Hey everyone Happy Fourth of july and all that stuff. Though I am new to this country it was fun to experience my first fourth of July. Anyway here is the next part, here things are getting good, well good if you like these kinds of things.

Also PLEASE review! I know there a lot of you reading this so please review.

Introducing a new character this chapter, I do not own him He belongs to Stargirl247

Hetalia does not belong to me, I only own my own ocs.

Chapter 9:

"Alexa, are you up yet?"

"Yeah, Dad I'm on my way down!" I called down as I slipped on my boots.

'Not a bad costume, in my opinion,'

'I'm ignoring you!' Oh yes Mystery Man was back; still never told me his name at that point. But he was now louder and more annoying than ever. He had been talking for a while, ever since that day in late August. Only recently had he been able to speak in full sentences.

'No you're not,' He mocked.

"Shut up," I hissed spinning one more time in front of the mirror. Its Halloween here in NYC and that means-

'Free candy!'

'Quiet! That's not what i was going to say!'

Ah yes, Halloween would in other times mean free candy, but for seniors at our school it's the annual Hollow Bash and the showing of all the Saw movies .

Tyson, Andre, Maria and I had been planning this night since August.

Must say I never thought a skin tight suit would look good on me. I was dressed as Captain America, saved for this costume since July. I saved a bit of cash by making the shield in Shop class. Also tonight was a special one, for another reason.

'Yeah cause you finally gathered the balls to ask Tyson out.'

'Imaginary voices don't talk so shut up,' I snapped.

I tied my hair up tight so I could slip on the mask later. Dad and I had this tradition of eating homemade pizza every Halloween morning; the scents of roasted tomatoes and pepperoni were already making their way into my room.

"Come on Moose," The husky on my bed slowly got up and tottered down stairs. Moose was a husky my dad found a little after he found me. He was abandoned in a battle zone as a puppy. Moose was a softy at nineteen years old. Though, he was getting on in his years, slowly losing his hearing and sight, but he was still quick as a rocket if anyone was stupid enough to break into our house.

Moose padded over to my dad who was seated in the den on the second floor. Dad was watching the news with his laptop in hand.

"Foods downstairs Al," he casually remarked as I padded down as well.

"You outdid yourself Dad!" I laughed, jumping down the last few steps. The kitchen was pretty modern with a nice warm vibe coming from the sunflower yellow paint.

I walked back up the stairs and sat next to him watching the news as well.

"...the search is still on for survivors of the West Lincoln High School in Queens, this evening," The news reporter showed the debris of what used to be a gymnasium, now reduced to pure rubble. Firefighters could be seen shifting debris as floodlights shone down. "With these back to back attacks parents and others are worried for their children's safety. With the past two attacks in Maine and New Jersey, many are cautioned to look for any suspicious activity around schools-"

"Bah!" Dad scoffed grabbing the remote and switched the TV off. "Nothing but depressing news nowadays."

"Those bombings keep getting closer, huh Dad?" I rubbed the back of my neck a sudden pain sprouting up.

"Oh the police will catch them soon Al," Dad assured me.

My neck was really starting to hurt, these past few days my body had been sore, and bruises had popped up on my skin in some places. Though I'm sure these were just from practice or something.

"Alexa?" Dad's voice broke me out of my thoughts. I turned and he was looking over with a concerned gaze. "Is something wrong?" He asked softly.

"I'm fine Dad, just didn't get much sleep last night," I laughed and stretched, wincing slightly as a bruise on my lower back stung.

"Alexa you know you can tell me anything," Dad's brown eyes looked hurt that I was keeping something from. But I know he would never believe me.

'I know I wouldn't.'

'Would you shut up already?' Dad noticed my annoyed expression and he guessed it was directed towards him.

"You better leave soon," he sighed, looking back at his computer. "It's raining so grab an umbrella," he glared at the screen.

"Dad I'm sorry it's not you," I scooted closer leaning into his side hugging his waist. He sighed and rubbed my hair like he used to whenever I had a bad dream. "I just haven't been feeling my best these past few days."

"Alexa, why didn't you tell me?" He laughed softly. "I would have let you stay home from school if you weren't feeling well."

"Dad you know I can't miss more of Mr. Donovan's class," I giggled. He rolled his eyes and replied.

