Coming To Terms

by Canadianapologies

After moving to America, Arthur Kirkland considers himself to be even more of an outsider than he did back home. Just trying to get by through the rest of high school, he meets Alfred Jones. And so begins the rest of his crazy, unpredictable school year. This is your traditional USUK cringe.

7. Chapter 7

I smell that same scent on my pillow and I flutter my eyes open. I prop up my upper body with my left arm and look around the room. Empty. I rub my eyes and look down on my bed. Nothing, again. I lean over and grab my cell off the nightstand and turn it on. I check the date and see that it's Friday. Oh shit. I yawn and stretch my arms over my head.

I plop back onto the bed and let the covers fall back onto my head. I lay for a moment and mutter, "Shit."

I inhale more of his lingering scent and sigh. Wait a fucking minute. I bolt upright again and jump out of bed. I dart into the living room and peer my head in. Nothing. I turn towards the kitchen and see that it's also empty.

"Oh, right.", I mumble. Alfred had spent the night Tuesday and Wednesday night. And that bastard slept in my bed with me both times. But he didn't stay last night. I recall last night Alfred had brought me back here and even stayed at my apartment for a while.

"I can't stay the night, like the last couple times. My dad said he needed to talk to Mattie, mom, and me tonight. A family meeting, I guess. I'll tell ya about it in the morning, so don't miss me too much, 'kay?", I remember Alfred tell me.

"Ah, I wonder what his 'family meeting' was about.", I wonder out loud.

I sit and knit my eyebrows, as I stare off into the space and ponder, "I wonder what a 'family meeting' is like."

I blow it off and hear my phone buzz. I re enter my bedroom and grab it off my bed where I threw it earlier. I pull up my messages and check my inbox. And it's you know who.

Hey, Artie. I'm gonna pick u up 7:20 maybe. If I'm not there by then, just start walking. -Al

I raise my eyebrows and text him back.

What the hell happened? You don't seem as happy.

Almost immediately, he responds.

Nah, it's not that. I'm just talking about shit with dad. Don't worry about it.

Okay. I'll see you when I see you, then.

I advance to my closet and pull out a Marilyn Manson t-shirt and another old pair of black jeans. I pull them on as I slip on my PF Flyers and I look over at the mirror. I check myself out and confirm that I am, indeed, a freak on a leash. Black pants, black shoes, and an anti-christ superstar t-shirt. Maybe I'll mix up the color coordination by wearing my Tardis jacket. It is clean, right? I dig through my dirty clothes pile, and I don't see it. I walk to the supply closet that's out in the hallway and I rummage through here. Dish soap, laundry detergent, coats on the rack. Oh. I file through these coats and I can't find it yet. Winter jacket, even older winter jacket, Alfred's jacket, Tardis jacket. I strip the Tardis jacket off the hanger and put it on, beginning to close the door. I pause and throw the door open instead. Hold on.

"GAH, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS HIS JACKET DOING HERE?!" I grab it out of the closet and go over it. Nothing seems the be altered or missing, but why is it here?

"Hey, I'm startin' to get sweaty. I'm gonna put my jacket in this closet over here."

"Sure, just don't let your jackassery get caught in the doorframe."

"Pssh. Prissass."

I hold my forehead in my palm as I recall last night. "Oh, shit."

I go back to my room and get my school bag and cell phone. The screen lights up and I look over at it in curiosity. I pick it up and notice a new notification.

Hey, Artie. Can u come and get me?

Bloody hell. Does it look like I can drive?

Just walk or something. Plz?

Aren't you the one with the car?

I'll explain as soon as u get here.

Whatever. And you left your coat here last night, dumbass.

Whatever, bring that 2.

I grit my teeth and collect my shit and Alfred's as I head for the harsh elements known as the outdoors. I check the time and see it's 6:25. 6:25 AM. I stop in my tracks in the stairwell and stare at my phone screen.

"Then why the HELL does he need ME to pick him up?! It's too early in the goddamn morning for this!", yell in a hushed tone. I pace briskly down the steps and find myself in the main lobby.

"It's so early, even Mrs. Lizzy isn't awake yet. Usually that woman is up til the crack of dawn, probably writing fanfiction about me and Mr. Body Beautiful…", I mumble under my breath as I huff out the front door.

I aggressively make my way down the street lamp lit sidewalk and scowl at the unrisen sun.

