Despite talking to what she would call friends for the entire day, they day went by slowly. The thought of her having to receive punishment today was so off putting, she needed to join a club or something, anything to save her from going home every day, and really she would only have to stay away until eleven because that's when Joe comes home, however obviously that isn't realistic. The only way that would be close to realistic is if she joined Marching band but even they don't practice that late on a school night.

It was the last hour of the day; she had Francis in her class putting away some books while she stayed where she was at the desk in case there was a student who wanted to check a book out. Obviously she seemed distraught her head was down and rereading the message over and over again praying that maybe he will leave the house and go out, giving her enough time to sneak over to the neighbors and stay for the night, but that's unrealistic. Francis must have noticed because he walked over to and with sympathy in his eyes, placed a hand under her chin and gently guided it up, and studied her face.

"Ma biche, it's kind of sad how we've only just met and you I can already read you like an open book," he took out a tissue from the box and wiped under her eyes with his free hand. Had she been crying? "Tell me, what's wrong?"

She debated it for a while, should she speak or keep her silence? In the end she sighed and casted her gaze downward, gently slapping his hand away, "Like I'd tell you. Here of all places." she muttered the last part trying to keep her appearance as a strong woman, obvious this image has long been shattered, but the last thing she needed was a friend because of pity.

He smiled, "Another time then. You already have my number." Seeing the need to distract her from the obvious problem, he changed the subject. "Because no one put their number in the group chat I'll put them in your phone for you!"

She gave a look of confusion, then one of panic, as she realized her phone wasn't on the desk, Francis slowly held it up, "Why you bloody frog! Give it back!"

"Non, I am doing you a favor!"

Her phone was left unlocked and the screen that was open was a text message between her and someone else, because Francis didn't want to pry of get into her personal things (after all they only just met today), he didn't read it he simply exited the app, however before it could he read part of the text, "…punishment… Willingly" of course if he had returned to the messages he was sure it was just selective reading, however his gut said otherwise.

Alice didn't really make a fuss over Francis taking the phone, she for some reason had a homey warm feel around him, she felt safe. Well safer than she usually did. She was very in tune with herself, and very much into that entire Zen center seeking shit, however it was in a different way. She was spiritual in an aura sense. She didn't see the need to yank the phone away; he was just putting in some numbers.

Then it hit was left open on her phone. Did he see it? Did he read it?

She felt like the world around her was stopping, like time slowed. She could feel her blood run cold, did he know? She remembers the day Joe had started the entire "punishment" ritual. He remembered when it ended, and he threw her aside, practically across the room, just like her father had. She remembers how he would walk slowly over to build the suspense to make her want to make her want to actually die, disappear. How he would bend down slowly saying, "no one will ever love you. No one will ever believe you. You are alone. You are mine." She remembers him standing up and looking down at her with cold eyes, "You will never tell a soul, or you will be responsible for their downfall."

She was knocked out of her thoughts, by the bell. She blinked a couple times, and scrunched her face up and looked around. She was at school still, she was safe still. Her eyes finally made it to the man in front of her staring concern at her; she simply shrugged and grabbed her bag.

He followed her closely, "What was what?"

"Nothing." She said trying to play it off

"Nothing?"

"Yeah."

"No that wasn't nothing." His voice was getting stern and she started to grow weary

"Then what was it? If you know me so well, if I'm such an open book, then what was it?" Her voice was strong yet had the undertones of frailty. The appearance of steel, yet the quality of plastic.

"You can't just run from your problems, I am your friend, tell me." His voice had calmed down upon realizing she was not in a good place.

"I can't. I just can't" Her eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject.

With a dejected sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and said "Toni and Gil are waiting at the front gate, we shouldn't keep them waiting." There was no energy in his voice. She stared at him with the same concern he had gave to her moments ago. He gave a weak smile and continues "Besides we're going to your house."

She gave a weak smile before walking in front of him, "Then I'll lead the way."

She didn't know why but she felt an odd feeling in her, usually she was stern and cold, but for some reason, he made her want to be warm. She wanted to be happy for him.


They walked to Alice's house in silence for the most part, it wasn't awkward, and there wasn't tension. As they got closer to her house, their paces slowed. Her gaze was on the ground in front of her, while the others were on her.

Finally when her house was in view, she looked up and stopped. She registered the house. The car was gone. This meant he was out drinking. Meaning she was safe for the most part. A smile broke on her face, relief washed over her and she walked towards the home with more pep in her step. The others watched her before following after her. They had no idea what made her so happy, no one was home, wasn't it lonely?

Once they reached the door, Alice finally spoke, "Joe isn't home, and I'm expecting the house to be a mess so don't mind the mess I'll clean it in a bit."

"I'm sorry, Joe?" Gilbert spoke, "Why don't you call him Dad?"

"He is not my father." She spoke bluntly and harshly.

