Gilbert was walking down the hallway long after the bell had rung, he was late for his first hour and didn't care. It was always like this, he would walk in late, get detention, and then get lectured about how good of a student Ludwig was. The only person to ever attempt to approach him was a boy by the name of Antoine. Which was somewhat fitting, Gilbert guessed. The boy had black hair and plastic glasses that framed his bright blue-green eyes. His smile had been warm and kind, but then he had moved. Gilbert had over heard the kid yelling in the office once, arguing that he didn't want to leave, that he was finally comfortable somewhere and that they always pulled this kind of thing. His parents argued that it was his father's job and that was it. End of conversation. Next day, he left a note in Gilbert's locker that seemed to have tear stains on the edges, whether they were from frustration or genuine sadness, Gilbert could only guess. But it was in German and it said:

Hey, es tut mir leid, dass wir nicht viel reden konnten, aber ich muss in die Vereinigten Staaten ziehen. Ich kann in der Lage sein, wieder zu kommen, wenn ich 18 bin. Vielleicht können wir noch Freunde sein, Tschüss...

It roughly translates to,

Hey, I'm sorry we can not talk much, but I have to move to the United States. I can be able to come back when I'm 18. Maybe we can be friends again, bye...

"It does no good to dwell on zhe past." Gilbert muttered before opening the door to his first hour.

"Ah, Mr. Beilschmidt, you decided to join us. Not that you seem to have any opinions on your tardiness." The teacher, Mr.Eoghan, said. Gilbert rolled his eyes and went to his normal seat in the back. Except, now he had a 'neighbor'.

"H-hi, I'm M-Matthew. What's y-your name?" The shy boy asked. Gilbert glanced at him and mumbled, "Gilbert." The boy was wearing a red jacket with fur around the hood, jeans, and had blonde hair and violet eyes. He had a single strand of hair that refused to stay down, and wore black wire framed glasses. In Gilbert’s opinion, the boy was kind of cute, though he would never admit it.

“Dude. Leave him alone.” A boy that looked similar to Matthew that was sitting in Francis’s seat said. Gilbert stiffened slightly, the gesture going unnoticed by everyone except the shy boy.

“Alfred q-quit trying t-to control me.” Matthew said quietly. Alfred had a slight difference in appearance, his hair was darker and shorter than Matthew’s, he wore a brown bomber jacket, and had blue eyes. He wasn't as attractive as Matt was but still cute. Alfred rolled his eyes at Matthew. Gilbert smirked at the brothers. He knew that Alfred and him might be close friends but not as close as he was to Francis, Antonio and Bernadine. The door was suddenly thrown open as Francis jumped into the room. He swayed slightly as though he had been out drinking once again. A smile plastered on his face. He was accompanied by an equally drunk looking Arthur and an equally drunk Antonio. Arthur was less than happy. Rambling on about whether he was catholic or protestant. His accent was a bit more pronounced due to the alcohol. Francis giggled slightly. Antonio stumbled his way to the desk next to Gilbert. Francis stood next to Matthew. “Hello Francis.” Matthew said quietly. Gilbert looked to his right to see Bernadine, headphones on, ignoring the world. Her brown hair hid her bright blue eyes, though they were closed. Matt walked up to the group, Alfred following in pursuit. “ Hello.” He said quietly.

“Vhat’s up.” Gilbert said.

“I'm Alfred F. Jones, your hero!” Alfred yelled.

“Shut the hell up.” Bernadine snapped, pulling a headphone off. Al blinked at her.

“ Who are you?” He asked. She glared at him.

“What's it to you, porkchop thighs.” she snapped. Gil broke out laughing. Matt held back a smile.

“What did you just call me, emo girl!” Alfred yelled.

“Porkchop thighs!” She yelled back. The door burst open again, Antoine came in yelling, “WHO ZHE FUCK IS INSULTING MY FRIEND?!?!?” Bernadine stood up.

“GO THE HELL BACK TO CLASS!” She yelled.

“VELL FUCK YOU TOO! I VAS TRYING TO HELP YOU, BUT NOOOO!!!!” He said, giving her the birdie.

