A few days later and I was back on track. The day started as it always did. Peter stomping on the door. Me getting up. Breakfast. Car-ride to school and everyone running to their friends. Only now Logan ran over to suck at Caroline's face instead of going over to Esteban. And I rushed over to where Hyong and Yong stood, wrapped in thick jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. Yong let out a sound of joy and gave me a big hug.
"You're finally back!"
I hugged him back awkwardly.
"Good to see you too Yong. But I was only gone for a few days."
"Yeah but Hyong was ill as well so I was all alone." He whined as he was pulled away by the collar by Hyong.
"I got a cold." He mumbled.
I smiled up at him (they were both almost the head taller than I) and we started walking.
"Have you studied for the physics test today?"
"Shit I forgot." I said.
Hyong laughed, something that was something he only offered me and Yong.
"You had a day home! Who is stupid enough not to study?" he asked teasingly.
I pouted at him and didn't even notice the set of eyes that were glaring into my back.
"Alright! I have amazing news for you kids!"
We all looked at Alfred expectantly.
"Well, can anyone guess?"
A girl in the back raised her hand.
"You're skipping the test?" she said hopefully.
"Eh, no, we'll get to that later."
I moaned with the rest of the class.
"Anyone else?"
"You finally got laid?" someone suggested. A snicker ran through the class.
Alfred gave the student a pointed look.
"What I do in my spare-time is my business. Anyone else?"
I raised my hand to take a guess.
"We're having a Halloween party?"
A murmur went through the class until Alfred broke into a grin. The class cheered in unison
"Not only that. The teachers are planning an awesome Halloween theme day were you will all be dressed out and in the evening we'll end by a big party, were the king and queen will be chosen!"
The entire class cheered loudly.
"Now, let's get back to the test."
The cheer turned into a groan as Alfred pulled out a thick stack of papers.
"You have one hour to finish it and if I catch you cheating, you'll be failed in this test. You'll start when I tell you to. Good luck."
And with that we all got our papers. I looked at the papers.
Please tell me with as much detail as possible what you know of Darwin's Princips.
I groaned silently and banged my head to the desk. This was going to be a long hour.
I found myself doing the same thing only a few hours later during lunch. Hyong and Yong watched me with an amused expression as I continued the procedure.
"How long are you going to sulk about you not studying for the test?"
I looked up to pout at the twins.
"How long are you going to sulk about looking like a girl?" I shot back clearly not meaning a world that came out of my mouth.
Hyong stuck out his tongue childishly and pulled his braid over his shoulder.
"You don't look too manly either, Mister." He said teasingly.
The three of us kept teasing and once again I missed those eyes.
Logan's POV:
I can't really explain what it was, but I hated that James was hanging out with those freaks. Don't get me wrong, I was glad that the kid finally had some friends and he was smiling much more now, but why did it have to be those two. I had silently prayed for ages now that something would happen to get James into the popular side of school and be happy but now he was even more of an outcast than before. What really bothered me was that he never smiled like that at home. He would give a small smile to Arthur as a thank you or smile contently when watching some weird movie or when he had fallen asleep on the couch. Once again, don't get me wrong, I was not creeping into James' room at night to watch him sleep like some crazy stalker girl, oh no but it had happened once or twice that I found James asleep on the couch with that stupid smile on his face. Oh how I love that smile. I was brought out of my fuming by a hand to my arm.
"Logan? Are you going to ignore me all lunch?"
I turned to my new girlfriend and grinned at her.
"Sorry, Caroline, I just thought about something."
Caroline looked at me before shrugging it off.
"So anyway, I was thinking that we could make like match our outfits for the Halloween thingy."
"Yeah sure, like what?"
"I was thinking like, prince and princess."
I looked at her, waiting to see if she was going to tell me she was joking, but when nothing came I forced a grin to my face.
"Awesome."
Just then a loud giggle was heard and I saw James more or less wrestling with Hyong on the ground. James was smiling widely and trying his hardest to get the other of him. I felt sick to my stomach so I did the first thing that came to mind. Kiss my girlfriend. Caroline didn't seem to mind and so I didn't even notice the look coming my way.
James' POV
"Take that back!" Hyong said while struggling to keep me on the floor.
"Arthur told me to speak the truth." I retorted through my giggles.
"You guys are so immature!" Yong said with a sigh.
We both stopped the wrestling to look at the third member of our trio.
"Is that coming from the guy who touched his sisters breasts then hid under the table." Said Hyong while getting off me.
Yong pouted at us and was about to say something when school bell rang. He groaned loudly and slammed his head into the table.
"If I die at P.E. today, will you please make sure, Kiku doesn't get my videogames?"
