Incredibly sorry y'all, but I think I've kinda abandoned the Melchior/Ernst storyline. I really wanted to continue (you have no idea!!) but I just can't make it work. Sadface. :( Here's hoping you enjoy anyway.
(and yes, I totally took the teacher's name from Wiki. Don't judge me ;D)
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It's morning. Usually I love mornings. Usually I love waking up and hearing birds sing, smelling the coming day. But not today. Today it was raining, the sun blocked out by very dark, pregnant clouds. I sigh deeply and roll out of bed, dreading the walk to school.
Ten minutes later, I'm running through the rain, holding my school blazer over my head to shield me from the freezing wetness. I realize that it's not helping one bit, so I just put it back on. I reach the school at long last, arriving at nearly the same time as Georg.
"Hello," I sputter, through water that has dripped from my hair.
He gives me a polite smile, shaking water out of his own eyes.
We step inside, sopping wet. My eyes immediately flicker to Hanschen, who looks up from his desk. He chuckles and shakes his head at me. I look down, realizing just how soaked I really am.
By my second class, I'm shivering, my teeth chattering. I steal a glance at my teacher and clamp my jaw together, causing my head to shake back and forth slightly. Great. First Hanschen sprains my wrist, now I am going to get pneumonia. Just wonderful. I give a mighty shiver, causing my leg to hit my desk. Hanschen turns around to look at me.
"I'm sorry," I whisper as he glares. I look down at my arithmetic, but the numbers make no sense. How did Hanschen expect me to concentrate when he was looking at me like that?
"Fraulien Liebling?" I hear him say. I look up and Hanschen's hand is in the air.
Fraulien Liebling stares at Hanschen. "Herr Rilow, yes?"
"I believe Herr Robel is in need of a nurse," he says matter-of-factly.
I glared at the back of his head. I am not. I feel fine! I shiver again… Perfect timing.
"Oh, yes. Well." Fraulien Liebling is distracted. "Of course. You may take him."
Hanschen gets up from his desk. Glancing back to see I haven't moved, he raises his eyebrows. Reluctantly, I get up and follow him out of the classroom.
Rushing to catch up with him, I touch his shoulder. "You didn't need to do that, I'm fine."
"Oh," Hanschen replies, a smirk on his face, "Yes, I did." He turns abruptly down another hall. I look around.
"Hanschen?" I ask timidly.
"Yes, Ernst." He sounds completely uninterested.
"The nurse is in the other direction."
He turns to me, smiling. "Ernst, really. We're not going to the nurse."
My eyes widen. "What? Where are we going?"
"You shall see."
I'm itching to say more, but I don't until Hanschen opens a door.
"Hanschen! We can't leave! I left all my things back in the classroom, and if my mother finds out she'll—umph!" Hanschen put his hand over my mouth. I glare at him. Who does he think he is? He rolls his eyes.
"Come on, Ernst. Where's your sense of adventure?" He gestures to the door. I consider biting his hand. I look outside… At least it's stopped raining? I shouldn't. But I find myself nodding, agreeing with whatever insane thing Hanschen has planned.
He grins devilishly and removes his hand. "Let's go then."
"But, Hanschen," I say, as we step outside. "Where are we going?"
"I'm not telling you. Be patient."
I huff and try to keep up with him.
"Here we are," Hanschen finally announces.
I look around. "A vineyard?"
Hanschen nods as he sits down. "I enjoy coming here. It's oddly relaxing."
"Right." I sit next to him, all awkwardness. Hanschen needed relaxation? He always seemed very calm… Too calm, sometimes.
"How are things at home, Ernst?"
I glanced at him. He was sitting the same way he had at church, legs stretched out in front of him.
"Fine. And you?"
His pause is too long. "Fine."
Silence. Everything ends in silence.
"Hanschen, I really don't thi—" My voice trails off as I turn my head. Hanschen is mere inches from my face, smirking. He's always smirking. Did he move closer? I blush deeply and turn away. "I don't think we should be here." I finish quietly.
"I've been here many times. We will not get caught."
"But what about school?"
"I've taken care of it. Relax."
But I can't relax. Me legs are crossed tightly, my body tense like a spring. I look through the trees, letting my mind wander.
Abruptly, Hanschen stands. I look at him quizzically.
"Are you leaving?"
"Ernst, we've been sitting here for nearly an hour." He gestures to the sky, where the sun is noticeably lower.
"Oh, of course." I get up.
He gives me an odd look. "Are you feeling well?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
I don't tell him about the strange feeling I get in the pit of my stomach whenever I am near him, or how it intensifies when I hear him speak, especially my name, when he accidentally brushes his hand against mine… But it's foolish to think of Hanschen like… That. Isn't it?