Love Me, Hate Me, I Don't Care (Bully!America x Bullied!Reader)

A second chance...?

Alfred P. O. V

"Anywhere that isn't around you"

Those words rung in my head for the entire day. For the entire day I physically couldn't bring myself to even look at her, much less talk. For the entire day there was a weird stinging sensation in my chest. For the entire day, she avoided me like the plague.

And I don't know why.

It's frustrating, I don't even know when it started. Since when was she able to cause so much emotion, so much disturbance within my thoughts? I often caught myself thinking about her, even when she was nowhere to be seen. Even before I asked her to do the project with me, I just couldn't forget that sparkle in her eye. Now I may not ever see that sparkle again...

Why was she so mad at me anyway? All I did was hug her... Is she really that cold after all?

No she isn't... It's the people around her that make her act cold... People like me.

I sigh on my way out of the school doors. I was supposed to meet (Y/N) today as well, we both agreed that we wanted the project finished as soon as possible but... I think she may be too mad right now, she probably ditched me. Though it's still worth checking so I drag my feet to the gate. Usually she'd stand behind one of the trees near it whenever waiting for someone, probably to avoid being noticed by others.

I turn the corner then peek behind that tree, fully expecting to find nobody there. There she is. She's looking down at her phone, looks like she's texting someone, so it takes a moment for her to look up and notice me.

For some reason, my heart drops and starts pounding as soon as we make involuntary eye contact.

(Y/N) P. O. V

I quickly finish the text to Natalia, regarding the matter of a fight she got into earlier, then look up and acknowledge Alfred's presence by making eye contact. I used to purposely avoid intentional eye contact with anyone other then my friends, but somehow I felt that it's alright to give Alfred the privilege. Plus watching his uncomfortable expression under my piercing gaze is quite amusing.

I suppose he still isn't used to actually seeing the real me, nor is he used to the fact that 'I could burn a hole through someone just by staring', using the words Kata once used. Though his discomfort quickly turns into a gleeful smile and he steps aside so that I can walk by his side.

"After you, princess" He mockingly showcases the pavement to me, as of it were a red carpet.

"Don't call me that" I snap back with a tint of irritation, the same irritation that was left over from lunch break.

He momentarily hesitates, then smirks and replies with sarcasm. "Oh I'm sorry. I was meant to say your majesty"

I just let out something between a scoff and a sigh then walk on. Just like yesterday Alfred talk to me and teases non stop, though this time I ignore him completely. Everything he says goes in one ear and comes out the other. He seems to realise it around half way to my house and to my surprise decides to shut up. 

I don't know why, but my chest stung a little when his constant chatting got replaced by silence. As subtly as I can I life my gaze from the pavement in front of me to his face, he is looking straight ahead but the light quivering of his lips and the grimace that threatens to take over his features suggest that it's not a preferable thing for him to do. For a second a weird thought crosses my mind, is he upset that I won't listen to him? Does he actually enjoy my company that much that it irritates him when I ignore him? 

It's not like this is something new, I ignoring him is pretty much a habit at this point. Then why do I also feel like this isn't right?

I grumbled to myself a little bit, debating on whether this will be a good idea or not. I decided to just go with it and grudgingly elbow his arm to get his attention. "...Listen, about earlier-"

"Huh? Oh yeah... don't worry about that" He interrupts and dismisses me, though the look on his face says otherwise. Is he seriously going to be so childish right now? The look on his face is forcefully blank and apathetic, who knew I'd be getting a taste of my own medicine, from non other then Alfred at that. 

"Don't interrupt me" I return his attitude with a cold attitude of my own. "I was just mad because sorry is probably the most cliché and pathetic thing you can hear from a bully" I say matter-of-factly.

Then I look back up at him and he is staring at me with a disbelieving, borderline offended look on his face. "Jeeeez I guess you really were blunt from the start, no regard for my feelings, pride or nothing" With the way he said it I wasn't sure if he was serious or joking. "But I guess I see where you're coming from..." He once again goes silent for a while, though I keep looking at him expectantly and eventually manage to pressure him into saying whatever he was thinking. "I did really mean it though... I know I was a  it of a jerk-"

"A bit?" I raise a brow and cross my arms.

"Alright I was a major douchebag" He admits. "But I've decided" He puffs out his chest and looks onwards determinly. I just re-raise my brow as a gesture for him to continue. "I realised these past few days that I don't actually know you at all, you're practically a stranger for that matter. Which is why I want to get to know you better, then decide on whether I like you or not"

That is...

Probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I'm about to point it out but then a thought strikes me. That's means that, even if it's for a short period, I won't have to deal with bullying (well his bullying anyway). Alright why not, let's humour him.

"...ok"

"Yeah I thought you'd think it's stupid-Wait" He prematurely facepalmed himself before opening up his bright blue eyes in a moment of realisation. "OK?"

"Ok" I repeat myself, with the same deadpan expression. 

I don't think I've seen him as confused as he is now, yet another amusing sight from him. He processes and accepts the information, I almost see the clogs turning in his head before it grins his million dollar grin.

"Awesome! I guess that makes us friends now" He roughly slaps my back and sends me stumbling forwards. He just starts laughing at my displeased glare that I send at him after regaining my balance. 

I wouldn't exactly say 'friends', more like (it was at that moment that author-chan realised that a word for this doesn't exist in English) acquaintance since I didn't really know much about him either. However I guess it's best not to say it out loud, so I just settle with a quiet  "Yeah, I guess so".

The journey to my house seemed much longer then I remembered, probably because we spent a lot of it walking slower since it wasn't raining this time. When we did make it we followed the same routine we did yesterday, difference being that Alfred once again seemed... nicer...

As much as I wish I could enjoy this sudden niceness. I can't help but feel suspicious of it all.

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I would seem that late night updates are just my thing at this point. Not a really good habit when you have school the next day... oh well whatever.  By the way, don't get discouraged by these late updates, I may get them up last minute a lot of the time but I swear on my honour that I'll never go over the two week time limit.

Have a wonderful day/night. And since Halloween is coming up, have a great Halloween to those who celebrate it.

Baiiiii~~~