So I thought,

I'm gonna update today!

Just not on my laptop.

So I'm typing this and posting this chapter from my phone to see if it's any better, because my laptop glitched and made a bunch of typos In the first chapter, which I need to fix.

On my laptop.

Ugh. ._.

Sooooo without further a do I bring you mein latest update. :D

Hetalia's not mine btw,

Please review and stuff,

And…

Yeah, I don't have much to say.

Slight trigger warning maybe in this chapter.

~Jaysen

XxxX

Chapter Two.

Gilbert let his head fall back as the bell finally rung, signalling the end of school.

For the other students, at least.

Why did he even have to stay after class? He couldn't think of anything to write, it wasn't his fault. Stupid, I could be out of here and getting back to Luddy. This is such a waste of time… he thought, groaning quietly as he watched the rest of the students leave, all except for the male next to him. Why does this teacher even care? I'm probably not going to last up to the end of the semester. I'll be out and gone by that time.

His pondering was cut short as the teacher approached the two of them, he'd almost forgotten the Russian next to him. Habitually he bit his lip, still eager to get this over with. How would his foster father react if he came home late? He already wasn't the best man to mess around with, but he couldn't technically be moved again unless the man decided Gilbert was too much trouble to handle or the German had proof that his "dad" wasn't doing what he was supposed to be. Not that his foster parent was abusive, but he wasn't much of the fatherly type. Borderline neglectful, but Gilbert didn't mind being alone. He could take care of himself. He always had, in a way.

Crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair, he waited for the lecture he was sure to receive. The teacher glanced down at their empty notebooks, a stern but sympathetic look in her eyes.

"Boys, this is unacceptable. I know you're both a bit troubled, but it doesn't mean you can't get away with not doing your work. Surely you must have had something to write, no one's going to read it." Gilbert had already tuned her out with his thoughts. Troubled? That was really the word she used to describe him?

I'm not troubled. Why does everyone automatically assume that about me? Troubled. I'm anything but, thanks for asking before you slap the label on me… he almost rolled his eyes, until the next thing his teacher said caught his attention.

"Maybe you two should work together. I think you'd make good friends, and," she eyed Gilbert for a moment. "Someone's grades aren't as high as they could be." Gilbert huffed, muttering something in german under his breath.

"I don't need friends." Gilbert replied with a bored tone, leaning forward. His statement was somewhat a lie, but the German preferred to be alone. Though he was quite the attention-seeker, he did it by being troublesome instead of surrounding himself with fake people. Besides, he never stayed in one place long enough to keep a stable friendship, so what was the point of one? He'd had to grow up too fast to enjoy something as childish as a friend, so he didn't bother with it. But his teacher only gave him a slightly-sympathetic look, unimpressed with his attitude.

"Everybody deserves friends, Gilbert." She argued, sighing. The albino only shook his head, he'd always been one to argue. It was just part of his personality and it created distraction.

"I never said I didn't deserve friends! I just don't need them, there's no point in those kinds of relationships. You can't just willingly trus—" but the teacher cut him off.

"Alright, alright. That's enough from you." Her expression had gone from sympathetic to stern in a moment. Gilbert only huffed and leant back against his seat again, crossing his arms in disappointment. He glanced back to the boy next to him, what was his name again? Ah, yes, he remembered now, Ivan was it? Ivan something-in-Russian-he-didn't-know. Their eyes met for a split second before the other looked away, he'd been silent this whole time. The teacher sighed once more, pushing both their notebooks back toward them.

"Look, boys, I just don't want you failing this class. Or any other classes, for that matter." She glanced at Gilbert once more.

"You just have to write something! It doesn't even have to be in English if you're that uncomfortable, I know the both of you are fluent in more than one language. Use it to your advantage." She suggested, giving the two of them a soft smile.

"Now go! Ivan, maybe you could lend Gilbert a ride home." She seemed persistent of the 'friend' idea, but Gilbert wasn't in for any of this shit.

In fact, he'd already left the room, leaving the Russian in the dust. Ivan only sighed, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Wishing the teacher a goodbye he walked out, catching a glimpse of the German, just before he turned the corner. Maybe he could catch up to him? But to Ivan the albino surely didn't look like he wanted any part of this, and he couldn't have been any more correct.

Still, he would try. It didn't take long for him to catch up to Gilbert, the other male was walking at a rather slow pace now, almost as if he dreaded walking out of the school doors. In a way that was true, but Gilbert was also eager to bust out of this pit of hell they called school.

Eventually Ivan's steps fell in time with the shorter male's, and after a few awkward seconds the question came.

"Do you want a ride—" the Russian started to ask shyly, before Gilbert interrupted him.

"No." His voice was sharp, ice cold. Ivan bit his lip, burying his nose in his scarf. So much for a friend, when the other obviously wanted nothing to do with him, or anyone else for that matter. Gilbert just had a tough shell to break.

But it was starting to become awkward again, and not knowing what to do Ivan continued to follow the German. And soon enough in the silence of the empty halls the soft pitter patter of rain could be heard on the roof, gradually getting louder. It had been rather cloudy this morning, but Gilbert hadn't expected heavy rain! Even a sprinkle would've been okay at this point!

This is just what I need, he thought, biting his lip and sighing.

"Are you sure you're okay? It's raining and if you're walking…" The Russian spoke again, his voice soft, almost as if he was afraid of Gilbert's outburst.

"Like I said, I'm fine! I don't even have to walk that far, and it's just a little rain." The German crossed his arms, biting his lip once more as he stared out the glass doors of the school. Needless to say, it was more than just a little bit of rain.

