Chapter 13: "Order in the Court!"

January nearly passed and most of it was wonderful. There were a great deal of warm hugs and shy kisses in the meantime. Now they were down to the final week and were excited for February to begin. It was one step closer to summer vacation, after all. Near the end of winter every year, the school held a dance.

The dance was little and not many people took it seriously, but everyone went because it was one of the only times that the boys were allowed to be mixed with the girls, who were over in the other building most of the time. As much as the boys liked to tease the girls, they were all thrilled because of them. Even Gilbert was thrilled.

"I'm asking Liz," he said triumphantly as he marched over to the girl as she waited for her ride home. He smiled and winked at her, though it was clear he was nervous. "So I think you'd be an awesome date to the dance," he said. She glanced at him and laughed. He frowned and looked back at Mathias and Ned, who just shrugged. She finally stopped and stared at him. "You were serious?" She asked. Gilbert blushed and turned away quickly. "MAYBE I WAS?"

She laughed and patted his shoulder. "Sure I'll go!"

"Yeah I didn't think y-.. WHAT?"

She smiled and got in her car. Gilbert watched, completely dumbfounded. Mathias was fairly impressed. I mean, he seemed to totally butcher it, but then again, he didn't know what girls liked. He looked at Lukas, and Lukas looked back. He hoped Lukas understood that he couldn't ask him. That was pretty much social suicide. Maybe they could go as friends, though?

"Ned, who are you going with?" Gilbert asked, nudging his friends bicep. He shrugged and said, "Maybe Lilli."

Gilbert laughed, clutching his stomach. "BUT SHE'S IN THIRD GRADE? AND not even THAT, but her brother will kick your ASS!" He pointed to Vash, who was glaring at everyone who looked at Lilli as they passed. Ned shrugged. "I will try, at least."

Gilbert began pushing Ned towards her, and for once in his life, Ned was a little worried. He turned around and pushed Gilbert away. "Not right now," he mumbled. Gilbert cackled and turned his attention to Mathias, who was already starting to walk away.

"MATHIAS, WHO ARE YOU ASKING TO THE DANCE?" Mathias just shrugged and looked around. "Eh, not really in the mood to go with any of these girls. They're not my type." He heard men on late night television say things about types. He hoped Gilbert would cease his questioning, but he continued. No surprise.

"Mathias! You can't go alone! We need to find you a nice girl with BIG-" The principal walked by, raising an eyebrow at Gilbert. "Big what, Mr. Bielschmidt?"

Gilbert gulped and smiled sheepishly. "Personality?"

The principal gave him a stern look and continued on his way. Mathias and Ned laughed. Even Lukas, who was standing next to Mathias, was laughing. Gilbert crossed his arms and nodded at Lukas. "You can take your little GIRLFRIEND, MATHIAS!" He put an arm around Lukas and grinned. "She's so pretty. ALL THE BOYS WILL BE JEALOUS!"

Lukas glared and shoved him off. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Gilbert today, or any day, for that matter. "I'm not a girl," he mumbled, stepping a little closer to Mathias. Gilbert shrugged. "Sorry, Mathias! She doesn't enjoy your sloppy kisses!"

Mathias paled and looked at Lukas again. He looked neutral, but he knew better than that. He was mad. "You aren't funny," the smaller boy said, squinting. "You just say mean, stupid things, idiot."

Gilbert looked from Lukas to Mathias. "Mathias, how could you let your girlfriend talk to me like that?" He teased again. Mathias sucked in a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Gil, it's not that funny. Stop making jokes about it," he said at last. Gilbert scoffed and backed away, looking betrayed.

"I can't believe it! I've known you since KINDERGARTEN, and now you're standing up for some QUEER!"

Mathias stared at him and smiled, running a hand through his hair. "You need to watch it," he said through the smile. Lukas watched him with wide eyes. He'd never smiled like that before. It worried him.

"Yeah. SHE'LL probably start CRYING!"

Mathias smiled a little wider and lunged for Gilbert, punching him right in the jaw. Lukas tugged on his arm. "Ned!" He yelled as he tried to pull Mathias off of Gilbert. "Ned, help!" Ned grabbed Mathias and pulled him off. Gilbert was still laughing, though. Mr. Vainamoinen had been watching and put a hand on Mathias' shoulder. "Come with me," he said quietly. Lukas stepped in front of the teacher and stared up at him. "He was just defending me!" He said frantically.

