Yeah, so, I had a good time the last couple of days. Went to a place called the Antique Mall, which is awesome, it's in Pasadena, and we got pizza fresh out of a wood-burning oven, although I didn't like it very much. They barely put any cheese... Um, I also know I'm able to complete an Austria cosplay because Hot Topic is fucking awesome, and school. I'm nervous. I am extremely unready for the beginning of High School... Well, I'm ready, but I just don't want to go. Okay, ignore my shit now and read the chapter.

I had to redo the whole thing. The whole fucking thing. Why? What could Arthur have possibly done to ruin the whole fucking thing? He apparently took the dough behind my back and excessively kneaded it. Why is that a problem, you say? Well, I'll tell you a little baking tip when cooking scones; let the damn dough rest. It has gluten in it. Let it fucking relax. That way it won't come out like a fucking hardened pancake!

Ahem, excuse my language...

This is usually the reason as to why I don't like working with other people in the kitchen, especially when they suck in the kitchen in the first place.

"UUUUUUGH!"

I totally didn't hear anything.

"I said I was sorry! How long are you going to ignore me?!"

Hmm? What was that? I think I hear something. Where is it coming from? Definitely not from behind me. Oh well. Must be the wind. Whatever.

I picked up the tray of the new batch, as well as the tray with the cups of tea, as well as the smaller tray of cake. This is a lot less than I had planned, but I am a strong believer of being on time. Actually, I am a strong believer of being early. I usually make it to destinations around ten to fifteen minutes early. But I can't exactly do that this time. Why? You know why.

I pressed my back to the double doors and walked out, noticing not far away a long table with plates and utensils set up in front of each chair. Considering the fact it was the longest table here, and that there was a lot of people here as well, it wasn't hard to figure out that the table I was looking at is the place that everyone eats at. So I carefully made my way there, balancing the trays on my arms, which is probably a huge accomplishment because my limbs feel like they're going to break off.

I passed by Ludwig, who gave me a confused look, and he glanced at Arthur, who I heard come out of the kitchen.

"Why are you holding nothing and he's holding everything?"

"Wha- It's not my fault he's completely ignoring me!"

I rolled my eyes and continued to carefully trek over to the table, and I felt some weight being lifted from my arms. I looked over to see Ludwig, who didn't say anything as he took the cake and the scones as if they were no problem. Well then. That makes me feel terribly weak. And how can he walk over there so easily without dropping anything? I thought I was a master at balance... This place is lowering my self-esteem. I better get out of here soon. I don't want to end up feeling meek.

I walked over to the table and muttered a small "thank you" to Ludwig as he left, and I set up the trays so that everyone could get what they wanted. It looked like there were way more cups of tea than necessary, but I guess that's okay. I went back to the kitchen to get honey, sugar, and cream, and came back to see that there was already people seated, all of which I haven't met yet.

Great. More people to meet. And I can't say I'm tired to get out of it. I just had coffee!

"Hey, Rodrigo! Come here, let me introduce you to the others!"

But they don't know I had coffee.

"Um, sorry, Toni, but I'm a little tired. Maybe another time?"

"Eh? I thought I saw you drinking coffee, though. Maybe the caffeine hasn't kicked in yet! I'm sure you can handle a little more agitación, right?"

Damnit Antonio, no! No, I can not handle any more excitement!

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Great! ¡Vámonos!"

Antonio went behind me and pushed me over to the table. There were three people in total. One of them was a tanned teenager with square glasses, blue eyes, and blonde hair. Considering the fact that his shirt had red, white, and blue on it, and he had a star sticker on his cheek, I think it's safe to say he's American. Another man, and gosh did I dislike this, had a cigarette trapped between his teeth, and he was somehow able to blow smoke shaped like hearts. He had blonde hair and blue eyes as well, and he sported a stubble. He also had some weird blue cape on. Which looked really weird over his uniform. I think it was a uniform. I don't know, everyone else is wearing the same thing. It all just had different colors on the sides.

Ahem, getting sidetracked.

The last one was one of the tallest people I've ever met. He had washed blonde hair that was extremely light, and it looked sort of greyish. His eyes were a pastel purple, much softer than my own lilacs, and he had a long, seemingly friendly smile plastered onto his face. It seemed very fake to me. Extremely fake. Like he was making a gigantic effort to look like he was perky 24/7. I didn't like that. If I were unhappy, I would definitely not put in an effort to look happy. I'd openly say I was not happy and even explain why, no "Oh, I'm alright," or, "No, nothing's wrong." I guess it's a blunt way to react, but it's better to be blunt at times.

I quickly noticed that the tall man was looking at the American, and the American was glaring daggers back. Interesting. They seemed to be having some sort of mental war. And the tall guy seemed to be winning. Although, I give points to the American for his tenacity.

"Ah, amigos, quit fighting! I need to introduce you to the new member!"

Yeah, I don't remember ever agreeing to any of this. I think I've said this a million times before, but I'll say it again. I WAS KIDNAPPED!

"Oh, so you're the dude everyone's been talking about! I'm Alfred! Alfred F. Jones!"

