Welp. Here is focusing on another pairing. I had to change some things in the other chapter, so if you don't reread it I took out the part were it was said that they were best friends so yeah. This worked out better. What? Normal couples bore me! Anyhow sorry for the wait, I had other things calling my attention. Also Abel is Netherlands and Erich is Luxembourg So disclaimer and chapter? Yes? Let's go!

DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN HETALIA. IT BELONGS TO ITS RESPECTFUL OWNERS. I ONLY OWN THE PLOT.

Matthew was walking out of the studio. He pulled his coat further over his body, trying to make himself small. Now it was just him and Abel. Thankfully Abel had promised to take him to hockey practice afterwords. They were both on the same team so it wasn't a hassle.

Abel looked at the canadian in front of him. He had acted on an impulse and asked him to the preview. Though they hadn't talked previously he didn't want to be the only one without a guest. Then he wondered if Gilbert and Antonio's choices counted.

He sent the slightly smaller boy a glare. He wasn't used to them and they may have said a total of ten words to each other the entire day so far. He observed Matthew. He was was tall, slightly shorter than him, he had wavy blonde hair, it looked really soft to touch. He had this odd little curl that flew away from the rest of his hair. His glasses covered his violet eyes.

Matthew walked quicker than originally when he glanced back and saw Abel glaring at him. He spotted the car that he had come in a practically ran to it. This was way awkward.

Able arched an eyebrow making his scar more prominent. Nevertheless, he unlocked the door and watched as Matthew practically dove in. He wondered what was up with the other but he was sure since they hadn't really talked, and they weren't friends, he wouldn't get an answer.

Matthew crammed himself into the carseat buckling up and looking out of the window. He was hoping to get this as over with as soon as possible. Abel was his rival on the hockey team. What he expected was not this. He didn't want anyone getting the wrong opinion of him. Abel would surly mop the floor with him the moment he was off ice, if something like that did happen.

Abel got into the car and saw Matthew move away from him almost on instinct. He wondered if this had to do with the rivalry on the hockey team. Abel turned the car on and put it into drive. Setting off just under the speed limit the trip passed in silence until Matthew spoke up. Abel almost missed it if he hadn't be straining for any sound.

"Thanks for taking me to practice today. And the studio, that was cool."

"Coach would've had my head if I let you walk there if he found out I could've give you a ride. As for the studio, don't be flattered. Its for when I mowed you over a few weeks ago and landed on top of you, bruising a rib."

Matthew nodded silently looking out the window. If there hadn't been a stoplight Abel would've almost missed the brief flash of something in those violet eyes. He stared into them for a few a seconds. Getting lost in the shade of lavender. They were so different from anything he'd ever seen. Of course there was Gilbert's eyes but he was used to them.

Matthew noticed that Abel was staring. He blushed slightly under the bigger boy's scrutiny. He averted his eyes and continued to look at the buildings they passed. He knew the moment they stepped in the arena, they would be back to being the star players, and rivals. Not this almost friend moment they were having.

The trip passed in a few more minutes of uncomfortable silence. Until Abel broke it this time. "You know you don't have to be scared. I'm not going to crash."

Matthew blushed at that statement. "I-I'm not." He stuttered.

Abel shrugged. He wasn't completely convinced about that but he felt like it wasn't a good idea to press any further. The arena appeared in sight. Abel slowed down as he noticed the stop sign.

Matthew was relieved when he saw the arena come into sight. This was uncomfortable, and new. Matthew Williams did not do new. He hated it. He like where he was at in the world. He had a plan, he would be able to slip away and live in relative peace. Not to say he didn't have a good reason. He shivered as those memories were almost brought up.

Abel noticed that and thought it was because he was cold so he reached down and turned he heat up a few notches. Matthew blinked at him and they turned into the area. Abel parked close to the doors and turned the car off. He got out of the car and popped the trunk. Matthew slinked up to him.

Abel tossed him his bag. Matthew wasn't expecting that almost dropped it. He was able to steady himself and his bag quickly. He slung the bag over his shoulder and Abel grabbed his. Watching as Matthew took off then he suddenly stopped and looked back at him. Abel took the chance to catch up to him. Without thinking about it held the door open.