We just laughed as we pulled him off the bench a headed. Can anyone guess what I missed at the moment? That's right. A pair of eyes glaring into my back.
While Yong had P.E. we had drama. Matthew was sitting on the stage when we entered and gave us a sweet smile.
"Hello James. Hello Hyong."
"Hi, Mr. Williams." We said simultaneously.
"Are you ready for today's test?"
I felt myself freeze.
"W-w-we had a test today?"
Matthew giggled.
"Don't worry James. I'm just messing with you. There's no test, but I heard from Alfred how nervous you all seemed about the physics test. How did it go."
Reminded of my disastrous test, I slumped down on my nearest seat.
"I hate my life."
Matthew looked at me with compassion.
"Then perhaps I shouldn't give the other news."
"What news?" I asked curiously.
"The news that drama is no longer compulsory so those who choose it in the different classes will be but in one group. "
"Really?" Hyong asked with raised eyebrows. "That's awesome! This means we can finally get a place without the jocks."
Matthew smiled. "But that won't be until next semester. "
Once the other students filed in he gave us all a bright smile.
"Let's start with some improvisation."
"A Halloween-party?" Arthur asked from the counter.
"Yeah." Logan said without looking up from his phone.
"Got any plan for what to dress up like?"
"Caroline wants me to be a prince."
I couldn't prevent myself from snicker along with Peter. Even Arthur's lips tugged upwards.
"How lovely." He said with a strained voice, trying his best no to lough.
"It's not funny." Logan whined.
"What's not funny?" Marie asked as she entered.
"Logan is dressing as a prince on Halloween." Peter said through snickers.
Marie was quiet for a moment before giggling herself.
"It's not funny!" Logan exclaimed in expiration.
"It's funny." Charlie stated with a small smile on his lips.
"I think it's cute!" Wy piped in.
"Thank's Wy." Logan said with a breathtaking smile, and scooped Wy up into his arms.
"Can I be your princess, then?" she asked excitedly.
By now the rest of the family was practically melting out of how adorable it was. Logan pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Sorry, but I already promised Caroline."
Wy gave him a huge pout and her eyes welled up. Thank god for Arthur saving the day. Placing the food on the table he took Wy in his own arms and pressed a kiss to both her cheeks.
"Don't worry princess. Tomorrow we'll see if we can't find something absolutely perfect for you. And then I'm going to tell that silly big brother of yours to stay home tonight."
"What?" Logan asked as he sat down.
"I'm going out tonight and I have chosen you and James to keep an eye on Wy, while I'm gone."
"But…" Logan began.
"No buts mister. My word is final."
"You're going out today? With who?" I asked curiously as I scooped the slightly burned potato onto my plate. Arthur blushed.
"I-It's not like that." He stuttered, making all of us laugh.
"Is she hot." Logan asked teasingly, earning himself a glare from Arthur.
"How'd you meet her?" Marie asked more kindly.
"Does this mean I'm getting a new mommy?" Wy asked innocently.
The room fell silent. We never really talked about the fact that Arthur was single and never ever had brought home a woman. I watched as something sad came over Arthur's face as he reached out to pet Wy's hair. The rest of the dinner was no different and I was more than relieved to escape the room. I flopped down on my bed tiredly and just lay there. That is until my eyes caught onto a piece of paper. I reached for it and read.
You see me, but it's just the shell.
You see me and see that all is well.
You see me, not able to tell.
You see me, but you don't hear me yell.
I hear you but the words won't reach.
I hear you and your empty speech.
I hear you, what you try to teach.
I smiled in recognition of the poem, then frowned. I still couldn't find a decent word for the last part. I stared up at the ceiling while going the words over in my head. Screech, peach, leech, bleach, beach… I groaned. Perhaps Arthur could help me.
I hesitantly knocked on his door and heard a grumble. He had his back turned to me, looking himself over in the mirror. When I entered, he gave me a weak smile through the reflection and I sat down on his large bed.
"Sorry about earlier." I began hesitantly earning a shake of the head from Arthur.
"First of all. You have nothing to apologize for, poppet. Secondly, I believe there is supposed to be an 'I am' before sorry. Thirdly, what brings you here, for real?"
I rolled my eyes at the correction.
"Do you know anything that rhymes with reach, speech and teach?"
Arthur frowned in thought at the question and was silent for a long time, while tying his tie.
"I have a usable word for you actually, but I'll only tell you if you let me read the poem once it's done."
I blanched at the idea of Arthur reading it. It wasn't exactly happy so far and… well never mind.
"What is the word?" I asked.
Arthur smiled as he finally was done and gathered up his wallet and cellphone. He turned to me with a wink just before leaving the room.
"Preach?"
TBC