"Hey, wait a second." I pull out my phone and text Alfred, rethinking why I'm even doing this.

When I get to your house, where the fuck am I even supposed to find you?

I wait a bit and continue walking. Then, I feel my phone vibrate in my coat pocket.

You'll know when u get here.

Fuck you, Alfred F. Jones. I proceed down the streets and finally arrive at this bastard's house.

Okay, I'm here. Now what the fuck do you want?

Hold on a sec

If you make me wait another goddamn second, I'll scream at the top of my bloody lungs for you to cart your ass out here.

Holy shit, plz don't. My dad will skin my ass raw. And shouldn' doc if u have bloody lungs?

Just get your sorry ass out here.

I look up from my phone and see someone in the window of Alfred's house. As if I didn't already know who it was, Alfred throws open the window and waves at me. It's so dark outside, the only way I can see him is by his bright white t-shirt. Then, I watch him climb out the motherfucking window and start tiptoeing on the roof.

I panic and warn Alfred, "Alfred, what the hell are you doing?! You're going to fall off and snap your neck, you dipshit!"

He raises his finger to his lips and hushes, "Shh, bro! I don't want my dad comin' out here and bustin' me a new one!"

"Well, excuse me."

"Hey, hold this!"

"What is it now, Al- JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!" I fall on my ass when Alfred's bookbag is thrown in my face, textbooks and all. I maintain a grip on my cellphone, but I throw Alfred's jacket to the side.

"Sorry, Artie!", He half assedly apologizes.

I throw the bag off my face and snarl, "You're damn right."

"Okay, here I go!", he announces. I gape my mouth open and stumble to my feet as I see Alfred jump from the roof and into the little garden. I rush to the bushes to help him and feel the impact of his fall for him. I groan as Alfred gets up and shakes my shoulder.

"'Ay, dude! I jump from the roof all the time. Ya didn't need to take the fall for me."

I lift my head in agitation and snarl. "Well. that would've been really helpful earlier, thank you."

I plop my head back down as Alfred laughs like a moron. I realize how loud his laugh really is and I ask, "Aren't you supposed to pipe down so that your dad won't find out you're leaving?"

He widens his eyes and replies, "Ooh, shit! Totally forgot!"

I roll my eyes and then Alfred drops his enormous weight on me.

"Alfred, what the hell are you-" He raises a finger to my lips and hushes.

"I hear my dad in the kitchen. Just shhh for a sec." He continues to lay on top of me and I can feel his breath on my neck. His chest is laying on top of mine as the rest of him is in a push up position.

After a couple of minutes, I pat Alfred on the head and and ask, "Is the coast clear?"

He gets up and peers through the window. He grins and turns back onto me. "Yeah! And sorry 'bout your jacket."

I push him off and inspect my hoodie. "W-what the hell do you mean by that?!"

"Oh, it's just that you had to lay in the dirt. Sorry about that."

I lurch at Alfred and knock him down onto the ground and rage, "What the hell do you take me for, JACKASS?!"

"Haha, PRISSASS!"

"LOUD MOUTH!"

"LIMEY!"

I cut my eyes and bite my lip as I turn my head the other way from him. "You're a right cock-up, Alfred."

He raises his eyebrows and asks worriedly, "I-I'm a what?!"

"You have no idea what that is, do you?"

"Um, no. S-so what does it mean?"

"I think I'll leave that up to you." I pick myself up and offer my hand to him.

"It's something disgusting, isn't it?", he asks, still grasping my hand.

"No, it's just another way to call you a screw up, Alfred." His mouth forms an 'oh' and he takes me over to the middle of the lawn to fetch his school things and his jacket I profusely tossed there earlier. I look over at my hand in Alfred's and snatch it back.

"Aw, you're no fun, sweetie.", he jokes.

"I know, love.", I throw right back at him. He slings his childish superhero bookbag on his back while solemnly frowning at his phone screen.

"What's wrong, Alfred? And, yeah. What was with the whole, 'family meeting' thing?", I inquire.

His eyes shoot open and he defends, "Ah, it's nothin'! Ya don't need to worry 'bout it!"

"But I remember a certain somebody say he'd tell me about it afterwards. So, spill it.", I threaten.

We start walking on the sidewalk and Alfred confides in me, "Well, it was just about family business and stuff. But there may have been a little conversation or two about you."

