Chapter 2: Fate Has You (2)

The day went by rather slow and by lunchtime I was exhausted. We sat under this thick tree near the baseball field. It was a nice spot on sunny days. It was quiet and hardly ever disturbed by big crowds of loud people. You weren't supposed to be there because it was off school lunch grounds but supervisors didn't really care. As long as you weren't hurting anything or anyone you were invisible to them. Before lunch, I was in fourth period (duh), and in my case it was a Figure Drawing class. Any news was usually broadcasted during your elective period so everyone knew what was going on at the school at different times of the day, unless of course you heard any gossip, which most people did. Anyways, what happened in Art class went something like this:

We were all seated at tables of four, conversing from time to time and wearing headphones listening to music. Our assignment for today was somewhat in the spirit of early Valentine's Day. We were supposed to draw the lover of our dreams or our Valentine for that year. The catch was, to use that character to exercise our skill in drawing exotic posing (not the dirty kind by the way ;D). So as we were all in the middle of sketching out our ideas, our teacher, Mr. Dessiner, stood up in front of the class with a sort of smile on his face holding a single sheet of paper with a short paragraph on it.

"My students! We have grand news from our principle!" He spoke aloud with a hint of a French accent.

Everyone looked up at him from their sketching including myself and was prepared to listen. We had hoped that there was a budget raise for the art class but it was something much bigger.

"For the first time in our school history, our school has been added to the Over-Seas Program! We were picked to represent Germany and have our school open to other children over seas!" He said rather excited.

Everyone rejoiced and was extremely excited to finally get a chance to go over seas and see other countries all over the world.

"Wait, class. There is more," He now read directly from the paper, "Students of our school will be able to choose from six different countries: England, France, America, China, Russia, and Italy! Be warned though, there are only a few slots for each country so hurry in and get a sign up slip in the main office. For more information, pick up a flyer at your teacher's desk that will explain requirements, dates, meetings and etc. Have fun and remember… It's an opportunity of a life time!" He finished and was crossing his arms trying to hold in the joy he had. I bet he was thinking of all the new over seas art students he was going to have.

Everyone was now hyped up and laughing and talking, thinking of all the possibilities. I was excited to, but not hopeful. Everyone knew about it now and everyone was going to fight to get one of those slips. How the heck was I going to get one? I had no clue and I don't think I wanted to climb over people simply elbowing anyone in the face that was in my way either. I sighed out and simply continued sketching out my character.

Mr. Dessiner walked over to me and bent over. He peered near my shoulder, "That's a very interesting interpretation of a lover, no?" He thoughtfully commented.

I looked at him for a moment before looking back at my sketch, "Yeah, I would say so to. I mean, I know we're suppose to be using our imaginations but the fact of the matter is is that I don't want to."

"You don't want to? This is an ART CLASS." He laughed.

"Not like that, Mr. Dessiner. I meant, well, I just don't want to picture what kind of lover I'd want because if I ever do get one, he most likely not be how I would picture him and that will just turn out to be a disappointment in itself, don't you think? So all I want them to have is a nice, warm smile that would make me smile. Have eyes that were soft and playful. A gentle human being who was very passionate about the things he liked. He would be kind to."

He nodded, "So it's personality you're looking for. So that is why you're sketch is just the bare minimum with no detail?"

I nodded, "Pretty much."

He smiled at me and patted my head accepting my views, "Here's another question. What do you think of the Over-Seas program?"

I immediately gave him a look of disbelief when I thought about it, "That program? Well, all I have to say is that I will gladly congratulate whoever was able to procure that slot to get out of the country and into a school in another."

"You don't think you could be one of them?"

I laughed, "No way! I would like to leave the country through other means then killing for a slot. Maybe next year or something. I don't really know, but practically the entire school is pumped with blood and excitement for those slots. Violence is involved in this equation, Mr. Dessiner."

He simply laughed and stood up straight, "Ah, my young pupil. I have no doubt in my mind that fate is involved in this equation. A heavier substance then violence, for sure."

I'm not sure what he meant, but he was probably right. He was wise in a sense. I looked down at my drawing and leaned in and drew a question mark on the chest of my mysterious character. I smiled and then the bell rang.

That was fourth period.

So, my entire man team and I sat relaxed on the grass under the tree eating our lunch. Gilbert and Antonio were here as well, even though they ditched for three periods. No one ever missed a lunch if they could help it. It was a rule we had. It was weird, but that's how the wind rolled. I sat next to Ludwig and Roderich.

"Roderich~ I need a favor~." I spoke in a half whine, half sing song voice.

He never looked away from his sandwich and sipped a juice box he had bought from the vending machine, "If it has to do that cosplay costume you were rambling about the other day just hand me the reference photo and I'll have it done by next month."

