Those American Kids

The Challenge

WARNING: DRUG USE IN THIS CHAPTER AND CURSE WORDS

Illinois laughed nervously as he looked up at the angry Californian. "Oh no, that's not what I meant to say at all!"

California closed his eyes and tried to take control of his breathing. "I didn't burn Penny, okay? New York is lying to you." It was so hard to keep his voice steady and calm. That was to be expected after finding out that your own brother was smearing your name and calling you a cold blooded murderer.

"Sure, Cali, I believe you." Illinois nodded with a nervous smile.

California opened his tired golden eyes. "Whatever. I don't need you to believe me." The taller state walked past the other and sighed. Ever since Pennsylvania was found after the fire, his whole family acted differently around him. Well, there was one state who treated him the same. The tall male smiled while thinking about his beloved Flordia.

Illinois watched the Californian walk away and sneaked back into New York's room. He followed the sounds of excited chatter to the bathroom. He poked his head in to watch Missouri snort up a line of cocaine on the cold bathroom counter.

New York looked up and smiled up at Illinois. "Hey, Bud, welcome back! What took you so long?"

Illinois walked into the luxurious bathroom and smiled at his older brother. "Oh, I just ran into California so I had to get rid of him."

New York grinned and held onto Illinois's shoulder. "Good! I can't believe America still lets him walk around here after what he did to Pennsylvania."

Illinois nodded and saw an opening for the next line of cocaine. "I know right!" He walked away from New York with a grin as he focused on the white drug. He failed to notice the very satisfied smirk on his older brother's face.

~~~

California entered the kitchen with a bright smile on his face. He was looking for Flordia and he finally found him. His lover was sitting at the counter talking to none other than America himself. This made California's smile disappear faster than a drop of water in the desert. He stood at the opening and decided to listen into the conversation before walking over.

America pushed his sunglasses up as he studied his son. "Okay, how about that scar?"

Florida tried to look down at the light pink scar gliding down his collarbone. "I'm sure that one was from Bloody."

"Your pet alligator?" America asked with a dazzling, bright, white smile.

Flordia laughed a bit and smiled back at his father. "That's right!"

California decided that the conversation seemed harmless enough so he could slip in without anything awkward coming up. He breezed his way into the seat next to Flordia with a gentle smile on his face.

America smiled back at his golden state. "Oh there you are, Cali! Guess who isn't going to jail because their father dropped the charges! That's right! It's you!" America's smile had a hint of anger behind it, but that was the only piece of sarcasm California picked up from his demeanor.

California sighed and looked straight at his father's plastic, lifeless, black sunglasses. "Dad, it's been a month. That's how long I've been blamed for what happened to Pennsylvania. Don't you think if I actually did it, I would have confessed by now?" His pearl white hands begged with his father as he grew more exasperated. "I'm going to tell you this one more time, okay?" His usually smooth voice cracked as he watched his father give him every ounce of his attention. "I didn't hurt Pennsylvania. Now, can we drop this? I'm tired of talking about it."

America nodded while silently making a strong drink for himself. He took a long sip and sighed, "Sorry, California, but you were the last known state with Pennsylvania, so it's very suspicious."