Flowers and Chocolates

Part 5: Arthur & Ally

"...And apparently the teachers've been trying to get him out of the janitor's closet all day. Dude, who would've imagined that Berwald would have a mariachi-phobia. How does that even happen?"

Ally's voice was overly-loud, as always. Honestly, the girl seemed to have no internal sense of her own almost constantly excessive volume. Her words echoed down the hallway, probably interrupting classes in session and people trying to study.

Arthur would have told her to quiet down, but... Well...

But, he was rather happy—for once—that she was being as loud as she was. Because she hadn't yet mentioned anything about Valentine's Day. Or the present that Arthur should have for her and now didn't because of that blasted frog.

Arthur shifted his books in his arms. He'd wanted to offer to carry her books before they started walking together, but she hadn't given him a chance. Since she was apparently too excited about finding out about Berwald's mariachi phobia. "Well," he answered, "I seem to remember that it involved Gill and Big Mike..." Of course. Because who else would it involve?

She pouted, switching her books to her opposite arm so she could reach into her pocket with her right hand and pull out a gigantic lollipop. Which she began unwrapping without a word of explanation. "I should've known the evil albino was behind it. She's behind everything nefarious that happens around here."

Arthur decided to ignore that comment. As he instead continued to wrack his mind for a suitable replacement Valentine's present.

Maybe he should ask her out to a nice, fancy restaurant? But, then again, Ally never appreciated his taste in restaurants. Flowers? No, flowers were tacky and expensive and besides, the frog always handed out roses. And Arthur really really hated Francis right now.

He could always go out and buy chocolates, but that was tacky too...

What was he supposed to do? This was their first Valentine's Day as a couple. It was supposed to be special.

"Earth to Artie~. Earth to Artie~. Come in, Artie."

And that was the moment when Arthur realised that he'd completely zoned out and stopped walking. And that Ally was now leaning close to him, her face only a few inches away from his.

He instantly felt his face heat up a few thousand degrees at that realisation and he hurriedly jerked backwards. Instantly switching to defensive mode, of course. Because that was what he did... "What do you want, git? I was just thinking..."

"I'm telling you this totally cool story and you're not even listening to me. Lame, bro. What're you thinking about that's so important."

"Nothing!" And he knew he'd said that too quickly. Because now her eyebrows rose in interest and now he knew that there was no way she was going to let up on him until he told her what he'd been thinking about.

"Duuuuuude~ now you gotta tell me! Was it something totally embarrassing?" She grinned and suddenly, for the second time today, Arthur had something snatched right of his hands. This time his books...

"Al!"

"Tell me!" She was holding them at arm's length—far above his head... This was the awful part of dating a girl who was taller than you were.

"Allison! Don't you dare..."

She jumped ahead of him, still grinning. "Come on! Tell me!"

"Give me my books, you git!"

Lovely way to spend a Valentine's Day, right? But Arthur didn't know what he was supposed to do now. Now that Francis had absolutely ruined his plans.

Except they were suddenly interrupted by a throat clearing from behind them. "Hello, Sir and Madam. Would either of you happen to know a Miss Allison Jones?"

And Arthur saw Ally's jaw drop and eyes widen in amazement in that moment. Which sent a wave of anxiety through him. Because he suddenly had the feeling that someone had done something very stupid. It was just a sense...

"Dude! That's so cool!"

And Arthur turned, mentally preparing himself so he could be ready for anything...

Then again, could you ever really be ready for anything in this town? Probably not. Since he honestly wasn't ready for what he saw in that next moment.

Namely an unknown man dressed up as Batman standing behind them. Holding a huge bouquet of red roses and box of chocolates.

Oh yes, someone had done something stupid.

"Hello, Miss Allison. I'm here on behalf of a Mr. Arthur Kirkland to wish you a happy Valentine's Day."

Someone had done something incredibly stupid.

A/N: Meh... Not so happy with this chapter. It's hard for me to write them as a couple since I haven't actually made them a couple yet. If that makes any sense, which it probably doesn't.

Ah well. Oh poor Arthur. His V-Day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?