What an idiot. We start out for Alfred's car and I'm blinded by the green overload. Like, why the hell do you need that much green? I don't think that much of green. It reminds me of my eye color and the land. Land is stable and stubborn, so I suppose it suits me well, then. But I remind me of nothing. Nothing in nothingness. Not anymore.
"'Kay bro, hop in!", the boisterous student laughed, bringing me back to reality.
I reluctantly climb into the supposed passenger side of the vehicle. Back in Britain, I've never sat here, and it was every teenagers' dream to soon drive in this very spot. Here in America, the average Brit can be sloshed around and have near death experiences with every turn.
"Can you please drive just a little slower? You're going to kill us both!"
"But, we'll get there faster, dude."
"Where are we even going, Alfred? I don't remember you telling me where you're taking me, much less what you're doing with me."
"I want ice cream, so that's where we're goin'! Hey, you're not lactose intolerant or whatever it was again, are ya?"
"No, but do mind in the future, telling me where you plan to take me. If it hasn't already occurred to you, not everyone has the same likes and dislikes as you."
"I'll pay for it, dude."
"I'd say that you don't have to, but I can't seem to talk you out of anything."
"Haha! Nope!"
We pull into a place called 'Dairy Queen' or something or other and Alfred hops out of the car and towards the line. I follow slowly but surely and meet Alfred, who is now jumping up and down like a five year old.
"'Kay, which blizzard do ya want?"
I have no idea what that is. I've never really had ice cream as child, but I remember Alice would sometimes bring over mint chocolate chip flavored for me and Flying mint bunny.
"Mint chocolate chip.", I decided,
"Alright, then!"
Alfred orders and soon hands me mine. Why do these people turn it upside down before giving it to you, Alfred included? We go back and stand idly by his car and start eating. And why does he eat like there's no tomorrow?
"Alfred, I'm afraid that if you keep eating like that your arteries are going to explode someday."
"Nah, I'm fine!"
"Are you sure?", I question sarcastically with that same smirk played across my face.
"S-shut it, limey!"
We laugh at each other and Alfred goes back to his ice cream. This cup is huge. I mean, I wish I were kidding. I eat leisurely and look over to see Alfred already done with his even bigger chocolate one. What the hell? This guy is a total fat arse, while I'm over here, barely halfway through, like a little school girl. I feel my stomach churn as I'm trying to remember the last time I ate anything. Lets see. If today was Monday, than… Last Thursday. Well, eating nothing but ice cream will tear you the fuck up.
"Dude, you look like you're gonna get sick! You're not gonna, are ya?"
"I'm fine, idiot." No, I'm not.
"But are you sure you feel well?"
"Yes." My stomach is turning.
I half expect Alfred to say something along the lines of 'Sure' or 'Okay' and give me that cheesey grin, but he doesn't. His face becomes grim and his smile fades.
"Get in the car."
"What?" My heart skips a beat at this new solemn Alfred.
"Get in the car." He takes our cups and tosses them in the nearby trash bin.
"You're not making any sense, Alfred."
He's already in the vehicle and starts the ignition. I sigh and sit in the seat adjacent, seeing what else he has in store for me. How fun. We roar out of the parking lot and onto the, thankfully, uncrowded street. We're going to die in a freak car accident someday, I feel it. He takes wide turns and sharp spins onto different roads, making me feel like I'm going to projectile vomit everywhere. I'm not good with cars, okay? Alfred parks in the driveway of a huge home that looks unfamiliar to me. He turns the car off and throws his seat buckle off of himself.
"C'mon.", he gestures and bounces out of the car, still that serious look on his face and tone of voice.
I'm not really comfortable with Alfred's sudden attitude change, and settled on bracing myself for whatever was next. God, I hope he's not a rapist.
"But, Alfred. Why the hell are you acting so weird and jumpy?"
