The first two classes were generally uneventful. Math was boring, as per usual. We didn't even learn anything since it was the first day. Mr. Wong, otherwise known as the continent of Asia, just went over the syllabus. I never understood why we had to do that. We're sovereign nations…and we're cooped up in a classroom, going over a syllabus, when it's essentially the same every year. I noticed a few times that some of the nations were glancing back at me with curious expressions on their faces. It was unnerving to be honest. I'm not used to this sort of attention. Usually, I don't even earn a passing glance, unless I'm with Ivan and the others.
Literature was also boring. I never liked our literature teacher. His name was Mr. Eropa, or the continent of Europe, and he was the most pretentious and noisy man I have ever met. He was also sort of a pervert. But I learned to ignore it over the years. Still, coming back after over a year of absence made me realize how annoying he truly was.
On the bright side, I saw that my brother Eduard was in my class. My breath caught at the sight of him and I was immediately hit with a wave of emotions. I wanted to reach out so badly and embrace him. He looked a bit different. He wasn't as pale, his hair shined, and he had an air of confidence around him. I could tell that he was enjoying freedom from the Soviet Union as well.
Feliks and I made sure to take seats right behind Eduard. I took a deep breath and poked him in the neck. He jumped up in alarm and spun around. He stared at me quizzically for a few seconds before his eyes widened and realization spread across his face.
"E-Elena?" he choked out.
I bit my lip and nodded before saying, "Eduard…"
A smile spread across his face.
"Oh God…it's really you! I-I've missed you so much and I know that you wanted to be alone, but Raivis and I have been worried sick and…you look different…" he ranted.
I smiled at him in return. "Is it a good different?"
He nodded fervently. "Yes. You look well, Elena. I'm proud of you. I'm just so happy now. We're finally free and Raivis…"
"How is Raivis?" I asked. I really missed my youngest brother. He was so small…I sincerely hoped that he didn't get it to bad when he broke off from the Soviet Union.
Eduard frowned slightly. "Raivis is…well. He's still a bit…um…effected by the whole thing."
I bristled, a feeling of dread welling up in my stomach. Feliks looked pissed as he asked, "Did the commie bastard like do something to him?"
Eduard sighed and responded with a bitter smile, "Don't sound so surprised. Ivan has done many things to a lot of people."
I cringed at that statement. I knew that the bodies of my both of my brothers were covered in scars. Scars that will never go away.
I remember those nights where I heard their screams echo throughout that house, piercing the silence and making me cry. I remember that I would try and visit my brothers and I would always have to hide whenever Ivan walked by, that eerie smile on his face, his hands and clothes covered in blood.
Yes. Ivan Braginski was a ruthless and cruel person. But there was something about him that was always off. He wasn't all bad. I could see that. He was…a tortured person. So I pitied him.
Ivan never touched me like that. He never raised his hand against me. Yet, he did have a hold on me mentally. And he would punish me.
My body is full of scars as well.
But they weren't from Ivan.
No. When Ivan was displeased with me, he always had Nikolai.
Nikolai was more than willing to pick up the pipe for him. He had no mercy when he brought the weapon down on me. He never had anything but spite in his eyes as he stared at my helpless body on the ground, covered head to toe in MY blood.
And yet, I could never bring myself to hate him. I sometimes wish I could, but I just…I don't know.
No one knows that it's actually Nikolai who physically punished me in place of Ivan. I don't understand why Ivan could never lay a hand on me himself, but I never questioned. My brothers just assume that I get the same treatment as they do from the Russian nation. If Feliks knew that it was Nikolai who brought the weapon down on me and that I still find myself attracted to him, he would throw a huge bitch fit.
And I don't understand it myself. Maybe I have some sort of weird fetish for guys who beat me senseless with a pipe, slashes my skin with a knife, and…well…you get the idea.
Before any of us could respond, Mr. Eropa started the class. I noticed that Feliks still looked furious. I quickly glanced around the classroom and was pleased to see that Ivan, Nikolai, nor Yekaterina were anywhere in sight. Maybe if I was lucky, I wouldn't have classes with them…
Oh who am I kidding? I have at least one class with all of the nations. I even have a few with some of the individual states of America.