Alfred, the American, quickly jumped over the table and shook my hand vigorously. After he was done, I felt like my whole body was just vibrated, and I felt both tingly and shaky. Weird. Very weird. Did I mention that my hand felt like it was just crushed between a doorframe? Because it does.

"U-um, nice t-to meet you Alfred."

I cleared my throat, trying to wash away the shakiness. Antonio patted me on the back, and it helped a bit.

"Alright, alright, Alfredo el Grande, you made a nice introduction. Next time, however, try to contain your strength, por favor?"

Alfred chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Next came the tall man, who put a meaty hand on my shoulder and patted, which hurt. A lot. Probably worse than my hand.

"Um, excuse me, but would you mind not crushing me?"

I gave him an annoyed look, but he simply smiled wider. Antonio coughed into his fist, gently scooting me away from the man.

"This is Ivan. He is, ah, well... A bit hard to understand, but he is a good person! Just, um, not the easiest to handle!"

Antonio was smiling brightly, but it looked just as fake as Ivan's, and I didn't find myself trusting him any time soon. If Antonio found it hard liking him, then there is definitely something wrong with this guy, whether it be his fakeness, some secret attitude, or his seemingly lack of total maturity. No matter what, it was plain to see that he was not currently living in reality, and it would be best to stay away from those type of people.

"Now, let's introduce moi~!"

The man in the cape had roses falling from fucking nowhere, and his cigarette seemed to disappear as well. He suddenly had his arm around my waist, pulling me way too close for comfort, and- what the fuck, is he kissing my hand?!

"My name is Francis Bonnefoy, but you, mon cher, may call me François~"

Control the shadows. Don't kill the man. Whatever you do, DON'T KILL HIM. He's a perv but you can deal with it.

I cover my eyes with my free hand, trying to calm down, and I mentally counted to ten. One, two, three, nope, control the shadows, four, five, six, seven, what is he doing? I uncovered my eyes, and I saw Antonio laughing with Alfred in the corner of my eye. But that was the least of my concerns. The perv was leaning in!

I lifted my fist, grabbed onto the front of his cape, and I was ready to pull my finishing blow when-

"Francis, what the FUCK do you think you're doing with Roddy?!"

Oh, my knight in shining armor, Gilbert! GET THE FUCK OUT WHILE I PUNCH THIS BITCH!

Ahem.

Wow. That was ungentlemanly...

"And Roderich!"

Woah, wait. Is he going to accuse me of something? I'm the victim here!

"I can not believe you're actually going for it!"

What?

Alfred and Antonio began snickering louder, and I was about to punch one of them too.

"Are you kidding me? Do you not see my arm raised above my head, in a fist, ready to punch his damn brains out? I can not even fathom what would make you think I am taking this sexual harassment! You know what, I don't give a shit what you think! I'm going to finish what I was going to do before you came in here!"

I tightened my grip further on the other's cape, and I raised my fist higher, ready to strike, but Gilbert interrupted me again.

"See! There it is! You're pulling him towards you! You're going to kiss him!"

I decided it would be best to ignore Gilbert this time around, and I struck Francis in the face, surely leaving a nasty bruising around his eye. Well, he deserved it for trying to advance on me on our first meeting. His motives were as clear as day and I was definitely not going to stand for it.

"MERDE!"

I smirked in some twisted satisfaction when hearing that, and I raised my fist again, against my better judgment. However, I was lifted from the ground and away from the Frenchman, and I struggled to turn and see who it was. And look at that. Ivan. I guess he's not that bad a person after all, if he's willing to protect this guy. Or, wait, wouldn't that mean he is just as bad as the Frenchman? Whatever.

I dropped my fist and hung, waiting for Ivan to put me down. He didn't. He decided to humiliate me by keeping me here until everyone from before, and more, had come out from wherever the hell they are to eat at the table. Or laugh at Francis's misery, in Arthur's case, which pleased me quite a bit. I guess I should forgive him for that.

"Um, Roderich? Didn't I only leave you for about five minutes? What exactly happened?"

Well. I guess since I forgave Arthur, I should answer him.

"Antonio thought it would be a smart idea to introduce me to his 'amigos.'"

"I see. And why aren't you struggling? You do notice that Ivan is holding you like a doll, right?"

"Meh. I don't really care. He isn't hurting me."

Gilbert walked up to Ivan, glaring at him, and me and Arthur shared a look. Arthur was definitely going to explain this to me later.

"Russian bastard."

"Privet, my annoying German friend."

"Prussian."

"Prussia was not rebuilt when you were born."

"So fucking what? Now put down Roderich, you creep."

"Nyet. I rather like him. If you want him, you'd have to snatch him from me. You know this game, da?"

I'm right here, you assholes.

"I don't think we will be playing this 'game' of yours, Ivan."

Gilbert then grabbed me. He literally lifted me out of Ivan's arms, threw me over his shoulder, and sat me down at the table. Seriously, what the fuck. Am I a rag doll now? I swear, if I have to meet any more people...

"Hiya everybody! I-a got some pasta! We can cook it for a real big dinner tomorrow!"

"Hey Feliciano!"

Fuck.