"Bloody hell, why me?!"

"Um, it was between my dad and me. He was just concerned about a few things with me and you."

"Um, what kinds of things?!"

"That maybe you were kinda my boyfriend because of a few reasons."

"Reasons?"

"Um, well. I kinda kept those pics I took of us on my phone from football practice and at the mall Tuesday, and my dad found my phone. And I spent the night with ya a couple of times. And I also left my jacket at your place last night, which I never leave without."

"Oh. Wait, what did you tell him?!"

"Um, I left that blank, actually. Then, I got yelled at."

I turn to him and project my voice. "I am not your boyfriend, why the hell would you tell your dad something like that?!"

"Woah, chill out! And I'll tell you at the party, 'kay?"

I stop as he continues walking and yell at him from behind. "What the hell do you mean 'tell you at the party'? What if I didn't want to go? Ever think about that, loud mouth?! And what makes you think that I'd go with you?"

"'Cause. You said that you've never played a game of Truth or Dare before. Now's your chance!"

"Don't bullshit with me, Alfred. There's more to it than that!"

"Ha, whatever. You'll find out at the party."

"'You'll find out at the party, you'll find out at the party.' WHAT THE HELL WILL I FIND OUT?!"

"Hey now! Looks like someone's excited for the party!"

"Fuck you, Alfred!"

Alfred laughs the entire walk and we circle the couple of blocks back to his house.

He leads me to the middle of his lawn and begins, "Hey, stay here for a sec."

He runs up to his front windows and peers through them like some lunatic and rushes back.

"Quick! Let's get outta here!" He grabs my arm and yanks we with him to his car. He throws himself in the driver's seat as I stumble into the passenger side. He starts the car and revs the engine.

"Hey, dumbass. If you don't want your dad to find out what you're doing, may I suggest that you quiet the fuck down?", I sarcastically recommend.

He violently rolls out of the driveway and laughs maniacally. "Well, can he get me now?"

"I'm going to get sick, Alfred.", I comment, feeling queasy. "Can't you slow down?"

"'Ey! My driving isn't that bad! What's your deal-" He stops rambling for a moment and looks over at me.

"Wow! I didn't know you could turn green! Hold up." He parallel parks by a sidewalk and slams on the brakes. I cover my mouth, hoping to prevent projectile vomiting and wince, making an awkward moaning noise.

"Hey, that won't be the last time I hear you moan, know what I'm sayin'?", Alfred remarks. I cringe my face and punch him in the arm.

"Fuck! How can a midget like you pack a punch that hard?"

"Midget?!"

"Yeah. How can ya?" Alfred rubs the spot of impact and raises an eyebrow at me.

"Let's just say that in my predicament, you either learned to fight, or you wound up dead."

"Jeez. Harsh. What the hell kinda life did you live back in England?"

"I'd prefer if you'd leave that alone, Alfred."

His eyes light up and he asks, "Oh, so you were a prostitute! Guess that's why you're so kinky."

"Hell, no! I am not, and never was, a prostitute!"

"How can I know for sure?"

"Perhaps the fact that I'm a virgin isn't enough for you."

"Nah, not good enough! For all I know, you could've given random strangers orgies or somethin'."

"That's fucking DISGUSTING, Alfred!"

"Hey, that's based on what I know!"

"Moron."

Alfred giggles and pulls back onto the road. We sit in silence for a bit, until he breaks it.

"But, seriously. What was your life like before I met you?", he inquires. I glare back at him and furrow my eyebrows.

"I don't think I'd share that with the likes of you.", I retort, crossing my arms.

"Really?"

"Hmm. There is one way I suppose I could tell you."

"WHAT?!"

"Tell me what you plan to tell me at the party."

"Mm. Kinda can't. I can sorta tell ya, though."

"Despite that making absolutely no sense, what is it?"

"I'm gonna tell ya why I decided to introduce myself to ya in the first place."

I raise an eyebrow and glance at him from the side. "Oh, really?"

"Really.", he confirms. "Now tell me somethin' about your life."

I sigh and pick through my brain and try to come up with something acceptable. Nope, nothing. Better lay it on him slowly.

"Let's just say the reason why I left England and why I'm the way I am are linked."

"What?! I thought it'd be, like, somethin' GROUND BREAKING!"

"But it is."

"No it isn't, Artie."