Maybe Ivan didn't show up to school this year. Maybe he's taking a year off like I did? He did just suffer a major blow after all. And if he isn't attending school, that means Nikolai isn't either. I was sure of it.
The class ended after a lengthy rant from Mr. Eropa about the consequences of plagiarism. I had PE next. To my relief, both Feliks and my brother were in my class. We headed to the gym once the bell rang and I separated from the two of them at the locker rooms.
When I walked in, I was greeted with a lot of stares.
There was Elizabeta, who was tying her long brown hair up in a ponytail, her eyes set upon me suspiciously. Lilli,wearing a white shirt that looked much too large for her, looked up at me with her wide innocent looking eyes. Carmella crinkled her eyebrows at me in mild surprise before she turned back to her locker. Michelle was also there, her long brown hair tied up in a bun as she slipped her sneakers on. She was avoiding my gaze.
But the person who really caught my attention was Yekaterina, or as some would call her, Katayusha. But it's not like I was ever permitted to really call her that.
Her face was as innocent and kind as ever. Her short platinum blonde hair framed her face and her white T-shirt looked extremely tight around the chest area. (As per usual)
Her eyes settled on me and they widened in surprise. She opened her mouth and she looked like she was going to say something, but I quickly averted my gaze and wandered toward an open locker, where there sat the standard white t-shirt, gym shorts, and sneakers.
I also realized that since I had entered the room, a strange hush fell over the whole room. No one was talking. Everyone dressed in silence, avoiding each other's gazes. I snuck another look at Yekaterina. I realized that she did look a bit better as well. I guess freedom from the Soviet Union also benefitted her. Yet, there was sadness there as well. With just one glance at her face, I could tell that things aren't going so well for her brothers. The thought sent an icy chill down my spine.
I was quick to head out of the locker room and into the gym. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one. To my delight, I saw Feliks standing there, chatting with Eduard, both in their gym clothes. I laughed at the sight of Feliks in something so…bland. It was a bit hard to process.
But next to Eduard stood none other than Raivis, smiling shyly as he added a few words to the conversation that both Feliks and Eduard were having. He turned his head and when he spotted me, I ran right at him. I wrapped my arms around him and started laughing.
"Oh my gosh, Raivis! I've missed you so much!" I cried, feeling the tears form in my eyes.
"Hey, girl. No tears. You'll like ruin my handiwork," Feliks remarked with a smile. I pulled away from Raivis, but I kept my hands on his shoulders, looking him over.
He got…taller. A lot taller. Last time I saw him, he was about my height. Now, he's about as tall as Eduard. I actually have to crane my neck to look him in the eyes. His eyes shined as he smiled brightly at me.
"I've missed you as well, Elena. I can't believe it's been over a year," he said, his voice dripping with sentimentality. I hugged him again before reaching up to ruffle his hair.
"Sad. I have to stand on my tiptoes to actually touch the top of your head," I remarked with a slight frown.
"We were bound to surpass you sometime, sis," Raivis responded, patting the top of my head.
After a few more minutes, the other students started to mill into the gym as well, a low mumble of conversation filling in the otherwise empty silence. I immediately saw that Elizabeta was staring at Roderich, a light blush painting her cheeks. Nothing has changed there. The two dated for a while, but then they broke up due to some diplomatic factors that involved their countries. The two obviously still like each other. Anyone can see that. Lilli had already attached herself to her brother Vash...well….he's not really her brother, but he took her in and considers her his little sister. I'm actually surprised that they manage to keep that sort of relationship. You'd think that after a while, the two would end up liking each other romantically.
But my heart stopped…literally stopped…when I saw Yekaterina meekly approach two tall and very attractive men. Two men with platinum blonde hair and bright purple eyes, ones more wide and innocent looking than the other. Two men with a frosty exterior and dark aura that seemed to chill the room. Two men who have torn apart the foundations of my mental state for so many years.