"I'm getting you a tutor if it's the last thing I do," he squeezed my shoulders. We sat like that for a few more minutes just enjoying the sound of the rainfall outside as it hit the windows.

"Alexa..." Dad seemed like he wanted to tell me more but he stopped.

"What is it Dad?" I asked.

"...nothing, never mind," he groaned sitting back up. His prosthetics were on so he could walk back down the stairs. "You better go or you'll miss your train," looking at the clock I saw that he was right.

"Shoot! Bye Dad!" I shouted as I sprinted for the door, grabbing my shield and umbrella as I went.

"Be careful out there!" Dad's voice was drowned out by the heavy rain as I sprinted down the street.

'If you had cut through that yard like I told you to, we wouldn't have missed the train.'

'Shut up! Also there is no 'WE.' You're not real!' As you could tell I ended up missing my train. The train had just pulled out of the station when I arrived. Not only was I late to class but since this was my third time being late, I would have to attend detention after school. After a twenty minute lecture from Vice Principal Howard about my tardiness, which only made me more late than I already was. When I finally made it to my Calculus class, Mr. Donovan was reviewing the last chapter. I could have really used that refresher for the test.

'Are you still going on about how I'm not real?' I sat down in my seat next to the window in the back of the class, watching the rain fall down the windows. Yeah I have the attention span of a squirrel that just drank a monster mixed with a red bull.

'Why yes, yes I am,' I snidely replied. Everyone in class was talking amongst themselves; I didn't have any friends in the class so I mentally debated with myself instead.

'I'm as real as you are!' He whined so loud I winced and rubbed my ear.

'Really then what's your name?'

'I'm America, the hero and most badass country there is!' Great, I had a nation as an imaginary friend. Not to mention he was loud, obnoxious, rude, and full of himself.

'Sure buddy, I'm just going to call you Steve,' snickering I started to doodle on my notebook cover.

"Excuse me?" Startled, I jumped a little at the new voice, luckily this one wasn't in my head. Since the beginning of the school year the desk next to mine has been empty, so naturally I was surprised to see someone there now. It was a nice looking boy, my age, kinda lanky in a good way, with pitch black hair swept to his left side. His startling steel gray eyes shined behind his glasses along with a light dusting of freckles. His costume for today was the Avenger, Hawkeye. "Hi I'm Evan Leary; I guess we're going to be sitting next to each other from now on." he laughed sheepishly.

"Oh yeah nice to meet you," I laughed as well, sticking my hand out I grinned. "I'm Al-"

"Alexa James," He finished taking my hand and shaking it firmly.

"How did you know that? Are you psychic?" He chuckled a little at my eagerness.

"No the teacher said it when he was taking roll," Oh yeah, that would make a lot more sense.

'No shit Sherlock,' I could almost hear Steve rolling his eyes.

'Fuck you Watson,'I snapped back.

"So wait you have how many siblings?" We found ourselves talking when we should have been working, but I found that Evan was easy to talk to. He and his family had moved here from the D.C. area, wanting to have a change in pace and scenery.

"Four brothers and two sisters," He laughed with a roll of his eyes. "They kept me on my toes growing up, you can be sure of that."

"You're so lucky," I sighed thinking of the many times I wished for a brother or sister. Dad's wife and first son died in the war, he never remarried sadly.

"Not really," He sighed heavily a far off look glazing his eyes. "They're all older than me and very successful, my parents are expecting me to be the same. Though with my grades the way they are I'm not sure if I will graduate." He looked so sad at this point I felt my own heart breaking.

"What class are you having trouble with?" I asked hoping to lighten the mood.

"U.S. History," He admitted.

"Oh that's easy," I laughed. He looked over at me with an annoyed glare. "I'm not rubbing it in or anything," I quickly replied. "I mean I can tutor you. You seem good at calculus," I point at the finished review sheet on his desk. "You tutor me in math I will help you with history," he mulled this over for a minute before nodding with a grin.

"Seems like a fair trade," he laughed. It was then that the bell rang for the next class. The whole class quickly packed away their things and ran for the door.

"Want to come hang with me and my friends at lunch?" I asked, throwing my backpack and shield over my shoulder as he puts his books away.

"Sure if you don't mind," he laughed standing up. Then I noticed something that ticked me off. He noticed my glaring and blanched in confusion. "What is it?"

