Hi ya'll! Thanks so much for all the song suggestions. I'm sorting through them slowly but feel free to keep suggesting music! I appreciate it guys!

Also, there seems to be some fear that I will abandon USCan and, let me just say, never fear dear readers. Don't get me wrong, I love UKCan but USCan will always have a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, I'm facing some writer's block on my USCan stories and UKCan is just coming easier (hence me updating this now instead of other chapter fics and despite my last USCan ones-shot). Also, I put the poll up in hopes to point in which direction to update. However, there is a tie. :/ As awesome as that is, I'm gonna keep the poll up longer and wait so I have more time to organize my thoughts. So, if any of my USCan readers are following this, VOTE please~

And maybe, just maybe, there will be a surprise on New Years. ;)

Pairing: eventual Arthur/Matthew

Warnings: AU, all previous warnings

Disclaimer: No ownership of either Hetalia or Flyleaf's "I'm sick".

"Are you wearing eyeliner?" Matthew asked suddenly, pausing in his rapid scribbling of notes as the teacher droned in the background.

Alfred, who had been cheerfully babbling on about this new song he had written for the band and how awesome it would be and how it would totally blow stupid Arthur and his band's music out of the water because his music was shitty and gross, just shrugged and, completely nonchalant, replied, "I thought it really brought out my eyes."

The other student just stared at him before shaking his head slowly. "Whatever makes you happy." Matthew said faintly, turning back to the front, coming to terms with the fact that his best friend took more to heart than expected from the Cosmo he perused to figure out his make-up color scheme.

To get his attention back, Alfred began to scoot over, desk and all, until it was in line with Matthew's. Then, slapping the desk loudly, the blond said, "Matt."

Matthew's eye twitched, but other than that he refused to acknowledge the other.

"Matt. Matt. Matt. Matt. Matt." Alfred repeated, cobalt eyes (standing out thanks to the eyeliner) boring holes in his friend's face. "This is about Operation Limey Seduction."

Gritting his teeth, Matthew turned to look at Alfred. "Please stop saying that out loud." When Alfred just looked at him, the Canadian sighed. "What?"

"We need to up your game." Alfred whispered conspiratorially. "You've already managed to seduce Belle and her brother—"

"I did not—"

"Any closer and he would've been in you, Matt." The other teen rolled his eyes, remembering how Willem had practically melded himself to Matthew's side at the show. "Anyhoo, brosideon, I think you need to make yourself Arthur's friend. You already made your self known, but now he needs to get to know you."

Matthew sighed, drumming his desk nervously. "Okay."

"…Okay?" The other blond gave him a confused half-grin. "You got a plan?"

"Yeah…" the Canadian trailed off, squirming slightly. "You might not like it."

He had been thinking about it ever since he and Alfred left the concert late a few nights ago. Arthur and he had, at best, a professional relationship. Belle issued his standing invitation to their practices and Matthew had no doubt that it was because of Willem. Arthur had invited him once, in the beginning, so that they could discuss Student Council affairs. Well, they had exhausted all topics in that first meeting. After introducing the idea of the auction to be held in the winter, the entire Council would work together to organize it.

Alfred was right (Matthew had crossed himself at this point, reciting, what he hoped, was a semi-correct recitation of a long forgotten prayer) when he said that he and Arthur needed to get to know each other. One discussion on music was hardly enough to base a relationship on—not that Matthew was aiming for a real relationship but even fake "hitting and quitting it" repulsed him.

Frankly, he didn't even know if Arthur would ever put a relationship before the band. Alfred, when he did manage to land a girl, would always place a greater importance on music and cocaine (and Matthew, but that was just understood).

But in order to find out, he'd have to spend more time with Arthur. And less with Alfred.

"Probably not." Alfred agreed. "But hit me anyways, baby."

"I won't come to band practice anymore."

Alfred's face was neutral. "Okay."

"And no more skipping classes to joyride and doodle genitalia on your baseball coach's mailbox."

The briefest grimace fluttered across the other's face. "…Fine." He grit out.

"…And no more post-practice burgers."

Cobalt eyes widened behind steel-rimmed glasses and that was all the warning Matthew received before Alfred shot to his feet, sending his desk toppling to the floor, wailing, "NOOOOOOO!"