That bastard ignores me and continues to unlock the spangled front door. There were decorations all over the damn place and I wondered if Alfred lived here, and if it were his mother that spiffied the place up. I mean, even the grass was perfectly cut and the correct shade of green. I walk into a front room with ceilings a bit taller than mine and shoes scattered on a little American flag rug. I presume that this is where we take our shoes off, but Alfred continues and strides right past it. I do, as well, leaving my sandlot black PF Flyers on and take in my surroundings. Moderately large ceilings and stone pillars at the front entrance leading into what I suppose is the living room. Again, Alfred huffs past all of this and straight for a little door off of the parlor.
I warily follow him and he grabs my arm, pulling me into this room and closing the door behind us. Aware of my surroundings, I see that we're in a bathroom, no less. Fancy fixtures fitted the place as well the sparkling white appliances. Alfred heads for a medicine cabinet and starts rummaging for something. I decide that now is a good time as any to see just what the hell he's doing.
"Alfred, what the fuck are you trying to do?"
His eyes light up, so I infer he found what he was looking for. Alfred pulls out this container of medication and my mind starts kidding itself. Oh god, he is a rapist, isn't he? He pops out two capsules and places the container back into the cupboard. After, he grabs my arm again and drags me out of the bathroom. We go into a modernized kitchen, with stainless steel appliances and again, with the elaborate fixtures. He digs in another cabinet and retrieves a green plastic children's cup. Filling it with water, he hands me it and the pills from earlier.
"Like hell I'm going to take that! Why the fuck are you acting like this, forcing medication on me?"
"Just take it."
"Hmph! That could be Viagra for all I know and you're a rapist!"
"Be realistic and trust me. You won't take it if I tell you what it is."
"No shit."
"Please." Damn those puppy dog eyes.
"What the fuck ever." I snatch the cup and medication and quickly take it. I mean, I was used to taking capsules anyways.
"Now do tell me what just slid down my throat."
"It's for severe stomach pain. You take it when ya haven't had anything to eat in a while and your stomach hurts when you try. Although I'm not sure when you last ate, it works well on any stomach aches, really."
Bloody fucking hell. How the hell can he possibly know anything about me? I immediately begin to outburst at him.
"Why the fuck do you think it's okay to give this to me? I mean, I could be allergic to something in there and you just casually gave it to me, no big deal! And lets not forget that that was perscription medication, so it isn't for me! And why the bloody hell do you even have that, I mean, it's just so-" I shut my mouth instantly after hearing what I had just said and pause to look at Alfred's face. The look on Alfred's face. I felt my heart break into a million little pieces as I made the realization. Oh, god. What have I done? You fucked up, again, Arthur.
"Alfred, do you…?"
"Yeah, last year. I actually got real sick and pretty much stopped eating and they classified it as an eating disorder, because I also developed a sort of digestive issue along with it. So, they gave me that until I got better. I got that exact prescription last month, because the doctor thought that I might go into a relapse around this time. But it's all good. I'm not sick anymore because I'm the hero! And heroes don't give up!"
My shoulders slump and I stand and stare at him. He was sick and I just thought he was some jackass. Why did this have to happen? Why did I have to be so blunt? At least I know of his problem, now. But bloody fucking hell. I can't even stand to look at him. I feel like tearing up, and crying on my bed, like usual. I can't move, my eyes are locked on him with his now iconic fighter pilot jacket and my heart is in scatters on the floor.
"Oh", I manage to say at last, turning my head away from him.
"'Oh', what? I told ya, I'm the hero! And the hero always saves the damsel, so he can't give up!", he declares, fists pumped in the air.
"I-I need to go home now. I'll just head out now." I start walking out of the kitchen and towards the living room, after placing the cup on the counter.
"But, dude! Ya can't just walk away from a moment like that! We're bonding and this needs to be recognized!"