All was silent again and she unlocked the door allowing them inside. Just like she expected, papers scattered, bottles and cans of alcohol in piles, dirty dishes everywhere. Joe only did work to keep the place nice and tidy until the judge ruled Allistor unfit. Allistor was still working really hard to gain custody, of course.

She led them to her room, "Make yourselves at home; I'm going to clean up a bit."

"What? Nah, come relax a bit. I'm sure you have a lot of school work." Gilbert (knowing that Geometry had three worksheets, and bio had a long "get to know me" sheet that they needed to do, not to mention other classes) tried to persuade the girl.

"Yeah, I know that I have at least an hour worth of homework!" Antonio added excitedly.

She sighed and sat down in the circle they were creating on her bedroom floor, "I guess I could start at least some of those blasted worksheets."

"That's the spirit, mon amie!"


They sat doing homework, and since she already did her Geometry homework in class, she moved to her desk to work on her favorite childhood memory writing piece, she was dreading it.

What does she write about? When her family was whole, there were a lot of fights. Her brothers didn't really get along with her. Even though a day to day interaction would cause her to have bruises and scrapes from the roughhousing of her elder siblings, they were still family, they still loved each other.

She knew it.

But it wasn't so obvious and clear to her in the past. No, she thought Allistor hated her, she thought the others tolerated but didn't necessarily like her. It was a day her parents were out of town for a date night, Allistor was left in charge. She was seven and he was seventeen.

They got in an argument, there was screaming and yelling, she didn't remember the specifics but she remembered him yelling how he hated her and wished she wasn't born. Tears filled her eyes as her brother walked away angrily; she rushed out of the house. It was late she didn't know where she was going but she would know when she found it.

She ran far away. Ran into the woods, the only light guiding the way was the moon, the cold air chilled her to the bone, but she wouldn't go back. She was going to find out where she belonged.

And she did. It was a cleared area past all the trees, there was warmth even in the coldest nights there. There was a small stream running through it, and bright colored flowers growing, so vibrant you could see the color even in the night light. It was beautiful. She sat by the stream staring up at the moon amazed, tears rose in her eyes, happy tears. She prayed to god to feel this peace every day.

It wasn't long before a small rabbit came out of hiding and went to her, sniffing her, comforting her, there were little lights in the sky flying around like fairies (it wouldn't be later until she learnt they were fireflies), a smile grazed her face watched them dance.

She heard a soft voice call from behind; she turned and say her brother, "I'm sorry. Please come home, I didn't mean anything I said." She stared at him from afar and he moved closer to her slowly calmly, "I love you." And she believed every word, she stood, he continued smiling at her "Let's go home little bunny."

She broke out of her trance. She knew what she was going to right. By far the field in the woods, her brother's words, all of it triumphed every time she was comforted in a storm, it was her favorite memory.


She put her pen down when she finished writing, and looked at the boys on her floor concentrating on the math. Gilbert seemed to be the only one who understood it. It was an endearing sight to see him explain while the other two vaguely understand. She got up and called to them, "I'm going to start cleaning, and then I'll cook something."

Francis's head shot up, "British cooking? No thanks, I'll cook!"

She glare, "Excuse you? My cooking is great!"

"Doubt it," Francis said waving a dismissive hand, "All in favor of moi cooking raise your hand!" the two judges raised their hands, Alice scoffed and Francis beamed, "looks like I win!"


Alice set Francis up in the kitchen, while she started cleaning the living room. She started picking up all the beer cans and bottles, disgusted with how he can drink all of this. Granted he has a bunch of people over in the morning to "relax before a stressful day" but this was ridiculous. Every day she comes to the same dirty house ad if she doesn't clean it she gets punished. She straightened the magazines on the table, and organized his business papers neatly on the corner of the table like he likes it. She grabbed the napkins and the paper plates and threw them way leaving only the dishes. Cleaning this mess only took thirty minutes but it was a pain. She put the trash bag by the door and went to do the dishes.

"Right on time! Dinner is almost done!" she was greeted by an excited French man, and when she looked around it seemed the dishes were already done.

"You cleaned?"

"Of course! It's not fair for you to do everything."

She was surprised, "Thanks…" she said slowly, she looked down and tried to understand what was going on, when a hand came on her head she looked up, "wha-"

"You are really cute when you're thinking. Dinner is done." He said softly and handed her a plate.

For the first time in a while, she sat at the table and ate. And for the first time in a while she felt like she was a part of a family


Ayy, Hi sup. hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry if the ending was a little rushed, I wanted to upload this ASAP. I'm going to answer somethings really quick.

"WHy do you upload everyday?" because I want to. And I feel like it makes it better, if i stop writing I lose interest easily so yeah. In like a few days I'll stop updating everyday because my boyfriend is coming back home so yeah.

"why do you always do fem!england?" because I feel like it's easier for me to write her. although I will admit everyone is a little OOC because I've been out of the writing game and hetalia for a while but its chil dw I'll make them act normal later on.

that being said, don't be afraid to ask me anything, thank you all for reading and favoriting it means a lot thank you!