"You're taller than me," I muttered with a pout. Now that he was standing I could see he wasn't quite as tall as Tyson but still freaking tall.

"Oh, sorry?" he chuckled nervously as we walked out.

The halls were crowded during lunch since the rain was still falling heavily, those who braved it we're getting wet under the overhangs of the building, trees or huddles of their umbrellas. I had just finished my English class and met with Evan outside the cafeteria. He smiled brightly seeing me walk up.

"I was worried you had ditched me," He teased lightly.

"I wouldn't do that," I laughed along as we walked into the lunch line. "Trust me you're going to love my friends," I grinned. "Maria is a sweetheart and she will show you around if you ask. Andre can show you the best spots to hang or for food, and Tyson-"

"Heard you be talking shit!" A giant arm wrapped around my throat, suddenly making me squeal in fright.

"Tyson let me go!" I shouted, kicking my legs wildly as he lifted me up slightly.

"Uh-Uh it's Director Fury to you," his voice rumbled smugly against my back.

"Ok, ok I give! Director Fury," he released me and I fell flat on my ass with a loud thump. I winced and rubbed my butt glaring up at Tyson. He was dressed in black slacks and a black cotton shirt under a large, heavy leather trench coat, with an eye patch. He shaved his head for today and had cleaned up his slowly growing beard and mustache.

"Don't worry," Maria walked up and comforted Evan who didn't seem to know what to do in this situation. Maria was dressed as Agent Hill, complete with the S.H.I.E.L.D uniform. "This is surprisingly normal for them," Evan still didn't seem convinced.

"Yeah dude, relax a bit," Andre sauntered over; he spared no expense with his costume. Literally he only spent 30 dollars. He simply came to school with black jeans and a Deadpool hoodie he had ordered online. "Live in the moment that is high school," his mellow composure slowly unwound Evan's nerves.

"Who's the newbie?" Tyson asked finally lending me a hand.

"Oh right," I laughed, I was blushing by how nervous I was for later tonight. I hopped next to Evan with a grin. "Everyone this is Evan Leary, he moved here from D.C. Evan this is Maria."

"Hola," Maria smiled with a small wave.

"Andre is the one with the dreads," Andre was currently munching on some pizza he pulled out of seemingly nowhere.

"Sup," he merely replied.

"Lastly there's Tyson." Tyson smiled broadly clapping Evan on the shoulder pitching him forward a few feet.

"Welcome to the team, kid," Evan laughed while rubbing his shoulder, wincing slightly. "Must say, it's a rare sight for Al to bring someone new into the group." It's true, our group was known by others as a closed crew. It was just us and no one else really hung around. Sure we would try and bring new people in but they never stuck around for long.

"Uh well thanks I guess," Evan replied. We all got our food, heading to our table in the corner of the cafeteria next to the windows. The overcast sky outside made the lights inside seemed brighter. The warmth from the heaters and the crisp coolness radiating from the windows were enough to make some sleepy.

"You're going to love it here," Maria tried to make Evan more comfortable with us by sparking a conversation. "Midtown High is close to everything. The movie theater is only a few blocks away. The McDonalds isn't far off either," Evan slowly got into the groove of things with us, towards the end of lunch he was cracking jokes with Andre and Tyson.

"You're ok man," Tyson admitted clapping Evan on the shoulder again, causing him to pitch forward slightly. "Hey, you doing anything tonight?" Evan shook his head rubbing his shoulder once more.

"Dude, you should totally come party with us," Andre was half asleep on the table. "It's going to be wicked."

"Yeah we're going to see all the Saw movies, and then we're going to the football teams annual Hollow Bash at Steele's house," Steele Johnson was another guy on the football team and was famous for his parties. Last year the cops showed up and everyone had to make a run for it, or so I've heard; only seniors are allowed to go.

"I don't know. I should stay home and help my family finish unpacking," Evan admitted, though seemed to be having second thoughts.

"Come on dude, it will be great. You can meet all of the senior class there," I encouraged him with a playful push.

"Not to mention you can meet a bunch of awesome chicks," Tyson wiggled his eyebrows coyly, only to earn a smack from me.

"You're such a perv!" Scolding him I continued to punch him.

"Come on bro," Tyson pushed me aside and leaned towards Evan with a pleading gaze. "I need a good wingman for tonight."

