This is a kinda sad story I'm sorry...
This was it, his first day as a human, or he thought it was, he didn't know for sure, it might have been a few weeks, he had no idea really…
Things had been getting slower, days seemed to drag now.
It was almost sickening, he didn't know how to react, he'd never seen this happen before. He hoped the others wouldn't forget him.
No, they wouldn't, he knew they wouldn't.
They came to see him off, as he left for town, his first day of his so called new life, the day he'd been dreading for he wasn't sure how long.
"What was the name you chose?" his younger brother asked, his voice straining slightly.
"Gilbert," the former country announced, forcing himself to smile.
He'd dressed himself in his finest clothes, the most necessary of his belongings in a black wheeled suitcase. He smiled at the group of people who'd gathered to wish him well, friends and former enemies. He tried to memorise their faces, he didn't want to forget any of them.
"I'm going to miss you so much," Hungary said, tears in her eyes, pulling him into a tight hug, "You better write to me, or I promise I will come after you."
Gilbert let out a small huff, patting her arm, "Of course I will, once every week… my time I mean," he gave her a shaky smile, "You're not gunna cry are you? Come on Hungary, don't do that to me," he forced a chuckle.
Germany, patted Gilbert's shoulder as the other countries said goodbye in shaking tones, with awkward hugs. The man was near tears by the time they were finished, he really didn't want to leave, he felt his brother pull him to the side.
"I know what you're going to say," Gilbert said with a fake smirk, "That you're going to miss me and life won't be the same without me on your couch all the time, so save it ok?"
Germany shook his head, chewing his lip as he looked over his older brother, "No," he said weakly, "I just wanted to say that," he exhaled softly, the words obviously paining him, "I want you to be happy, ok? I know you haven't been in this life-" Gilbert opened his mouth to protest but Germany continued with a shake of his head, "- but you can be in your new life, I want you to be happy."
Gilbert bit his lip, tears finally coming to his eyes after a whole day of holding them back, he nodded weakly before giving his brother a hug. He wiped his eyes as he pulled away, smiling genuinely for the first time that day as a few tears managed to escape him, he wiped them away quickly and gave a small nod.
"I'd better get going," he said softly, "I have to pick up my keys by midday."
His brother lifted his bag into the car they had bought for him and bid him goodbye, waving as the man started the car and began to drive off.
Every fibre of him screamed to stay, he'd been so comfortable in his old life, but he'd been in a rut, he knew it really, it was best for him to go, his time had come.
His brother had set him up in the outskirts of one of his old cities, he'd not been there in years, but by the looks of it it hadn't changed much, other than the small odd seeds of technology that had sprouted; satellite dishes on the sides of houses, telephone wires strung over the skyline.
When he'd last been here it was a quaint little place, now I seemed so busy, not that he minded the bustle, he was sure it would be fun, it sure looked it.
He picked up his keys from the estate agents and drove himself to his house, it was a nice location, only 5 minutes away from a corner shop that happened to sell beer…
The house was… cosy, not exactly small, fully fitted with postmodern furnishings, it seemed like a place a young couple would get, he supposed it fit a man of… how old was he meant to be? 20?
He found places for his belongings and set out to nearby shop to buy some food and of course some beer, he felt he needed it now more than ever.
He walked round the shop with his basket, picking out the essentials, he found himself stalling as he got to the counter: he didn't recognise this money… Germany had given him a wallet filled with cash, but he didn't... what was this?!
"Are you ok?" the tall blonde woman behind the counter said, smiling softly.
For the first time he could remember Gilbert found himself at a loss for words, it had been so long since he'd talked to someone new, he wasn't quite sure he remembered how to. "Uh, yes, I just," he chuckled softly, his head bowed, "I don't know this money…"
She smiled and took the wallet from him, counting out the change and taking a note, "There… Where are you from?" she inquired happily, "Your German is very good."
"I'm from, uh…" he shrugged, "Well, it doesn't matter," he let himself mumble, "Thank you though," he added, looking up to smile back at her.
She cocked her head, finally seeing him properly, "What intriguing eyes," she said almost in awe, she smiled and cleared her throat, busying herself with the money, "Sorry," she said quickly.
"They're real," he boasted, puffing his chest slightly, "My hair too."
"Oh," she said, looking at him again, the smile soft in her face, "That's very interesting."
Gilbert let out a small exhale, watching her put this items in bags. "You know I'm new in town, my first time living on my own properly," he stated, trying to sound proud and not at all intimidated.
"Good for you," she said, handing him his bag and his wallet, "That must be kind of scary…"
"Yeah," he said with a nod, chewing his lip as he contemplated the next sentence "…I don't suppose you'd mind showing me round? I'm feeling sort of disorientated."
She let out a small huff and eventually gave him a nod, "Sure," she said with a smile, "I finish work at 5… Where is it you live?"
"Number 26, just down the road," Gilbert said, trying to stop the glee showing on his face.
She nodded, "You can cook me dinner," she smiled, "But I'm getting my friend to pick me up after, to make sure you're not a creep."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head, "I'm not a creep, well, not more than any other man at least."
"Then I'll see you at 5."
"Wait," Gilbert said quickly, stalling himself as he moved to leave, "What was your name?"
She smiled softly, "It's Monika, yours?"
He paused for a moment, struggling to remember his own name, "Uh, Gilbert, you can call me Gil, though."
He left the shop with his bags and began to fill his cupboards when he got home. The realisation hit him as he sat on his laptop, blogging, around an hour later.
This was going to be his first date.
Ever.
There will be more, Please leave a review!