America lead Germany and Italy back upstairs to the states' rooms. The two nations didn't take notice earlier, but they noticed each of the doors had a flag hanging in front of it, and a handmade sign with the name of the room's occupant on it. Despite the fact the house was occupied by fifty teenagers, America, an alien, and several animals, the hallway was spotless. The wood floor was covered by a long runner, and the visible parts of it were so shiny that Germany and Italy could see their reflections.
Some of the doors were closed and some were wide open. Some had music blaring from the room. Some had signs telling a specific state to stay out. Some had notes explaining where the occupant was. Yet no matter what, it was obvious each room showed the personality of the state that resided in it, even if they couldn't see inside it.
"Okay…" America said aloud. "Let's see if we can find Rhode Island's room. I think his is next to Pennsylvania's. After I added on the last addition to the house, they decided to alphabetize themselves instead of going by order of statehood. Of course I hear about it all the time from Wyoming, who wanted to be next to Colorado instead of Wisconsin. Ah, here it is."
He stopped in front of a door that had white flag with a gold anchor and golden stars draped over it. The paper with neat, cursive handwriting said "Rhode Island's Room. Stay Out Massachusetts, or Else." America rapped loudly on the door.
The door opened, revealing a teenage boy with light brown hair and light blue eyes staring up at them. Perhaps the most obvious feature to Italy and Germany was the fact that Rhode Island was a good foot shorter than them. "Can I help you?"
Germany hesitated, caught off guard by the fact that the state caught him gawking at the height difference. But Italy, never missing a beat for once in his life, spoke up. "Ve~ Ciao. I'm Italy and this is Germany. Are you Rhode Island?"
"The one and only." he replied, flashing them a smile similar to America's, but not as intense. "Ronald Luis Jones, the State of Rhode Island. Call me Rhodey. And yes, I am actually a state, despite what that asshole Massachusetts may have said."
"Er… Massachusetts didn't really talk about you." Germany replied awkwardly.
Rhode Island narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "That is surprising. Normally he makes fun of me for my size, but Wyoming has the smallest population, and his state is pretty big. In fact, I don't believe it for a minute that my asshole brother passed up the opportunity to embarrass me in front of strangers. It wouldn't be the first time he's done it."
"I think he was busy planning something with someone called Quebec." Italy said.
"Quebec? As in my cousin Quebec? The one that rebels against Uncle Mattie? That Quebec?" he asked, glancing at America. "What could they possibly be up to? You'll put an end to it, right Dad? Last time they planned something, New York and I ended up getting chased by Madison into Lake Superior in the middle of January and nearly dying of hypothermia because Wisconsin wouldn't call off that damn attack badger."
"What is it with you boys and Madison?" America asked. "All I hear about from Minnesota and Indiana is that Madison scares them. Now I'm going to hear it from you and New York too?"
"Dad," Rhode Island said with a look of alarm on his face, "it's a wild animal and she treats it like a kitten. Minnesota gets cornered by it all the time and she coddles it and scolds him for 'scaring' it, like it could actually get scared."
"Who is Madison?" Italy asked.
The state looked at him with pity. "Wisconsin's pet badger, and her state capital. You guys will probably meet it later when you meet Wisconsin, so I hope you both have a rabies shot because it might be rabid. We don't really know. Minnesota says it is, we all think it is, but Dad and Wisconsin claim it's not."
"Do you really think I'd let her keep it if it were rabid?" America asked. "How irresponsible do you think I am? Anyway, I'll talk to Massachusetts later and alert your uncle."
"I'm the last of the original thirteen, so that means you'll be meeting the ones that had to work to gain their statehood." Rhode Island informed Italy and Germany before wrinkling his nose. "You'll be lucky if you even reach Mississippi. The next ten are… Well, they're a very diverse group of states, starting with Vermont and ending with Maine. Hopefully I'll see you at dinner. Good luck. You're going to need it."
I forgot I had this ready and I met to post it earlier. Oops.
Rhode Island:
Human Name: Ronald Luis Jones
Official Name: The State of Rhode Island
State Nicknames: The Ocean State
Eye Color: Light Blue
Hair Color: Light Brown
Human Age: 17
Birthday: May 29, 1790 (13th)