1965
Taiwan spent an hour getting ready for her date with Japan. Helping her was Vietnam, adorning her neck with the family's most precious pendants.
"Should I wear red lipstick or is that too much?"
"It's your choice." Vietnam said, contemplating the idea herself. She held Taiwan's hand, then said, "I think you look very pretty. I bet Japan has a very handsome look for you tonight."
Taiwan giggled, then stretched Vietnam's lips into a smile. "You look pretty as well. Be safe while I'm gone."
Japan knocked on the door, trying to be as courteous as possible. Vietnam opened it, then fixed her brother's hair. "You look nervous. Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be happy even if you drop the flowers on the candle."
"Oh, well thanks I guess. Where is she? May I see her?"
Vietnam went back to Taiwan, then asked if she wanted to see Japan right at the moment. Taiwan nodded, and quickly sprayed on her favorite fragrance.
When they finally left, Vietnam sat back and relaxed. It was only her and China at home now. China was making some food while listening to some traditional Chinese music.
She decided to go to bed, and undressed. Before taking off her bra, she took a look at herself in the mirror. She was still overweight in her mind, but for some reason no one saw her as that. Sometimes she considered herself skinny, but that wasn't enough.
She took off her bra, then wrapped herself in some blankets. Before curling up, China began to curse in a foreign tongue downstairs. She could detect some of the things he was saying, and it frightened her.
China directed more of his warnings to her, and then that terrible laughter started. China was clearly ridiculing himself in front of the triumphantly laughing American, whom Vietnam had a thousand shades of fear of.
She had left her gun and knife downstairs, so there wasn't any safe way of accessing those weapons. Her heart beat was rapid by now, just like how it was when she heard Japan had been bombed in the 40s.
Wanting to cry, Vietnam crawled into her closet, then closed the door to it. She didn't want to see anyone at the moment—especially not America. Not when she had no clothing on but a blanket. Closing her eyes, she waited till he left.
China's screams continued, and they seemed to be getting closer to her. She bit her lip, trying not to imagine a gun to her throat.
When the screaming turned into a cry of pain, Vietnam opened her eyes. The closet door swung open, and she saw the glowing tip of a cigarette. With the knowledge that China was hurt, she didn't bother to scream.
The door closed, and she felt like the luckiest nation in that moment. The sounds of drawers opening and closing bothered her, but she didn't dare say anything.
It was silent for a moment, so Vietnam opened the closet door just a little. She seethed in rage just watching America put her things in his pockets.
He pulled out her book of poems, then took a look inside. Vietnam remembered that book, for it was the book she wrote in when she was upset. Therefore, all the poems were dark.
He threw it on her bed, then searched some more. When he pulled out another book, Vietnam recognized it at once. It was an anti-capitalist book she never fully read because of its intensity.
America's smile was lost in a frown. He tore some pages out of the book, then read some words out loud in anger.
China walked in the room, then said, "Get out! Vietnam is not home."
"So when she does come home, tell her the books she reads and the poems she writes are completely deranged."
He grabbed China's collar, then pushed him back. When China was sure he was gone and out the door, he rushed to the closet. "Vietnam? Are you in here?"
"Yes..." Vietnam said shuddering. "I've been here the entire time."
All the lights came on, and South Korea jumped on Vietnam's bed. "Wake up! I want to go buy some snacks!"
"Well you don't have to wake me up at 5 AM. You know I don't wake up until noon."
"Yeah, I just thought it'd be funny to see you all tired and your hair all messy. Aw, I love you so much sis!"
Vietnam held her pillow close, waiting for him to leave. He didn't, and stood in the same spot for an entire minute. She became annoyed, but hitting him wouldn't do anything. "Fine, but the stores might be closed."
"Nope, they're open. Let's buy some chips and noodles."
"Don't you get tired of noodles? You have them every single morning." Vietnam said, sitting up.
"Nah! Hey, you're always dreaming about America aren't you? I hear you say his name a lot."
Vietnam's face heated up. She avoided eye contact with her sibling. "Well, that's none of your business. It's not like I like him. Definitely not my type."
"He's really annoying, isn't he? I sometimes let him lose while we're playing a video game, and he gets really angry." South Korea said, then admired himself in the mirror for a split second.
"Well that's him for you. He can't lose anything, now can he?"
She threw on some shoes and headed out to the stores. A couple were open, so they bought noodles and snacks. South Korea bought some panda cookies for China and pocky for Japan. When they paid for it all, Vietnam watched South Korea dance to their car with all the bags.
"This is amazing! We have enough food to last a week or so!" he sang, hugging the grocery bags.
Vietnam didn't say anything and just sat in the front seat. She turned on the radio, but South Korea changed it to a K-pop station. While he rocked out in the backseat, she tried not to think about her recent flashbacks.
Why had America given her his jacket in such nasty weather? She had always felt intimidated by him, even if he seemingly changed. His hands would forever be stained with Vietnamese blood to her.
"Whatcha thinking about, fam?" South Korea asked, leaning forward. He blew on her face, then waited for a reaction.
"Er, I'm just thinking about the food we bought. I wonder how many calories-"
"Stop thinking about calories! You're super skinny and sexy! Can you start the car?"
Vietnam started the engine, then sighed. She noticed South Korea's new phone, then decided to change the subject. "You got the new iPhone?"
"Sure did!"