Note from the Author: Hi people! I'm really sorry for delaying so freaking looongg, I was really busy and my brain kept going blank when I sat down to type up the chapter. Lmao I hope you enjoy!
"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."
Chapter 3: Of Finding and Losing
The rest of the school day was going relatively well for Elizabeta. Although she had found she did not have many classes with Charlotte after exchanging schedules. The Hungarian was happy at least for now.
She rested her chin against her hand, waiting for the bell to ring. Around her, students were busy chatting and moving around.
I have a couple of minutes left; I could start a new entry in my diary to pass the time.
Elizabeta reached into her bag looking for the familiar royal blue cover with its striking gold letters.
Where is it? Oh god, don't tell me I lost it after bumping into Gilbert….
After dumping out practically everything on her desk, she couldn't find it. She clenched her fists, worrying over the loss of the book she had always carried around with her.
It's okay….during lunch I'll just try to look for it. No worries.
The bell rang, an obnoxious dull sound, snapping Elizabeta out of her thoughts. She stood up gathering her things.
Elizabeta went back up the stairs; the flow of students had waned out making it easier for her to move at a regular pace.
Desperately the Hungarian tried to retrace her route around the hallway. Her sharp green eyes went over each nook and cranny but found only dust bunnies.
Gilbert couldn't have found it...Could he?
Unexpectedly a quiet melody drifted in, the gentle striking of ivory keys in a piano drew out each note longer.
Oh…who's playing?...it sounds so beautiful….
Elizabeta stood still trying to keep quiet and the music grew sweeter still. Then in a dramatic crescendo the person playing speeded up the rhythm, each note still unique to its own.
Her curiosity sparked, biting her lower lip she looked for the source of the sound, the thoughts of her missing diary fled from her mind.
The music led her to the far end of the east hallway.
Peering through the crack between the opened doors she could see a white grand piano and the person's silhouette against the rays of the sun. He looked so wrapped up in his own world Elizabeta was afraid to interrupt and hid herself behind the door while looking in.
He was slowing down again, his fingers dancing along the fair keys, weaving the ends of the thread to the composed piece.
Elizabeta was awed by how graceful he looked, even beautiful as his arms dipped and raised.
He let out a long sigh, bringing out the final notes of the song in a series of light strokes. Pressing down on one more ivory key the soft sound echoed throughout the sun blazed room.
Then without turning around, he called out.
"I know you are there, come out so I can see who you are."
Elizabeta felt her face heat up in embarrassment. Stepping out awkwardly from behind the door, she kept her head bowed, gluing her eyes to her feet.
"Err...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to be a distraction...I just thought you played so beautifully that I couldn't help but to stop by and listen."
Gahh…he probably thinks I'm some kind of swooning fan girl stalker.
"Is that all?" "Then next time when you come to listen, you can come in the room." He replied smoothly.
She looked up in surprise, then blushed automatically noting how close he was standing next to her. He had walked towards her while she was wrapped up in her own thoughts.
He smiled, extending his hand. "My name is Roderich Edelstein from Austria, freshman." "And you are?"
"E-Elizabeta Hedervary f-from Hungary, freshman." The Hungarian stammered taking his hand in her own and shook it.
His grip was warm and firm, she could feel the steady pulse from the center of his palm. Roderich's eyes were a curious shade of amethyst violet so deep Elizabeta felt like she was drowning in them. Transfixed.
Gilbert rubbed the back of his head as he lifted his wrist to check the time.
"Oh crap!" "I'm late for lunch? Mein Gott…."
He headed down the stairs, sliding on the white banister not bothering to take the marble steps.
"Hola Gilbert! ¿Cómo estás?" A russet haired Spaniard came down the other hallway positively creating light on his own and flashing a brilliant smile that almost blinded the Prussian.
"Antonio, can you…" Gilbert growled protecting his sensitive eyes with one hand while miming with the other to get the Spaniard to shut his mouth.
Antonio paid no attention to this but then frowned looking puzzled. "¿Donde ésta Lovi?"
"What do I look like his babysitter?" "He's probably running away from you." Gilbert replied trying to get past the Spaniard.
"Why would Lovi be running away from me?" Antonio looked shocked at this news.
"How about you go and ask him?" The Prussian rolled his eyes, "Now if you don't mind I have food waiting for my awesome stomach."
Elizabeta walked with Roderich to the dining hall as they randomly chatted about teachers, school, conductors, and composers.