Ivan always proved to be a powerful presence with his height and shockingly intimidating aura. Seeing him again made my throat dry and my skin tingle. And yet…I could tell that there was something extremely off about him. He looked…tired. There were dark bags under his eyes and he had a generally more disheveled look. His eerie smile even looked a bit off.
Nikolai's face looked more shadowed than his brother's. His very presence seemed to resonate a darkness that swirled around aimlessly, tainting the air. His messy disheveled platinum blonde hair fell into his piercing purple colored eyes that seemed to stab everything they lay upon. He looked…well…pissed off. As per usual. Especially in a white shirt and a pair of gym shorts.
He was also taller than when I last saw him. And…and…he also looked as bad as his brother. He looked ill, purple bags also circling his eyes and a strangely darkened aura enrapturing his whole bodice.
He's still the most beautiful person I had ever laid my eyes on.
I watched as Yekaterina and Ivan exchanged a few words, almost in a formal way. Ivan was smiling grimly and Nikolai was glaring menacingly at his sister.
"O-Oh…" Eduard squeaked in fear as his eyes landed on the platinum blonde trio.
Raivis tightened his grasp on my arm and Feliks glared menacingly at them. I didn't know what to do. I gulped and let out a shaky breath. I kept my eyes on Nikolai.
Finally, he looked away from his siblings and his eyes found mine.
SHIT!
I had the immediate instinct to look away, but I kept my gaze on his. It was like…Nikolai was challenging me. His bright eyes narrowed dangerously at me. I struggled to breathe properly, but I didn't break his gaze. I wasn't going to show fear. No. I'm not going to make him think that I am the same submissive nation.
My God, he is the most gorgeous boy I have ever seen.
It all flashed through my mind. His insults. His face and hands covered in blood. His devilish grin. Those secret moments where he looked…where he looked almost at peace…standing in that sunflower field in the summer…
I will just use that to my advantage. I'll tell myself that despite his ruthlessness and twisted mental state, Nikolai Braginski had a vulnerable spot. It's not my place to use it against him, but I'll just think of it to give me hope…hope for what? I don't know.
Ivan and Yekaterina also turned to look at us. Raivis was visibly shaking and Eduard was looking at his feet.
With an eerie smile, his purple eyes twinkling, Ivan made his way forward.
Oh boy. Here goes nothing.
I could literally feel Ivan's huge shadow looming over me.
"Hello, comrade. No…that's not right," Ivan said with a small laugh as he shook his head almost in a pitiful, childlike way. My heartstrings started to tug unceremoniously.
"I can't call you that anymore. Let me start again. Hello, Elena…Eduard, Raivis…Feliks."
For some reason, I felt the tears sting my eyes. I willed them not to fall. Why was I crying right now? Was this sympathy? Sympathy for what? What did Ivan ever do for me?
I know. Not much. But he was still always there. And it…actually hurt somewhat to actually see him and his siblings again.
I looked back up at his face. He gave another sad smile as his eyes pierced me. "Long time, no see, da?"
I clenched my fists and took a deep breath, trying not to appear shaken. I gazed past Ivan's looming figure to see Yekaterina staring at her feet, a somber expression on her face. Nikolai…he was still glaring at me. With so much seering intensity that I felt like he was physically stabbing me in the gut. My breath caught as I looked at him.
I quickly looked away and calmly back into Ivan's face. "I-It's nice to see you again, Ivan."
Ivan stood there, just staring down at me with that same cracked smile. Finally, he closed his eyes and turned away, saying, "It's nice to see you as well. All of you."
I watched in agony as he slowly turned away and walked back toward his siblings. My breath hitched as I saw a thick scar running along the back of Ivan's neck.
That was never there before.
I bit my lip and shuddered, clutching onto Raivis's arm, squeezing it.
"That was…" Eduard started.
"He's…so…ruined…" Raivis remarked with a disturbed voice.
"Hmmph. Serves him right," Feliks snapped, glaring at the trio angrily.
But something else caught my attention. As the three walked off toward the opposite end of the gym, Nikolai tossed his head over his shoulder and sent me another spine-chilling glare. It was almost as if he were telling me that…that this wasn't over. That he'd get me.
