"Ludwig Beilschmidt, to the office. Ludwig Beilschmidt, to the main office." The intercom blared. Suddenly, the entire locker room seemed eerily quiet. I looked around, and made a barely audible gasp. Everyone had begun to train their eyes on him, and, to an extent, on me. The loud conversations ceased, and it was so silent, one could hear a pin drop.

"Oi, bruder!" Gilbert shouted, as he strode up to the blonde. The albino glanced over his shoulder to see the rest of the students, before he addressed them. "Vhat?! I can't have a zalk vith mein own awesome bruder? Mind zour own business!" He spoke, before a scoff escaped him. Surprised by his behavior, the others soon began to chatter once more, which left us some time to actually speak.

"So, I heard jou punched zhe living shit outta zhat American boy. Is zhat right?" He asked, before he crossed his arms. Ludwig responded with a sigh, before he nodded in agreement.

"Ja, bruder," he paused, and took a glance at me, before he continued. "But it vas only because zhey vere hurting Feliciano. I couldn't just stand around und vatch as mein friend got hit, now could I?" My eyes widened in slight shock. I knew he wanted to help me, but to that extent? A small smile flickered onto my face as I finished getting dressed, just as Gilbert was about to speak again.

"Vell," the shorter brother sighed. "As long as zou know vhat you did vas right, I'm OK vith it. I'm so proud of mein awesome bruder! He finally found someone he vants to protect, especially someone as cute as Feli-chan! Gutt job, bruder! Maybe someday, jou'll be as awesome as me, Kesese! Now, go see vhat zhey vant vith jou!"

"Ja, Ja. Just stop being so loud," He mumbled, though a small smile had planted itself on his face. "I'll be back," He said, as he turned his head towards me. I blinked in surprise, before my head gave a large nod. Soon, he had begun to walk out the locker room. A strange feeling panged in my chest, one I had never felt, before. It urged me to run after Ludwig, though as to why, I didn't know. But, it just wouldn't stop. Eventually, I couldn't ignore it, and my legs moved on their own.

Just before Ludwig could walk out the door, my arms wrapped around his larger torso as I hugged him tightly. "Grazie, Ludwig! I'm sorry I didn't say it before! Ve, I hope you don't get in trouble because of me, ve! It's just that I'm really grateful for you helping me earlier! Ve, I'm so sorry!" Sniffles sounded as I buried my face into his shirt. I didn't want him to get in trouble because of me. That would just be horrible.

A cough escaped him, as he began to pry my arms off of him. "Um..Ja. It's um..It's OK. Ja, it's alright. Jou don't need to apologize for anything. But I still have zo go to zhe main office." He spoke, before he finally got me to let go. I watched as he left the room, before I turned away to leave.

As everyone began to jog towards the exit door, I took one last glance at it, before I fell in line with them. As we filed out into the track, my eyes drifted up to the sky. Not a single puff of white littered the sky. It was crystal clear. As I stared at the beautiful sight, a pang of melancholy rammed into my heart. I didn't understand why, until I turned my head over to Gilbert, who had already begun to jog around the track.

Eventually, I wouldn't be able to see this sight anymore. I wouldn't be able to see Gilbert again. Or Francis, or Antonio, or even Lovino.

Eventually, I'll be dead.

The thought made tears prick at my eyes, as I took a deep breath. That's months away. I didn't need to worry about it..I shouldn't, right? Things would be alright! In seven months, I'm sure they'd have a cure for me!

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vargas...While there are many cures for cancer, your case has none."

Those words might as well slapped me in the face then and there. My eyes stared at the rest of the students, whom were had all begun to jog around the track, most on their third or fourth lap. While I dragged my feet to the bench, my mind replayed the horrendous scene at the restaurant. My bottom lip quivered as I thought back to what I said to Lovino. God, I was horrible! I shouldn't have ever snapped on him. He was just looking out for me. He probably didn't know the reasons behind me forgiving Grandpa, anyways.

Even so, it still hurt, knowing that because of my actions, Lovino doesn't give the the time of day anymore. He didn't even bother to help me when Alfred and his friends came. As I watched the other students run and chat, something wet trailed down my cheek. My eyes blinked a few times, before I raised my hand to wipe it away. Was I..Crying? Another damp tear ran down my face, and then another. Soon, I really was crying. As my hands reached up to cover my face, my whole body shuddered as the sobs wracked through it. Sniffles sounded too, as I tried fruitlessly to wipe my eyes. Faintly, a door opened and shut, as I sobbed. Footsteps approached, and I curled in on myself in response. The footsteps grew louder, before a weight was felt beside me on the bleacher.

"...Feliciano?" The familiar deep voice asked. It had a certain undertone with it, along with that German accent I had come to love.