"Why's that Ty?" Maria asked generally confused, as well as myself at that point.

"Tyson's going to ask ou-" Andre soon found himself on the ground clutching his knee, moaning in pain.

"Shut up!" Tyson hissed with a heated glare at the boy on the floor. At this point my heart was beating a mile a minute. Tyson was going to ask someone out tonight, and according to Maria, Tyson had told her that it was merely "someone they all knew," I couldn't wait for tonight.

"Hey Alexa!" my happiness high was cut short when I heard Arianna call out for me. She was dressed as an Egyptian princess.

"Hey Arianna," I smiled happily as she walked up. The others stopped talking, looking at her as she came to a stop at our table. "Did you need something? If it's about practice later I think it's pretty obvious it's canceled," I nodded towards the rain soaked field and laughed.

"No it's not that," she replied. "Ms. Ramirez sent me from the office. One of your Dad's friends called from work. Said your Dad had another flashback and wants to know if you can go get him," This wasn't new. Dad suffered from PTSD and survivors guilt from the second civil war. It was common for him to have flashbacks at random times, whenever this happened at work; I was called to get him home so he could rest.

"You better go Al," Maria said with a small smile.

"Yeah I'll get your homework for next period," Andre assured me from his spot on the ground.

"And I'll make sure to get it from him and take it to you on my way home," Tyson laughed with a smirk. I don't know how I could've survived without these guys. Wait, I wouldn't have lived this long without them.

"Alright I'll see you guys later tonight," I grabbed all of my stuff quickly sliding my food to where Andre was, knowing he would eat it all. Turning to Evan I smiled happily at him. "I hope to see you tonight at the party," he nodded in reply.

"Yours Dad's friend is waiting outside the gates!" Arianna shouted as I left and hurried to the front of the school, not realizing I had left my umbrella in my last class.

It was raining again when I got to the front of the school. It took me a few minutes to log out of the office, the school yard was drenched and dark from the heavy storm clouds. The trees were gold and red, blowing in the wind, the breeze making me hug my jacket closer as I waited outside the gates of school. I had kept the jacket Tyson had give me in August in my locker in case I need it. My costume of course didn't provide much protection from the frigid air and freezing water, so the jacket was handy. Cars sped by throwing up water as they passed, soon drenching my shoes.

Looking around I didn't see any familiar car, not even a familiar face of one of my dad's friends. I hugged my jacket closer to my body my body jumpy in the chilly weather. I had that feeling once more, the sense of anxiety and adrenaline, the sword twinge in my shoulder. My heart beating loudly almost as if someone was squeezing it.

The last time this happened I had met those strange people. Bushy brows, when I got pushed into the street. Elizabeta and Lili, those flashbacks still haunt my nightmares to this day. I had grown to fear this ominous aura, when it got too strong I would quickly run to the other side of the street, change directions, hide in a open store.

The twinge was getting stronger, my feet shuffling on the pavement, my socks squishing in the water. The bitter cold seemed to bite deeper into my skin, I could almost feel the color drain from my face, I couldn't stand the feeling anymore and I quickly re-shouldered my backpack and shield, I hugged my arms close to my body and turned to walk to the parking lot on the far side of the school.

Though right as a I turned my vision faded, though my voice called out excitedly one word, one I didn't even mean to say. I didn't tell myself to say it, it was like my body did it on its own.

"Iggy!"

The sweet tang of coffee, with a light scent of apples and Sandalwood, filled my nose first. The light sound of a radio followed, the feeling of cool leather seats pressed against my sore cheek was welcomed.

"Back with the living are you?" That accent, I remember jumping at the voice. I groaned as I opened my eyes, the light blinding me momentarily, I was in a nice looking car with black leather seats, and red oak accented the black dashboard. I was laying back in the passenger seat, my jacket over my body like a blanket, even though the car was a cozy temperature.

Looking over at the driver I could see that my assumption on the voice was correct. Bushy Brows was back. He was dressed casually in black slacks, and a white pressed shirt under a emerald green sweater.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed with a glare, though my sudden movement caused another pain to blow through my head. "Better yet what am I doing here?" I groaned rubbing my sore eyes.

He merely kept driving, as I moaned in pain. Once I finally stopped he looked over and sighed lightly with a concerned gaze. "Are you finished?"