"Where's Alfred?" Steven asked, dropping his bag as he took an open seat next to Matthew.

Matthew, who was cradling his face in his hands, just muttered, "Principal's office."

"Again?"

"Yeah."

"What are you looking for, mon cher rosbif?" Francis asked, chin cradled in his hand.

Arthur, who was craning his neck and searching around the cafeteria, ignored the teen.

"He'd better be trying to find Matthew to apologize to him." Belle said shortly, snapping her chocolate bar in half and offering some to Francis.

It had taken the combined glares and nagging of Belle and Willem (with Lovino's hissed insults and Antonio's pseudo-innocent comments) to force Arthur into agreeing to be nice to Matthew and apologize for, basically, being himself.

"Only if I can eat it from your delicate fingers." The French student purred, azure eyes hooded. "And lick the crumbs from your fingerprints."

Belle looked disturbed.

"I can't find him." Arthur grumbled, sitting back. "Well, it can't be helped."

"Whom are you searching for?" Francis asked, watching Belle chomp on her chocolate with keen eyes.

"Matthew."

"Mathieu?" Francis visibly perked up before his eyes narrowed. "Why do you want him?" He asked, casually, one slender eyebrow quirked.

"To apologize." Belle answered. "For being a dick." Suddenly, she sat a little straighter. "There he is."

Matthew and Steven entered the lunchroom together, with Matthew relaying his dilemma to the Australian.

"It'll be alright, mate. Art isn't so bad." Steven clapped a hand on the other's shoulder. "Just be yourself. Even if he doesn't feel the same, he won't be a total arse. Maybe half an arse."

Matthew, though he felt guilty about lying to his friend, knew he couldn't share the plan with rest of the band.

Besides, Kiku already had his storyline for his doujinshi.

"Mathieu!" An accented voice called out and immediately said teen froze.

"Crisse." He swore. "Its Francis, isn't it?"

"Bad luck for you." Steven whistled lowly.

"Maybe if I ignore him—"

"I have pictures of our tryst!" The French student pressed on, casually waving a handful of Polaroids in the air and Matthew could almost make out the images even from across the cafeteria. "I have one of you coming out of the shower~"

Matthew had never even moved so fast on the ice.

"Give me those." He hissed, humiliation coloring his cheeks scarlet. He snatched the pictures, pointedly not looking at them, and proceeded to shove them into his book bag.

"It is fine. I have copies." Francis looked wounded, a hand placed strategically over his heart. "Why you continue to deny our obvious attraction, chaton, is beyond me."

"Maybe because it does not exist and because you are a whore." Arthur said flatly. Standing up, he turned to Matthew and ignored Francis's noise of outrage. "I have no desire to eat slop today. And, you would do me a great honor if you allowed me to take you out for lunch."

Belle cleared her throat and whispered, "And?"

"As an apology for my behavior." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"I'd love to." Matthew responded, forcing himself not to chicken out. This was a prime opportunity, on a silver plate to boot.

"Brilliant." The older student gave him a small smile. "Chivvy along then, mate."

"You drive a station wagon?" Matthew sniggered, fingers pressed against his lips as though to stop the snickers.

"It makes transporting the instruments a snap." The student retorted, the palest of blushes on his cheeks. "Just get in, you sod."

Once both boys were seated, Arthur quickly turned the key and the engine roared to life, the stereo already blaring Anarchy in the UK.

"Got a preference?" The sandy-haired student asked, as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Radio." Matthew said absently, already reaching for the dial.

"Oi!" Arthur slapped at the other's hand. "I meant for grub." He gave the other a sidelong look. "Got a problem with the Sex Pistols, Matthew?"

"Oh, so you remember my name now." The other responded, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"I stare at your picture in the yearbook every night and repeat your name." Arthur replied, face stoic. "Practice makes perfect."

"…That's a little creepy." Was what slipped out.

The corner's of the other student's lips quirked briefly. "Well, I do try."

"Crisps?" Arthur asked, not even waiting for a response as he tossed the bag towards Matthew. "And they only had turkey. Hope you don't mind."

"Ah, no, thank you." Matthew replied, knees coming up to catch the bag of chips as he took the proffered sandwich.