Alfred chases me down and pulls me into, yet another, unnecessary embrace from behind. I topple over and am now being suffocated by the American's bone crushing weight on his living room floor. Seriously, I don't weigh much. And if you're easily twice my weight, hell yeah I'm going to have an issue. Alfred's arms are wrapped around my poor mid-section and I don't think he's going to let go. I only met this git today and he's acting like we're childhood friends or something. He rolls over, laughing and still gripping my body and forcibly seating me in his lap. I wail for him to release me, but that must've been an invitation for Alfred to hold me tighter and start nuzzling in between my shoulders. I feel his large cowlick brush against the backside of my neck and I rotate my shoulders out of unpleasantness. Feeling violated, I try standing up, but fail to do so due to him crossing his arms around my chest and grasping both of my shoulders now. I scream at Alfred out of fright.
"GAAAH ALFRED, LET GO OF ME YOU STUPID GIT!"
"Haha! I've never heard ya yell like that other than at my driving! What? You don't love my hugs?", he laughs, continuing to snuggle me from behind at my jacket. God, he was so close that I could feel him smile on my back. Was it comforting? More like annoying.
"Mmm, you smell like laundry detergent…", he sighs, giggling.
"Please, Alfred. Let me go.", I wince.
"Huh? 'Kay, bro."
Alfred finally releases me and I feel a sense of relief overcome me.
"So, you're just one of those people that don't like human contact or somethin'?"
"Sure, but isn't it everyone that has a problem with human contact that rough?"
"Whatever. Hey, It's only 5. Wanna do somethin' else?"
"No, I'd rather go home, to be honest. But you should start-"
I'm interrupted by the American again, as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder and starts up the staircase. Flabbergasted, I flip the hell out as I try as hard as I can to escape the giant's grasp.
"W-what the fuck are you trying to pull here, Alfred?", I ask, flailing my arms around like a damn flamingo. Shit, I can't see where he's taking me.
"Haha!", he laughs annoyingly. "Nothin'!" Rat bastard.
He rounds the bannister and makes a beeline for a room, I suppose. I hear him throw open a door and I really don't have a good feeling about this. Alfred throws me on a bed and I cringe my face and grasp my head, as it was thrown around when he plopped me down and from riding him up the stairs. I open my eyes to see the American on top of me, his arms and legs on either sides of me and staring through my very soul with a devilish grin played on his face. Shitshitshitshitshit I was right, he is a rapist. I shut my eyes again and raise my nonthreatening wrists to protect my face to try to shy away. I can't help but to feel threatened because I had just met the guy today and wasn't sure why he wanted to befriend me so badly. With this, I feel creeped the fuck out. Letting my thoughts go wild again, I presume. I feel Alfred's breath on me as he leans closer and I dare to open my eyes. I open my left eye and he's wide eyed and has that stupid grin plastered on his face.
"Wanna play video games?! How 'bout Call of Duty?! What's up? You look scared."
Feeling frustrated, I yell back, "I thought I was going to get RAPED! Why the HELL do you think it's funny to do something like that?!"
"You wanted to go home and I wanted ya to stay. Force was my only option, dude."
"No it wasn't! And how is it that you're parents aren't home? Do you at least have any siblings to entertain you?"
"Nah. My parents are gonna be gone on a business trip for a while and my brother doesn't get home until 8 tonight. He's at his book club or somethin', so you've GOTTA stay! At least 'til then! Please, Artie?"
He starts pestering and drops down to hug (more like bother) me until, I assume, I agree with him. Seeing as he won't budge I agree with the little brat.
"Yeah, yeah. But get off of me, it's uncomfortable."
"Sure, alright."
Alfred moves slowly off of me and sits at the end of the bed. I look around the room and see superhero posters that plague the walls and Captain America blankets on the bed I was on. Alfred jumps up and turns on his telly and video game thingy. He places in a disc and the loud game entry rings through my ears.
"Here's the second controller, Artie!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Alfred pats the ground space next to him and I take a seat, snatching the remote from him.
"Alright, dude. This is Call of Duty Black Ops, so duh we're gonna play zombie mode!"
What the fuck is this? Ear splitting zombie noises and booms from all of these over exaggerated blasters. I can't figure out the controls and I keep getting eaten by the zombies and laughed at by Alfred.
"Haha, dude! It's like you've never played a videogame in your whole life!"
"Maybe because I haven't, now hurry up and help me with these zombies, you bastard!"
