Sweet Symphony

Chapter 6

Disclaimer – DO NOT OWN

(A big huge THANK YOU to Zelda-FF for Beta-ing :3)

"Matthew, what's wrong? You've been so morose as of late." his father questioned him in his perpetually suave voice.

"Nothing Papa, I'm just bored." Which was true, thanks to Mr. Jones and his constant chatter. Matthew also had a multitude of friends at school to keep him occupied , so he felt sad and lonely at home. More than anything in the world he wanted it to be August so that he could be busy with band camp and surrounded by all the people he cared about who, in turn, cared about him. Matthew rose off the couch, his shoulders slouched, and began to walk away from his father to sulk in his room. Right as he was making his way under the archway into the hall, he was stopped by his father's voice.

"Do something with yourself, Matthew. Go out! Find amour! Get a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, anything!"

"Papa~," he whined, not wanting to do any of that.

It was a few weeks into summer and he'd already been to the beach and hung out with Elizabeta, which had momentarily lifted his spirits only to leave him more sullen afterwards. He really couldn't figure out why; he was spending his summer like he did every year, just staying at home. For some reason, he just wasn't content with his usual summer routine. He was contemplating why he felt so down as he sat at the small desk in his room. He didn't get to be alone with his thoughts for long, however; soon enough, his father's voice rang through the house.

"Matthew, I'm sending you out!" Matt rolled his eyes and reluctantly made his way back down the hall to find his Papa, rummaging through the spice cabinet. "Matthew, go get me some basil, I seem to be out." Francis stood tall again, reaching in his back pocket to hand his son some cash for the errand.

Matthew eyed the money he was allotted for said trip to the store, "Papa, this is way too much! I only need like, five dollars; not fifty!"

His Papa shrugged with a creepy sensual smirk one should never have to witness on their parent's face, "Buy some porn, or something of that nature. Live a little, mon petit." Matthew flushed a furious shade of red and let out a little groan at his father's ever embarrassing ways, all the while pocketing the cash and rushing off to fetch his shoes.

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Hmm… basil. He looked at all the little shakers in his search. Parsley, no. Oregano, no. Thyme, also a no. Aha! Basil! Matthew took the shaker and happily trekked the way to the checkouts. He didn't splurge often but his father insisted that he "live a little," so he bought himself some Airhead Xtremes just to humor his Papa.

He was already on his walk back home when the sky rumbled menacingly above him. He shot a glance upward only to get a glimpse at some very threatening storm clouds rolling in. The weather man hadn't mentioned the possibility of rain, yet here it came. Damn Texas weather. With barely a few moment's notice it was pouring heavily and Matthew was caught in the midst of it. He couldn't help but feel exasperated; he hadn't even wanted to leave the house in the first place, and now he had this rain to top everything off. Great.

He trudged along in his thoroughly soaked clothes that were weighing him down. Matthew didn't like the woe-is-me emotions he was feeling, but he supposed they were fitting considering the circumstances. He kicked at a puddle in frustration and continued on his path home, cars drowning him in even more wretched water as they passed by. Matthew felt terribly annoyed at the turn of events, and then a car slowed near him.

"Hey kid, get in."

"No thank you,"

Matthew kept his gaze averted; he already had to deal with this weather, and now he had to put up with some guy trying to kidnap him? What. The. Hell.

"Awwh, come on Mattie! You look miserable."

That voice! Matt snapped his head up quickly in disbelief.

"Mr. Jones?"

"Yeah, that would be me… so are you getting in? I'll take you home, it's better than walking through this, right?"

"What about your seats? I'll get them all wet."

"No biggie, leather seats, easy enough of to dry off."

"Well, what about the carpets?"

"Mattie, chill okay? They'll dry eventually! Are you getting in or not?"

"…Okay."

Matt smiled and clambered inside, grateful to be out of the pouring rain.

"Thanks, Mr. Jones."

"No prob," Mr. Jones smiled at him, "Where are we headed?"

"Oh, um, just continue down this road and I'll let you know when to turn."

"M'kay,"

Mr. Jones had music playing in his car and if Matthew wasn't mistaken it was in Korean.

"What are you listening to, Mr. Jones?"

His teacher's face seemed to redden ever so slightly.

"Ahh it a CD that my ex-bo- uhmm rather, that my ex left at my place."

"Oh. Korean?"

"Mhm, my ex was Korean. Why?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I was just curious."

