Chapter 9 – Truth is a lie

"OUCH!" Alfred exclaimed.

He was stunned at first and then registered the first hint of pain coming from his head. Then a white board eraser fell in front of him.

Someone threw an eraser at him! The nerve! There was roar of laughter as he glared around the classroom trying to find the perpetrator. He found who he was looking for staring down at him in annoyance in front. It was Mr Germania, his history teacher.

"Mr Jones, I know you are not interested in this subject but I would appreciate if you at least act like you are interested."

Alfred blinked and flashed his best smile, hoping that would get him out of trouble. True enough, Mr Germania's glare softened. "Well, don't let me catch you not paying attention again," he grunted. "All right, class, let's go back to…"

Geez! Like I can concentrate! He thought.

He was too busy thinking of Arthur. He never really gave an answer to Arthur.

When Arthur had asked him, Alfred couldn't answer. He wants him. That much he knew. But he wasn't sure whether that was the same as like. He had told Arthur that he needed some time to think about it and he had suggested that they might be better off taking a break from seeing each other for a while. He remembered Arthur looking hurt at the very idea.

Furthermore, he couldn't tell him that this all started out as trick that backfired on him. Not only did he not get any scoop on him, he had found himself hopelessly falling into a deep, dark pit. His mind was telling him that he shouldn't be interested in Arthur but his body told him otherwise.

If banging his head on the wall would give him an answer, he would gladly do so. He was also doing badly at basketball practice, missing easy shots in his stupor. At last, when he thought he couldn't take it anymore, he consulted in Kiku.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, man," Alfred whined miserably.

Kiku looked at him knowingly. "That's love, my friend, your so-called brilliant plan backfired, just as I had predicted," he said in a gentle voice. Then his lips curled up into an eerie smirk.

"No! I can't accept this! I am not ready for this! This wasn't supposed to happen!" Alfred cried.

Kiku put a hand on Alfred's shoulder sympathetically.

"I.. I think I need to be alone for a while," Alfred said.

Alfred walked around the school, with no destination in mind. He was deep in thought, playing his ipod on shuffle. His earpiece blasting the song Anywhere but here by Simple Plan loudly into his ears.

And I wish that I could, snap my fingers, make myself disappear. Snap my fingers, get myself out of here. Alfred sang along. Cause I'd rather be anywhere else, anywhere else but here.

"Hola amigo!" A voice called out to Alfred. It was Antonio Fernandez Carriedo. One of his basketball teammates. Antonio threw an arm around his shoulder and hit him playfully on the rib.

"Hey man, how's it going?" Alfred greeted, hitting him back.

"What's this I heard about you having a new boyfriend," Antonio deliberately stressed on the word boyfriend.

Alfred felt his stomach dropped and he broke out in cold sweat. Oh crap, he had forgotten to tell them about this.

"Huh! A boyfriend! Seriously, dude, where'd you hear that?" Alfred paled.

"One of the guy from the team said he saw you with that gay from drama club in McDonalds looking like you're having a great time. There's nothing going on between the two of you, right?" he frowned.

"O-of course not! I was just fooling around with him, ya know? Passing time. New experiences. I am a hundred percent straight guy." Alfred tried his best to keep his cool and shrugged casually.

"Phew! The guys were talking about making your life hell if they ever find out that you leaned on the other side. Well, I am ok either way but…. Anyway, I will explain to them that you are straight." Antonio winked, putting a hand on Alfred's shoulder. "I should get going, see you later."

"Thanks, man! See ya."

Alfred turned away just in time to see Arthur starting at him, with a pair of most sorrowful green eyes he had ever seen. His eyes were flickered with pain. Alfred's mouth dropped opened in shocked. Holy crap!

I am such a fool. A big bloody fool!

"Did you mean what you said?" Arthur demanded, biting his lower lips. "You were just fooling around with me?"

I should have known. How could I forget how much he despises homosexual. I had let bath under this bliss and let myself get into this. Well, I am not going to show how much this upset me.

Arthur tried to shrug casually and will his hand to stop shaking. "I should have known, you were never interested in guys, especially after what happened. Oh! Ah!" Oh bugger! I didn't mean to say that!

Arthur covered his mouth, after realizing what he had gave away. Alfred's eyes turned wide then narrowed. "What did you mean by that?" Arthur shook his head, not wanting to answer.

"What? What did you know?" Alfred grabbed Arthur's shoulder and shook him hard. Then realization dawned as him. "It was Francis, wasn't it? He told you what happened!" He swore and cursed under his breath.

"Don't try to change the topic, Alfred. I want an explanation. So all this while, all the time we spent together, you were just toying with me? Am I just a toy for you? Don't I mean anything to you at all?"

Please say no, Arthur begged desperately in his head.

"I.. I.. yes…," Alfred admitted. "But…" He tried to explain.

"But…?"

Alfred was quiet and gave no answer. Arthur felt a sharp pang in his chest. He realized he didn't want this to end. He couldn't imagine going back to the time without Alfred by his side again, even if it was just a lie.

"So I don't mean anything to you."

Arthur was cold all over. Alfred's quietness only confirmed his fear. His eyes grew misty and he tried to blink away the tears that clouded his vision. He refused to look at Alfred, refused to let him see that he was crying.

"Goodbye then." Arthur said bitterly.

He turned and left without a backward glance. Then he let the tears run freely down his flushed cheeks. It wasn't until that moment that Arthur realized he had fallen head over heels in love in love with Alfred and also have his heart broken all in one day.

Alfred didn't try to catch up with him at all.

Note:

If any of you are interested to listen to the song I mentioned above. The links are in my profile :D

The next chapter would be my last chapter. I couldn't believe I actually made it this far. :D