"Woah, seriously? Talk about a shitty childhood."
"I'd prefer if you left my past life alone. Dammit. I got eaten, again."
We keep this up until about 6 and I quit out of frustration.
"Well, you're clearly better at this than me, so why don't we take a break?"
"Haha! What are you talkin' about? You totally sucked ass!"
"Shut up, loud mouth!"
We sit there and laugh at each other and smile like idiots. I hear my stomach growl and instantly stop giggling. Alfred stares at me and laughs.
"Just what I was thinkin', dude! Lets go and raid the fridge!"
Alfred bounces up and takes my wrist with him. Damn, he's going to pull my arm right out of its fucking socket one day. We run to the kitchen and Alfred unexpectedly kicks off his black Converse high tops. Almost being pelted by his incoming shoe, I thrust my upper body out of the way and jerked to Alfred to chew him out. Then, I see him slide on the glossy tiling of the kitchen floor to the large refrigerator, in his socks. I don't think I'll ever get used to him. He roots around and becomes pouty after not finding whatever it is he's looking for. His face lights up and he pulls out his chrome green cell phone and proceeds to dial in a number. He moves the phone away from his ear and turns to me.
"Dude, do ya like pepperoni pizza?"
"Um, sure. But it really isn't necessary, Al-"
"Yeah, can I get a large pepperoni pizza? 20 minutes? Sweet. Bye." He hangs up and turns his attention back to me.
"What'dya wanna do until dinner?"
"I don't know, Alfred. I'm not the one who lives here."
He pauses, resting his chin in palm in a 'thinking' position. His face lights up when I suppose he got an 'idea'.
"Hey, bro! Come with me, I got somethin' to show ya!"
My arm is on the brink of dislocation as Alfred yanks me to another room to do something else stupid, I'm sure. We arrive in a dark lit and cold room, despite it being September. Alfred switches on a light and I'm now aware of where we are. I look around to see grey, concrete floors and a silver garage door. Cheap storage shelves are holding plastic totes and cans of paint. I turn around and behold the beautiful sight before me. The gorgeous sight of a full, light blue, drum set and a guitar case propped up against it. Next to that was a black keyboard on its stand. Astonished, I whirl back around and see Alfred with that stupid grin on his face.
"Do ya like that? My ma and dad always gets me that kind of stuff for Christmas. I barely know how to play the drum set, and kinda the guitar. But I can play the keyboard and piano like nobody's business!"
I avert my attention back to the instruments and open my mouth in amazement.
"This is amazing, Alfred."
"Glad ya think so! So, do ya know any songs?"
I ponder for a moment and remember the days when I started learning to play. Bloody fingers and sore wrists brought back a lot of memories. What songs? My mind begins to sift through the mental checklist of music sheets and I recall those songs.
"I learned to play mostly rock and metal on the electric guitar, but I'm pretty okay on the drums. But I haven't played piano in years!", I chuckle.
Alfred stares at me with those crystal water blue eyes and smiles.
"Dude, play me somethin! Never knew that you played that kind of shit! Play me something, pleeaseee?"
Fuck you, Alfred Jones.
"Alright. Any songs in mind?"
He pulls out the dazzling Fender guitar, which is also in that stunning shade of blue, and hands it to me.
"Ah! Play 'She's A Rebel' by Green Day! I can totally play the drums to that!"
He plops by the drum set and pulls out two drumsticks as I put the guitar strap on and secure it around my neck. I start with the G5 cord and continue the rest of the G5 and go on to D5 as Alfred unexpectedly sings the lyrics. I tune in to Alfred after the first verse and am stunned at how amazingly well he can sing.
She's the symbol
Of resistance
And she's holdin' on my heart
Like a hand grenade
I continue with an EM chord and B5 as Alfred sings the chorus.
She sings the revolution
The dawning of our lives
She brings this liberation
That I just can't define
Nothin' comes to mind
Time pases and I end the song with a D5 and C5 and his singing ceases.
"Kickass, bro! That was totally boss! Know any other ones?"
