Sweet Symphony
Chapter 10
Disclaimer – I do not own Hetalia
Mr. Jones was itching to get outside to see all his band kids again. He had spent the better of the last hour and a half inside his office. He'd been staring at his computer screen, trying to finish writing the drill for the marching show. He threw a glance at the clock hanging on the wall in the far corner, and deciding it would be fine since he was working on the last movement of the show, he pushed himself away from his desk. Once leaving his office he made his way through the band hall, doing his best to avoid the spinning flags, sabers, and rifles of the color guard practicing. He made it to the double doors relatively easy and eagerly pushed them wide open. Mr. Jones had always been excited for the first day of a new year's band camp and this year was no exception.
Mr. Jones had come outside at a perfect time, Mr. Vargas, one of the associate band directors, had just released everyone to a leisurely ten minute water break. He strode over to the petite Italian man.
"Hey Feli, how do are kiddos look this year?"
"Mm, they're fantastico!"
"Great! I'm confidant we're going to have another awesome year with these guys. So how are you and Bain handling things without me?"
"Practice has been going smoothly, I promise, but they've all been asking for you."
Mr. Jones grinned always so glad to be wanted by his loving students. When he walked away from Mr. Vargas he milled about the little clusters of band kids, mostly just spitting out quick hellos to all of them. When he made it to the far end of the field he found a rather large gathering of his band kids talking in harsh tones and whispers. Mr. Jones being true to his naturally nosey personality had to butt in.
"What's going on guys?"
Only one of the group turned to stare at him a look of unease on his young face.
"Ah, Mr. Jones…"
"What's going on, Toris?"
Toris nibbled nervously at his lip for a moment apparently debating whether or not to indulge Mr. Jones with the group's goings-on. Deciding Mr. Jones was indeed their ever trustworthy director he spilled the details.
"Well Mr. Jones, it seems as if Matthew's been uhm… beaten up, and according to Vash and Elizebetta, it was our very own Gilbert that did the damage, sir."
Gilbert? Mr. Jones stole a glance toward where he had just previously seen Gil. When he spotted the younger the teen was glaring daggers at him with an arrogant expression on his pale face. If Gilbert really looked aggressive enough to fit the bill, then, that meant Mattie…
Mr. Jones pushed his way forward only to find Matthew sitting on the ground folded over criss-crossed legs with Eliz rubbing his back soothingly. Near Mattie and Eliz, Vash was standing and even though he usually had a mildly annoyed look on his face similar to Roderich's; he looked absolutely livid now. From what Mr. Jones could see of Matthew's arms, they were littered in bruises.
"Mattie?"
Matthew immediately knew that voice but he didn't instantly look at his teacher. In fact Matthew didn't even raise his head until Mr. Vargas called them back up into attention and then sent them out back into basics block. When he stood up Mr. Jones got a good examination of the younger blonde. Not only were Matthew's arms covered in colored bruises but his face was also marred with them and various scratches and cuts as well. Mattie also seemed to be sporting an obvious busted lip and a mild black eye. He looked horrid, no ifs ands or buts about it. He looked so god awfully—No. He just plain looked like hell. It really made Mr. Jones feel sick that something like this had happened, of course seeing any of his students beaten to a pulp would have made him feel like that.
"Mattie, geez!"
But Matthew didn't respond. Instead he fell back into basics block along with everyone in band. Mr. Jones was forced to watch him practice. He couldn't really tell by the way Matthew was marching, but he imagined the teen had to be in some pretty hefty pain.
During water breaks Matthew would avoid his teacher's ever present gaze. Even though Matthew wouldn't look him in the eyes Mr. Jones could tell he was acting odd. Sure Matthew wasn't a very talkative person but he wasn't a mute. During the whole time Mr. Jones had his vision on the young sax player, he hadn't spoken a word to anyone. That alone was a pretty huge pointer that something was up. Plus, sue him if he was lying, but Mr. Jones could swear that during the previous school year Matthew almost always had a bashful looking sort of smile on his face whenever he approached. Mr. Jones tried his best not to pry, he really did but honestly everyone knew prying was just in his nature.
When the hour reached 11 a.m. and the band was dismissed for lunch Mr. Jones pounced, or so to speak. He took a few long strides to catch up with the youth that was once again the sole object of his thoughts.
"Matthew? Why don't you follow me to my office, hmm?"
Matthew visibly flinched when he heard the deep concern in his teacher's voice. Once inside the cool air conditioned band hall Matthew, though reluctantly, indeed followed Mr. Jones straight into his private office.
Mr. Jones motioned for Matthew to sit, ever so slowly and cautiously he did so.
"Matthew, you know you can trust me fully and completely, right?"
A single barely noticeable nod from the damaged boy.
"Then won't you tell me, what on earth happened to you?"
Alfred's voice was so purely filled with wonder and honest sympathy Matthew felt the need to turn his head in guilt, but he remained silent.
"Mattie?"
This time Mr. Jones received a negative shake of the head.
"Tell me what happened, maybe I can help?"
Again Matthew shook his head.
Mr. Jones was getting desperate; all he wanted to do was help rid Mattie of all his troubles. He wanted to play the hero, he wanted to save the other from whatever it was plaguing him, but for reasons beyond him Matthew was resisting.
"Matthew, please."
Even though Mr. Jones so earnestly implored him, when Matthew returned his eyes to gaze at his elder's they were pleading him not to ask anymore. For once in his life, Alfred F. Jones was able to read the atmosphere and comprehend someone else's feelings. He refrained from bombarding the boy in anymore inquiries. Though he couldn't deny the persistent itching to know why Matthew was in the state he was in.
After a few moments, where silence hung heavy in the air between the two blondes, Matthew pointed at the door asking for permission to leave without uttering a word. As soon as Mr. Jones gave the go ahead, Matt got up and exited, glad to be out of the room. He quickly grabbed his lunch box and headed to the nearly empty cafeteria. Matthew found his usual group of lunch people and naturally found his seat was saved next to Elizebetta. She looked over at him and he stared back blankly at her.
"Did you talk to him?"
"No."
"Did he try talking to you, did he ask questions?"
A nod.
There was a slight crease in her brow.
Matthew eventually tuned out of the conversation going on at the lunch table and focused on consuming his dino-nuggets, chips, and juice box. He really didn't want to listen to all the speculations of why Gilbert had done such things to him. He didn't need gossip, he knew why. Gilbert was jealous and jealousy could create a monster out of anyone if you let it. Gilbert thought Matthew harbored romantic feelings for their teacher, like he himself did. Sure Matthew admired the man but he wouldn't go as far as to say he was romantically inclined to Mr. Jones…
A/N: Short chapter is short. I do however greatly thank those who gave me good ideas. (: Reviews as always are sweet!