Mr. Vainamoinen looked from Mathias to Lukas, then rubbed the back of his neck. "Um. Let's sort this out," he said. He led both of them back inside, making sure to have someone tell their parents why they weren't ready to go home quite yet. "We'll talk in my room. And if I think the principal should be involved, he will be."

They both sat down in front of Mr. Vainamoinens desk. He sat down and put a lid on a container of icecream he'd been eating before clasping his hands together and looking them both over. "Tell me what happened, Lukas."

Lukas cleared his throat. "Well, Gilbert asked Mathias who he was taking to the dance. Mathias said nobody. Then he... " Lukas froze for a moment and looked down. "Then he called me Mathias' girlfriend and asked if he was taking his girlfriend. He kept teasing me and calling me a girl."

"Then he called him a queer," Mathias interrupted. Mr. Vainamoinen was silent for a moment, not knowing what to do. He tapped his fingers on the desk and sighed nervously. "Lukas, you need to be telling the principal about Gilbert when he says things like that to you. I know it's embarrassing, but it'll help. And Mathias, you can't choose to beat up whoever is making you angry. People make me angry all the time, but you don't see me beating them up, do you?"

The boys were silent. Mathias knew he was right but didn't want to admit it. Mr. Vainamoinen spoke again, but much more hesitantly this time. "You both realize that there is nothing wrong with being... a "queer", right? It's okay to be gay. Not that you are, Lukas. But it is all okay," he said with a small smile. "It is just very misunderstood, especially by older children. Don't let them bother you."

Lukas looked up at him and nodded slowly. Mathias was just pale again. Mr. Vainamoinen stood. "You may both leave, but you need to start telling someone when you're being bullied. I'm not going to tell the principal about you fighting, Mathias, but I better not see it again."

"Yes, Mr. Vainamoinen," he mumbled. They both walked out, worried and relieved at the same time. They looked at each other in the hallway and Lukas smiled a little. "Thank you, but please don't fight anymore. I don't want you to be expelled," he said. Mathias nodded and sighed. "I know. I'm trying," he said. "Hey, Lukas... maybe we shouldn't go to that dance. We could just do something better."

"I don't care about the dance, anyways."

Mathias sighed. "Good. I'm sure it'll blow."

Lukas sat down on the couch and stared at the television set as he popped a potato chip in his mouth. Mathias rolled over to stare at the television, too. "What is this? Why are they moving like that?"

"Shut up, I like it," he mumbled, giving Mathias a serious look, but he just laughed and sat up, staring at the television more.

"You know what? I've got an idea. It's better than watching TV," Mathias said with a mischievous grin. Lukas looked at him warily, crossed his arms, and said, "What is it?"

"Well," he began, "we could go... egging?"

Lukas stared and him for a second. "You're joking." Mathias smiled a little more. "Oh, great. You're serious."

"What if it was Gilbert?"

Lukas raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, trying not to smile. Wow, was he turning into a bad person? Because he really wanted to egg Gilberts house. He was at the dance right now, most likely making fun of someone who didn't deserve it. Finally, Lukas caved. "How are we going to get there?" He asked. Mathias grinned and shrugged. "We could walk. It's only a fifteen minute walk and the store is on the way there. Go get ready."

Lukas shivered and looked up at the misty sky. His cheeks were soft pink and the streetlights shone in his eyes. He looked over at Mathias and said, "Where is the store?" To which Mathias replied, "Right up here," and they continued along an icy sidewalk until Lukas could make out a brick building with lights shining through the windows. Is... is that...

"No. No. Take me home. I'm not going in and you can't make me."

Mathias grabbed his hand and lead him up to the school doors, though he fought and kicked the whole time. "I'm not going!" He yelled, grasping onto Mathias' wrist. The taller boy sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Lukas, we had to come. We couldn't just let Gilbert win. We deserve to be here just as much as anyone else! We're going in, come on." He pulled Lukas inside. He fought a little less, but pouted a lot more.

"I want to go home," he kept muttering under his breath. "We won't even be able to dance together."