"It is when you figure out the missing variable."

"That's not what I meant."

"What did you expect?"

"Gah, whatever. Didn't you say that you have siblings?"

"Oh, sure."

"And they are…?"

"I have three older brothers named Allistor, Dylan, and Seamus."

"Cool, what are they like?"

"I couldn't tell you."

"What?"

"You know as much as I do."

"Oh, did they live away from you when you were growin' up, like me and Mattie?"

"No, I grew up with them, for the most part."

"What happened to them, then?"

"Let's see. Allistor adopted a cocky attitude and got the shit beaten out of him by my father for his big mouth. He ran away from home when he was sixteen and when I was eleven."

Alfred looks over at me and sighs, "That's, kinda sad. What happened to Dylan and Seamus?"

I glance at him and loosen my demeanor. I honestly didn't think he'd listen the Allistor's story.

"Um, sure. Dylan got into a drunken bar fight and died when he was nineteen and when I was about fourteen. Seamus was so distraught over his favourite brother's death that when I got home from school one day when I was fifteen, he wasn't there. I went to his room, but all of his things were moved out and to this day, we still don't know where he is."

"H-holy fuck, dude.", Alfred mutters.

"What? They weren't a big part of my life, so I guess it doesn't matter."

"Dude, I grew up with my dad, and believe me. Not seeing Mattie or mom took a toll on me."

"I grew up with my father, too. But I turned out perfectly fine."

Alfred focuses his eyes on the road and clicks his tongue, shrugging his shoulders.

"Um, is there a problem, Alfred?"

"I wouldn't use 'perfectly fine', but that's just me."

"Oh? And what's that supposed to mean? That you're a divine being or something?" I lean closer to him, resting my weight on my left arm.

"Hey, you said it, not me!"

I cut my eyes and grumble, "Shut the fuck up."

He stops the car and I look out the window to see that we're in the school parking lot. I turn back to Alfred and he's wearing a smug expression, leaning in towards me and eyes half closed.

"Make me?", he asks.

"Go fuck yourself?", I throw back at him. He grumbles and lowers his smug to an agitated frown, our faces just inches from each other.

"You're no fun, Artie.", he complains, crossing his arms. I grab my belongings and glare at Alfred from the side.

"You call it 'no fun', I call it-what the hell?!" Alfred comes at me from across the car and pull my head towards him. I feel his warm lips peck the top of my head, giving me goosebumps. He pulls out and smiles. I glare at him and Alfred grabs his shit and takes off.

I lift half of my body out of the car and yell, "Alfred, you DIMWIT! You left the car unlocked!"

He continues running and I sigh, shifting to the driver's seat. I press random shit, but all that happens is the windows roll down and the windshield wipers go.

"Um, is it this one?" I hesitantly press the red button on the door and I hear a clicking noise. I blink a couple of times and open the car door, letting myself out. I ensure that the door is closed by slamming it and trying to pry it back. Good, it's locked. I look towards the football field off to the left of the school. I see Alfred trying to get my attention, waving his arms and doing cartwheels and shit. As I growl and start for the field, Alfred moves his arms and motioning me to get a move on it. I continue stomping my way there and he drops his junk onto the grass. I slow down to see what the fuck he's doing, and I stop in my tracks when I see Alfred speeding towards me with open arms.

"Oh, shit!", I mutter to myself as I turn my heel the other direction back to the parking lot.

"C'mon, slowpoke!", Alfred screeches, ganging up on me. He comes up and envelops me in his brawny arms and sways me side to side.

"ALFRED, YOU DUMBASS!", I yell.

He laughs and nuzzles my neck and mutters, "You were too slow. Now c'mon!"

He grabs a hold of my arm and drags me back to the football stadium. I trip a few times and almost fall flat on my face plenty of times. We arrive back to Alfred's things and we pause to catch our breath.

"Wh-what the fuck was that?", I demand, grabbing my right side and cringing my face.

"You were just being a slow ass bitch.", he responds. I gasp and throw a fist towards his face. He dodges it and laughs like the idiot he is.

"Haha, that was cute, Artie!" Alfred grabs my wrist and falls to the ground, taking me with him. I gasp and hit hard on his chest. He grunts and laughs it off, and starts grabbing my waist. I flip out and beat him on the chest repeatedly, but he just cackles like the stupid American he is.