I stare at him and wonder why he's such a pain in the arse. The doorbell rings and Alfred shoots up and rushes through the screen door of which we came from. I swear, it's like I sigh and decide to play a song that I've known for years, 'Sunshine' by Buckcherry. I start with the opening and half assedly sing the lyrics:
I know you're never gonna agree
Love life, roller coaster
Your momma's never gonna believe
Went to bed with a monster, oh yeah
Leave a light on, cry tomorrow
And I'll show up
Leave a light on, cry tomorrow
And let your sunshine
I hear a different voice sing after me in his loud American tone:
I bet you had a hard life
It's time to set you free
C-C-Cryin' with your green eyes
I'm sorry, baby, please
I know you're never gonna agree
Love life, roller coaster
Your momma's never gonna believe
Went to bed with a monster, oh yeah
Leave a light on, cry tomorrow
And I'll show up
Leave a light on, cry tomorrow
And let your sunshine
"Dude, pizza's here." He says afterwards, like nothing ever happened. I really can't figure this guy out.
"Uh, okay."
I put the guitar back in its case and stride into the kitchen to see Alfred eating like a pig. He gestures towards a chair and tells me to park it and start chowing down.
"Yeah, whatever", I respond, grabbing a slice, myself.
We sit there and talk about everything and nothing.
"Sooo… What's your favorite color?", Alfred asks.
"Blue. But sky blue is my favorite. How about you?"
"Hmm, green. But grass green, if that makes sense.", he answers. He jumps up and gazes directly at my eyes and finishes, "Sorta like your eyes."
Unable to think of what to say, I just go with, "Heheh, yeah. Sort of like yours, too."
"REALLY?! THAT'S SO SWEET OF YOU, ARTIE!", he lurches over the counter and hugs me. I swear to God.
I sigh and just accept it, he's not going to change at my will, so I might as well suck it up. Alfred sits back down and continues eating his 3rd slice of pizza. He's such a pig. He comes up for air and chugs down almost an entire can of pop.
"Yeah, your heart's going to give out someday if you keep that up, Alfred."
"Whatever, whatever. Okay, so what do ya like to do for fun? Any hobbies?"
Okay, so we're back on track. I ponder about it for a minute. Most of my hobbies are meaningless and what I do for fun isn't very fun for most people. Seems about right.
"Well, I like to play guitar and drums, as you witnessed earlier. I also like to reading, writing, and the occasional drawing. But most people don't think that-"
"WOAH REALLY DUDE?! THAT'S BADASS! YOU'RE A TOTAL PIMP!"
"Because…?"
"You're all stuffy and distant but you can play guitar and all this other kickass stuff! THAT'S what makes it badass!"
I sigh in defeat and continue eating. I'm already on my 2nd serving and I haven't gotten sick yet. Seems that idiot really did help.
"Alright, bro. We have only 1 hour left. Whatcha wanna do?"
I glance at my watch to see that it was 7:05 and we had almost an hour until Alfred's brother comes home.
"Ooh, lets go outside! We throw around a football or somethin'.", he screeches, searching for his high tops.
"Fine, but I'm not good at sports.", I groan.
Alfred runs for the backdoor, dragging me behind him like a ragdoll. The bright sun blinds me and I cringe my face, gritting my teeth. I feel Alfred let go and I attempt to stand straight to rub my eyes and get used to the light. I flutter my eyes open and find Alfred staring at me like he did at lunch earlier. I shoot a confused look at him and accuse him.
"The fuck are you looking at?"
"Y-you just looked, different. It was kinda cute."
I blush and frown at him while he laughs like a hyena on happy gas. This buffoon...
"Okay, dude. Lets go find the football!", he giggles.
Alfred takes off in search for the ball and I decide to go the opposite way. I walk towards an old looking tree with branches sticking out at every angle. There was moss grown up and around the trunk, leading up to an obscured object. I look for Alfred, who's still on the opposite side of the lawn, and I glance back at the tree. I noticed more twigs and sticks hanging out that look hazardous. Seems legit. As I'm approaching the tree, my vision becomes clearer and I see that it's an old tree house. I put my hand towards the trunk to brace myself and stare up at the little abode. I barely hear Alfred running up to me and I almost smack him flat.