Matthew stood still wondering what the other was doing. He wasn't sure if he was suppose to go in or wait.

"Are you coming or what?" Abel snapped.

Matthew scurried through the doors keeping his head down. Abel found this part of Matthew annoying. He was much more fun to deal with out in the ring. Abel soon followed the other to the locker rooms. He got to his locker area and began to strip.

Matthew continued on passed his locker and headed towards the adjoining bathroom. He made sure the door was locked before he changed. When he took his coat off you could see his skin was marred by something. When he took off his regular t-shirt, his torso was covered in a variation of burns, long thin scars, and bruises. Some bruises were located on his rib area, some of which belong to the accident he and Abel had a few weeks ago. He quickly put on his underarmor long sleeve shirt on then he slipped his pads on then his jersey. Then he worked with the bottom half, his legs having the same assortment as his upper body. He paid the scars no mind. He was used to seeing them everyday. Unlike his teammates.

He took his glasses off and put in his contacts. He threw his regular clothes in his bag and then walked out. Throwing his bag in his locker he grabbed his skates and headed towards the ice. His stick was leaning against the wall and he grabbed that as he walked by.

Sitting and tying his skates on brought him next to Abel once again. Abel didn't even notice him and he was glad of that. Abel finished before him and got on the ice. Matthew wasn't far behind however. He got to the ice gracefully with his stick.

He could see that his other teammates were passing to warm up. He joined in the next chance he got. He took the puck skated a few strides and passed it along. It got to Abel, and he seemed like he wasn't passing to Matthew on purpose.

Matthew getting fed up with this, he was more aggressive in the ring, he skated up to Abel and stole the puck. Skating away expertly. Abel was stunned for a few seconds before he followed. He slammed into Matthew sending him away and taking the puck back.

Matthew, not enthused about being shoved responded aggressively. Abel was left with out a puck by well done swipe of the hockey stick. He slid to a stop and watched as Matthew pushed the puck around with the stick, the hockey version of dribbling.

Abel called a few of his friends over and he had them slam Matthew into a wall.

Unsurprisingly Matthew reacted with just trying to keep the puck. Abel figured that Matthew had been picked as a target more than once and the guys on the bench, and those who saw it on the ring, found it hilarious when Matthew knocked a guy three times his size on his bottom.

Abel grabbed the puck and passed it away.

"What the hell? It was a passing game!" Abel growled.

"You left yourself open and you were a puck hog. Someone had to put you in your place." Matthew snapped back.

Abel pushed him away and went back to passing. There was the Matthew that he thought was interesting. Having never hung out with him outside of practice he wasn't sure what the other was like. He was surprised by the change in personalities. There had to be something else to the story but he needed to worry about practice.

Matthew, not wanting to get in another scuffle with Abel skated off by himself to take shots at the goal that was occupied by the goalie. His first shot was blocked. When he retrieved the puck he took a slap shot and the puck hit the net.

The coach skated onto the ice five minutes later. He called the team in and ran through what they did wrong yesterday, what they were doing today and everything like that. He broke the huddle and had the team run some skating drills, followed by passing, then shooting, blocking, and finally it was time for a scrimmage.

The coach assigned the teams. Matthew and Abel were both forewords. Matthew was playing center and Abel who wasn't in his regular position, right wing foreword, went against him. The coach blew the whistle and dropped the puck. The two were practicing harder than the rest of the team.

Abel finally got fed up with the constant stealing of pucks and having to chase the other center down, stole the puck and pushed Matthew against the was, hard. Matthew blinked at the other waiting to see what he was doing. Abel was glaring at him and finally let him go after he shoved him against the wall.

Matthew remained against the wall trembling. It wasn't because of Abel exactly. The other boy was bigger than him but he wasn't as intimidating as he would like to think. Matthew was just a timid being, for a good reason. After a few more moments he let got of the wall and skated towards the puck.

Abel had kept an eye on the canadian after he skated away. He had gone a little to far but it wasn't his fault. He wasn't sure he was more aggressive towards the boy more so today than other days. He was confused as to why Matthew wasn't moving after he skated away but didn't have time to think about it as he got the puck and scored a goal.