"Artie, sweetheart! There isn't anyone here!" Alfred looks me in the eye and brushes my hair past my ear. I blush and widen my eyes and he snickers. I feel his hands move up my back and we roll. I fall on the grass as Alfred straddles me in between his arms and legs.

"Aw, you so cute! Why are you so adorable, Artie?!" He lowers himself down and bops my nose with his own. When he removes his face, I sit up and sock him in the nose. He falls back and I wonder if I actually hurt him. I position myself above his head as he's holding his face in his hands.

"Alfred…?", I ask. I move my hand over his own and tug lightly. Alfred moves his hands and jumps up and hugs me. I feel only a mildly softened impact of the relentless Earth as Alfred drags me down with him. Except I don't feel the grass intertwine with my hair fibers. Instead, I sense a large arm sprawled out across towards me with my head resting upon it. I see Alfred smiling and laughing, lowering his eyes lovingly at me.

"The fuck are you looking at?", I ask sarcastically. Alfred moves the arm that my head's resting on and pulls it towards his body. He puts me in a playful choke hold and rapidly starts kissing the top of my head. I try to push him away, but he's too strong. Way too strong.

"LET ME GO!", I wail for my release, pushing and kicking him.

"Haha. NOPE!" He continues pecking my head and maintaining his hold on me. I pull on his arms and he laughs even louder.

"Alfred!", I yell.

"Arthur!", He imitates. Alfred sits up and straddles me in between his elbows, his hands firmly planted on my shoulder.

"I call RAPE!", I shout jokingly. Alfred's expression eases up and I take the opportunity to ram my knee into his balls. He collapses onto me completely and isn't moving.

"Alfred, get OFF of me!", I demand. He looks at me and shakes his head, wincing still.

"NOPE!" Alfred regains his hold on me.

"RAPE!", I shout again.

"NO, IT ISN'T!", he counters.

"YES IT IS!" I struggle to break free and start giggling.

"Okay, is THIS rape?!" He lowers down and begins tickling my sides. I clench my eyelids closed and laugh, cringing up in a ball with my knees raised to my ribcage.

"Y-YES IT IS!", I joke. I crack open an eye at him and I see Alfred smiling, teeth bared. I close them again when he starts tickling up my back. I chuckle and kick my legs, trying to strike Alfred.

"G-GORDON BENNETT, ALFRED! KNOCK IF OFF!", I laugh.

"WHO'S GORDON BENNETT, ARTHUR?! ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?!", Alfred kids.

"JESUS CHRIST! STOP IT, STOP IT!"

He stops and my laughing drones out. I open my eyes again and see I'm in between Alfred's arms and legs.

"Do you want to move your arse, Alfred?", I ask sarcastically, hoping he'll get his fat behind off me.

He lowers downs until our noses touch. "No."

I scowl and cringe my face, "What the hell do you mean, 'No'?"

"Don't wanna."

"Not good enough reasoning."

"Aw, aren't I good enough for ya, darlin'?" He comes down on me and starts jokingly kissing my neck and push him off.

"Ew, get the fuck out of here!"

"Aw, don't act like ya don't like it."

"It's not acting, fool."

He comes back on me and extols, "Can't ya pretend?"

"Not one bit.", I jeer, grabbing his forearm.

"But aren't you already, love?" Alfred leans his face closer to mine and lets his breath cling to my skin.

"Nope.", I declare.

"What d'ya mean?", he inquires.

"You're such a loser, Alfred."

"Ah! That's cruel!"

"Cruel gets the point across." I pat his arm and demand, "Now get off."

Alfred sits and ponders for a moment, but finally gives up. "Gah! Whatever."

I rise, but also grab Alfred's things and he follows. "Bro, gimme my shit."

I see another opportunity to screw with him and seize it. "Dunno, Alfred."

"Dunno? What do ya mean you don't know?", he babbles.

I raise my eyebrows and purse my lips, letting the bag dangle freely from my index finger and hips posed.

"How bad do you want it?", I ask in an eerie tone.

"Oh, shit. You are a prostitute. Look, I don't got nothin' on me right now-", he begins.

I knit my eyebrows and rant, "What exactly are you imploring? And it's, 'I don't have anything on me right now.'"

"Wow, you completely missed the point there."

"What point?"

Alfred comes up and holds me in his arms. "So, you're free then?"

