...We Could...

Fumi Forty-Six!

I settled down in my History class. It was actually kind of interesting, now. We were discussing the Vikings, and Matt was doing surprisingly well for it. After he had answered yet another question with flying colors, I leaned forward, tapped his shoulder and whispered, "Good job" before dropping my head to pretend that I hadn't been whispering.

"Now who is the most famous Danish author?" our sensei asked.

Matt's head and hand shot up.

Since none of the others took the liberty of raising their own hand, our teacher called on Matt.

"Hans Christain Anderson," came his prompt reply.

"Good, and what are some of the more well-known works by him?"

Now it was my turn.

"Yes, Sazuki?"

"The Little Meremaid," I answered, smiling. "There's even a statue of her in Denmark."

"Very good, any others?"

"The Ugly Duckling," Yuna called from the back of the room, not bothering to raise her hand.

"The Princess and the Pea," Matt grinned.

"Thumbelina," I butted in with my own smile.

"The Emporer's New Clothes," Yuna added, amusement obvious in her crisp voice.

"The Little Match Girl," Matt continued.

Before I could add another, Sensei held up his hand. "Alright, alright, that's quite enough... I don't know half of the ones you named off."

I scowled and muttered, "Uncultured swine..."

Matt nearly choked.

"Though this isn't literature class, we will be reading The Little Meremaid together as a class."

The class all groaned.

Matt, Yuna, and I all exchanged looks with each other and grinned. I'll admit, it was fun having him around. Yuna was coming out of her shell more with his loud personality, and I was having fun sitting behind him.

Our teacher handed us the little booklets with the fairy tale on it, and each of us took turns reading a paragraph or two. After my turn it was Matt's, and as I sat, I noticed the book closed on his desk, and he was staring wide-eyed at his hands.

"Matt?" I whispered, hushed.

He didn't answer.

I looked up at the sensei and he nodded, scowling. I bit my lip nervously as I rested a hand on his shoulder. "Matt...?"

Still nothing.

"Matt!"

He was still staring at his hands.

I shook his shoulder. "Matthias!" I nearly yelled, giving his shoulder a sharp yank.

He slumped in his chair.

Oh, no...!

"Matthias!" Yuna cried, her chair scraping the floor as she hurried up the aisle to kneel down by him. I was already out of my chair and facing him. His eyes were closed, he was hot to the touch, and his face was set in a pained frown.

"We've got to take him to her nurse!" I decided. "Yuna, help me carry him."

She nodded, assisting me in easing him upright and settling him on our shoulders. I had to stoop a little so I'd be the same height as Yuna, but I already had to stood a little under his weight.