Pre-notes: Sorry it's so late. Enjoy and review, please!

Chapter 2

By Stonefang

Chikyuu High School Day 4

A few days had passed since the school year began. People had been met. Work was done. Books read. And still Arthur felt as if something was off.

"Did you get the assignment Mr. Krovak gave us?" Alfred asked while rubbing the back of his neck and staring impatiently at the papers he held.

"Of course. I paid attention." Arthur raised a thick eyebrow.

"Well, I couldn't help it! His voice was so monotonous…" Alfred waved his hands frantically.

Arthur laughed slightly. Alfred could be so foolish and childish sometimes. It could almost be considered…cute.

Wait, what?

The blond rubbed his forehead trying to force away the faint blush that had risen on his cheeks. These strange thoughts seemed to happen more often as the days wore on. It was embarrassing and weird. Someday he'd understand his feelings. But, oh, why wouldn't that day come soon enough?

"So about the homework," Alfred began.

"I'll help you, git. You're my friend." Arthur snatched the papers from his friend's hands.

"Well, you've been sort of distant recently."Alfred's expression was one of general concern. He didn't know what he had done to hurt his friend but he just wanted everything to go back to the way it had been.

"In Ancient Rome…"

Green eyes watched the words on the page; the body they belonged to was stiff. Emotions caused heat to rise to Arthur's face some more as Alfred scooted closer so he could see the papers his friend was reading from.

"Hey, I'm trying to read." Arthur grumbled.

Alfred grinned. It was because of his friend's reactions that he did that. It was so amusing.

"Do you want me to help you? I'll leave. I do have others things to do besides help you figure out things you should already know."

"Noo, don't leave!"

***

Period 4

"Hey, did you see the fliers?" Antonio asked as Arthur sat down.

"No, what fliers?" Arthur was confused.

"The ones for the play, of course." Antonio smiled, ignorant of the fact that Arthur didn't really like him. He was friends with that Francis.

"There's a play?" Piped up a rather cheerful Italian from the Spaniard's other side.

"Yeah, Feli. You didn't know?" Antonio asked.

"No! I want to sign up! What's it about?" His amber eyes were bright as the sun. Clearly, Feliciano really wanted to be in the play.

The Brit decided he didn't want to be a part of the conversation anymore so he began to open his textbook. Who would want to be a part of a play, anyways? Alfred definitely would. That boy would do anything for a little spotlight sometimes.

Arthur thought about it. He did love Shakespeare's plays, but he had no desire whatsoever –even if it were Shakespeare's- to participate in one.

"Umm, I think it was Romeo and Juliet? Or maybe it was A Midsummer Night's Dream? Something by that one guy, Shakespeare?"

Maybe I'll try out…but what would be the point? I've never been in a play before.

***

"Hey, Arthur! Are you going to try out for the play? You really should! It'd be so much-"

"I think I might."

"Wait a minute did you just say yes?" Alfred's blue eyes were wide as if he had never fathomed that Arthur might actually sign up for it. He blinked.

"Yeah, I did," Arthur glanced at his friend and saw his expression. "What did you think I wouldn't?"

"Well, it's just it doesn't seem like your cup of tea, know what I mean?" Alfred winked, laughing slightly at his bad joke.

"It's Shakespeare and I thought that I might as well try something different." The Brit finished getting his books and closed his locker quietly.

"So who are you going to sign up for?" Alfred asked as the two headed towards the Home Ec. Class.

"I- I don't know." The blond shrugged.

"I know! You could be Juliet and wear a dress! That'd be hilarious," the American laughed.

"I don't think so, git. How about you sign up for Juliet and wear a dress?" Arthur replied challengingly doubting that the American would agree to it.

"Fine, I will! A hero never steps down from a challenge!" The blond replied with a beaming grin.

"Wait, you're serious?" Green eyes widened in shock.

"Of course, heroes don't lie!" The American boy smiled. "As long as you buy me McDonalds for two weeks after the play."

"Fine!"

***

Lunch

The paper he held in his hands crinkled as he put it down to eat his lunch. Instead of eating the cafeteria food like his classmates, Arthur brought his own lunch which consisted of his favorite meal, fish and chips. The delicious scent of homemade British food wafted past his nose.

"Eew, is that more of your home-cooking?" Alfred asked as he sat down, cheeseburger and fries in hand. He picked a greasy fry out of the container and ate it.

"It's better than that fattening, fast food you're always eating."

The blond American just rolled his eyes and sat down. Soon the two friends were joined by a few familiar faces: Elizaveta, Gilbert and Roderich. Matthew soon joined them after having trouble in the lunch line.

"People kept trying to cut in front of me. It was like they didn't notice I was there," the blond complained. No one really paid attention to him, except his brother, of course. But his brother was too busy annoying a certain Brit to listen to Matthew.

"You made that?"

"Yes, you git, now bugger off so I can eat in peace. Not that that'll ever happen." Arthur muttered. "Perhaps, you could even go to another table."

Never, I wouldn't be able to bother you then. It's so much fun when you get mad!" Alfred said in-between mouthfuls of burger.

"I think all roles in the play will be played by me because only someone as awesome as I can play more than one part." Gilbert began.

"Are you going to play Juliet and the other female characters too?" Roderich countered. Elizaveta and Alfred stifled laughs.

"Well, of course not!" The Prussian replied as he picked up the sandwich off his tray.

"Well, Alfred's going to audition for Juliet," Arthur announced.

"Oh, really?" Gilbert smirked.

"You should audition for Romeo, Arthur." Elizaveta said, looking up from the manga she was reading. Where those two guys kissing on the front? Weird.

"I don't think so. I still have to think about it."

The image of Alfred wearing a dress was now stuck in his head.

***

After School

The pile of papers was stacked neatly on top of the wooden desk by the drama room entrance. Sitting in a chair was Francis, who was acting as Student Council President for the moment. The voting hadn't even started yet. He sat there flirting with whoever came up to the table to pick up a script. He tried to kiss Seychelles but she promptly slapped him. He was still rubbing his reddening cheek when the American and Briton came up.

"Hey, Arthur, Mon Cheri. You're auditioning?"

The Brit just ignored him while he shifted through the scripts. He was quite intent on finding a certain one.

Alfred quickly grabbed a script for Juliet while no one was looking. Or at least he hoped no one was. There was a very strange girl watching him from the corner. Maybe she saw? No, she was too far away.

"Auditioning for the role of Juliet, Alfred?" Francis said with a slight laugh.

"Yeah, it was a bet. Sort of." The American said while trying to hide the paper's title from any wandering eyes.

"And who are you auditioning for, Arthur?" The Frenchman inquired.

"I don't know yet, frog. Now leave me alone." Arthur's green eyes remained focused on the task at hand. Which was to find an important role. Heck, maybe he'd try out for Romeo as Hungary suggested. Although, he could only hope Alfred didn't get Juliet or he'd be in an awkward situation.

"Come on, Arthur! Matthew's waiting." Alfred tugged on his friend's arm.

"Fine, fine," and the Brit slipped the script for Romeo into his backpack.

Author's Notes: I fail at updating. That's my pathetic attempt at an excuse. And for awhile I didn't know what to do with this. Then I threw in the play concept and yeah…

It's rather short. I don't know when this'll update next. Maybe next week sometime? That's what I'll aim for. And, oh yeah, I LOVE reviews! ;D

~Stonefang