“ I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!” She retorted. Antoine went back to class, slamming the door with a bang.

“Miss Linendarschel! Office! Now!” Mr. Eoghan yelled. “I hope you know the way.” He finished as Bernadine shoved her stuff into her bag and walked out of the room.

“Give ‘em hell Gilbert!” She yelled as the door closed.

Bernadine met up with Antoine in the hall. “Hey.” He said with a German accent.

“You’re an asshole.” She replied.

He grinned, “I know. But you love me anyvay.” She smacked his arm and hurried her pace. She didn't head straight to the office, hell she didn't even go. Bernadine went to her locker then stood outside Mr. Eoghan’s classroom waiting for Gilbert and Francis. Once the bell rang Gil walked out with his hands in his pockets talking to Matthew.

“Hey loser.” She said to him. Gil didn't even look at her. She frowned as she felt Alfred wrap an arm around her.

“Why are you touching me, porkchop thighs.” She snapped.

“ ‘Cause I can, Emo Girl.” He smirked. She rolled her blue eyes at him. Bernadine glimpsed Antoine running towards the library, a happy smile plastered on his face. ‘I wonder what crazy idea he’s had now.’ She thought, ignoring the American. “Hello? Emo girl? You on earth?” Alfred asked, waving his hand in front of her face. Bernadine smacked his hand away from her face. “Stop it, porkchop thighs.” Alfred frowned,

“Why do you keep calling me that anyway?” He asked. She shrugged.

“ You remind of a friend from my old school. He had huge thighs too. So that's what I called him.” She said. Alfred’s frown deepened.

“Well, it’s rude and I want you to stop it.” He said.

“You have vant in von hand and Shit in zhe ozher. See vich von fills up faster.”

“Antoine, YOU SHIT!” Bernadine yelled in surprise. The male laughed and started walking backwards, pulling the two along with him."Who in the fuck are you anyway?" Alfred asked. "Heheh. I'm Antoine, und I'm not very nice. Ask Bernadine here."

“Nope, he’s a little shithead.” She said, glaring at the German. He just grinned and said, “So vhat? Least I’m not a pain in zhe ass!” Bernadine simply rolled her blue eyes at him as Alfred died of laughter. Antoine let go of their hands and continued to walk backwards, managing to not bump into anyone, which was surprising as the hall was filled with students.”So, I started a new anime. It’s about zhis kid named Ritsuka Aoyagi who has zhis guy, his name is Soubi, fights zhese kids vith vords und spells und shit, und it’s great!!! I’m so glad I listened to Kiku about vatching it. You two should come over to mein haus, ve’ll have fun!”

“Antoine, you need to speak english, porkchop thighs here isn’t used to your babbling.” Bernadine said, smirking.

“Shut up emo girl.” Alfred said, giving her a friendly shove.

“Hmm… do I sense..? Why, I believe I do. Yessss…. Let the-”

Bernadine covered Antoine’s mouth with her hand before he could finish. “Mph. I’ll lick you.” He said, muffled.

“Go ahead, see what’ll happen to you.” Bernadine said, a murderous look in her eyes.

“You’d have to catch me first.” He said, indeed licking her hand and running away, chuckling to himself. He weaved in between people, yelling apologies as he glanced behind him, causing him to crash into someone and sending both of them to the ground.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Antoine said, looking down at the brownish-red haired boy with a random curl.

“Get the hell off me.” He said, glaring up at Antoine. Antoine scrambled off him and started picking up papers that had scattered everywhere. “Again, I’m very sorry. I vasn’t looking vhere I vas going.” The boy froze.

“Just stay away from Feliciano, you’re another potato bastard. I don’t want you anywhere near him. He’s already let one worm in.”

“Um, o...kay?” Antoine said, very confused.

“Lovi, are you okay?” Another boy asked. He had darker hair than the boy Antoine had knocked down, and bright green eyes. Antoine assumed this was whom Gilbert referred to as Antonio. “Hallo. Sorry for knocking down your friend.” Antoine said, giving a nervous smile. ‘Damn, zhere are too many people here. I need to calm down.’ Antoine thought, handing the papers to Lovino. He took them without saying anything. “Gracias. What’s your name?” Antonio asked.

