This allusiveness of my current life was in no way welcomed. Let's get some things straight: I'm neither blind nor am I dumb. Inexperienced? Maybe, in certain areas yet not wholly. While at first I might have been shocked and bewildered it only took a little longer for the sense to sink in- Alfred was jealous. All due to Francis being... Francis and having his French way with everything that moves. Soon enough I understood why he apologised. Initially I considered some strange pact being made between the two- this however seemed a far too abstract and complicated an option for both Francis and Alfred. Having rejected that, another possibility which was much more probable popped up: Francis was scared. There was something incredibly firm and determined about the American at the time and I couldn't help but to connect it to that rainy day. I stopped denying another observation: I actually found it incredibly attractive for Alfred to jump out of idiot's suit and watch the characteristic cockiness mix together with the more mature possessiveness. Before my eyes the annoying kid turned into a desirable object. Is it cruel to call him an object? I still felt like this is how he perceived me though... so I was only fighting back. Even if the battlefield was my much violated brain.

I'm old enough to understand the principle mechanics of interpersonal communication. It's of no bloody significance though because for once I can't learn all the possible variables and consequences from a textbook. What I did know however, was that jealousy came with expectations. The question which needs to be solved now is about the nature of these expectations. A scientific mind opts for the simplest most logical solutions- ones directed by one's body and biology. After the kiss, Alfred sees me as a marked territory (rather like a dog pissing on a tree) and he perceives Francis as a villain threatening his sexual possession. This seemed ridiculous. The kiss was hardly my first and judging from American's expertise I doubt it was his first either. I'm also reluctant to believe that there were some deep emotions indicated by it. I'd be keener to perceive it as a 'moment' thing. It's also possible that Alfred just doesn't know how to take rejection and thus keeps pressing until he gets what he wants. What does this make me? A goddamned grand-prize with a red ribbon around my neck?! I have always been in control of my life. As long as I can remember I have been the control freak and that's what I am comfortable with. The different way of how things worked threatened not only by ever so busy schedule but also my sanity itself. This is why I decided that the times are hard. And hard times call for desperate measures.

***

"Hello, how are you today?" Alfred stared at me wide eyed when I sat down next to him in the dining hall. I didn't even care about his silly little friends who were clearly just as surprised. "Lost your tongue now? I thought it took more than that to shut you up." I added. It was actually meant as encouragement.

"Ah, I'm good. All the better now you're here. I just kinda... wasn't expecting it, twas all." He replied, the grin back on the thin lips. I nearly smiled back.

"That's some pathetic lunch you have there." I stated suddenly pointing at his tray with some sandwiches, chips and a can of coke. "You should try some English cuisine for once." I added. He made a strange expression which I couldn't read well but it seemed as if he was calculating something and making some kind of decision.

"I'm not too fond of it, but I'll try if you feed me." He finally replied with a wink.

"More like bloody force it down your throat you git!" I replied feeling somewhat irritated. I almost always got the school meal and today was no different.

The jacket potato was cut open, sumptuously filled with grated cheese, mayonnaise and salad. Oh, can't forget the generous amount of creamy butter. I got a forkful and feeling silly as I did, pushed it into Alfred's mouth. He swallowed and his expression was quizy at first. If he's about to complain about the food I'll bloody kill the bastard.

"What's the pudding called?" he asked not commenting on the potato. I decided to let it go for once but I did notice he took a sip of his coke.

"A spotted dick, want to try?"

Alfred started choking on his drink. "You must be kidding me! It doesn't even look like..."

"A dick?" I finished the sentence for him. "Well, that's because it's not bloody meant to! All it is, is just a steamed suet pudding with dried fruit and custard..."

"Wah! Dick on the menu today! Something lovely for all us cockeaters!" Francis's loud voice with the strong French accent was audible even where we were sitting. Perverted bastard. Alfred laughed loud and clear.

"I'll be alright for now, but do let me know when it's on the menu again, cause I may get hungry again for a wee try." He said with a wink. The mention of the 'wee' word made me go red and I was nearly fuming.

"How dare you bloody bring it...." but Alfred smirked again and put his index and middle fingers on my lips- dangerous really, considering I was ready to bite them off.

"Hey, what do you say, I take you out to some American cooking? Doesn't have to be a date. Think of it as friendly hanging out. Or even better, widening your horizons. Friday after school sounds good?" he was sure that I would agree.

And agree I did, with a single nod.

***

On the Thursday evening I decided that it all went too smoothly and according to his wish and we can't have that. I texted him saying that I have an afterschool council meeting; it was my way of testing to see if he would be still persistent. He sure passed the test and offered to pick me up from home around 6 pm. Does this mean he drives? So it seems, because on Friday exactly at 6 pm I heard a doorbell and soon enough Keith called me downstairs. I gave myself one final check in the mirror just to make sure I looked presentable.

I was wearing a black shirt with fine gray vertical pattern of strips. On top of that there was a dark green sweater waistcoat and I had a pair of black jeans. All this was finished off by a modest sprinkle of D&G oriental scent. I wasn't going all out- I just... enjoy looking well and I find that a smell is extremely important about a person. Well, I'm strongly visual too but when I saw Alfred downstairs I could easily distinct a different musky scent of mixed lemon, honey... tobacco? That was Hugo Boss without question. As expected, the American was dressed more casually in a pair of holey blue jeans, a cashmere top with a v-neck and over that there was the bomber jacket he wore at school.

"Don't ya look pretty?" he smiled. Keith looked at me with approval.

"That's a nice lad you got yourself. Have fun." My brother said while passing me my warm blazer and he slapped my ass before I even managed to say anything. We were pushed outside the door and for once it wasn't raining. I saw a dark red truck parked in front of the house. The steering wheel was on the wrong side so I figured it must be Alfred's. Something wasn't quite right though. The American was much more... gentleman-like. For god's sake, he opened the door for me! And Keith called him nice. It seemed like suddenly there was some kind of conspiracy working around me which I wasn't aware of.

"Ah, probably should've told ya earlier but we're not going to some fairy fancy restaurant. It's McDonald's or nothing with me." The tall blond said while grinning at me like an idiot that he was.

"McDonald's? Is this really the best of your cuisine?" I asked well aware of my mocking tone. Alfred laughed.

"Yup! I can take you home if you don't like it? But it would ruin my evening." He looked like he genuinely meant that.

"No point going back home now." I murmured finally and at that, he pressed the accelerator.

***

Keith is yet another brother-Northern Ireland xP

Okay! That's a lil' longer than the previous ones. Btw I have so many ideas for this ff but I need to put it in an order in my head. I'll go over all the chapters soon and correct the grammatical mistakes. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you sooo much for the support and please continue to review because I don't know how I'll cope without the motivation.

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