"Was going to take you to this little place that serves amazing curry, but apparently the health department shut it down." The green-eyed teen continued, taking a seat next to the blond on the park bench the two had claimed.

"Pity." Matthew murmured, unwrapping the submarine sandwich, absently licking his fingers clean of the mayonnaise that had smeared along the edges.

"Use a napkin." Arthur scolded, handing over some cheap paper napkins. "Honestly, we're not heathens."

Matthew snorted derisively but took the napkins anyways.

The two sat in relative silence, the only noises the sound of chewing and crumpling of plastic and the crunch of chips. Matthew's knee bounced up and down, his heel tapping against the ground every other beat. His fingers, gripping the sandwich, trembled ever so because he couldn't help but wonder what now.

What should he say? Should he play coy or just let go? How does one go about flirting and wooing and similar nonsense?

"So…apology accepted?" Arthur asked, green eyes staring straight ahead.

"I…well…" Matthew licked his lips and stared at his sandwich. "There was really no reason for you to apologize." He admitted.

"Belle seemed to think so. Bint is of the opinion that I've been a right bastard to you." Arthur sat back, crumbling up the empty wrapper of his sandwich and dropping it to the ground. "Didn't mean to offend, mate. I'm a bastard to everyone."

Matthew laughed softly, just a soft burst of air snuffed through his nose. "I've noticed." He toed the ground, kicking lightly at the cracked dirt. "You're our straight-laced President during school and a punk rocker after, yet you remain an asshole through the day."

The older teen gave him a surprised look before letting out a bark of laughter. "You're one of the last people I would peg as sharp-tongued, Matthew."

"Never judge a book by its cover." Matthew scolded playfully, the other's favorable reaction to his harsh words easing his nerves.

"I'll keep that in mind." Arthur mused, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Maybe you should as well."

"I'm so sick! Hear it, I'm screaming it!" Angelique nearly snarled into the microphone, both hands clasped tight around the stand as she leant forward. "You're heeding to it now!"

"Stop! Just stop guys." Alfred shouted, his voice tired as he plucked his bass strings roughly. "Our sound sucks right now."

"Probably because you're making us jump from song to song." Angelique grumbled, turning around and glaring at the blond. "He is not here, get over it!" She scolded, moving away from the mike stand, hips swaying, and snatched up her water bottle.

"We have, like, six weeks to become better than perfect." Alfred snapped, cobalt eyes hard. "If you can't handle it, Angie, we can always find another singer."

Angelique giggled. "Oh, really, Alfred darling?" Her sweet smile twisted into a scowl. "I'd like to see you do so."

"That's enough you two." Steven cut in after slamming down on the cymbals. He twirled his drumsticks between his fingers, his light green eyes concerned. "Alfred doesn't mean it, Angie love, so don't fuss. Alfred, I know you're under stress—hell we all are, mate. But fighting isn't going to help. We can only win this as a team."

"He is right." Kiku added, softly. "Though I agree both of you have reason to be angry."

Angelique and Alfred looked at each other, thoughtfully and a little miffed still, but eventually sighed, turning back to their respective spots. "Fine." They huffed in unison.

"Where is Matthew anyways?"

"Off to woo a beast." Steven supplied, chuckling. "Never thought he'd go for Arthur, of all people. But apparently one one-on-one was enough."

"But Matthew is too nice." Angelique pouted. "Arthur is a jerk."

"You speak the truth sister." Alfred muttered, strumming thoughtlessly on his bass. He hurried to hide a snort of laughter. "Maybe its true love."

"I still can't see it." Steven mused. "Always thought Matthew would go for…well…" He looked meaningfully at Alfred.

Alfred just stared at Steven. Then he glanced behind him. Then he looked back at the Australian. "Huh?"

"If anything, they make a fine match." Kiku said softly, pulling a notebook out from under his keyboard. "Matthew is a soft-spoken, gentle boy. Arthur is a gruff, often vulgar delinquent type. Matthew will soften Arthur's harsh demeanor and Arthur will protect Matthew with his life."

"This is starting to sound like a trashy novel." Steven said bluntly.

Kiku held up a piece of paper and the other three teens leaned close to get a good look at it.