“I’m Antoine. You must be Antonio, correct?”

“Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Gilbert vould talk about how good friends you two are, so, vell, I kind of just assumed…”

“Why are you nervous?”

“Um, no reason. I just don’t deal vith people all zhat much, und I don’t like to be around a ton of people at once... People can be such Arschlöcher."

"Um, What's an arshlosher?"

"It means Assholes in German.” Antoine said, giggling softly.

“Oh, okay.” Antonio said happily.

“Are you still drunk, you bastard?” Lovino asked.

“No, not anymore. Though, I am getting a bit of a headache.”

“Hangover. Trust me on zhis, I’ve had to play doctor und fix my Vater.”

“That makes zero sense.” Lovino snapped.

“Vater means father. I’ve had to try to cure his hangovers. I mean, I don’t anymore, but.” That seemed to be the end of the conversation, which was a relief for the poor German boy. ‘I can’t take much more conversing, zhis is making me a nervous wreck.’

“Um, so I’m going to get to class, bye now.” Antoine said, quickly taking his leave.

“Danke Gott zhat’s over.” He mumbled, walking into his second hour and sitting in a seat as the bell rang. The teacher started a powerpoint and told them to take notes. Antoine rolled his eyes at the subject, Europe in the 18th century, and surveyed the room. He saw Gilbert talking to Matthew and he smiled, taking out his sketchpad and drawing them. “Mr. Schni-”

“Yes, sir?” Antoine said, without looking up.

“Would you mind repeating what I just said?”

“Zhe 18th century vas zhe age of Enlightenment. Science became a central piece of public discourse for zhe first time. Zhe second major development in academic life vas zhe rise of scientific journals. Zhese publications vere often produced by zhe academies zhemselves, zhough a fair number vere produced independently. Zhese new journals circulated to a vide audience zhat included many outside zhe scientific community. In one sense, zhese are among zhe first "popular science" magazines, in zhat scientific results vere reported to an audience of non-specialists. As such, zhe 18th century vas a time vhen scientific tracts could become bestsellers. One of Euler's books, Lettres à une princesse d'Allemagne, Letters to a German Princess, vent zhrough zhirty-eight printings in nine different languages, and remained in print for a century. Did I miss anyzhing?” Antoine said, finally looking up.

“N-no. I’m surprised you actually payed attention.”

“I didn’t. I’ve had zhat memorized for years. Don’t zhink you’re somezhing special, you’re not.” Antoine said, going back to drawing.

“Um, yes, well, back to the lesson.”

“Dude, you just rekt the teacher.” A kid next to Antoine said. He had blond hair and green eyes. “Names Feliks Łukasiewicz.” He smiled. Antoine smiled shyly back.

“Antonie.” He said quietly but proudly. Feliks laughed.

“Dude do it again.” He laughed. Antonie shook his head and turned back to the teacher, spacing off in the process. When the bell rang, Antoine grabbed his stuff and went in search of Bernadine. When he spotted the brunette, he noticed that Alfred was with her.

“Hey guys.” Antoine said walking up to them.

“Looks like you've come to apologize.” Bernadine laughed. Antoine rolled his eyes.

“As if girlie. So vhat are ve talking about?”

“Dunno.” She replied.

“Super heros!!!” Alfred yelled enthusiastically.

“Okay, vhat von is your favorite?” Antoine asked.

“How can you expect me to choose?!” The blonde asked. Bernadine simply rolled her eyes again.

“Porkchop thighs here is a huge superhero fan so asking him to choose a favorite is like asking us to choose a favorite anime.” She said. Antonie pondered this for a moment.

“I see your point now.” He said at last. Bernadine laughed.

“Glad you see it that way. Now Antonie are we doing the plan today or this weekend?” Bernadine smiled.

“Plan? What plan?” He asked. Bernadine sighed.

“Never mind. We’ll talk later.” She said turning to Alfred who was looking at her with a smile. Antonie grinned and headed to class.

‘They are so going to get together.’ He thought, silently shipping them already.