"Oh yes thanks for the concern," I snapped popping my shoulder joints. "Why are you here I thought I told you to stay away from me," I asked him.

"Don't look at me," he shrugged my question off. "Your the one that did that to yourself," I don't remember doing that, I mean why would I hit myself. He must have seen my confusion and continued. "Well it wasn't you in a sense...

Arthur was walking down the rain soaked pavement, his umbrella shielding him from the wind and rain.

After the talk with Alexa's father, Francis, Matthew and himself called a small meeting of the nations. Not at the U.N. building this time but over hologram calls. At this time Elizabeta and Lili also added in what they had found out when they ran into Alexa.

They had all come into a consensus that Alexa seemed a little unstable at the moment. Not knowing if she would go through with the death threat she had proposed, it was thought best to leave her be for awhile longer.

Though once he returned to his flat in London, he just didn't feel right. A pit of foreboding was nestled in his stomach, he found he couldn't stay concentrated on his work. His bosses took notice of this eventually, and forced him to take a week off for himself. Though this didn't help at all, he only became more restless and aggravated.

After a few days of this he finally had enough and merely hoped on a plane bound for the America. He knew why he couldn't sit still, it was because after all those years of not seeing that obnoxious American smile, now that it was within grasp he felt wrong without seeing it.

After he got his accommodations set up, he quickly did some background research on Alexa. He figured out where she went to school and found some of her softball pictures from when her city league team made it to the national championships. From there he found out where her father worked.

A few days later he called the school pretending to be one of her fathers associates, and called her out. Just so he could talk with her, without that friend of hers being there.

He had just rounded the bend when a great force knocked into, almost causing him to falling back into the gutters.

"Iggy!" He was startled to say the least, though for separate reasons. One: the voice belonged to Alexa, who was currently hugging his chest with a blissful grin. Two: Only one person had ever addressed him with that nickname.

"Alexa?" He sputtered in confusion gently prying her off. She stepped back crossing her arms with a huff. She was completely drenched at this point her hair clinging to her face.

"Man have I been gone that long you can't even tell the its me Artie?" She playfully scolded him. Arthur was thoroughly confused until he noticed a crucial detail. Alexa's eyes were a darker blue, now her eyes shone brighter, like someone he once knew.

"Alfred?" Arthur gasped, his umbrella fell to the ground with a splash as he gripped both of her shoulders, to look at her eyes better. It was certain, those eyes were exactly like that old goofball's.

"Of course its me!" Alexa's voice replied incredulously. "Just took me awhile to actually speak," Alexa glanced at her body as if she had seen it for the first time. "Uh what exactly happened by the way?" She asked looking down her shirt. Her hands suddenly grabbed her boobs, giving them an experimental squeeze. Arthur quickly turned around covering his blushing face. "Am I a girl?" She asked squeezing them again. "Man I thought I would have bigger ones than this-"

"Shut up!" Arthur turned back around to the sight of Alexa gripping her head. "Get out of my head!" She screamed.

"Aw come on I just got a turn!" She seemed to be having this argument with herself.

"My body isn't some game console!" She snapped with a scream. Her fist shot out, making contact with her chin with a sickening crunch.

She stumbled for a moment, Arthur quickly stepped forward and braced her as she slumped into his shoulder.

"You don't insult my boobs," She whispered with a triumphant smirk. Her eyes slowly darkened in color, as her ragged breaths eventually evened out as she dozed off.

"I knew it," I hissed once he finished. He looked confused at my reply; the rain was rolling on the windows, becoming an endless waterfall. My eyes widened when I realized we were on the Brooklyn Bridge. "Wait we're on the Brooklyn Bridge," I gasped looking out frantically. "My dad works on the other side of Manhattan!" Oh I knew my dad was going to kill me, he was all about being punctual. Military training was etched deep into his brain.

"About that," Eyebrows spoke up as the car came to a stop behind a bus. "Your father's fine. I'm the one who called you out of class," he admitted.

"What!" I shouted loud enough that he winced slightly. "First, you send me to the hospital now you're kidnapping me?"

"I'm not kidnapping you," he snapped back. "I forgot how conceited you Americans can be," he rolled his eyes before growing even more serious. "Now, you said 'I knew it' what did you mean by that?" he asked.

