Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 4: The First Day of Summer

Georgia. The 4th state was brought up out of conflict between Great Britain and Spain. As a British colony, she was seen as a border colony from Florida, used to relocate the overcrowded debtors and poor into her home. Because of her rough childhood, she had grown to toughen up, maturing to be one of the most hard-lined states in the country.

As one of the first states to enter the Union, she sees herself at the top of the hierarchy, often boasting her seniority among the younger states. Besides being one of the first states of the Union, she also brags about her other traits such as her culture, history, and cuisine. Proud to be a part of the South, she is known as the Queen of the South.

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The beginning of summer was drawing near. The Southern States have a tradition that gave them the excuse to cook a feast before the Fourth of July. That celebration dubbed the Southern Summer Solstice, the Southern States involved celebrate not only the beginning of summer but also Southern tradition. Although June 20th was on a Monday that year, the Southern States decided to celebrate on Sunday, dedicating it to outdoor activities, barbecue, and Southern music. It was Georgia's turn to host the party that year, so she was more than proud to show off who the true Southerner is.

"What is South?" Georgia questioned out loud.

"The opposite of North," Tennessee answered in a nonchalant grin.

He turned his head to see the southern lady inflating her cheeks like a puffer fish, crossing her arms like she was expecting more out of her neighbor.

"Idiot! I mean to us! Ya know what, forget that I asked." She turned her head away from the country playboy.

Sitting on a white rocking bench with the Tennessean, Georgia scanned from the back porch of her plantation-style home the party that spanned from the trimmed, emerald green yard to the ever-expanding, crystal blue lake. Her guests were not only enjoying themselves to the activities, but some volunteered to help prepare the summer feast.

Alabama was busy grilling the meat and vegetables at the two massive grills, doing his best to make sure everything was cooked correctly. Although he wasn't Georgia's first choice for pit master, to his credit he said he could do the job by himself. So if he were to burn a hundred dollars worth of meat, it's on him.

Next to Alabama at the white pavillon, Mississippi was set at the frying station. Missy was fidgeting in her spot, waiting for Louisiana to finish prepping the food with batter, not mention waiting for the right time to fry the food for it not to be too hot or too cold when it was time to eat. Asking for Louise to hurry for the twelfth time, all she received was Louise's complaints to shut her mouth.

Entitled to cook everything else, Louise had a ton on her plate. Not only battering the food for the fryer, she was also in charge of prepping the Brunswick stew, the lemonade and sweet tea, and whatever else that is needed. She knew she needed to batter and bread the food before it could get into the fryer, but for now she's focused on getting everything else ready until then. Hearing Missy ask another question, she barked at the impatient lady to help her chop the vegetables.

Meanwhile inside the house in the kitchen, Virginia volunteered to do all the baking, cooking up freshly made cornbread and whipping up a delicious peach cobbler. No doubt she's a good baker, but anything could go wrong. Last year, Mississippi made the mistake of putting the Carolina sisters in charge of baking. Her house nearly burned down that day.

Outside by the edge of the lake under a large, impressive oak, Kentucky was fishing in a lawn chair. Sleeping in the hot afternoon sun with the rod in his hands, he didn't notice his hook was empty an hour ago. Walking up to his fellow state, Arkansas called for Kentucky to help him prep the picnic table, nudging him to wake up from his deep slumber. Unfortunately, Kentucky is a hard sleeper, so it may be a while until he wakes up on his own. After a few attempts to wake him, Arkansas gave up, turning back to the house where he'll have to set the table on his own.