I watch my brother from across the table. His blonde hair with a cowlick, bright blue eyes, and rectangular glasses. I smirk at him and say, "So…no hero shit today?"
He glares at me and replies angrily, "Leave me alone. There's a world meeting at our place today, jerk." My smirk grows wider and he gets more annoyed.
"Can I come? Or…" I pause as if just thinking of something, "I could substitute for you!" I grin evilly, already knowing what his answer was going to be.
"NO! You can't come and you can't substitute," America growls, glaring at me over the table. I roll my eyes, and sigh.
"Blah blah blah. Why can't the other 'real' countries see me?" I ask, matching his glare with one of my own.
Alfie rubs his eyes and replies, almost wearily, "Conner, I don't have time for your nonsense." I shrug and stand up.
"Oh yeah. When am I getting my weapons back?" I ask almost cautiously. Alfie glares at me and points toward the door. "Fine, fine. Good God, Alfie. Lighten up a bit ya?" I call over my shoulder with a grin. Oh how I love annoying him! I duck as a fork flies over my head. "MISSED!" I hear a crash and know Alfie just knocked down his chair. I race up the stairs and into my room. I slam the door shut and lock it. I turn around, heaving. I see the good ole Flag on my bed. I go to my closet and ruffle through the clothes. I lift my old gray uniform out of the corner of the closet.
I smooth it out on my bed almost lovingly. I look at the badges on the pocket and I take the hat off the hook and put it on my head. I take each piece of the uniform off the clothes hanger and put it on. Even if I wasn't going to the meeting didn't mean I couldn't look good. I take my empty gunpowder horn and hook it on my belt. I fix the empty knife sheaths on my belt. I sling the rifle strap across my back although it doesn't have a rifle. I click my heels together and salute myself in the mirror. I smile at myself, the messy dark blonde hair, the muddy green eyes, the cracked rectangle glasses.
I turn and march out of the room. Even though normally I was a pain in the ass, my twin always had someone to talk to. But normally he went to Canada. I scowl, thinking how it was after the Civil War. Suddenly a lightbulb goes off in my head, and I grin. Maybe…since it the meeting is at our place…I grin evilly, creating a plan.
I watch Alfred run around making sure he has everything ready. I roll my eyes and say, "You HAVE everything bro." He glances at me and flashes a quick smile. I smile a gentler smile, normally one I reserve for after we've gone through a battle. "Just wish I was coming with you…" I sigh.
America frowns and walks quickly toward me, trying to ignore the uniform. He envelopes me in a hug and says, "One day Confederacy. One day." I nod, faking sadness.
"Hey! Can I come to the world meeting building and hang out somewhere while the meetings going on?" I ask hopefully. America frowns thinking.
"I guess so…just…be careful. And you can't come out until I say," he warns.
I nod. As we walk down the steps, I fix my face in my no-bullshit expression. I sit in the back of the car with Alfred. I watch the trees flash by, and rain beat against the window.
When we get to the meeting building I stare at it like a child at an amusement park. "Woah…I get to go in there?" I ask dubiously. America nods, smirking. I glower at him and open the door. We both slide out and I make a joke, "Hey, last time I saw you this nervous was…oh yeah! Two minutes ago!" We laugh and he slings an arm across my shoulders as we walk up the steps. I shove him playfully and he stares at me like I did something offensive.
"Ooh! You did not just do that!" he shouts grinning like an idiot. I grin back and stick my tongue out. He gets me in a headlock and gives me a noogie.
"Ow! Ow ow! Ok, ok, I give in!" I shout playfully.
He smirks and says, "Say I'm the hero!"
"I'm the hero."
"Say it!"
"Fine, fine. You're the hero. Now can you let me go?" He laughs and lets go. I open the door for Alfie, and he nods to me. I nod back, smiling softly. I walk in after him and he leads me to a door on the second floor near the meeting room.
"Here ya go Conner! Now I gotta get going, kay?" he asks. I nod and sit at a chair in the small empty room. He dashes out and closes the door behind him. I wait for thirty minutes, then open the door. No one's in the hallway, and I step out into it. I walk along the corridor, listening at each door. I stop at a door that has voices coming out from behind it. I can make out a few voices that are near the door.
"He's so fat and stupid."
"Yeah, it's because of the fat food he eats so much."
"Why does he always call himself a hero when he does nothing?"
I feel my anger bubbling beneath the surface, and try to shove it down. Nope, not gonna happen. I know they're talking about Alfie, and I get pissed when someone insults him. He's my brother, my punching bag, only I can insult him!
I open the door and yawn, stretching. All voices stop and I hear one hiss through the room, "Go. Back. To. Your. Room." I open my eyes to see countries staring at me, and my brother glaring daggers at me.
I grin, and bark a short, sharp laugh. "But, why would I do that Alfie?" I ask innocently, grinning. Several countries turn to look at America for an explanation. I gasp in mock shock, making sure everyone knew I already knew, "Oh Alfred! You didn't tell them about your so-called 'beloved' little brother?" I march stiffly into the room and ignore everyone completely.