The teams lined up for a face off and this time Matthew looked at Abel evenly. He wasn't going to think about bad memories. He'd just hyperventilate and that wouldn't be fun to explain.

Abel stood ready waiting for the puck to drop. Keeping his gaze even as well. The thought struck him that Matthew was like a lamb outside of the ring but inside he was a lion once he was pushed far enough. The puck hit the ice and the two moved there sticks at the same time sending the puck away in some random direction and the two sticks clashed together. Making a loud wham echo in the nearly empty arena. The other teammates didn't seem surprised and skated after the puck. Matthew recoiled at the loud sound giving Abel an advantage. Matthew recovered and went after the puck.

He was slimmer than Abel and a lot lighter so he was faster on his skates than Abel was and caught up in almost no time and then was pass him protecting his teammate from the other players.

There was the slap of the stick on ice as the player made a connection with the puck. The puck flew into one of the top corners. The score was even now. Abel grinned. This was going to be a tight scrimmage.

An hour later the team was getting dressed and leaving the arena. Abel was leaning against the wall talking with some of his buddies. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Matthew walk out of the arena and looked around, presumably, for his ride.

Abel looked up the sky was darkening with gray storm clouds. At any moment they would open up. Bidding his friends a fare well he he headed towards his car.

Matthew sighed. He forgot to bring pocket money for a cab home. He didn't have a car even though he was old enough to drive. He had this fear of driving.

He started walking in the direction of his dorm. Wishing he had asked for a ride. Then again he may have still been walking home.

Several people who were enjoying the nice weather shuffled off into stores or restaurants. Matthew was nearly alone. Then he started to rain. Not a gentle spring rain but a thunderstorm.

Abel who was driving slowly in the terrible weather spotted a familiar figure. "Matthew?" He asked rolling down the window. His hair already soaked and falling from its spiky position.

"Abel?" Matthew whipped around.

It dawned on Abel that this was the first time that Matthew called him by his first name. "What are you doing out in this weather?"

"I was walking towards my dorm." Matthew answered.

"Why were you walking? Didn't you have a ride?" Abel was irritated that the Canadian was stupid enough to not have a ride when the weather forecast was predicting a twenty precent chance of a thunderstorm. Though then again who listened to weather men?

"No. I don't drive either." Matthew answered him.

"How do you normally get to practice?" Abel asked him.
"Walk or take a taxi. I forgot my money today."

Abel gritted his teeth unsure of what he should do. He felt like it was his responsibility to make sure Matthew got home safely. Another part of him enjoyed this, taking it as some sort of payback.

"Get in." Abel sighed.

"What?" Matthew asked him unsure he heard right

"Get in the car. I'll drive you. Just so you don't catch a cold." Abel said.

Without another word of protest Matthew threw his bag in the trunk and then sat next to Abel. Abel nodded and drove off towards the school. The rain was certainly coming down hard.

"Why don't you have a car?" Abel asked at a stoplight.

"I don't like them." Matthew answered simply.

Abel turned his gaze onto Matthew. "You don't like cars?"

"Not really. I like them. Just not driving." Matthew rephrased his sentence.

"Ah, how come?" Abel asked.

Matthew looked away uncertainly. Abel guessed he crossed a line. It was something that obviously troubled the Canadian.

Five minutes more and they were at the school. Abel and Matthew's rooms were on opposite sides of the school. There was also no way to get from Matthew's room, the side they parked on, to Abel's without going outside.

"You could stay in my dorm until the rain lets up." Matthew suggested.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Its the least I can do right?" Matthew grinned slowly. "Only my neighbors are kind of loud."

"Who are your neighbors?" Abel asked unconsciously putting both bags on his shoulders.

"Arthur, and you know that kid he brought with him? That's Alfred. Alfred likes to play video games, and he's verbal about it." Matthew answered laughing softly.

"Oh. Don't you have a roommate?" Abel recalled that all students must have a roommate at the beginning of the year.

"Francis Bonnefoy." Matthew answered. The pair of them were now in the front of the dorm room.

"Isn't he a junior?" Abel asked him. Recalling the french pervert in his history class.

