When Lily's Cry: Puppet Strings

Chapter III. Around the corner

"Hey Alfred~ Can I ask for a favor?~ It's not much, you just seem to be close with Ludwig, and I was hoping you could, well, I dunno, hook us up?~"

Alfred stared emotionlessly at her before replying blankly.

"No Scarlett, I will not 'hook you up' with Ludwig. And besides, we aren't 'close.' He's just student council president, and has to make sure all the students here are happy. So, help him in his quest to make others happy, by leaving me alone."

Scarlett's mouth dropped open in disbelief. No one ever had the audacity to dis her like that. Especially since her father was extremely wealthy, and owned the school, along with several other businesses nearby. Least to say, he was a very powerful man.
But Alfred honestly didn't care, and Scarlett could tell from the nonchalant look he wore, to the middle finger he gave her while turning away. This infuriated her, as she tried to get him to turn back, by calling him things ranging from 'asshole' to 'man whore.'
Her voice became distant as Alfred reached the glass doors of the library, ignoring her comments all the way there. He glanced back at the cluster of girls, -the 'princess' looking justifiably pissed- before leaving the library, with a curt 'Bye' as the doors shut behind him.
He made his way down the large hall, heading towards the cafeteria since it was time for lunch. He walked into the large room, mentally grimacing at the students running around to sit with their friends. It reminded him of ants scampering about to find food.
Alfred would have normally gotten something to eat, -like a salad- but he wasn't even hungry, so why bother? He left the crowded chamber and went to the bathroom, going into the handicap stall.
This was the least used bathroom in the school, considering it was so far away from all the classes. It was mainly used for smoking, drinking, or having sex.
Alfred gagged at the pile of cigarette ashes littering the ground near the toilet. He hated this bathroom, but it was the only place where he could take his medicine.
He pulled out a bright orange pill bottle and spun off the cap, taking out two medium sized pills, and popping them into his mouth. He swallowed and put the lid back on the bottle before shoving it in his bag once more.
He had forgotten to take his medication that morning, so he had to take two.
The doctors said that it was to help with his anxiety/depression, and his therapists said it kept the voices out of his head, and the hallucinations at bay. His mom had forced him to take them at first, but he eventually got used to the routine. 1 for breakfast, 1 for lunch, and 1 for dinner. Alfred hadn't followed those regulations recently, only taking them whenever the whispers or flashbacks came around. But today he thought he would need more than usually required.
He sighed and opened the stall, washing his hands before drying them off and putting on hand sanitizer. He left the bathroom, and nearly screamed when he looked up to see Ivan towering over him.
The platinum blond smiled at Alfred, to which the American deadpanned. Ivan would do this on occasion, y'know, bother Alfred by popping up out of nowhere, or blatantly insulting him. Alfred learned to ignore the Russian, who eventually grew fond of the blond, and gave him the pet name 'Alfredka.' Ivan requested that Alfred also call him a pet name, which the Russian asked to be 'Vanya.'
Alfred allowed this, because he figured it was easier to go along with it than argue. After all, Ivan could be very stubborn when he wanted to be.
Alfred sighed in exasperation before regaining his composure and staring quizzically at the Russian.

"What's up Ivan? Need something?"

Ivan smiled his usual fucked up smile before replying with a soft hum.

"Nyet, I merely wished to see how my Alfredka was doing."

Alfred nodded sarcastically.

"Sure. And let me guess, you've excepted Nat's proposal?" Alfred added with a dry chuckle.

Ivan shivered, "Of course not comrade, she is my little sister after all."

Alfred smirked before replying.