Mathias shrugged and lead him to the gym. There were a good amount of people there. A few parents sat on the side, the janitor was there cleaning up a mess someone had already made, and in the center was a bunch of awkward elementary school students, some dancing with someone else, and some just talking and joking with their friends. Lukas sat on the side and didn't take his coat off. He hoped they would just leave soon.

They sat there for a while and just people watched, then they played a song that he figured was for slow dancing. A few of the boys asked girls to dance. They all watched. One of the teachers was taking pictures because she thought it was so cute. Lukas watched the them dancing, and though it was just a silly little dance, he felt a twinge of jealousy and looked up at Mathias hopefully.

He didn't expect a lot from Mathias, but he almost wished he would ask him to dance. He would probably deny it. Or not. Or maybe. But probably not. He scooted a little closer and stared at him more. He could at least ask. Maybe he didn't think Lukas would be interested? But even then, he should have been considerate and asked anyways. That's what the other people were doing. Why wasn't Mathias doing it?

He nervously stood up and took Mathias hand, looking at him with wide, blank eyes. Now Mathias couldn't ignore him. He looked up for a second, not knowing what to say. Lukas gave his arm a little tug, but he didn't budge. "Lukas, look," he whispered. "I can't. You know how everyone will look at me? And treat me at school on Monday?"

His words stung and Lukas immediately dropped his hand and looked down. He figured he understood, but it was like he was ashamed of him. It hurt. He sat beside him again and looked away. He stayed staring at the same tile for the next half-hour until Mathias got bored and decided it was time to leave.

When they were outside, Mathias took his hand, but Lukas didn't want to hold it. He walked in the grass, away from the taller blond, not even looking his way. Mathias opened his mouth to defend himself, but what could he have said to make it better?

He looked down at his shoes as they walked the rest of the way back to his house. Luckily, Lukas' parents were still asleep like they had been when they left. Lukas didn't really feel like staying up anymore. He started upstairs, but felt a hand grab his own. "Lukas, I'm sorry! Okay? I'm really, really sorry."

Lukas looked down and closed his eyes for a moment. "It isn't important. Goodnight. You can sleep on the couch," he mumbled before disappearing up the stairs. Mathias pouted and went over to the couch. He hesitantly laid down and tried to sleep, but he just couldn't do it. He felt too guilty.

When they came back to school on Monday, Lukas was in one of his moods again. He wouldn't talk as much and he didn't smile. This continued all the way into February and clear up to the days before Valentines Day. Finally, Mathias confronted him at recess.

"Lukas, please. I'm really sorry. Stop acting like this, please," he pleaded. Lukas slid down the brick wall and picked at the grass by his legs. He just shook his head and tore up a piece of grass. Mathias took a deep breath and knelt down in front of him. "Lukas, I'm so sorry and I really wish you'd talk to me." Lukas still shook his head.

"Why do you have to be so sensitive? I'm trying to apologize!"

Lukas huffed and stood back up. "You don't need to. You don't care. You're just ashamed of me," he said under his breath. Mathias stared at him like he was absolutely insane.

"That... that isn't true!" He argued. "I really mean it! Just accept my apology!"

Lukas looked away, crossed his arms, then said, "I don't want to accept your stupid apology." He proceeded to walk back inside, attitude in each step he took. Mathias watched, feeling upset, then angry. He was trying so, so hard. And this is what he got? He shook his head and went back out to play football.

Before Lukas knew it, it was Valentines Day. He held a little card in his hand along with a chocolate bar for Mathias, while he had storebought cards for the other people in the class. He was still upset with him, though, but not so upset that he would bring him nothing on Valentines Day. That was just cruel.

He walked in and took his seat. The seat next to him was empty. He looked at the clock. Class started in five minutes. He was probably just running late.

The minutes passed and Mathias didn't turn up. When the bell rang, Lukas gave up hope and looked up at Mr. Vainamoinen. He wanted to know where Mathias was, but he couldn't ask him in front of the entire class, so he waited until lunchtime, which nearly killed him.

"Mr. Vainamoinen, where is Mathias?" He asked. Mr. Vainamoinen looked at the attendance sheet and said, "He's sick."

Lukas paled and nodded. Mathias was sick? How sick was he? What did he have? Was he in pain? He had to know, so instead of going home, he had his mother take him to Mathias' house.

Help! Skeleton War Veteran! Will give more chapters for reviews! (Everything helps)