I cut my eyes at him and raise my hands up his chest after dropping his bag. I lean in closer and mock, "Sure. Anything for Mr. America."

"Wow. You must be naturally kinky."

I chuckle and let my head fall onto his chest. I feel Alfred's hand comb through my hair and I shoot back upright. He just gives me that cheesy American smile and pats my upper back.

Alfred pulls me into a hug and moves his hands all over my back, feeling every detail. I feel him take in a deep breath and exhale on my neck. "You smell so nice…"

"What in the world?", I ask, arms still by my side.

He takes in a deep and lasting breath and replies, "Mm. I bet I could go all night with you."

"Now where the fuck did that come from?"

"'Cause you smell so nice."

"So the only thing to compel you to screw me that long is my scent?"

He takes in another deep breath and buries his face in my neck. "Dunno. Maybe if you're as kinky as you say you are. I might get into that shit."

"That's grotty, Alfred. Can't you say or do anything that isn't perverted?"

"Hold on." Alfred comes up to my forehead and lightly plants a kiss. "Was that pervy?"

I blush, but quickly devise a plan. I dangle my head and look at my feet, distracting Alfred. He chuckles and puts his head on top mine. Good. I smirk and raise my knee to his gut and strike. He releases a disgruntled moan and lets me go to hold his stomach. Alfred stumbles over his own two feet and plummets to the hard field. I approach him and levitate my foot over his chest. He stares at it and bellows.

"Aw, Artie! Ya wouldn't do that!" His grin falls to a nervous frown. "Would you?"

"I dunno, Alfred, darling. Does a bear shit in the woods?", I sarcastically comment.

"Um, I guess- JESUS Christ, Artie!" I stamp my foot on his pex and turn my leg, smiling evilly. I lower my upper body to reach his face, extending the creepy atmosphere.

"What is it? Has Mr. America been defeated by a puny insignificant such as myself?"

"C'mon, you're not an insignificant, Artie! More like, Homecoming King or somethin'..." I scowl and raise my eyebrows at his comment.

"Tch, dipshit." I return my foot to the ground and turn on my heels, my back facing Alfred. Alfred gets up and dusts off his jeans.

"Tch, I'm better and smarter than anyone. Especially that Alfred guy.", Alfred imitates crappily in my accent. I cross my arms as he comes up from behind and crosses his arms across my chest.

"Yeah, well.", I start. I raise an eyebrow and smile, teeth bared.

"I'm an American, so you dudes have to shove out of my fucking way.", I impersonate in an annoying American accent.

Alfred pokes his head from behind my shoulder and it looks like his jaw's going to hit the floor. "I didn't know that ya could say anything other than in your weird ass accent."

"No shit."

"If I'm not mistaking, that's kinda a turn on for me."

I whip around, unfolding my arms and yell, "I BEG YOUR PARDON?!"

He pulls back and buries his face between my shoulder blades, laughing like the complete moron he is. I cringe and rotate my shoulders to shake Alfred off, but he only tightens his death grip on me.

"ALFRED, you're acting like I haven't got another day to live! Quit TOUCHING me!", I call.

He rips his face from me and jerks me around, brawny hands guarding my shoulder. "I wouldn't do just that if ya had only one day to live left."

I raise my eyebrows and sweet talk, "Oh? What else would there be?"

"Aw, don't act like you don't have a clue, sweetheart.", He coos lovingly as he loosens his grip on my shoulders in exchange for a fingering favor on my upper arms. I take notice and decide to screw with him a little longer. I look at my shoulder from the corner of my eye and lower my eyes.

"Is that a hint?" I dart my eyes back to him and I let a smirk slowly crawl on my face.

"Maybe. But definitely not your shoulders.", he plays along. This bastard's impossible.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Way off."

I raise my hand to Alfred's wrist and cling to it. "Well, I dunno. You could be talking about anything for all I know."

"Haven't you any ideas, darling?" I blush and scowl to cover it up. Am I turned on by his proper grammar? I shake my head and clutch his other wrist, my body being supported on an angle and anchored by Alfred.

"Nope. Not a clue."

"Here's a sneak peek for ya, then." Alfred grabs my wrists and leans in closer to my face. Then, I feel him kissing my nose repeatedly. He starts laughing and I can't help but giggle. I open my eyes and see his cringed face full of glee. I back up and he pulls away, chuckling with his eyes halfway closed. I stare at him in anger and his expression shifts.