"Why should I tell you anything?" I challenged with a glare. He was annoying me by the second, though I had this feeling that I wouldn't stay that way for long. "I don't even know your name Caterpillar Brows," I grinned triumphantly as he uttered at the insult.

'Call him Iggy that really gets his panties in a twist,' Steve laughed in my mind. Yeah no, I'm not calling him that.

"Shut it you damn brat!" He crowed as I snickered.

"My name is Arthur," he sighed regaining his composure. "You should trust me because I'm one of the few who will believe you." The longer we were in the car together I had to agree that, deep down; I knew I could trust him. Even though I hadn't known him before, I had this gut feeling that he was trustworthy.

I stayed silent for a few minutes as we drove before finally answering. "It's happened before," he raised an eyebrow as I answered. "Twice; a few days ago I fell asleep in Calculus taking a test, and the next thing I knew, I woke up and my teacher was collecting the tests," I grew tired just thinking about the deep sleep I was in. "I knew I had failed, because I had only answered half of the questions. Though when I got the test back later that week, I got an A," I laughed remembering how freaked out Dad was when he saw.

"Math was never my best subject so I was surprised to." I looked over at Arthur making sure he was still listening. He nodded for me to continue. "The next time was when I didn't sleep at all the night before, for reasons," I lied wincing as I remembered the nightmares from that evening. "I must have drifted off on the train ride to school because when I woke up I was on the upper east side of the Manhattan, at a Starbucks."

"Why were you up that night?" Arthur asked with general concern.

I could feel the color drain from my face as the nightmare replayed and I explained.

Fire swarmed above me as it spread through the ceiling. The heat scorched my forehead and the flames were licking at my heels. Dust coated everything along with the thick smoke.

"The firefighters aren't going to make it up here in time," a middle aged man exclaimed as he moved to stand next to me.

"What are we going to do?!" A woman screamed from beside him. We were all pressed against the edge of the blown out window.

"I don't want to die. I don't want to die." A young man muttered as he curled in the corner, tears had made small tracks down his cheeks. There were about eight people in the room and they were all covered in soot, ash, and some with blood.

"The fire is coming closer," the middle aged man called out gravely. I looked behind me as the fire pushed us closer and closer to the windows. I braved a look outside; upwards I could see more people like us, crowding the edge. The levels below were doing the same. Fire trucks were the size of ants as they surrounded the bottom of the tower.

"I don't want to die here," the young man's voice screamed as he finally snapped. I felt a strong push on my back as sirens and screams echoed and our sister tower fell. I watched with wide eyes as thick gray smoke engulfed everything in sight.

"Have these dreams been happening recently?" Arthur inquired.

"I've had dreams like this since I was little," I admitted. By now we were off the bridge and were driving through random streets. "Sometimes I'm just a bystander, like a ghost, other times it's like I'm actually there," my voice was starting to break as I kept talking. "I've tried every sleeping pill there is. I've gone to countless psychiatrists; all they do is subscribe more pills. After a while," I paused, "I gave up. My dad still thinks I take them but I lie." I felt a lump in my throat as my eyes stung with held in tears. I had never told anyone about my sleepless nights. I had kept all of this in for so long, I guessed just telling someone was enough to break open the dam of tears.

I sucked air through my teeth as the tears streaked down my cheeks. "Sometimes," I whispered, "I go for days until I crash. Most nights I can't bear to close my eyes," I placed my head between my legs, "All I ever see is people killing each other or freak disasters." Tears dripped to the floor as I gripped my knees, "it's" my voice squeaked in a high pitch, "all too much." My shoulders shook as I cried out in frustration and bawled like a baby.

I felt the car pull to a stop as a hand rubbed my back. This hand was hesitant at first but grew in confidence as I made no move for it to stop.

Arthur remained silent and waited for me to settle down.

"Y-you said you were one of the few who would believe me," My voice slightly hoarse as I wiped my eyes. We were parked now, on some side street, not far from the train stop I catch everyday to school.

"Indeed," Arthur sighed as if it pained him, to think of the reason why. His green eyes held a far off glazed look as he talked. "Many like us suffer from dreams like that. I too, have those every once in awhile."

"Like us?" I was confused at his words. "You make it sound like you're not human."