And I was afraid…a little bit. But if anything, I was more entranced.
And that's just not right.
PE class was also generally uneventful. We went over the class expectations for a bit, before we were basically allowed to do whatever we wanted. I spend the majority of the period laughing with Feliks and catching up with my brothers. Yet, I was still troubled. I felt…I felt as if someone was watching me.
I instinctively looked over in Nikolai's direction, but he never once looked at me. He seemed preoccupied with his siblings.
Another thing that bothered me was that there seemed to be an unnatural…distance between he and Ivan. For as long as I remembered, Nikolai attached himself to his brother like a leech. He followed and accompanied him everywhere, worshipped the ground he walked on, treated his items with the utmost care…everyone who got close to Ivan was his enemy. And that made me his number one arch nemesis.
In Nikolai's eyes, Ivan was God. His unhealthy obsession with his brother unnerved many and it scared Ivan himself. As I mentioned before, Nikolai is the only nation that Ivan seems to fear.
Yet, now that I look at them, there seems to be tension. Whenever Ivan moved, Nikolai seemed to inch away from his brother. In fact, he was barely looking at him.
I told myself that I shouldn't worry about it. I don't need to concern myself with those three anymore. Essentially, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I'm Lithuania. I'm not just another part of the Soviet Union.
Yet, there was definitely something off. Especially about Nikolai.
The class was ended with the bell and I sauntered back toward the locker rooms. I agreed with Feliks and my brothers that I would meet them in the courtyard once I was done changing. We did have a free period after all.
I avoided all of the girls, especially Yekaterina, as I changed. Once I was done, I walked out into the still empty hallway. Hmmm…it seems like not many have a free fourth period.
The hallway seemed…eerily empty. The sun that hesitantly shined through the windows didn't seem bright enough. The shadows still lurked around the corners and the path seemed to stretch on and on before me endlessly.
I gulped and walked forward, my feet echoing through the hallway.
This wasn't right. Where the fuck was everybody?
Suddenly, before I could think another thought, I felt a tight painful grip on my arm as I was yanked sideways. I squealed in surprise and in a swift movement, I felt myself being smashed against the wall in a dark janitor's closet. Someone hand was on my mouth, making it hard to breathe. I squirmed and attempted to make as much noise as I could, but I immediately stopped as I felt the tip of a knife blade press against the skin of my neck.
Shit….
Through the darkness, I saw the face of Nikolai, mere inches away from mine. His piercing purple eyes blazed at me through his platinum blonde bangs.
His face was twisted in a passionate hatred that made my stomach flutter and my heart beat violently against my chest.
"Listen here, you little bitch," he spat, his face inching closer and closer to mine.
"I don't care if you're independent. I don't give a fucking shit if you don't want to have anything to do with us anymore…"
Fuck. Was this really happening right now? Why wasn't I more scared?
"You…you hurt my brother. You and your stupid pathetic brothers. You have some nerve showing up here again, you know that? Big brother's not the same. He's completely wrecked and it's your fault…" he spat, his voice husky with passionate dissent. My toes curled unceremoniously as his sweet breath cascaded over me.
He pressed the blade harder against my skin and I gasped. He bent down so that his lips brushed gently against my ear. Chills traveled down my spine and the temperature seemed to heat up. I was breathing raggedly against his surprisingly soft hand and the small millisecond touch of his lip against my earlobe sent a bolt of electricity through my whole body.
"I'll avenge him. Not now, but I will. And you'll all be sorry for ruining him. If I were you…"
He swiftly withdrew the blade from my throat and down to the collar of my shirt, slashing through the first button and pressing the blade against the skin between my breasts…all in a span of about point five seconds. I gave another gasp at the shocking cold that brazed my skin.
"I'd watch my step."
With that, he withdrew the dagger, and with one graceful movement, he smashed the door to the janitor's door open and walked away in such a fluid way that it was reminiscent to gliding.
I stood there numbly, my heart pounding, my cheeks and skin flushed, and the top part of my blouse completely slashed open.
My lips still tingled where his hand was.