According to the school newspaper, Alfred had a football game tonight.

Kiku Honda rolled up to paper and stuffed it in his backpack, silently watching the boy trudge down the hallway. As being someone who prided themselves in being able to read the atmosphere, he knew something was wrong.

Staying put, he watched Alfred fiddle with his wallet and took out a dollar bill and hurried to the vending machine and got a bottle of water. Alfred unscrewed the cap and started chugging it, looking around warily.

It's just school. It's not like Alfred gets bullied everyday...So why on edge?

"A-Alfred!" Called Kiku, slinging his bag over his shoulder and going over to the boy as he dropped the empty bottle in the trashcan.

Alfred jumped, but loosened up when he saw his best friend, Kiku. Or at least, used to be.

In fact, before highschool Alfred had a lot of best friends. Why he lost them? Well, Alfred doesn't slow down. He doesn't wait for people to catch up. Is it unfair? No. So why should he care who he leaves behind?

Or at least, that's what he was taught.

About 7th grade Alfred was gaining popularity. You wouldn't believe him if he told you he was a chubby kid with cheeto stains on his superhero or video game shirts. He had awful grades, and acne on his round face. One thing he misses though is he had more friends then, surprisingly. People now are just wannabe populars trying to climb the social ladder.

However Alfred realised everyone's going to be popular, soon get girlfriends and boyfriends, gain traits and skills, and leave Alfred behind. So why not do that before everyone else? He worked out 24/7, studied more, got glasses so he could see better, and cleaned himself more often. He even ditched the video games. It also helped getting onto the football team.

"You are jumpy," commented Kiku quietly. "Are you alright?"

Alfred rubbed his neck, thinking of what to say. Finally he replied, "I am fine. Tired, actually."

They went silent, Kiku awkwardly looking up at Alfred, opening and closing his mouth not knowing what to say.

"Long time no see," nervously chuckled Alfred and stared out the many windows in the hallways. He eyed the door that led to the courtyard.

Kiku nodded as he looked at his feet. "How have you been?"

Stupid question. Obviously with popularity he was doing great. However he missed the nerdy, silly, unpopular Alfred. Selfish, but he wasn't going to lie to himself.

Alfred's eyes widened and he chewed on the inside of his cheek, trying to come up with something without actually lying to Kiku. He'd feel bad. "I've had better days," he admitted.

"Want to talk about-" Kiku was cut off by Francis coming up, a large grin on his face.

"Hello!" greeted Francis, slinging an arm around KIku, who grimaced. "How are you two?"

Kiku wiggled away from Francis, glaring at him. It was as if he barged in on purpose! Did he? "F-Fine," he snapped, trying to sound nice as he took a step away from the Frenchman.

Alfred shrugged. "Been better," he said.

Francis nodded, keeping his eyes set on Alfred. "Why are you here still? It's still school!"

Narrowing his eyes, Kiku replied, "It's Alfred's football game tonight. He's probably here, about to go to practice. And I will be cheering him on."

Kiku never liked Francis. He seemed rude, flamboyant, and too flirtatious for his liking. Not to add he was weird with the way he would wear a dress and makeup one day and the next day dress more like...Lovino, for example. It was odd. Also, Kiku had a suspecting feeling Francis didn't like him either.

"Oui!"

Alfred and Kiku both gave Francis a questioning look.

"I said Oui!" Repeated Francis. "I will be there!"

"Er...Yeah. Thanks Francis." And with one last look to both of them, Alfred scurried off. Probably to his locker room.

When the two were sure the boy was gone, they turned to each other. "You seem to know what's up," they said at the same time.

Francis raised an eyebrow. "Non. Non. You go first."

Kiku kept his voice steady, yet it was quiet. "There's something wrong! You obviously know it."

Something flashed in Francis' eyes Kiku couldn't quite catch. Was it...Guilt?

"I do know things," slowly began Francis. "Alfred doesn't know I know it, too. But when he's ready he'd tell you, as the same with me. Listen closely Kiku: He. Has. Been. Through. Some. Hell."

With a warning glare, Francis walked out the hallway to the courtyard, taking a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.

Kiku flushed red as he puffed out his cheeks. "I was right! He is rude."

Staring at the exit door for a minute, Kiku sighed and went off to his locker.

Hunched over his toilet, Francis gagged. He was clean for six months, why did he have to be so stupid as to-

Bile rose in his throat and Francis coughed out into the toilet. Francis fell back against the cabinets and choked on spit. Tears pricking at his eyes, Francis rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand.

When Francis was bullied, Francis' weight was commonly picked at. The bully? His parents. This also adds to why Francis commonly wore feminine clothes. His mom wanted a daughter so she treated him like one. Forced him to grow his hair out, wear dresses and making, even scolded him like a daughter. It didn't help Francis held an attraction to men.

Except this "scolding" wasn't scolding. It was flat out insulting Francis. This resorted to an eating disorder. How he lasted this long? He had no idea. Antonio found out, and helped Francis for about a year, and the dread of eating always lingered around Francis. However he was clean for so long…

What triggered this? Francis had no idea. He tied his long hair back, and closed his eyes, breathing heavily. It hit him: Earlier when he got in the fight with Kiku. Could that have? If so, why?

"D-Don't cry," Francis told himself. However he couldn't help but let the tears fall. When was the last time he cried?

Francis cussed at himself in French. "Stupid! You're so selfish. You're fine. You...You are not def-defined by...by.. Weight!" He bawled, trying to calm himself down.

Francis shakily rose to his feet and forced himself to get a glass of water to calm down. He looked around. He needs to get out of this tiny ass apartment. But where to? Certainly not back to France.

Long ago when Francis moved here, he had nothing. His determination and a suitcase was all he had. Not knowing where to move, he decided to find a cheap place close to his cousin. This shit apartment was the closest and cheapest.

There was multiple reasons as to why he moved. One reason is the constant picking he had in France. From his parents and fellow kids at school. Apparently the lack of friends is common, though. When Francis first came, he had to resort to prostitution. In fact, back in France Francis had moved around a lot, too. Being poor is also a common theme. As is prostitution. It's dirty and awful, but it feeds him and manages his life.

Thankfully that's long ago and usually gets loans from his cousin until he gets to college and gets his life together.

Dumping the glass into the sink, Francis rubbed at his eyes. Promising himself he will get through life.