A/N In celebration of one of my papers being moved, I decided I'd add a little more to the story. I only have 3 more weeks of school, so hopefully I'll find some time to write and then I can finish after finals. Again thanks for the reviews, I really do appreciate them.

Classes were bad that day. Moritz hadn't gotten his homework done; too many dreams apparently. And Ernst had been too busy trying to not stare at Hanschen that he hadn't heard when his teachers had called on him and he had gotten struck by even his favorite professor. And he still couldn't pay attention. Hopefully some scripture reading by the stream and playing with the girls would distract him.

He had just sat down when he heard voices coming towards him. He hoped they'd just pass and leave him be. No such luck.

"Why do you even bother Ernst?" Melchi asked him. "It's all pointless anyway. Just adults trying to control us."

"I…I like church," he finally settled upon.

"As if that isn't obvious," Hanschen said, sitting himself next to Ernst. Apparently no more Biblle reading would be done.

Melchior sat on Ernst's other side as Ernst cursed humanity for tempting him so much. They all took out their homework and began on the mathematics that would take Ernst the longest to complete.

In the distance, the boys could hear some of the girls talking and giggling.

"Melchior Gabor, he's such a radical."

Melchi chuckled at this as did Hanschen. Ernst was too busy feeling sorry for Thea because she didn't know they were listening.

"Radical? Hmm… I guess not letting the adults control you is radical," Melchi said amused.

"Well, Herr Gabor, since you have the girls falling at your feet, which one will you show affection to?" Hanschen chided, but oddly interested for Hanschen.

"Wendla," Ernst responded without thinking.

"How do you know?" Melchior asked, turning to Ernst.

"You've always been close with her and Ilse isn't your type. You're too similar." After Ernst said this he clasped a hand over his mouth. Since when did he babble?

Melchior was about to respond when the girls became visible. Ernst let out a sigh of relief. He wouldn't reveal any more secrets he knew.

"Hi," Ilse said being the boldest of the girls.

Ernst waved enthusiastically, happy that the conversation wouldn't continue.

Seeing Ernst, Ilse rushed over, helped him off the ground and pulled him into a playful waltz. They laughed happily, having fun and forgetting their troubles.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ernst could see Anna and Thea spinning in circles with their dresses flying. Martha had headed towards home as soon as she saw the boys sitting there, afraid of what might happen if her parents found out where she was. He also saw Melchior swaying back and forth with Wendla, barely an acceptable distance apart. Hanschen, of course, was still sitting with his back against the tree trunk observing everyone in their fun. Ernst was like Hanschen in that respect, he was always observing. Like how Ilse had a new bruise on her leg, probably from her father. And how Hanschen rarely joined in any of their games. How Moritz was always on edge and how Otto and Georg were oblivious to most things. He also saw how Martha was more like Ilse than the girls could guess.

"Hanschen is staring at you," Ilse cooed into Ernst ear, interrupting his thoughts.

"W-what?" he asked, finding this impossible to believe.

"He's watching us dance more closely than everyone else, just thought you'd like to know," she said, as if it meant nothing. How had she even guessed that he'd be remotely interested in that fact? He was of course, but still, he shouldn't be.

With that Ernst began to wonder what Hanschen was thinking at that moment, watching him dance with Ilse.

A/N So, random fact for this post: I always picture Johnny B. Wright and Gideon as Hernst when I read fanfic. For some reason, they fit the picture better. But I am a fan of the Ben/Andy pairing of the tour.

Also, if you're bored and want some more reading material, I could send some of the stories I've written for my classes this semester. Just leave your e-mail in a comment, as long as you don't plagiarize my stories (not that I think anyone would, but just saying). Thanks for reading!!!!!