I squealed with joy and hugged him tightly, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I smiled wide.

He waved his hand at me in a "shoo shoo" type of gesture, "No need to thank me, I already know that I'm the only useful one in this man club."

"Why do you even like cosplay? That's so weird." Ludwig mumbled eating bratwurst with a side of beered potatoes and two handfuls of peas.

I stuck out my tongue, "Cosplay is only for awesome people!" I laughed and nudged him playfully.

"Ah! It's such a nice day out! We should play football or something!" Antonio spoke out happily with his ever so sweet choppy accent.

"Ve~! What I good idea frapelo!" Feliciano spoke out joyfully while leaning on Ludwig chewing on a bratwurst.

Gilbert nodded, "Yeah! Let's do that! I'll be a team leader because I'm fucking awesome!"

Roderich simply shook his head, "I'll keep score or do something useful. I don't want you guys to mess up my new shirt."

I squirmed, "I want to play! Rawr~! I'm the baddest sports player out there! Rawr~!"

Ludwig simply stood helping Feliciano up, "Agreed. Let's play."

We got some other people to play with us so we had even teams. The game we ended up playing was soccer just because Ludwig had a soccer ball on him. Of course, Gilbert became one of the captains and then Ludwig was the other one. I was on Ludwig's team and we played all of lunch. We won for sure! Having Ludwig on our team was like having the God of Soccer playing. He was just simply that amazing at this damn game. Gilbert actually wasn't bad either, but he had the habit of sending his Gilbird to peck at people's eyes to "distract them" during the game, which counted as a foul on his part. It was really fun!

Sadly, I didn't have anybody to talk to during fifth period and just sat there bored out of my mind. Elizabeta was there, and she was really nice but we had nothing in common (tear) so we had nothing to talk about. We tried! Believe me! It didn't work out so great in the end. Anyways, sixth period was when I had class with my buddies again! We talked all about the Program and what it might be like to actually be picked, what we'd do and what country we wanted to go to. Ludwig wanted a to be accepted pretty badly thinking it was a good way for him to show how good of a student and sports player he was in other countries; boosting his reputation was his goal. Feli also wanted one so that he could go with Ludwig, and he refused to stay behind. As for Roderich, well, he was a rich guy; he was planning on going anyways, with or without the slip. As for me, well, I just didn't really know. I wanted one yet, knowing that I probably won't ever get a chance to even look at a permission slip brought my hopes and interests down by a few notches. I tried to forget about it and drop the subject with the guys.

"So, anyways, let's just forget about this whole program nonsense and talk about something else!" I spoke out joyfully trying to get their attention. They didn't listen. I pouted and slumped in my chair when suddenly, out of the silence of working students the classroom door opened. Everyone looked at who had disturbed the silence and it was a TA. He brought those little yellow slips for people who had business to attend to in the office or something or the other. There was only one this time and it was Ludwig. He blinked at the yellow slip as it was handed to him. Everyone stared for a moment before kind of shaking it off and going back to their work. We continued to stare at him still as Ludwig looked back at us.

"Where do you have to go?" I questioned curiously.

"To the office… How weird." He spoke thinking of any possibility as to why he would need to go to the principle's office. Oddly enough, the slip wasn't directed for him to go immediately, or at all during today.

"It's probably something insignificant. I haven't done anything that would land me in the principals office for something major." Ludwig said confident that it wasn't anything big.

There was a small notation on the back that read in sloppy teacher's chicken scratch, "Come to the office on Monday. Do not forget it, this is extremely important to you're future."

Austria chuckled ironically, "That sure doesn't sound like a small matter."

Ludwig frowned, "If this is a stupid prank you guys are pulling I will beat you until you pass out."

Feliciano cries almost tackling him in a hug and hiding in his chest, "I swear I didn't do anything~! I'm an innocent virgin who isn't in on anything because I'm too oblivious to everything around me! I have family who go to the principle's office all the time!" He cried and cried and cried.

"Gah! Don't cry on me! I'm not going to hit you, you idiot! You can't even tie your shoelaces! What makes you think I'm stupid enough to think that I'd suspect you of pulling a prank like this? For all I know, this is way above your 'expertise'."

"Oh~" Feli spoke out in a high pitched whisper, "Thank the arch bishop you're not as stupid as Gilbert says."

I face palmed, "I don't think you were suppose to say anything if you heard Gilbert say that."

Ludwig sighed, "I guess I'll just put this away somewhere where I won't forget it. Our principle sure is weird though."