"V-Ve," I responded, before a sniffle came from me. I didn't want him to see me cry. A soft sigh came from the German before my face was lifted up. One hand on each of my cheeks, Ludwig gave a deep breath, before he spoke once more.

"Vhat is wrong, Feliciano?" He asked. "Und please, don't zell me it's nothing. I vant to know vhat's zhe matter." His clear blue eyes bore into my own, as he locked his gaze onto mine. Oh, Mio Dio, we were so close! But..There was no way I could tell Ludwig. Not yet, at least. I had to wait until later. I just had to.

"V-Ve, I'm OK!" I lied, which caused him to narrow his eyes. "I-I just felt really, really sad that everyone could run, and I couldn't, ve! That's all!" I brushed whatever tears were left away, before a nod was sent his way. He didn't seem to accept my answer at first, before another sigh coursed through him.

"Are you sure?" He asked. His hands had already retracted themselves, though, I truly wished they were back on my cheeks. They felt so right there, so warm. As the question reached my ears, I gave a nod, and hoped if it was enough to convince him. Nothing really did, though. I expected him to leave, then. To go off and run with his brother.

Boy, was I wrong.

"All right, if zhat's vhat you really vant, zhen," He paused, before he took a moment to contemplate. A nod was given, and suddenly, he was on the ground. He kneeled, though his back was faced towards me, instead of his face. His arms were reached backwards, as well. "Climb on, und I'll give you a...a piggyback ride. Make you feel like you are running, even if you can't," He spoke gruffly, though, the bright blush on his cheeks said otherwise. As I stared at him, a small smile flickered onto my face as I nodded. Walking over, I clambered onto the other's strong back, before my arms wrapped almost instinctively around his neck. Muscled arms hooked around my smaller legs, before he stood. The newfound view was quite nice, though. Everything seemed a lot..taller!

As I admired the viewpoint, Ludwig began to jog. As he reached the track, I saw Gilbert. He didn't notice for a few moments, but, when he did, he all but tripped over his own feet in shock.

"Vhat zhe hell are you doing?" He asked in shock, once his brother caught up with him.

"I'm helping Feliciano run," Ludwig replied. His tone made it seem like it was something as simple as walking a dog. I hid my face in his back. I didn't want him to see my puffy eyes, or my tear-stained face. His brother gave a sigh, before he spoke again. This time, he seemed a lot calmer.

"I see. Vell, vhatever. Just don't come running to zhe awesome me when you hear what the others will say!" He replied, and then he was gone. As he left, I lifted my head up once more, and felt a gust of wind blow my brunette hair back.

"Feliciano?" He suddenly asked, as he neared the bend of the track. I could tell he had started to grow tired, because the other students we had passed by had begun to pass us, instead.

"Ve? What is it, Ludwig?" I replied, a soft grin on my face.

"You can trust me vith your troubles, alright?" He mumbled. The soft blush dusted his cheeks again, as my face grew warm. A cough came from the blond, before he continued on. "Ve are friends, und I vorry about you sometimes...Like now, vhen I couldn't help you stop crying. Es tut mir leid, Feliciano. I'm sorry."

I couldn't believe my ears. Ludwig was apologizing, to me, of all people. But, why? Nothing was his fault. He didn't have anything to do with it. He probably wouldn't understand, anyways.

My lungs forced me to take a deep breath, before I stared down at his face, or at least, the side of it. A warm smile crept onto my lips as my cheeks warmed up. Burying my face in his back, a breathed an almost relaxed sigh, before I nuzzled my head in the crook of his shoulder. "It's alright, Ludwig! It's not your fault,ve! You did help me, by giving me this amazing piggyback ride! Grazie! You're the best friend I've ever had in my life!" I cheered, before my body snuggled against him, and I hugged him tightly.

In response of the action, the German's blush increased almost tenfold. What was once a dusty rose had transformed to be a deep red, one that might put my pasta sauce to shame.

"J-Ja," He replied, though his attempt to quell the emotions inside him somewhat failed. I gave an innocent chuckle, and watched as Mr. Zwingli blew his whistle, and announced that it was time to go. He carried me back into the locker room, much to my content. Once we had arrived, though, he set me down on the bench, before a polite cough came from him. I should probably take my hands off him now. As I pulled away, a nervous smile split onto my face, and I grinned. Soon, my hands busied themselves with other things, as I untied my shoelaces and took my shirt off. Just as I laced my sneakers, the loud chimes of the bell rang through the room. My hand reached out for my backpack, and I soon blended with the crowd as I made my way to my last class: Music.

When I finally arrived to the large music room, it seemed things had already begun. Many partners had already begun to play their pieces. My eyes swept the room for a few moments, before they landed on a certain black haired friend.