"Ahh no worries."

Matthew opened his Airheads and began to nibble on the end of one. Eventually he finished of the first bit and put another in his mouth, the rest hanging down from his lips.

"Want some?"

Mr. Jones had come to a stop sign and even though his brain was screaming at him that it was a horrendous idea, he leaned over and took a bite out of the piece Matthew had in his mouth.

"Mmm, delicious as always."

Matthew was tinted completely pink and looked a little mortified, but it was downright adorable in Mr. Jones' eyes. He knew he had said that he was going to forget about his less than appropriate feelings for Matthew, but he was just too good to pass up right now. He was soaked and his hair was damp, leaving him looking like an adorable little mess, and now he was just sitting there like a puddle of melted embarrassed Mattie. Mr. Jones grinned at him. It wasn't like he'd told Matthew of his improper feelings, he'd just indulged himself a little bit. He wouldn't do anything more than that and he wouldn't do it again. Nope, definitely not.

"I would have given you your own piece, you know..." Matthew stated, still staring at the older blonde.

Mr. Jones just laughed. Yup, this kid was the best, but he brushed away the affectionate thoughts, getting back to the point at hand. "Are we getting close yet?"

Matthew looked around at the passing scenery. "Mhm, next left is my street." Mr. Jones began to slow down, flicking his turning signal on. They descended down Matt's street. "This next house here is mine."

The house that was motioned to was a little grey brick house with what looked like some beautiful rose bushes out front. Mr. Jones pulled up to the curb, coming to a stop and unlocking the doors. "Well here ya are Mattie."

Matthew nodded, "Thank you Mr. Jones." He began to detach himself from the leather seats, his wet clothes having begun to stick on the drive over. Finally freed, Matthew slipped out of the car. He turned once more.

"Thanks again! Bye, Mr. Jones." he beamed brightly at the man, then made his way inside the warmth and dryness of his house. Mr. Jones watched him go with a warm expression on his face, unbeknownst to him or Matthew that Francis had watched the whole separation sequence from the living room window.

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"Mon petit, who was that?"

"My band director, Mr. Jones."

"Oh, and how old is this man?"

"Twenty…..seven?"

"Hmm… I see. Did you know that you're blushing? I just thought I'd point that out to you; très mignon." [very cute]

And if it was even possible, Matthew flushed a few shades darker. He set his father's basil on the counter and dismissed himself to his room.

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Mr. Jones was now at home, eating the Airheads Matthew had left in his car. They were delicious, but not as good as the one he'd eaten from Matthew's lips. He shifted on his sofa. He knew what he did earlier was wrong and that if anyone had seen them that they would've been in trouble-actually, probably just he would be in trouble, being the adult and all. His actions had made him happy though, reminding him exactly how great the feeling of love could be, something he hadn't felt since he and Yong Soo broke up about 2 years prior. And he'd be damned to hell if he lied and said that he didn't miss the feeling of love, just being giddy off another's presence. All of that was true. Alfred had felt amazingly happy with Matthew near him; better than he had all summer. That was what was bothering him. Matthew was too young, but he really had fallen for the quiet boy. What was he to do? He had tried to push thoughts of Matthew away during the almost full first month of vacation, but to little avail. Even though being with Matthew earlier had brought him great joy, now it was just giving him great grief. He shouldn't be behaving like this; he knew better. He was going to get caught.

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Matthew curled up on his bed, trying to calm his nerves. Mr. Jones had been plaguing his mind since the incident in the car and all his classmates' questions could be heard in the back of his mind. Does Mr. Jones mean anything to you? What do you think of Mr. Jones? So on and so forth. Matthew didn't know. Everyone saw him and Mr. Jones as being more than teacher and student, for some reason. Sure they talked a lot, Matthew admitted that, but what was so wrong with that? Matthew would think up all these reasons why they were just student and teacher, but then his mind would slip him a few reasons why he could possibly have the feelings everyone thought he had for his teacher. Mr. Jones made him happy. He made him feel acknowledged unlike so many other people. He made him laugh and smile, and honestly Matthew anticipated band everyday for the prospect of Mr. Jones. Maybe he did feel something for his teacher, but of course Matthew would never tell him that. He didn't want to put his beloved Mr. Jones' job at jeopardy.

A/N: ahhh I don't even know. Gilbert and other characters need to come back. Lol Mattie's Papa "buy some porn" ~ just great. Reviews?