We all agreed. He was really was a weird guy. If someone had ever gone into his office, the first things you would have noticed is all the photos of his younger days when he was in the military. He had his first gun on a shelf with his first military suit, and all the medals he was ever awarded. On the other side of his office he had his own protein shake counter. I was in his office once and I refused to look in that direction. Some of the stuff he put in those shakes would scare off even the greatest body builders of today. I shutter just thinking of that guy. It was funny though, because the principle even scared Ludwig. Even though he didn't necessarily show it, Ludwig was still fearful of him.

"Hey… Since I have to go to the principle's office, c-could one of you guys come with me…?" He scoffed a bit embarrassed.

Feli and I laughed, "Of course we will!"

"We would never leave a brother behind!" I spoke out reassuringly.

"Or a sister!" Feli smiled at me.

I put my hand to my chest feeling the love. As always though, it seemed that Austria was very willing to leave his brothers (or sister) behind if it meant he had to do something he didn't really want to do. We would get him back later for that, but now was not the time, or place. So in the end, Monday was going to be a big day for all of us, whether it was Valentine's Day hype or facing the old coot with a military past that he could not leave in the past.

Remember how I said it was Friday? Well, on Fridays I would go to work. as well as Fridays, I went on Mondays through Wednesdays. It was hard work, but good work. Sadly, I couldn't find work in the city because I lived far from any job that would take a high school student; so our lovely neighbor, Mr. Arable, offered me a job on his farm and I gladly took it! I worked all through out the year with him to grow the vegetables. From watering, turning up the dirt, and planting, to harvesting our hard earned crop and selling it in the market. Sometimes, I would do all types of work in one day. We were always planting and always harvesting; mostly it was to circulate money all year round and not wait from just one harvest, so he planted at different times in the year and continued to do that for the past fifteen years. It was also beneficial to the soil; it would always stay nourished, having all of its nutrients not taken all at once, but by bits through out the year. Mr. Arable was truly a genius at the art of farming.

I was paid, most of the time around nine dollars an hour, it changed according to the profit that came in and I didn't mind too much, at least I had something, right? Today, we were working on his prized squashes that he kept in a special garden behind the house. They were hard to handle with the size and weight goals Mr. Arable was aiming for. His last year's prized squash was about two rulers high and weighed close to 160 pounds. This year he wanted them bigger and I wasn't exactly sure how in the blazes we were going to beat that record. The biggest squash I had ever seen was probably the size of a normal pumpkin.

"It's a fine day to be working in the garden. We should be picking these sweet things from the ground, but my special whisky is going to prevent the rotting rate and let them grow a bit more." He chuckled looking at his squashes and spraying each one with a fair amount of the substance in his spray bottle.

I have no idea what that weird elixir is, but it indeed smelled of whiskey and if you tried it, you'd probably would have wanted to cut your tongue off. That stuff was DEADLY, but that was his secret. Some homemade mixture he made daily for all of his vegetables.

"So, uh, what do you do with the squash after the Vegetable Fair? Do you throw it away or do you cook it?"

He shook his head as he took off an old baseball cap he always wore and wiped his forehead with his arm forearm, "Neither. I bury it in the soil for the other vegetables to thrive on it and then I pray for good luck on the next harvest."

I smiled, "Oh. Well, that's even better then what I expected."

"You mean, you were expecting that I would have said 'neither' to your question in the first place?"

I laughed, "Yeah."

He chuckled and looked at his hat, and reading the faded writing on the back of it, wiping some dirt off before putting it back on and continued spraying the vegetables while I tossed fertilizer everywhere then watered it down so the nutrients soaked into the earth. Again, the fertilizer was another special of Mr. Arable's and you had to water it down every so often. After the job was done we sat on the porch to his house and drank some carrot juice.

"Hah~ I'm so happy we can finally sit down and take a breather!" I exhaled before taking another gulp of carrot juice.

"Well, you earned it. Hard workers deserve a nice break after a long day, especially if you're still schooling." He said gulping down the last of his glass.

I nodded agreeing with him and sipping at my glass again. The wind blew quietly through the fields and we watched as the fields of corn swished right after the wheat fields from the neighboring farmer who I didn't know. They moved in waves. It was like watching lines of soldiers moving across the land, invisibly graceful in their march along the fields to where ever their destination was. It was nice and it had gotten me thinking about today.

"Mr. Arable?"

"Yes?"

"Can I tell you about my day? I've had a long day and I feel like telling someone. Maybe you can give me some advice since you're so wise."

"Sure. Shoot for it, my pupil."

"Well... Today they announced that they are starting an Over-Seas program and I really want to go, but so does everyone else and I don't know what to do. I mean, I know that I have to actually sign up, but how can I get a better chance at getting picked? My grades are all right; they aren't amazing or anything special. I'm not on any athletics teams or anything either." I spoke clearly not confident in myself and filled with so many questions.

"Keizoku wa chikara nari." It was all he said.

"Huh?"