"Ve, Kiku!" I grinned, before my hand raised. The smaller guy looked back at me, before a polite smile graced his features.

"Konichiwa, Vargas-san," He replied. Soon, he rose from his seat, and went over to me. "I aready have gotten the music Ederstein-san wants us to perfect. Our piano is still usable, ruckiry."

"Ve, that's great! Let's get going!" I cheered, as Kiku handed me a copy of the sheet music. As I traveled to the piano in the back, I heard how well the others had done. When the other finally came over here, we didn't waste anymore time to practice.

I could safely say that we did a lot better today than the any other day. The instrumental parts were so beautiful. They moved me so much, I could had to wipe my eyes a couple times. I don't really think my singing was as good as Kiku's playing, but I believe I did well. While we we had practiced, Mr. Roderich soon walked towards us.

"Hello Feliciano, Kiku," He spoke, before he gave a nod. We nodded back in response. "I see zhat you are doing very vell vith zhe piece. Personally, I zhink you've mastered it already."

"Ve? You really do, Mr. Roderich? That's great! Ve, but I think we need just a little more practice!"

"Hai. Vargas-san is right. We wirr need just a few more days to work out the rittre kinks." Kiku added, before another smile showed. "We are very grad you find our progress exceptional."

"Of course I do. You're progress has exceeded zhe class by a lot. I advise you to get ready by the end of zhis month, because you'll be zhere for a vhile. It's about a veek or zwo long."

"Ve!" I cheered happily. Kiku gave an elated nod, before the bell rang. As we got our stuff to leave, I glanced back into the room, before I strode out the front door towards the buses.

Once I got to my bus, I clambered on, only to find Lovino and Antonio. I was happy to see them, but...the look my brother gave me almost made me weep. When he turned his eyes to see mine, there such malice and hate in them, that I felt a tiny bit scared. Luckily, Ludwig was there also, and that made me feel a bit better. When I was far enough down the aisle, my head turned to the blonde as my mouth opened.

"V-Ve, could I sit by you?" I asked, before my eyes traveled down to see what his reaction might've been. He gave a disgruntled sigh, before he stood. I slid into the seat, and then he sat back down. "Grazie, Ludwig,"

"Ja, Ja. Vhatever," was his reply. I looked over, only to see that Antonio and Lovino were across from us. Things weren't going to be good.

"Hey, fratello," Lovino sneered, his eyes narrowed.

"S-Si?" I gulped.

"How's that little family of yours? Still peaceful and happy, just like you wanted?" He spoke. He hasn't spoken to me all week, and this is what he says? I didn't know he was this angry..

"N-No..Fratello, please, let me explain..Please?" I asked, as my eyes began to feel watery.

"Why? You've said all you needed to. Apparently, if I'm not around, everything's peaceful, right? So, I'll be staying at Antonio's! That way, I won't have to see that lying bastard, or ruin your happy life!" He brutishly spoke. The part that chilled me was that it was calm, but also venomous as well.

"Lovino, stop. Feliciano..Feliciano has a lot on his plate. Just..Just give him time, amigo," Antonio piped in, before he turned his head to me.

"Feliciano, I understand your wish for wanting to have a peaceful family life, given everything that happened.." He trailed off, before a sigh seeped from his lips. "But, the way you worded it was a bit..Harsh. Please, I think it's best if you two just give it some time."

I didn't know what to do at this point, so..I gave a small, half-hearted nod.

"Si! I-I totally understand," My voice wavered. "V-Ve, mi dispiace, fratello!" I gave a small grin, though the edges tugged and trembled. The spaniard seemed to understand well enough, though, and gave a nod of his own, before he went back to talk to Lovino.

Ludwig, on the other hand, didn't seem to understand what had happened. He turned from me to the brunette, and then back to me. As he opened his mouth to question it, I shook my head. I didn't want to explain. Not now. He seemed to understand that well enough, and didn't bother the subject. We rode in silence, at least, until he left. As the bus drove off, I began to feel a sense of loneliness, one that just wouldn't go away. As my own stop came, I stood, before my head turned to give a small glance at my brother. He didn't look back at me, of course. As my feet shuffled down the steps of the bus, I ambled to my house sadly, before the key unlocked the door. I didn't bother with the pasta on the counter, though I normally would. My feet lead me to my room, where I shut the door.

I couldn't hold the tears in anymore. They practically bursted from my eyes, as I slumped down towards the floor. Sobs tore their way from my throat as my hands covered my tear-stained face. This was the second time I cried today.

Why was everything around me crumbling down?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I actually have a planner for all the way to chapter 15! Yay, me! Also, guess what?

This is the first chapter with at least 3,000 words!

Most were like, 2,500+!

Pretty cool, right?

Anyways, please tell me if you liked it! Bye!