"W-what the bloody hell, Alfred?!", I screech.
"What'dya find?", he asks.
He looks up at the tree house and smiles before turning his head back at me.
"Ah, I see you found me and Mattie's old tree house. We used to play up there all the time growin' up. It's pretty kickass, no? Hey, do ya wanna go up there?!"
"I've never been in a tree house before, despite the fact that we had one when I was in England." I glance back at the tree and continue. "Allistor and the rest of them would bring all of the neighbor kids up there and leave me out of it all."
Alfred looks at me with this foreign sincere look, but changes it and grabs my arm.
"Then you're comin', bro!"
He climbs up the trunk first to determine safety, I suppose. He pulls out a rope ladder and gestures me up.
"Wow, it's so old up in here! What'cha waitin' for, Artie?"
I reluctantly climb the ladder and proceed through the small opening on the clubhouse floor. So here it is: My first tree house. Alfred pulls me up and I gasp out of surprise, but land on the dusty floor. I turn to see Alfred giddy and looking around the walls.
"Dude, I haven't been up here since I was 9! This place is messier than I remember, but it's still awesome! Ooh, and look! Me and Mattie haven't seen those toys in years! And look at that! The little curtains mom made for us are still here! And there's the old chess set, and the toy box. Wonder what's in here-"
My mind begins to wander and I find myself gazing at Alfred. I wonder what exactly his life was like. What did he like to? What was something that made Alfred... Alfred? My thoughts cease when Alfred snaps me back into reality, for the millionth today.
"Psst. ARTIE!"
"W-what, Alfred?"
He lets his head fall on his shoulder to show admiration and I'm pissed already.
"You were staring at me. Has a certain British man fallen in love with yours truly?"
"Dream on, asshole. So, what're we going to do up here?"
He purses his lips and turns his head, arms overlapping and legs sitting criss-crossed.
"So harsh! It was just a question!" Alfred sits normally and finishes. "IDK. But this, technically, is your first tree house. Right?"
"Yeah."
"So we'll do what kids normally do in tree houses. We'll play with these dusty toys and play checkers or somethin'. Too bad we can't invite girls over to play truth or dare."
"Truth or Dare?", I utter out of confusion.
Alfred drops the toys back in the toy box and turns slowly to me.
"Bro. You've never played truth or dare? Like, ever?"
"Nope. What is it?"
"Dude, this is a serious problem. You mean, you've never even heard of it?"
"Yes, but my brothers never let me play with them, so I was left in the dark. Now tell me."
"Okay, so ya get a group of your friends and you all sit in a circle. Then, someone asks somebody else 'Truth or dare?' That person chooses between the two and the person who asked gives then a question or a dare. An example of a truth would be who they like or somethin'. A dare would be to kiss a person in the tree house or run around naked with peanut butter on your nips. Something along those lines. Get it?"
"Okay, but why the hell would someone even play this game?"
"'Cause it's fun! It's also the perfect excuse to pry into someone's love life!"
"Doesn't sound fun."
Alfred's eyes light up and he swivels his head towards me, mouth agape.
"No, no, no, Alfred. NO frickin' way! I know what you're thinking!"
His mouth forms an evil smile and his hearty American laugh bellows.
"Nah, bro. We don't hafta' play if ya don't want to."
I cut my eyes at him and grumble, "Cut the shit, Alfred. What's the catch?"
"But does there really need to be a catch? Can't you see my halo?", He implies, with that kicked puppy expression.
"But…?"
"But what, Artie?"
I sigh and make known I'm pissed. "Nevermind."
"Buuut, there IS that after party Friday night when we win the football game. There's a chance that the Hetalia Academy football team may or may not be known for their crazy games of Truth or Dare."
"And you want me to go with you?"
"I dunno, Artie. You don't seem like a party animal like the rest of us. Plus, you're kinda a killjoy. But that's too bad, it would've been your very first game of Truth or Dare. Oh well."
