Sweet Symphony

Chapter 5

Disclaimer – I do not own Hetalia

Class went on, discussions about Gilbert were held, and Elizebeta was on the fence about what she thought. Unfortunately sixth period was Matthew's German II class; he didn't feel the need to take French since he already knew it, and even more to Matt's ever lacking luck the class was one in which he had with Gilbert. Fucking great. He tried his damndest to blend into the background and make himself unknown to all, but on a day where he was being singled out naturally Gilbert saw him and sent an exceptionally egotistical sneer his way. Oh how Matthew wished he had an invisibility cloak.

Matthew tried his best to walk into the band hall that afternoon with his head held high but, he couldn't shake off the weight of the day's events. Luckily or so it seemed his red eyed tormenter was nowhere in sight, however Feliks and Toris were talking in hushed tones across the way while casting small glances at him. Matthew sighed and let his gaze drop to the tiled floor. He was making his way to his slot when he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned with curious eyes even though in the back of his mind he already knew who he would be faced with: Mr. Jones. He was there giving Matthew a concerned teacher expression with his eyebrow knitted together. His mouth parted and stayed that way for a split second and then he spoke, "Mattie, I heard about your scandal today… why don't we talk this over in my office?" Matthew nodded, even thought it was partially Mr. Jones' fault he was even in this mess he followed along, Mr. Jones' hand on his shoulder the entire way. Of course it was then that Gilbert decided to grace the band hall with his presence and saw them heading off. "Faggot's probably gonna go grovel at Jonesy's feet."

Nothing really resolved, nothing really got better. Matt ignored Gil's existence and did what he had to. He did what he could to act normal even as there always seemed to be people gathered around to read whatever new incriminating message was left on the contours of his locker. He convinced himself that he could endure this new torture until summer started in a week's time. He was under the impression that if he could just tough it out until then, that over the summer things would blow over and the next year would be just peachy. Oh, naïve Matthew.

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"Call me, okay? We'll hang out or whatever, it's a must!" Eliz hugged him tightly as if she'd seriously never see him again even though they were just going on summer break. Matthew gave her a smile and promised that he would in fact for once use his cell phone and call her. He'd already been invited by Feliks to go to the beach with pretty much everyone from their group and he was actually contemplating going. Matthew had a serene little smile on his lips as he exited the band hall. As he opened the door he heard a grunt as something or rather someone blocked the full swing of the door. Mr. Jones, typical. "I'm sorry! Sorry! Really really sorry, sir!" Mr. Jones brushed it off, he then stooped to pick something up that he must have dropped. It was a lighter. "I didn't know you smoked." Matthew commented in a small voice. He really hadn't pegged Mr. Jones as a smoker and couldn't help the small sense of disappointment he felt. "Hmm? I don't smoke." Matthew shifted his gaze to the red lighter in his teacher's hand. Mr. Jones fortunately caught Matthew's train of thought. Not a moment later he flicked it on a flame suddenly flickering alive, "I like watching the flame; it helps me think." Oh. "About what?" Mr. Jones took his time replying, eventually he smiled down at him, "Nothing much… just next year's marching show." An obvious lie but Matthew let it be. Whatever it was must really be bothering Mr. Jones if he wasn't sharing willingly. Matthew watched Mr. Jones in silence for a few moments more before sighing. "Well Mr. Jones, I'll see you for summer band camp. Enjoy your vacation!" He said cheerily even though he really hated leaving his teacher in a disheveled and unnatural mood. Mr. Jones lifted the corners of his lips in an almost smile, "Yeah, you too Mattie." Mr. Jones turned first and re-entered the band hall, Matthew followed suit and pivoted to make his way home.

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Mr. Jones had been home for a while since school had ended. It was already dark but that didn't stop him from walking out to his back yard and plopping down to lie in the grass. He stared up at the never ending heavens searching for something, anything that would help clear up his own metal confusion of catastrophic levels. He couldn't just ignore the fact that his student was being bullied because of him. Matthew was indeed getting rough-housed because he favored him a little bit, but that wasn't fully it either. Matthew was being targeted because a certain albino teenage trumpet player was under the illusion that his favoritism for Mattie was more of a display of love and affection, which it wasn't… well… Mr. Jones exhaled deeply. He still couldn't get over the fact that Gilbert harbored sexual feelings for him. Gilbert was seventeen! That was a whole decade's difference in their ages, but if that wasn't enough now he was supposedly involved with Matthew who wouldn't even turn 16 until July. That alone was bad, but what really made Mr. Jones feel ashamed, guilty, and made him outright loath himself was the fact that if it was Matthew, he really didn't mind the prospect of being romantically involved. That damn right nearly killed him. All this time he'd prided himself on being a hero type of person, and here he was lowering his morals so much as to like one of his students. There he'd admitted it to himself. He did in fact like Matthew, as much as he'd tried to deny it people just had a way of commenting and confirming his interest in the boy further. Here he was twenty-seven years old and angsting to himself over his emotions like a preteen girl. He was glad for it to be summer break like never before. He would take this opportunity to cool his head and bury these indecent feelings, because as the world saw it; it was wrong to be involved with a student, even worse if it was a homosexual involvement. With another heavy hearted sigh Mr. Jones got up and retreated to the confines of his modest home, outside he felt too vulnerable.

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Gilbert was walking around town just wasting time or so it seemed to anybody that happened to glance at him. Truth be told he was actually doing a bit of light stalking. It was a Tuesday and thanks to all the time he used to spend with Jones, he knew that Tuesdays meant grocery day. So here he was making his way to the supermarket to follow his teacher. Once he entered the store he made sure to keep his just-passing-the-time façade by going to the ridiculously lack luster electronic section before he set off to search for Mr. Jones. He milled around picking up random shit to look at. He was getting rather impatient and shoved whatever he was 'looking' at back on the shelf and marched off to begin his mission "Operation Jones." It didn't take very long to find Mr. Jones who was currently bent over picking up boxes of cereal that he seemed to have knocked over. Gilbert didn't make himself known, instead he watched in quiet admiration. Sure he was pissed at the man that denied his feelings but sweet Jesus~ he had a delicious rump. Gil got lost in his inner mind's less than appropriate thoughts, while doing so a heated tint found its way to his cheeks. In this time Mr. Jones came to realize that he was standing there at the end of the aisle with a flustered face and zoning eyes. "Gil?" the boy snapped out of his stupor and just stood awkwardly with a classic deer-in-the-headlights air about him. "What are you doing, Gil?" Mr. Jones might not have liked the way Gilbert felt about him but he couldn't just turn on the boy he pretty much considered a brother. All in a rush of motion Gilbert grabbed an innocent box of cereal and dashed away. Mr. Jones frowned; he supposed it could have gone worse.

Gilbert abandoned the box before quickly exiting the store; Mr. Jones still on his mind. Gilbert ran the way back to his house. Seeing his heart's desire just now rejuvenated his feeling even further. He couldn't have him, but Matthew, Matthew apparently could, that just didn't sit well with him. Matthew didn't deserve Alfred Jones, not in Gilbert's opinion. No, Matthew didn't deserve him at all; he hadn't even earned the right to have all the attention. Matthew wasn't worth it. Gilbert slammed his hand on the yellow bean bag he was sitting on; he just needed to take care of Matthew. A sly smile started to spread across his pale features as the beginnings of a master plan started flitting through his mind.

A/N: So Mr. Jones actually admits to liking our little Mattie, hmmm… Gilbert well there's just something wrong with him isn't there? Reviews?