"Because I'm- we're," he corrected nodding at me, "not, far from it actually. There are a lot of things in this world, Alexa, that can't be explained. There is a group of individuals in the world, I myself included, who personify nations." I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off. "Before you say anything let me fully explain." I closed my mouth and he took this as a sign for him to continue. "I myself personify the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; or England for short. There are many others as you could guess; we are immortal and basically live for as long as our nation and its people still identify themselves with said nation. Though in history, nations have dissolved and are simply never heard from again; but something came up that has us puzzled." He closed his eyes with a tired sigh, as if he was a man many times his age.

"You see Alexa, forty years ago my associates and I lost a dear friend of mine," a strong twinge grew in my heart, not a bad one like I have gotten used to. No, this one was one of heartache and anguish. "He was a good man," a small smirk graced his lips. "One of the best men I knew. Obnoxious of course, but a great man," he fell silent, no doubt remembering the man he was talking about. When he didn't talk for a minute I finally spoke up.

'Don't say it,' Steve's voice broke slightly in my mind. 'I, I can't be…' he sounded heartbroken. 'It can't be forty years, I just saw you a few days ago Iggy.'

"What happened to him?" I found myself saying, though I could already predict the answer.

"He died," England put it simply, though I could tell it pained him to say it. "He was shot in his office."

"He was, a nation right?" I asked. Steve was silent for once as if letting what I was just told sink in. "I thought you said you guys were immortal."

"We are," England confirmed. "That's something we still haven't figured out. A wound given by a normal human will heal quickly. One given by a nation will heal slowly. Somehow a human killed him," his eyes were threatening to spill over as he spoke, though he didn't show any other sign of breaking.

"Why are you telling me this?" I finally asked the question that was burning in my mind

Arthur sighed again rubbing his eyes with one hand, playing off wiping his tears as fatigue. "I believe that he survived, in a sense," he continued. "His name was America or Alfred to friends."

'If you had let me finish talking I could have told you that,' Steve, no Alfred spoke, though he sounded different. His usual cheerfulness was gone and replaced by a defeated tone.

"As you can clearly see America is still here," Arthur gestured to the streets. Men woman and children walked by, the sun was lower in the sky signifying that the school day was no doubt over. The merriment outside further amplified the dreariness in the car, "Meaning that another America has got to be somewhere."

I linked two and two together. "You think it's me?" I asked in shock.

"Alexa you're no doubt a smart girl," Arthur replied. "Think, the dreams you have, no doubt you have high grades in history and government classes. Your father even said you had aged five years in one night, didn't that struck you as odd."

"I thought I just finally had a growth spurt," It's true, Dad was always saying how I would grow one day so I just thought I did, in one night.

All of this was too much for me. My thoughts and emotions began to swirl together. I just wanted to be a normal girl; I mean I wouldn't know the first thing about being a nation. I can barely stand being me, let alone another person.

"Wait you said he died forty years ago," I did the math. "I can't be him I'm only nineteen."

"That's something that puzzled me as well," Arthur admitted though he waved the subject off. "What matters now is that you pack up and come with me,"

"Why would I go with you anywhere?" This guy must be a new crazy to think I would just up and leave with him.

"You don't belong with humans," Arthur said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You're going to come with me to London. There I'm going to call some others and we can you on the road to being America again."

"'Being America'," I snapped. "Now you definitely are hallucinating." I felt something in my mind snap. "You expect me to just pack up my bags and just leave my dad? Leave my friends?"

"Yes I do," Arthur seemed to getting a little irritated. "We nations do not, and cannot, belong with humans. It just leads to all kinds of problems."

"I'm not leaving them!"

"You will do as I say. You're only a child and need to listen to me for your own good!" We were both shouting at this point, I was surprised no one outside had shown any sign of hearing us at this point.

The thing in my mind that I had felt snap had no doubt completely shattered at this point. I could feel my cheeks burning, my throat closing as I breathed in deep breaths.

SLAP!

My body had acted on its own, Arthur now had a bright red hand print on his right cheek. His eyes that had held annoyance only moments ago, no held shock and a sense of pain. Though there was something else that I couldn't quite place anywhere else but with betrayal.