I have an idea to get back at that twat. "Hmm. Seems right to me. Guess I'll have to miss the game, then. Sorry, but I do wish you the best of luck on Friday."
I turn away from him to pick up chess pieces off of the neglected floor and Alfred starts stuttering.
"B-but bro. You gotta come. I mean, everyone's taking either their girl or a friend. I'll be the only one there without someone, so you should definitely come! I mean, I if ya wanna-"
I've got him eating from the palms of my hands, now.
"What is it, Alfred?", I mock, holding my hands up to my ears. "Thought you said something to the 'killjoy'. Guess not."
"B-but, please? I need to hang with someone there! And you're my bestie aren't ya?"
"Don't get too comfortable with me.", I snap. "I never said we were friends, so fuck off."
I give him the stink eye and he seems hurt. But of course, that doesn't last long. he lunges at me from across the clubhouse and grabs my torso again.
"ARTIE OHMYGOSH I CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH YOU I KNOW YOU'RE JOKING!"
"Let go, Alfred.", I growl.
Alfred lets go and ruffles the top of my head with his huge hands.
"Wow, why so pissy?"
"I dunno, why are you so arrogant?!"
"Haha, whatever. So are ya comin' or naw?"
"Please don't use such derogatory vocabulary. And maybe I'll go IF I don't have anyth-"
"ARTIE YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND, EVER! AWW, I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO!", he exclaims, wrapped around my figure. Again.
"Okay, whatever, Alfred, I'm LEAVING!"
"I'll go with you."
"I don't give two shits."
"But I bet you do, love."
"If that was to mock me then you've got another thing coming, dear."
We leave the tree house and I take notice in how dark it's getting already. I lead back to the sliding doors, but Alfred runs past me and beats me to it. Alfred gestures towards the door and I enter while sticking my tongue out at him in a playful manner. He returns the favour and follows me back inside. We waltz to the living room and I see a fellow that almost looks just like Alfred standing in the middle of the room. He has the same blonde hair and glasses, but posses violet eyes and a wild curl hanging in front of his face. Oh, now I remember. He's the lad from my Creative Writing class. Alfred pushes in front of me and greets the boy with open arms.
"MATTIE, YOU'RE HOME!" Grabbing him, the poor guy is enveloped in Alfred's 'muscle'.
"Y-yeah, Al. Of course I'm back. W-who's this?", he stutters, looking over Alfred's shoulder at me.
Alfred whips around and shifts over to me.
"Mattie, this is Artie. Or 'Arthur Kirkland', as he prefers it.", he presents, arm over my shoulder.
"Get the hell off of me, Alfred.", I hiss.
He moves off of me and raises his hands to present himself innocent. Fool. He instead goes back and hugs 'Mattie'.
"Ah, yes. I-I remember you. You're the one in my writing class. Did Al drag you here?"
I sigh and respond, "Yes, unfortunately. Is your name actually 'Mattie'?"
"Nah, his name is Matthew Williams. My mom and dad had us as twins, but divorced when we were born. So Mattie got mom's last name, and I got dad's!", Alfred rudely interrupts, grinning and chuckling.
Matthew gives Alfred a dazed and confused look, still looking up at him from his arms. I stand there and give a look of confusion and derision.
"Thank you, Alfred. For that heart warming story.", I sarcastically reply.
He shoots me a 'killer' smile and remarks, "You're welcome."
"Whatever, Al. I'm going upstairs to shower. You should really bring your friend home before dad gets back." Matthew releases from Alfred's grip and heads up the staircase.
"Ooh shit! I forgot about that! Okay then, come on, Artie!"
I'm pulled by Alfred's strong hold on my wrist and we're going outside to his car. He sits in the passenger seat and starts the ignition. I pull into the passenger side and find my school things still in here from Alfred's little stunt earlier. Without warning, he whips out of the driveway and I feel like my neck is going to snap and roll right off of my shoulders.
"'Kay, where d'ya live, bro?"