"Yeah. We've know each other since childhood. He's like my older brother."

Abel said nothing taking that as the best answer. After all he was roomed with his brother who was a freshman.

They got to Matthew's dorm room. After Matthew unlocked the door. He walked in. Abel looked around. Like all dorm rooms, in this school, there was a small kitchen off to the side. A bathroom down the hallway, and two bedrooms. Matthew led him to his room.

Inside it was plain white walls, like all of the other rooms, but on one wall there was a wall sticker of a red maple leaf. The bed was also red and white. On the wall were various hockey team he guessed were from Canada. Along with the national team.

"You have a lot of Canadian pride." Abel said not sure what else to think.

"Yeah. I moved here when I was five." Matthew shrugged walking over to his bed and tossing his hockey bag across the floor.

Abel set their bag down by the door. Not sure where he should go. He spotted a desk chair and sat down in it. Spinning slightly in the awkward atmosphere. Abel wasn't sure how long this went on until a lightly accented voice drifted to them. "I'm home!"

"Welcome back Francis!" Matthew called.

The heard the soft padding of shoes coming up the hallway. Francis appeared in the door way. Looking at Matthew and then his eyes landed on Abel.
"Bonjour Abel." Francis greeted. Abel was unnerved by the look in his eyes.

"Hallo." Abel returned for manners sake.

"Matthieu, pourquoi Abel ici? Vous n'avez pas parlé de lui avant aujourd'hui. Francis spoke to Matthew.

"Son dortoir se trouve en face de l'école et il pleut beaucoup. Il me conduisit à la maison si c'était une faveur." Matthew answered.

Abel watched confused. He knew very little french and since they both spoke it fluently he couldn't follow it.

Francis nodded seemingly satisfied. Then he spoke once more. "Je serai avec Antonio et Gilbert soir."

Matthew chuckled and Francis waved goodbye. Abel took the opportunity to ask Matthew. "What were you talking about?"
"Oh, he's going over to his friend's dorm." Matthew shrugged.

Abel took the answer for true, not really caring. He knew Francis' reputation so it wouldn't surprise him if that "friend" was someone he was having sex with. Though he thought he heard Antonio and Gilbert's name mentioned.

"Oh! Forgive my manners. Do you want something to eat?" Matthew asked.

Abel, wanting something to do nodded. "Yeah, sure."

Matthew stood up motioning for Abel to follow him. They walked down the hallway and into the small kitchen. Matthew pulled the fridge door open. "Take what you want."

Abel looked in the fridge and grabbed a soda and a yogurt. Matthew also grabbed a soda. Instead of yogurt however he grabbed a stack of left over pancakes and maple syrup.

Abel smiled slightly at the other. "You like pancakes?"

"Yes. I like maple syrup more." Matthew laughed. To prove his point he drenched his pancakes in syrup.

"Got a sweet tooth?" Abel asked him. "Also where are your spoons."

"Drawer on you left. At times I do." Matthew had already gotten out his utensils he needed.

Abel looked in the indicated drawer. Spotting a spoon. He sat down across from Matthew. Opening his yogurt. Matthew kept his eyes on his pancakes as he opened his soda. Abel said nothing opting to eat his snack.

Matthew broke the silence. "Sorry if this is awkward." Abel looked at him. "I don't have many guests over."

Abel nodded. He figured that Matthew was a little on the awkward side when it came to social interaction but he hardly ever saw the boy, the only time he really did was hockey.

Matthew looked sad for a moment before speaking once again. "I've never really had a friend."

Abel choked on his soda. "Really? Like ever?"

"Yeah. I'm not exactly bold." Matthew responded.

"But you've played hockey your entire life." Abel pointed out.

"And nobody ever wanted to hang out with me for some reason or another." Matthew responded.

Abel was annoyed. Matthew seemed to be a nice boy, but he had no confidence! No wonder he didn't make friends easily. He wasn't sure what he could do. He had always had friends surrounding him. He was one of the more popular boys at school, next to the Dane and his lover boy and Arthur who was popular by himself.

The two lapsed into a silence. This one wasn't that uncomfortable as they have been able felt like he was getting somewhere.

