Two sides of a different coin (Rusame)

Dizzy World

TW: starving 

   I heard Dad come home. I ran downstairs. “Dad!” He looked at me, “Priyet rossiya”. “What's for dinner,” I asked. USSR looked down. “Nothing.” Nothing?! How is the state giving us nothing? “Why are we getting nothing,” I asked. “Capitalist pigs who refuse to do their part,” he said. I felt horrible for my dad. He works so hard, just to not eat. I hugged him. He hugged back. 

***

   “Dad what do you mean we have no food,” Ukraine exclaimed angrily. “I can't control that people are lazy, I'm sorry,” he responded. I walked upstairs to practice more. I tried not to think about food. All I could think about was some good ol’ Soviet soups. My stomach started to hurt, yet for different reasons. I still practiced even if they hurt. I practiced until I fell asleep next to my only real friend, the piano. 

   My alarm clock went off, and I groggily turned it off. I walked out of my bed and changed into school clothes. Then I ran into the bathroom. I walked out ready to leave. I grabbed my backpack over my shoulders and ran to the bus. I sat next to america. I don't know what to think of him anymore. I guess he isn't the worst, even if he is capitalist. “Hi,” I said to america. “Hello,” he said. 

   “So how are things,” I asked him. “They are,” he paused, “ok.” The pause was odd. It was like he had to think about it. I should ask again. “Are you sure,” I asked. “Mhm.” Ok I guess he probably is just “ok”. I looked at him. He had a hair sticking out. I moved it to fix his hair. “um.. thanks,” he said awkwardly. The bus stopped suddenly. As I did I fell towards him. I reached out my arm to stop the fall. I pushed my arm back. “Sorry, it was the unexpected stop,” I said. America turned to the window, but didn't move. “No no it's fine.” I really hope he doesn't see me as a perv now. The awkward silence is very uncomfortable. 

   The bus finally reached school and I stepped out. I walked to my homeroom on the way to see China and North Korea. I walked up to say hi. “He is so annoying I just ignore him,” China said. Russia laughed then said, “for real.” Are they talking about me or someone else? Probably someone else. “Hello comrades.” They still disregarded me. “Hello?” I said in case they couldn't hear me. They walked away. I ran to class since the bell was about to ring. I can't believe I wasted my hallway time on them.

   I sat down at my desk. I couldn't stop thinking about my “friends”. Even if they were fake I still cared about them. I didn't want to, but I did anyway regardless of whether I wanted to or not. 

***

   I got in the lunch lines alone again. “Do you wanna sit with me at lunch?” I jumped in surprise, and looked behind me. The American who was behind me giggled. “Um.. sure,” I said. It's better than being alone I guess. I suddenly started feeling very dizzy. The walls were moving. The floor was moving. Everything was shaking and I couldn't walk straight. “Russia?” “Are you ok,” America said. My stomach hurt as I tried to hold onto the wall. “Russia!? Russia, are you ok,” America said. My stomach hurt worse as I felt like I was about to throw up. I almost fell onto the floor. Suddenly I felt something behind me as America kept me from falling. He put his arm around me to help me walk.

   “Did you eat today,” he asked. “No.” “When's the last time you ate,” he said softly. “Yesterday in the morning,” I admitted. He put his arms around me, and picked me up. I didn't know he was this strong. I put my arounds and legs around him hoping I don't fall. I put my head on his shoulder, as he cut the lunch line to get me food as fast as possible. I started getting dizzier and my arms started to slip. He put his arms around me. I guess this capitalist really cares about me. 

   I never really had anyone who wasn't my family care about me this much. My friends ignore me. He grabbed her food with one hand. He ran to the closet seat and sat down next. He put the food in front of me as I ate it fast. “Are you still hungry,” he asked. I still was, but normally I'm always hungry. “Yes, why?” “Want to get McDonald's with me after school,” he asked. Is he asking me out or is this as a friend? I am really hungry. If I ask, I might ruin my chance. “Sure, but please don't tell anyone.” “I won't.” 

***

   I walked outside, and saw america. “Are you ready,” he asked. “Yes.” We started walking to McDonald's. Then I realized how I will get home after this? “America?” “Yes, Russia,” he asked. “How will I get home,” I asked. “Where's your house,” he asked. “Communist drive, street 5, house 5462,” I said. “That's pretty far away,” he added “I'll get my driver to drive you.” Does he have a driver? He really is rich.

   When we reached the McDonald's I ordered a cheeseburger and fries. As we sat down I scarfed it down. “Thank you,” I said while eating a handful of fries. I dipped them in ketchup. “You have something on your cheek.” He rubbed his hand off his cheek getting the ketchup off. I wish he would touch me more. I like when he does it's comforting in an odd way. I wish my hand stayed on my cheek. 

   It would be embarrassing to ask that. Yet no one would know it's only us and the McDonald's worker. Maybe I could get him to, without asking. I pretended to accidentally get ketchup on my cheek again. “Why are you putting ketchup on your cheek,” he questioned. I felt my cheeks heating up as I got embarrassed, he noticed. I couldn't even think of a lie to come up with. I guess since no one else is around not much can happen. “I guess I just wanted you to clean it off. It sounds stupid but-” He wiped it off with a napkin, then rubbed my cheek again. I felt my face heat up more in a good way, and I leaned my head on his hand. “You're not telling anyone about this right?” “Of course not. I don't think my parents France or UK would approve of this… whatever this is,” he acknowledged.