"Can't do the time, don't do the crime!", is all he replies, with his eyes closed and hands still clenched on my fists. We sit awkwardly for a second until my muscles give out and I fall on my arse, Alfred still having a hold of my wrists.

Alfred suddenly kisses my forehead and lets me down on the ground and proceeds to take off. I get up to see what he's doing. After dusting off my hoodie and fixing my shirt, I look for Alfred, whose quickly grabbing his backpack we left a few short yards away. Then, I see him wave his arms up and down and doing cartwheels.

He then starts running around like a chicken with its head cut off, screaming, "I GOT A KISS FROM THE PISSY ENGLISHMAN! EVERYONE CONGRATULATE ME!"

I start running towards him and screech back, "ALFRED, YOU TWIT! YOU NEED TO SHUT THE HELL UP!"

"MAKE ME, BABE!"

"I WILL DO NO SUCH THING! AND DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT!"

"WHAT'CHA GONNA DO ABOUT, ARTIE?"

"ALFRED, I WILL SKIN YOU ALIVE AND SELL YOUR PELT TO HIGHEST BIDDER!"

"THAT'D BE AFTER WE WOULD HAVE SEX, RIGHT?!"

"YOU DOUCHEBAG!"

He stops suddenly and so do I, nowhere near to catching up to him. I try to catch my breath, but my legs fail me and I collapse onto the, thankfully, dry grass like the lazy ass I am. I feel that same intense pain pierce through me and I cringe my whole body, covering my ribcage with my clenched hand. My head automatically throws itself down until it almost touches the grass. I bare my teeth and fight through the pain, but I look up and see blotches obscuring my vision. I blink a few times to clarify my sight, but it doesn't help. I suddenly feel a pair of hands shaking my shoulders. I widen my eyes and see Alfred's frightened expression, his eyes opened behind his crystal frameless glasses.

"Dude! What happened?!", he shouts.

I retract my arm from my side and use it to push Alfred off me. "Nothing, dipshit!"

"Oh, alright. Well, it's almost time.", he adds mysteriously. Alfred leans in closer and smiles, eyebrows raised.

"Oh?" I lean in, as well, and jeer at him. "Almost time for what?"

Alfred hunches down on his knees and moves his head on my shoulder. I sense his warm breath linger on the back of my neck as my face rests on his shoulder. He grazes past my ear and whispers, "It's almost time for class, Artie."

I push Alfred off and he falls, rolling. I throw my fist at him and scream, "What the HELL was THAT?!"

"Time for school, BITCH!", he yells, laughing hysterically.

I grit my teeth to a frown and hurl myself onto him. I straddle Alfred in between my legs and I seat my arse on his waist. I bite my lip and hold a fist to his face, the other hand holding him up to my face by his shirt.

"Chill out, bro! We can talk somethin' out, right?", Alfred attempts to bargain with me.

"Maybe. If you weren't such a JACKASS!"

"C'mon, BABE! What's THAT for?!"

"Oh, SHUT IT, FUCKFACE!"

"Mm, where's this behavior coming from? Is is because I led you on?"

I widen my eyes and raise my eyebrows, teeth bared. "What the fuck's THAT supposed to mean, SMART ASS?!"

Alfred chuckles through his closed mouth and grabs ahold of my back. I try to toss him off, but he's using his strength now. He pushes me down to the ground and pins me down firmly by my wrists. Alfred contains me in between his legs and he lowers his face until our noses touch.

"'Ay, pretty baby. Ya don't need to be like this. I believe they refer to your type as 'uke', but you aren't succumbing."

I sarcastically smirk and question, "Well, what do you plan to do, then? I'm not like the rest, as you've already figured out."

He hunches his back even more and tries to get closer to me. I lift my leg to his side and rest my foot on his hip. "What will you do?"

"I've got a few ideas.", he suggestively answers. "All of which aren't appropriate on school property."

"Got any others?"

"Hm. Yeah, as a matter of fact."

Alfred releases my wrists and replaces his hands to my back and waist.

"Alfred, what the fuck are you-GAH, LET ME GO, LET ME GO!" Alfred picks me up and I wrap my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist.

"Aw, quit actin' like ya only got twenty four hours to live!"

"Then quit carrying me like a child!"

"Ha! Don't think so."