"How long have you been playing hockey?" Abel inquired. Asking the first thing that came to mind.

"Eh? Since I was four I think." Matthew answered after finishing his bite.

"Huh. You must love the sport." Abel commented.
"I do. Its the only thing that my father really left me." Matthew sighed sadly.

"What do you mean by that?" Abel had an eyebrow raised.
"Oh. My father died when I was young, the same day as Francis' father actually. Dad and I used to watch hockey everyday it was on." Matthew looked down dejectedly. "I was alone after that. Well aside from Francis. My aunt lived here so we had to move."

"I'm sorry."

Just then they heard a very manly squeal come from down the hallway. Abel's head whipped around and Matthew was laughing. "That would be Alfred."

"He's excited." Abel commented dryly.

"He's a kind boy... Just awkward in the sense he prefers to be alone. I've see other people bully him."

"You should try and be his friend." Abel suggested.

"You think? I don't think that that would go over well." Matthew chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully however.

"It'd be good for both of you." Abel stood up. "The rain's letting up."

"It is." Matthew stood up as well. "I'll show you out."

They walked to the door. Once they were there Matthew stood by the door as Abel remembered to grab his bag. Walking out, he turned back to Matthew and without really thinking about the consequences he kissed Matthew on the cheek as a farewell like they did in his home country.

Then he turned around and walked towards the exit of the dorm building. Matthew stood at the door gaping. He knew what it meant, Canadians often practiced kissing cheeks as a greeting a fare well it still didn't stop him from blushing furiously.

As his luck would have it Alfred poked his head out at the exact same time. His eyes locked on Matthews before widening a fraction. Alfred was about to duck back in when Matthew stopped him.

"Hey. Why..." Matthew was never good a social situations. "What were you, erm, cheering about?"

Alfred looked confuse as to why he was being addressed. "My new game came in the mail."

"Oh. That's nice. Video game I assume?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah!" Alfred grinned.

"I haven't played much video games." Matthew admitted.

"This is a two player..." Alfred trailed off uncertainly.

"Mind if I play it with you?" Matthew inquired. It would be a blow to his self esteem if Alfred rejected him.

"Come on!" Alfred called.

Matthew walked out of his dorm and headed towards Alfred's. He had a soft smile on his lips. Alfred seemed nice enough. Truth be told he hadn't said much to the other boy. He looked gentle but he was about his height and seemed to be way over energetic about somethings. Though he supposed it wasn't a bad thing.

Walking across the threshold to Alfred's dorm Matthew was surprised at the quality of the gaming supplies in the room. He figured Alfred must really like gaming.

Alfred already had both controllers hooked up. Matthew grabbed the second player one and waited for Alfred to start the game.

Those few hours he had spent in the company of the hockey star Abel and the school nerd were probably the best of Matthew's life.

I promise to get back to Al and Artie but I couldn't honestly think of anything for them. I also have the other pairings here for reasons as well. They aren't really filler chapters but if you want to take them as such then you may. But I want this story to be trials and tribulations of High school... Well anyhow we have other stuff to get through. Other than me prattling on.

Information

As you may recall the Abel kiss on the cheek here's my research:

In the Netherlands and Belgium cheek kissing is a common greeting between relatives and friends (in the Netherlands slightly more so in the south). Generally speaking, women will kiss both women and men, while men will kiss women but refrain from kissing other men, instead preferring to shake hands with strangers. In the Netherlands usually three kisses are exchanged. The same number of kisses is found in Switzerland.(Source Wikipedia)

As for the translations, I had a friend of mine who speaks french translate them for me. So if they aren't accurate... Sorry!

Translations:

"Matthieu, pourquoi Abel ici? Vous n'avez pas parlé de lui avant aujourd'hui." = "Matthew, why is Abel here? You have not mentioned him before today. "

"Son dortoir se trouve en face de l'école et il pleut beaucoup. Il me conduisit à la maison si c'était une faveur." = His dorm is across the school and its raining heavily. He drove me home so it was a favor.

"Je serai avec Antonio et Gilbert soir." = I will be with Antonio and Gilbert tonight.

Well... there you are! Later! ~IF