"You don't know me," I hissed. "I dont need to listen you! I am not someone you can just order around. I don't know about your friend, but I can assure you, he and I are not the same person. I am me, no one else. Stay away from me!"I finally screamed, now people outside were looking, though I think they just passed us off as a couple having a fight. I quickly gather my bag, shield and jacket and almost ran out of the car. I never looked back to see if he was following, though deep down I knew he wouldn't.

I wandered around the streets for what seemed like hours, even though it was only one. The sun had long since disappeared behind the Manhattan skyline. The street lights turned on just in time for parents to bring out their kids and start trick or treating. No one cast a glance at me as I walked, almost like a zombie, through the crowds.

I didn't have any destination in my mind, I just wandered around digesting what had just happened. For once in weeks Ste-Alfred, had to get used to that, was completely silent.

It was finally 9 O'Clock when my phone rang. I had been walking for three hours now. I had the sense to finally sit down at a denny's not far from my house. I just wanted a place to get out of the cold. I couldn't go home, dad would see something wrong in a second.

I quickly wiped my eyes and cheeks before answering the holo-call.

"Hey Maria," I did my best to sound like my normal cheerful self. I could tell she was at Steele's party. People kept bumping into her causing the picture to fuzz in and out. I could also hear the heavy bass of music as well. "Sorry I know I missed the movies I fell asleep and lost track of time. I just came to grab some food before I head over."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea Al," Andre's voice called out. His eye popping into the frame for a sec.

"Why not?" This confused me of course. "We've been waiting for this night since freshman year?"

"Yeah Alexa but, uh you see Tyson-"

"What did pretty boy wet his pants during the movie?" I joked lightly.

"We need to tell her," Andre hissed to maria.

I felt sick now. "Tell me what? Come on guys I can take it?" I laughed despite my anxiety of what they wanted to tell me.

"Just look," Maria spoke in defeat. The screen went out of focus as Maria directed the camera away from her.

I felt my heart drop to my stomach. Though the lighting was really poor and people kept walking in front of the camera it was clear what Maria and Andre were showing me. Tyson was in a heated make out session with Sydney Harrison.

Now that I think about it, it all clicked together. She was definitely someone we all knew. She was in at least one of our classes. She tutored Tyson for awhile when his grades slipped and he was threatened to be kicked off the football team. Whenever I helped out at the store Tyson and his mom ran she would always stop by, then leave if I was at the counter.

"I'm so sorry dude," Andre spoke taking the phone. "Whoa!" The picture cut and remained silent. I later learned that someone had bumped into Andre and he dropped the phone into his drink.

I simply sat there, staring at the table. Tears where falling freely at this point. How could I have been so stupid, I remember scolding myself. Tyson was too great a guy to fall for someone like me. Sydney was a far better choice, I couldn't believe I even thought I could stand a chance with him.

"Alexa?" I jumped when I heard Evan's voice next to my seat. "Are you crying?" He asked with general concern.

"No!" I quickly snapped with a glare rubbing my eyes. He stepped back with a look of hurt. "Sorry," I apologized quickly my anger failing.

"I thought you were going to that party tonight," way to drive the knife further in.

"I thought you were to?" I threw back his question, he merely shrugged it off.

"I wasn't planning on going anyway," he smiled slightly.

"Well I guess I didn't feel like going either," I shrugged not making eye contact. He merely laughed at me, allowing me a small smile.

"So why were you crying? Don't say you weren't I know what I saw," he brought the conversation back to me.

"I just got some news is all," I snapped with a glare again. I signed at my anger. "Sorry," I apologized sincerely. "Today's just been more bad news after another,"

"Oh," Evan nodded like he understood. Silence followed as we both didn't know what to say. "Well I better get going," He finally spoke up, he had a bag of food in his hand. "My 'rents only sent me to pick up some pie," he held up the bag with a small smile. When I didn't answer he just turned and started towards the door.

"Evan wait!" I shouted before he walked out. Fumbling with my stuff I ran over to him where he waited holding open the door. "Where do you live?"

"About six blocks away," he said with a smile.

"Do you mind if I walk with you?" I smiled hopefully at him. "I'm not that big a fan of the dark," he chuckled at my blush at saying my fear of the dark. He nodded and we both walked, talking about anything really. He didn't bring up me crying again, and to tell you the truth I almost forgot about everything that had happened today. No, at that moment it was just me and Evan, laughing and joking around.