I bury my face into his neck and cling to him for dear life. I seal my eyes tight and jerk my head further down his collar bone. "Let me down, let me down, LET ME DOWN!"

"Aww, darlin'! I just gotta get my bookbag over here!" I get frustrated and drive my nails into his back and drag my hand down.

"Bro, BRO! KNOCK IT OFF!", Alfred shrieks. He nearly tosses me off. "There. Ya HAPPY?!"

"Yes.", I answer snobbishly.

Alfred grabs his shit and turns back to me. "Are ya gonna help me with these scars later, though?"

"Oh, shut up, pretty boy. It's nothing.", I retort bitterly. Alfred forms an 'O' with his mouth before it metamorphosizes to a cheeky grin. I roll my eyes and cross my arms and he comes up and escorts me to class. I feel his arm drape over my shoulder as we walk to those glass doors.

"I can't wait for the party, can you?", he asks.

The memory pertaining to what happened at the mall Tuesday crawls into my thoughts and I cringe.

"Do I have to go?", I attempt to back out.

"What?! Ya can't chicken out now!", he pleads.

"Yeah, but I don't want to attend as your date. Quit being childish for once and see my side of it."

"Childish?! What other children do you know have had a threesome with two of Hetalia Academy's hottest chicks?"

"Ew, you mean that's recent?"

"Sophomore year, at the after party of the last game of season.", he states matter of factly.

"Gross. I think you're enough reason to stay virgin."

Alfred yanks the arm on my neck closer to him and looks at me. "Hey, my dad calls me somethin' like that!"

"Oh, really?", I humor him.

"Yeah! He says that I'm good example for girls to use birth control."

I look over him and confirm, "Yeah, I can see where he's coming from."

"Ah! I call cruelty!", he snorts.

We walk into school and so starts another gloriously shitty day. The way our schedule works is that we have either 'A' days or 'B' days. We switch schedules every other day, so class time is distributed equivalently throughout the year. 'A' days are a miracle, since I only have Alfred for lunch and 4th period English. 'B' days are a living hell, where I have almost every class with the moron, including lunch. The only escape I have is 2nd period Art, which is occupied with another pervert to take Alfred's place for time being. Today's different, though. Although it's an 'A' day and I don't have Alfred for much, I still have to attend that stupid party. I hate parties. Just another excuse for whores and dickheads to get drunk and knocked up. Not to mention the fact that I have no idea what those jocks from the football team are going to do with me when I show my face there. Actually, I should be worrying about what Alfred has in store for me. This random bastard walks up to me and want to be my friend. Sure, it's all good. He has to act so 'popular' and 'cool', probably knowing he's going to fuck up at the party so I can to be the one to cover his hind ass. Plus, if he pulls a stupid stunt at the party, people are going to think I'm responsible. Or they might to be too wasted to notice. With my luck, Alfred's going to be one of those rampant, horny cockheads. And I don't know how to drive. I am not getting in a car with a drunk, wasted ass belonker like him. And what the fuck does he plan to tell me? Also, about that weird school girl drawing I 'found' in his backpack earlier this week. What the hell?! I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to endeavour at this party. And quite frankly, I don't want to find out.

AN: Whaddup bitch titties? I formally present thee with thine 7th installment regarding Coming To Terms! \(*o*)/ So this past week or so, I've been listening to more than my fair share of Marilyn Manson, Buckcherry, Green Day, Five Finger Death Punch, Nirvana, Black Veil Brides, Evanescence, Rihanna *darts eyes nervously across room*. I've also been reading a lot of Shakespeare, like Taming Of The Shrew, Julius Caesar, blah blah. But am I the only Hetalian that isn't reminded of UsUk with Katherina and Petruchio? ANYWAYS, I've actually been really happy in school this week (WEIRD, right?) because I think I made new friends ( 0 ). Well, I consider jamming in the gymnasium to bad rap music with someone to be friendship, so maybe. I also bought the Marilyn Manson Mechanical Animals album Friday and I'm just so fucking EXCITED! But I would LOVE it if you'd fav or follow this story and, hey. A review wouldn't hurt. I promise I don't bite. So, I hope you enjoy and I'll have Chapter 8 posted soon, since when I was writing this chapter, I broke it off into three others because it was THAT long. I'll see you guys soon, so may the force be with you. And don't forget to live long and prosper. That shit's important.