I wanted to get back home early the next day before Father worried. I didn't want things to get any worse if he found out I was gone.

I ate a quick breakfast, but I felt uncomfortable with Ukrania sitting quietly in front of me at the table. She has been quiet ever since Aunt Ukraine agreed to let me stay last night. I wanted to say something to her, but I didn't know how to begin. I knew that she was probably still shocked by seeing the deer I killed the day before.

Aunt Ukraine gave me a hug and told me if I ever needed anything I was always welcome to stay with her. I had to admit, Aunt Ukraine was sweet, besides the fact that she cried almost all the time. I waved goodbye and quickly made a run back home. The sun was beginning to make its appearance on the horizon.

I made it home within the hour, and I climbed through my bedroom window. I quickly kicked off my boots and stuck them beside my bed. I took off my scarf and gloves, setting them on my lamp desk. I then jumped in bed and threw the blanket over myself. I was suppose to be asleep.

A few seconds later, I heard boots approach the door. It creaked open and I heard Father's voice.

"Ivan? Are you awake?" I swallowed hard and began to sweat. I slowly pulled the blanket away from my face.

"D...Da," I answered shakily. Father looked concerned.

"Are you not feeling well? You didn't come down to dinner last night."

"Oh!" I said and thought 'Idiot' to myself. I forgot about dinner last night and thought that it probably would've been better if I stayed home for dinner and then make my escape. But I didn't think about it, and now I felt cornered. "Um...Da, I'm feeling very bad."

"I checked up on you last night, but...I didn't seeing you in your bed." Crap! Father was already onto me. I had to come up with an excuse quick.

"Uh, I was...uh. Out for a walk. I thought it might help my, uh...headache."

"I see. Well, you should have some breakfast, I'm betting you are hungry."

"Nyet, I'm not hungry," I said. Maybe I shouldn't have said that, because he came over and sat on the side of my bed. He put his hand to my head, and I realized that he wasn't wearing his gloves. Strange, he always did.

Oh, but his hands! They were freezing cold and I felt the memory of my turning everything into ice. I tried to hide my face. I didn't want him to suspect anything.

"You don't looking sick and you feeling fine. Are you hiding something, Ivan?" I could tell he was very suspicious. I eagerly shook my head, trying to hide my worried face. I didn't like him so close to me. He was going to find out, I just knew it!

It was like I was getting smelled by a dog who knew there was something different about me. Father was watching me closely.

"You are not yourself, Ivan. I'm not liking it."

I didn't answer him.

"You'll probably feel better when you getting up. You should probably getting early start," he said as he got up and walked to my door.

"Okay, I'll be up in a few minutes," I told him, trying to buy time to think.

"Nyet, Ivan. You're getting up now," he said as he opened the door and left it open as he walked out. Double crap. What was I going to do now?

I couldn't help but drag over my studies that later morning, my Father was watching me like a hawk watches wounded pray. He knew there was something going on with me. I had to come up with an excuse to get away from him, but what? I decided to play innocent.

"Um, I have to go to the restroom," I quickly got up and walked to the door, but father got there first and he was blocking the door.

"Where are you running off to, Ivan?"

"The restroom?" I could tell by his 'innocent' smile that he wasn't buying what I was saying.

"You are in middle of a lesson, you know that I don't allow you to leave until you finish your studies. You have been avoiding me," he sang the last sentence, making me feel hot and sweaty again.

"I...I have?" I continued to act innocent. Father only nodded. He then grew serious and crossed his arms, staring at me with a suspicious raised eyebrow.

"I...haven't noticed," I lied. It was my intention to avoid him.

"Why did I not seeing you in your room last night?"

"I went out for a walk."

"Nyet, you were gone. You were nowhere in the country," he said to me, his expression not changing.

"Well...I...I was," I started backing away from him, he walked towards me. I backed into the wall, he slammed he hands to the wall, forcing me to stay where I was with his hands next to my head. I stared at him in horror. He was searching me. I suddenly started to feel guilt.

Then, before I could react, he slapped me hard. It made my eyes sting, but I didn't dare cry in front of him. His face held a darker look and his voice sounded furious, instead of calm.

"You lied to me, Ivan. I could see it in your eyes. You ran away and stayed the night with Ukraine."

"Nyet!" I said, before I could think. His face was closer to mine.

"Don't lying to me! Tell me the truth, Ivan!"

"...D...Da," I couldn't hide the truth from him any longer. He looked as if he was suffering from a headache.

"Why? WHY?!"

"I...I don't wanting you and Aunt Ukraine to fight anymore! I left because...because," He didn't let me finish.

"Ivan! You running away because it proves you are a coward! You don't deserve to living in this house anymore!" I was surprised by his words, but he was serious. He picked me up and I knew for sure that he was going to throw me out of the house, literally.

As he carried me out of the study room, I could see the Baltics wanted to help, but didn't dare do anything. I begged my Father to ground me instead, but he stayed firm to his words.

He opened the door and dropped me in the cold snow. I was shocked and hurt. I could see, however, that my Father was hurt as well.

"I wish you didn't do this to yourself, Ivan. I'm sorry." He closed the door and I knew that I was forbidden to walk back into the place I called home again. I never once believed that I would ever get thrown out of my house because of a certain conflict, but here I was.

Then my phone vibrated and I received a message from May.

"Ivan, I thinking there is trouble. We are going to needing your help. Our parents are having a conference meeting soon. Please get here as soon as you can," I read out loud. Trouble? Was she serious? Why would she ask me to attend? Wasn't my Father unwelcome to meetings like those?

I didn't want to be rude and not attend, but I looked down at my hands and frowned.

"They must never knowing about what has happened to me." I turned back to my once home with a sad look. I was coming back someday. I had to make amends with my Father, but for now I was thinking it would be best if I left here for a while.

Ivan End