Gilbert turned around with a frown on his face, hearing his name, yet the expression on his face softened slightly, when he saw you waving towards him. You broke off from Emma's grip, and made your way towards Gilbert.

"Hey, Gil." You said, exhaling.
"Using me as the excuse, are you?" he chuckled.
"W-What?"
"Emma's one of the most popular girls in the school. What's your problem?"
"Oh," You huffed, understanding what he was talking about. "Dude, she's fucking creepy! She's so clingy!"
Gilbert looked at you, for a moment, and then burst out laughing. "C-Clingy?"
"She was clinging to my arm! Didn't you see?" You cried in protest.
"I'd bet that 75% of the school would kill to be in your position."
"Fuck no." You grimaced. "I hate my position..." Suddenly, an afterthought struck you, and before you realised, you had already blurted it out.
"You're not part of that 75%, are you?"
Gilbert looked at you, curiously, forcing you to stare at the ground, as you two walked together. "I-I didn't mean-"
"Nein." He replied, after a while, "Emma's not my type of girl."
You laughed. "Gilbert Beilschmidt has a type?"
"My reputation precedes me again, doesn't it?" He sighed in mock vain, making you laughed even more.
"Well...yeah. I've heard that you just kinda hook up with any girl with a decent rack and ass." For some reason, you didn't feel shy – not in the least. Maybe Gilbert and you were developing a closer relationship. Or maybe you were just getting used to being a boy.

"Not true." He replied, tersely. "There is a certain type-"
"Sure."
"What, you think I'm just lying?"
"Don't ask me!"
"I'm not asking you – I'm telling you!"
"From what I've heard-"
"From what you've heard" Gilbert scoffed. "You probably think I'm an idiot."
"Which isn't all that false." You replied, with a smile, but he just continued to speak.
"She's gotta be smart, nice, friendly, and gorgeous."
It sort of hit you like a blow to the stomach. With the exception of the first, and that too only in comparison to Antonio and Francis, maybe, you really couldn't see yourself being any of the rest. Oh, maybe kind, as well. Kinder than the Bad Touch Trio, for sure.
Forcing a strained laugh, you commented "Everything that you're not, huh?"
"Hey!" He protested, yet there was a laugh in his voice. "I'm all that, AND awesome!" After a pause, though, he added. "Nein, you're right, though, but dare you tell anyone this, or else-"
"My lips are sealed." You smiled, yet the smile didn't reach your eyes.

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   

You weren't surprised to find your front door unlocked, but you were more than surprised to find Melanie along with Francis sitting on your sofa.
"What the fu-" You began to exclaim, but Melanie silenced you, with a hug.
"Oh, [Name]! I'm kinda happy you came back, early!"
"[N-Name]?" You stuttered out, glancing at Francis. "Why're you calling me by my cousin's name?"
"T'en fais pas, I know what has happened." He replied, a small smile on his face.
"Wait, you TOLD him?" You spluttered, trying out of Melanie's grip.

When she finally stepped back, she had the biggest smile on her face. "Dude, Gilbert has a massive crush on you! Seriously!"
"How do you even know all of this?" You frowned, more than displeased at the sudden turn of events.
"Francis told me, of course!" She laughed, making you turn your frown towards him.
"Oui, it is true, mon am...ah, chère [Name]. Gilbert really is serious about you.

Conflicting feelings coursed through you. On one hand, you could believe Francis and Melanie, and strangely, you did want to trust Francis, even, yet...your more critical mind kicked in, telling you that there was no way in hell that this would work out. As hot, angry tears pricked your eyes, your rushed to your bedroom, wordlessly, and slammed the door shut.

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   

"Is she all right, Melanie?"
"I think it's just PMS."
"Mais...she is a man, no? Then how could-"
"It doesn't matter."
Francis decided to not pursue the matter any further.