"It means, 'Continuance is power and strength'," He ahem'ed and grabbed a white towel that was on the porch table near him to wipe his face, "I cannot give you the answer to you're problems or you will not learn, but I can tell you this. Perseverance is what makes the common man, king."

"Oh… Huh… Figured you'd say something like that." I was a bit disappointed in his answer even though he was right.

"Don't worry. Fate works in mysterious ways." He smiled at me.

I looked out on he fields, "Fate? That word again."

There was a silence that Mr. Arable let me have; it gave me the time to think what exactly that could have meant. Of course, I would't figure anything out at this very moment but I could still think about it. After that stilled moment of silence I looked at Mr. Arable and smiled trying to be a bit more positive.

"Well," I spoke out, setting my glass on the porch, "I have to get home before dark otherwise my mom will get mad." I laughed.

"Oh! Sure, go ahead!" He laughed trying to shoo me away playfully.

"Haha, let me just take these glasses inside to wash them and I'll be on my way." I grabbed my glass and his.

"No! Get! Shoo shoo! I'm not that old you little scoundrel!" He said laughing.

He grabbed he towel and twirled it into a temporary whip. He flicked it at me to usher me out.

"Gah! Okay, okay! I'm going!" I said as I ran off the porch, leaving the glasses on the edge of the porch and ran for my bike.

He waved, smiling. I smiled back and waved back as I kicked up the kick stand to my bike and hopped on, riding away still waving then as the house began to disappear I stopped and focused on the rode ahead of me. I was a bit sidetracked and would kind of swerve but then realize that I was going off rode and swerve back into focus. It was starting to get darker and I rushed faster home. I really didn't want to get scolded by my mom. Lights illuminated shadows of the rode as the sunset was turning to early evening. Thankfully, they were the lights to my home and I sighed out relieved. Nearing my house I slowed down and glided into the small driveway that lead to the garage at the back of the house and parked my bike.

"Ma! I'm home!" There was no reply. I rolled my eyes. She should have heard me. I walked into the house and looked around for my mom. She wasn't in the kitchen; she wasn't in the dining room or the living room either. I walked upstairs and she wasn't there either. The lights were on, but why the heck was no one here. I shook my head and went into my bedroom to put my stuff down. I pulled out my phone and called my mom. The phone rang, but there was no answer. I hissed slightly and sat at my desk in front of my computer. I sighed and slouched over tired. I looked at my backpack and knew I had to do homework so I could take more of a breather tomorrow, I didn't want to do it though so, I scrunched my nose and began to procrastinate. As I surfed the web a window popped up, 'you've got mail'. I blinked and clicked on it wondering what todays mail could be.

"Oh. My pen pal." I spoke to myself.

A while ago I signed up for a pen pal service just because I thought it would be fun to do and I ended up with a girl who was maybe three years older then me, and a senior in high school. She was really nice and really pretty. Her name was Yekatrina; she let's me call her 'Kat' though.

Hi Rowan,
I'm so sorry I haven't written in awhile! My brother and sister have been sort of a handful lately and I've been working a lot! Phew, work sure is hard when you're juggling more then one! Anyways, things have been busy over hear, but guess what! There's a new program at our school called the "Over-Seas Program" and my brother had gotten in it! He's in this special group! The weird thing is, he won't tell me where he's going! He said it was private and top secret! I'm so scared for him! My little brother may act tough, but he really is a sensitive and shy boy and I don't like it that I won't be there to help him when he's in trouble. I don't even know where he's going! What do I do? I need advice.

Do you have that program? They didn't tell us too much about it, except to pick up a form in the office if you decided you wanted to go. If you do have the program could you tell me more about it? I'm a bit skeptical even though IT IS a school program. I'm an older sister and I HAVE to look after my little brother. Natalia and him are all I have left and I want to make sure he's safe. Oops, got to go, my brother is home and he doesn't look too happy! I hope he didn't get into another fight again. Bye!
Your loving friend, Kat.

I smiled and was beginning to write back to her when my phone rang. I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Rowan! I'm at the hospital! I'm sorry I couldn't call sooner, but your dad got into a car accident."

"W-What? Ho-how? W-Where?" I was shocked and terrified.

"I can't tell you right now. Don't panic, he'll be…fine… Just stay home, okay? Please eat and do your homework. I have to go, the doctor just came back with the report. I'll keep you posted."

"Wait, mo-!" Click. She hung up. I sat there shocked and confused. I shook my head not believing what I was just told. I looked at my computer then back at my phone.

"What the hell?" I breathed out. Why were so many things happening all at once? What is my life coming to here?

Don't forget to review~! Ho ho ho~! XD Would really love some feedback! XDXD Tying to get better at this crafty craft! (hehehe, get it?) Trying to work on the jokes to tho... :P