"Just down this street." Oh hot damn. That means Alfred knows where I live now. And he lives close. Shit.
He roars down the street to me apartment complex and I roll out of the car as soon as he stops the vehicle. Never in my life have I thought that someone could drive that bad.
"Ooh. So this is where ya live." He crosses his arms and cradles the back of his head in relaxation. "Might have to visit this place more often. Know what I'm sayin'?"
"Haha, so hysterical." I bark.
"Well, lemme at least see ya up to your apartment. To say goodnight-"
"Oh no, no, NO! It's bad enough you know what complex I live in! There's no way in hell you're going to find out my apartment number, Alfred. Now beat it before I-ALFRED, WHAT THE HELL?!"
Alfred grabs my messenger bag from my chest and slings it over his own. He then proceeds to shamelessly drop to his knees and pick me up, and continue into the building with me on his shoulder. My eyes widen as I feel his one hand grip the backside of my thigh and the other in the middle of my back.
"Now, where did you say we were going, darling?", he jests.
What a fucktard. I try to brace myself from the looks I'm most likely going to get from the landlady, Mrs. Lizzy. She's a little bit on the insane side. Alfred strolls past the front desk and heads up the staircase when there's clearly an elevator for all eyes to see. Oh, I get it. He's going to make me suffer more than I need to. Typical American bastard. He marches up the stairs like a pissed off child when they don't get to eat dessert first and I bounce along with him. I can feel his grip grow tighter and his hand on my back move to the backside of my head. This process keeps up and my aggravation elevates.
"Alfred, you've embarrassed me enough for one day. Now get the fuck off me.", I grit through my teeth, struggling to break free from this prison.
"Hmm. Alright then. To make it stop, just tell me where ya live, so I can drop you off and leave you alone. Unless, you like this." His fingers comb through my hair and he starts to grasp my thigh suggestively. I flail my arms around and do whatever I can with my legs to try to turn loose. I mean, we're in the middle of the goddamn stairwell and the whole situation is just, 'itchy'.
"Gaah, Alfred, godammit! Let me go!"
"Where do you live, again? I didn't hear you the first time.", he asks like the asshole I've perceived him to be.
I cringe my face and throw myself into his back to scream.
"22B, 22B. Now stop it!"
"Now was that an address, or sexual frustration?", he giggles.
"...Alfred,"
"Okay, okay! Just one more flight!"
We arrive to my apartment and Alfred sets me down. He hands me my bookbag and messes up the hair on my head with those way too large hands. I shoot him a glare that may as well be a death wish and he backs up.
"Sorry bro! You've gotta do what you've gotta do!"
I turn the key into the lock and throw the door open. I manage to enter my home by the turn of my heels and there's a moment where I'm glaring at Alfred with that same expression of death scrawled across my face before I slam the door in his face. I toss my backpack into the darkness and flip the light switch to see where it landed. I hear Alfred's footsteps nearing the door and him yelling.
"Well damn! Love you, too." Then I hear him walk off and down the stairwell from which we came.
I'm standing in the middle of my living room (if you'd even call it that) in shock. Whatever, I enter my outdated, tiled bathroom and start the shower water. Stripping from my exoskeleton, I feel the warmth of the hot water against my skin run down my neck and wash away the worries of the day. I stare off at the shower floor as I let the water replenish my aching back and daydream. What did he mean by that?
AN: ABOUT FUCKING TIME. Ugh, it took WAY too long for this chapter to be finalized, but hey, I made it. Sorry about the hella long wait, but I tried to make the chapters longer and a SHIT ton of things needed to happen in this particular one. So this past week, I've been listening to a lot of Green Day and Buckcherry, as you can tell. But lately (as in, like, the past few days), I've been listening to a shit ton of Marilyn Manson. Ah, brings back childhood memories. Oh, and I also wanted to say thanks for the reviews, favs, and follows. You have NO idea how fangirlish my squealing sounded like. Almost like a pig… Anyway, I hope you enjoy the update, because you deserve it! Stay tuned to see more shit THROW DOWN. (T^T)/***