"Won't you get drenched out there?" Gilbert could barely hear the voice behind him, before he whipped around to look up at the Russian. He was a hell of a lot shorter than the other but it didn't stop his own self anger.

"I don't care! I wasn't even going home anyway, why do you even bother? I thought it was obvious I didn't want to talk to you. If you're looking for a friend, you've come to the wrong person. So just…" he turned back to the door, shaking his head and pushing it open.

"Just stay away from me. You won't find any good here." And with that Gilbert ran out into the rain, disappearing amongst the think sheets of water that fell from the sky.

He was already drenched by the time he ran from the almost-empty school parking lot, barely able to see through the pouring rain. Gilbert wasn't going home, not tonight.

Why did he call it home? He didn't feel like he belonged there. He tried to avoid it as much as possible. Sure he could be alone there, but…

Being being alone and being by himself were two different things, in his mind.

Gilbert was already out of breath now, soaking wet. But just where was he running? The library, also known as his quiet safe haven of books and computers. He just had to reply to his brother's email. He didn't have a phone, or laptop, or anything that most students his age considered a necessity, but Gilbert found his own ways to keep in touch.

Gilbert didn't stop running until he reached the doors of the place, barely stopping himself from skidding in a puddle as he grabbed the doorknob, throwing it open. He heaved for a moment to regain his breath. The German didn't care if he was soaking wet, he wasn't going back out in the rain. He'd just have to wait it out here, which wasn't a problem for him. He'd just apologize for tracking water in here.

Walking back to one of the secluded desks in the corner of the library he set his bag down, practically falling into the desk chair, letting his head rest up against the back of it. Gilbert closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

The sound of the rain against the roof of the library was soothing as Gilbert turned on the computer, logging into his email account. His inbox was empty as he'd already read Ludwig's email, he'd just never gotten around to replying. Opening a new tab, he began to write.

Hey Luddy! I know it's been awhile and I haven't replied, but don't worry. I'm not dead yet, haha. School just started too, and it's unawesome as usual! When is it not anyway? And because I got here late they wouldn't let me choose my classes, so I got stuck in creative writing. I don't mind it much but I could've gotten something better. Shows the luck I've got, huh? But guess what! When I moved in a few days ago the social worker mentioned you and said that maybe I could come visit sometime this year! :DDD it's been like three years since I last saw my little bruder, I wonder if he's grown? Maybe taller than me? Last time I saw you, you barely came passed the top of my head. Pff, I don't think I've gotten much taller since then. If I do get to see you though, I can't wait. Hopefully I can soon, but I may be moving again. You know how long I last with people, I'd be surprised if I make it to the end of this semester. I hope you're doing well, better than I am. I'm trying, I guess. I should be used to moving so often now but I guess it's different when you're moving in with someone you only vaguely know from what the social worker tells you. My foster dad, yeah… not that fatherly.

But I'll be fine! I always am in the end, aren't I?

I don't really have much left to talk about, so… get back to me when you can. I'll try to reply sooner. Sorry if I worried you.

Gilbert read over the letter, sighing.

He would be fine in the end, he kept telling his brother, even if it didn't seem like the truth. He really, really hoped his social worker would let him see Ludwig. He would have to try and behave, the German was pretty sure his record was already fucked up enough as it was. So maybe he's made some mistakes, or been blamed for things he didn't do, but it always seemed to come back on him.

It was like life was out to get him, to hurt him, only to come back and tell him that someone had it worse off.

Resting his head on his arm he pressed send, not even bothering to sign the email. He logged off, closing his eyes and listening to the soft sound of the rain falling against this building, the quiet thunder that drummed in the distance. Gilbert let his tense shoulders relax, and he laid there for a moment, his head in his arms.

He hadn't gotten any sleep the night before, which wasn't abnormal for him. The first few nights in every new house were uncomfortable. Gilbert figured that was normal for any kid like him.

After a few moments the albino's eyes drifted open, he'd totally forgotten about his notebook! The teacher only told him to write his biggest regret, she never said how long it had to be. One sentence, just one sentence and then he could relax and forget for a little longer.

Taking his notebook and pencil out he flipped to the first blank page.

'Vertrauen.' Were the first letters written on the page, messy, slanted script decorating the once blank space. But after a moment, one word turned into two, two into a sentence, a sentence into a paragraph and before Gilbert knew it he'd poured his emotions out onto the once empty page.

The albino skimmed over his writing, a variation of German and English words, all mixed and jumbled together, just as his thoughts were. His handwriting was neat but not tidy, and his script slanted ever so slightly.

It was almost as if Gilbert had quite literally poured the words onto the page, the jumbled graphite letters staining the perfectly blank surface, not quite organized in a way anybody could read it correctly. The words even spilled over the page, into the margins and packed between the lines.

Clenching his pencil in his hand he almost slammed the book shut, shaking his head and laying his head down again.

The albino shut his scarlet orbs tightly, clenching his teeth. He couldn't write any more, not now.

Faint memories clouded his mind, and soon enough he'd fallen into a restless sleep, lulled away by the soft approaching thunder.

XxxX

Soooo I need you guys help! This won't come until later chapters, but the social worker makes an appearance :DD bUT I haven't decided who they should be yet! I kind of wanted them to be Elizabeta because she's kind of motherly and the two would have a platonic relationship— but I thought that might be a little… weird, maybe?

I might make her the social worker, but this is where you guys come in. If you'd suggest me characters— preferably female with kind of a motherly/sisterly attitude to fill the character slot, that would be awesome! If I don't get any suggestions, I'll probably make them Eliza. But if you're all for that idea, just tell me!