"I must be boring you, I tend to do that." The Austrian lightly laughed at her puzzled expression when he launched into a discussion about Mozart.
"Oh no you aren't, it's all very interesting." Elizabeta smiled reassuring him.
"Well then, this is where I must say farewell. It was a delight meeting you Elizabeta Hedervary." Roderich nodded then took off.
The Hungarian watched him go.
"Elizabeta!"
She turned spotting the little Seychellois waving and beaming at a few cream colored tables further down.
"Come on, sit down sit down!" Charlotte ushered the Hungarian pulling up a white chair. Elizabeta became nervous viewing how many people were crammed into one table.
After settling down, Charlotte immediately jumped into introductions tapping her spoon against a glass of water. "Everyone this is Elizabeta Hedervary from Hungary." The group nodded smiling at her; the Hungarian could feel a heavy weight lift from her chest as she timidly smiled back.
"This is Feliks Lukasiewicz from Poland." She gestured to the soft green eyed, long sandy haired blonde male. He wore a light tan knit vest in place of a navy blazer.
The Polish male grinned enthusiastically. "Like totally Elizabeta hi! Like welcome to Hetalia World Powers Academy! Omigawd I like totally heart your hair like what do you use in it? Totally you like have to tell me!"
"Ummm….I use Herbal Essence." Elizabeta felt a bit intimidated by how Feliks talked by shooting her different sentences so quickly.
"Like totally me too! Omigawd we already have a similarity like totally! Can I call you Lizzy?" Feliks replied his face beaming.
"Sure." Elizabeta said, warming up to the fact he had accepted her.
"Okay next up, this is Feliciano Vargas from North Italy." Charlotte nodded towards a chocolate eyed, russet brown haired male. He wore the same long sleeved white sweater Charlotte sported.
"Vee~ Hello! I hope we can be great friends. Ohh…vee~ do you like pasta? I like pasta." The Italian's aura seemed to sprout flowers and happy sunshine.
"I can't really judge because I never tried pasta before." Elizabeta replied.
There was a long awkward pause.
"Vee? You never had pasta before? Oh poor Elizabeta you have been deprived of a very delicious food!" Feliciano cried, his eyes widening at every second. "I will make sure you try pasta! I'll introduce you to all the different kinds of pasta vee~"
With the Italian lost in his own world, the person besides him spoke up.
"Konichiwa, my name is Honda Kiku it is a pleasure to meet you Elizabeta-san." The Asian blinked slowly, lashes fluttering over dark empty eyes. He wore the typical male uniform, navy blazer and white dress shirt.
The person next cleared his throat.
"My name is Ludwig, please don't have any pre-notions against me because of mein bruder." The tall German blonde looked embarrassed he kept on wringing his hands in a nervous motion.
"Ludwig is Gilbert's younger brother, feel bad for him." Charlotte laughed knowingly.
"Don't worry; I met Gilbert before." The words slipped out of the Hungarian's lips before she could hold them back.
Ludwig looked a bit taken back, then his ice azure eyes slowly moved across her face. The inquiry was clear in his expression as one of his pale eyebrows arched.
Elizabeta feeling uncomfortable looked for a distraction. "Oh! Isn't it time to get lunch?"
The group murmured in agreement breaking Ludwig's scrutiny.
Gilbert threw open the doors of the dining hall, cutting as many people as possible as he grabbed his lunch. Wurst and baked potatoes.
"Damn it! Potato-bastard #2 stop cutting people you selfish idiot!" An auburn haired Italian snapped at him while carrying a tray full of ripe tomatoes.
The Prussian threw back his head and laughed, then smirked towering over the smaller male. "Kesesese~ Lovino, I'm awesome that's why I can cut. You're so lucky you have freaking Antonio on your side. If that cheerful moron didn't like you then I would have already…"
The albino let the sentence trail, thoroughly enjoying the petrified expression on Lovino's countenance. "Let's just say you be a fucking dead tomato." With that he plucked the red vegetable from the tray and turned away looking for an open table.
"Mon Cher!" A hand waved in the air connecting to a beaming Francis. The blonde haired male gestured to another chair next to his.
Gilbert profoundly ignored it and went to the chair farthest away.
"Oui so cold Gilbert, you are to your camarade!" Francis crooned inching towards to the Prussian.
"Fuck off, you know why I don't sit next to you, bi schwachsinnige." Gilbert replied, landing a strong punch on the French man's bony shoulder.
"What's wrong with free love?" Francis smiled, and then winced, rubbing his shoulder.