Aussie tugged her into the closed bathroom in the girl's locker room and again took over her lips.

And when she was under her desk trying to get her pencil:

She got out of her seat at the table of four, Spain Australia, Syria and her, and crawled under her desk to get her pencil. Australia 'accidentally' dropped his pen, and right next to Spain's knees he bought her from the back of her neck towards his face and kissed her, right under Spain's desk.

And then not ten minutes ago, he grabbed her from the clutches of Guatemala and pushing past Spain—purposely shooting him a triumphant look—he backer her up against he math building, placed his hands on either side of her head and claimed dominance of the situation. Not that she was complaining.

"Mexico! Pay attention dammit!" Cuba snapped.

"Wha?" Mexico asked trying to forget that Australia tasted vaguely like strawberry ice cream.

"I said, what the fuck do you want for dinner?"

"Er…Cuban food?"

"Otra ves." He snapped, "You always want Mexican food, everything is Mexican huh?"

"Er…I didn't say Mexican—"

"Just shut up, we're having Cuban food." Cuba snapped from his position in shot gun.

"We had that yesterday!" Paraguay objected, "I'm sick of it, this entire week has been Cuban food."

"Yeah?" Cuba shouted, shocking Prussia into the street and Paraguay all too willingly swerved across traffic to attempt at running him over.

Gilbert yelped and leapt out of the way, and Paraguay flipped him off before returning to Cuba, "Yeah I'm sick of it. Whatcha gonna do about it?"

"Kick you ass!" Cuba threatened waving a cigar.

"Try it!" Paraguay snarled trying to get at him whilst being tied down with a seat belt.

Uruguay glanced at Mexico and then Trinidad who was getting a ride home from them today, Uruguay was struggling not to laugh or choke…either one.

"We are having Cuban food!" Cuba shouted.

"Like hell we are!" Paraguay yelled back, "I'm driving! Let's just get take out!"

"No! We're not having Paraguayan food! We'll order take out!" Cuba snapped, "And that's final."

"I just said that." Paraguay hissed through gritted teeth.

"No you didn't" Cuba insisted, calling the other drivers of the Latino countries, telling them to head to the nearest Take out.

"Yes I did!"

"DOG!" Uruguay screamed, covering his face as a mangy dog streaked onto the road, Paraguay swerved and the longest string of cusswords were emitted between the four countries in the car.

The words ranged from stupid! to Motherfucker!

Uruguay breathe a sigh of relief as they missed the dog by inches and Trinidad laughed as Paraguay leant out to scream at the dog.

"Damn flea bitten mutt! Just like that bastardo Gilbert! Get back out here so I can run you over you stupid piece of—" A truck horn blared as it streaked past Paraguay's head missing him by inches.

"Fuck you!" Cuba and Paraguay shouted together as Paraguay honked the horn.

"Did you see that jack ass?" Paraguay demanded as they started the car up again.

"Yeah that bastard, had the nerve to honk at you."

"Damn straight." Paraguay said pounding his brother on the back, Mexico winced at the huge thumping back breaking sounds.

"Mmmhmm." Cuba grunted in agreement as he gripped his brothers hand in a bone crushing hand shake.

Silence…

"Where the fuck are you going!" Cuba shouted.

"To fucking take out!" Paraguay screamed back.

"FUCKTARD WE WERE GONNA GET CHEESEBURGERS!"

"NO WE WEREN'T! YOU LOUSY PIECE OF SHIT!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Silence…for three seconds." Uruguay murmured sadly. Trinindad looked amused, Mexico didn't hear anything, she was too busy trying to remember the feel of Australia's lips on hers.