"Well, when you draw it that way…I guess they work." Steven said slowly, before his eyes registered what he was seeing. "Crikey!" He swore, dragging the brim of his hat down over his eyes. "That's my cousin, mate!"

"Sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" Alfred shrieked, already covering his eyes. "Not cool, Kiku! Now I need to bleach my brain!" He wailed, staggering away, thanking the heavens that Matthew was just faking like a champ and not actually making Bambi eyes at his (Alfred's) arch-nemesis.

"Can Matthew really bend that way?" Angelique asked, her dark brown eyes wide and fascinated. She reached out as if to touch the writhing bodies, but Kiku pulled his artwork away.

"You'll smudge it." He stated sternly.

"Arthur is in the library."

Matthew gasped, slamming his locker shut in surprise. "Al!"

"Yo." The other blond grinned, leaning against the cold metal. "He's in the library. Another good opportunity." He waggled his eyebrows. "I heard about your little lunch date. I think you're on your way in." He sang brightly.

"You owe me so big." Matthew reminded, rolling his eyes. "How was practice?" He asked curiously, already heading to the library. He had free period next anyways.

"A little rocky." Alfred admitted, falling into stride next to the other blond.

"How so?" Matthew asked, already concerned. "You guys haven't broke up, have you?"

"Nah." Alfred stuffed his hands into his pocket, ducking his head a bit. "We just…" He trailed off, laughing humorlessly. "Its cool, man. Hakuna matata."

"You saw Dr. Edelstein yesterday too?"

"I said, hakuna matata. It means no worries, Mattie."

Matthew gave him a 'I don't believe you but I'll humor you" look and came to a halt, just in front of the library. "Just take it easy."

"And you, just stay cool." Alfred squeezed Matt's shoulder comfortingly. "Stay the course. No pressure." His grip, for the briefest moment, tightened and Matthew almost winced.

Arthur had his head buried in his copy of Beowulf when Matthew tapped him on the shoulder, asking, "This seat taken?"

"Not at all." The older student said, grinning and stretching back, kicking out the chair across from him, nodding at it. "Sit."

Matthew gave him a quick smile, dropping his book bag to the table and sitting down. "Are you ready for the test?" He pulled out his own copy of Beowulf.

"Of course." He responded, in a no-nonsense voice. Then he paused, glancing at the other with sharp eyes. "Are you?"

Matthew thought of his handwritten study guide and pile of notecards listing out the themes and symbols (potential and obvious) sitting on his desk back home.

Then he thought of Alfred. Then he thought of Arthur. Then he thought of Lindsey Lohan in Mean Girls lying through her teeth about sucking at Math to get the cute guy.

Eh, close enough.

"I'm going to fail." Matthew lamented, violet eyes downcast.

"Only if you give up." The other teen reprimanded. "We'll start with themes. Give me an example and we'll discuss it." He looked at Matthew, raising one prominent, furry eyebrow. "Well? Take out a bloody notebook and lets get on with it."

Outside the library, three seniors were spying on the pair in the hallway, each peering through a window.

"Didn't know Matt liked the cock." Gilbert said thoughtfully, palms pressed against the glass of the library window, his nose smooshed against it as well.

"Oh so that's not Alfred?" Antonio looked surprised.

"He wears sweater vests and does not pluck his eyebrows." Francis scowled. "And my only fault is that I am his cousin."

"…I actually can't blame Matt for holding that against you."

"I am surprised that Matthew is getting so close to Kirkland. Didn't he and Alfred have a falling out?"

"What does he see in that hooligan?"

"Well, he's in a band. That's hot. I've fucked people for less."

"Didn't you date him, Francis?" Antonio asked innocently, green eyes gleaming.

"Momentary lapse of judgment." The blond said shortly as Gilbert snickered in the background. "We swore to never bring it up again."

"Maybe Matt just likes bad boys."

All three boys' heads whipped around to see who the new arrival to their party was.

"Elizaveta?" The albino student asked incredulously, his friends staring at the brunette in confusion behind him.

"This is the hottest new might-be pairing since Yao and Ivan." She pressed more against the class, giggling. "And with so much more potential and cliché and opportunities than Alfred and Matthew." The girl added, "You should see Kiku's new art."

All three boys looked disturbed.

Happy holidays guys! Hope you enjoyed!