Two sides of a different coin (Rusame)

The beginning of the end (the last chapter)

   I walked into the bus. Like Russia always does, he sat next to me. I don't even want to date him anymore. He broke my trust and used me. “Why are you sitting next to me?” “You're my boyfriend America. Why are you acting so strange,” Russia replied. “No I'm not.” “So you're denying it?” “No, I'm breaking up with you.” Russia looked at me heartbroken. “America please don't make this rash decision,” Russia said. “Oh you wanna talk about rash decisions? The only decisions you made in the relationship was to sit there and look pretty. While I did everything for you,” I said angrily. I don't know if I really meant it, but I felt it. “You're f×cking rich as sh×t! The least you could do is make sure I don't DIE!” “You're siblings don't seem dead do they,” I scoffed. “It's not like you'd care if they were. I doubt you even have a heart,” Russia said coldly. “If they started dying I bet you wouldn't even know what to do without having everything spoon fed to you,” I snapped back sharply. “Sure rich boy.” “At least I have a personality outside of my status!” Russia fell silent.

  I guess this is winning an argument. I don't see how people like this. I don't feel any better. I sighed looking down. With each word that he said it felt like the warmth of our relationship fell cold and bitter. The heavy tension in the air made me feel like my lungs were tight. I couldn't seem to get all the air to my lungs. The bus stopped at school after what felt like an eternity. Canada got off and walked with me. “I heard everything,” Canada said. “You won't tell Dad right,” I pleaded. “Nah, I'm surprised you dated the guy everyone told you not to.” “I can see why now,” I admitted defeat. “So how long was the relationship,” Canada asked. “This is a random question, but a whole two weeks.” He started giggling. “WHAT IT WAS A SERIOUS TWO WEEKS!!” “Sure it was.” Canada looked at me. “Do you wanna skip school to get poutine today,” he asked. “But what will we tell Dad?!” “We will pay the school to shut up,” he said.

***
   We walked into a Canadian restaurant. We sat down at a table, and a waiter came up. “What drink will you guys be getting?” “I'll have water,” I said. “Me too,” Canada said. The waiter walked away. “What food are you getting,” Canada asked. “Probably Montreal Bacon,” I said.”I'm gonna get poutine.” “Wow, what a shock,” I teased. “So why did you and Russia break up?” “Um… he stole Dad's money for the school,” I explained. “What's the problem? We have basically infinite money,” he asked. “The problem is he broke my trust! Besides we help everyone, yet no one helps us!” “It's the right thing to do, America!” “Dude it's my relationship so it is my choice,” I said. “Yeah you're right, sorry.” We got our drinks then ordered the food. “I hope it doesn't take too long,” I joked. “Haha me too.”

***
   We got our food. I took a bite of my bacon. It was savory, but glazed in sweet sticky maple syrup. The sweet and savory mixed into a tasty bliss. “This is very good,” I said with my mouth full. “Yeah they serve pretty good food,” Canada said. “I agree!”

***
  I flipped onto my bed poignantly. I don't know if I'll ever have a real friend. I don't even know if Korea will care about me if I never bought her anything. I don't know if Russia would have ever cared about me if I didn't buy him anything. He tries to act oblivious to the topic but he wasn't oblivious to one thing. I don't know he wasn't who I am outside of money anymore. It's all everyone cares about and I have it all. Maybe it's different because I don't understand what people do and have to do for money. I've never struggled financially a day in my life. I've never worried about what I'll eat or where I'll live. I'll never know the feeling of earning a first paycheck to buy something you've been wanting. I guess that's what sets me off from my own community.

   I got up and walked to the mirror and looked into it. A stranger that looked like me stared back distressed with tears in his eyes. I don't know who I am without the money. I don't know what a relationship without financial dependentance feels like. I don't know how to make a real friend. In all these 16 years of being trapped in a stranger's body I don't know anything about myself. I feel like I'm a stranger. Maybe Canada knows something about me. I knocked on his door.

   “Canada?” “Come in.” He was sitting at his desk drawing. “Canada, can you tell me about myself?” “Um… sure that's a weird request. You are very compassionate and… and…,” he trailed off. Can he really not think of anything? “Is this for an assignment or anything?” I don't know how to explain this to him. “No, I um…,” I took a breath trying to make this easier. “I don't know who I am.” “I was to know,” I added shakily. “You can find out from trying out hobbies, and making friends. Those friends' personalities will rub off onto you a little, giving you some.” “How do you even make long lasting friendships,” I asked nervously. “You have one with Korea?” I guess that is true, but I don't know how true we are. “What about me losing my boyfriend?” “You need time to focus on yourself. You even know the person you lived with for 16 years.”

   He is right I guess. I think drawing is a hobby of sorts. I picked up a pencil and started making shapes into a person. My person didn't look very human-like, but I'm a beginner. I felt a little excitement in my chest like I forgot my problems to enter the art world. One door closed, but one thousand just opened.