We Are North America (The Great North American War)

Fighting

The states, cities, territories, and capitals' almost jumped for joy as they watched their older sister walk through the door.

Was she here to save them?

"Big Brother, where am I going to sleep?" Maria asked innocently, "Are there any rooms left?". She had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at her words.

She noticed her younger siblings' eyes widened, a lot of them looked like they wanted to cry.

She quickly winked at them causing them to look hopeful again.

John turned and smiled at her, "Of course their is," He looked at the states, "Vermont!!" He yelled.

Vermont quickly jumped and rushed over to him, "Yes s- I mean Big Brother!!" He corrected himself quickly.

John's eyes narrowed at him, he started to raise his hand up a bit.

Maria watched it and raised her fist up to knock out John if he laid a finger on Vermont.

John quickly put his hand down, remembering Maria was there, "Go put Maria's bags in the empty room next to yours."

Vermont quickly nodded and rushed upstairs with the bags.

John looked back at Maria, "I have some paper work to do, I'll be in my room if you need me. They'll," He pointed at her younger siblings, "Show you."

Maria faked a smile and nodded and he walked away. She dropped it when she was sure that he was gone and wouldn't come back.

As she looked around at her siblings, her heart broke. About half of them had bruises or black eyes.  

"Mar, why are you here?" Alabama and Delaware asked at the same time.

Before Maria could answer, John started to yell from upstairs, "Everyone up to bed!!! NOW!!!" He came down stairs, "Except you Maria, I could save the paperwork for later and we could talk, if you want."

Maria quickly shook her head, "No thanks Johnny," She faked a yawn, "I'm pretty tired myself, I'll see you in the morning," She started to walk up the stairs.

Her younger siblings started to follow their big sister so if John tried to hit them or anything, they had some protection.

Once they got upstairs, Maria hugged them and whispered, 'It's gonna be okay," in their ears.

Most of them fought the urge to cry in their sister's arms and went to their rooms.

Maria looked at her only sibling she didn't hug.

South Carolina.

She had stepped away before Maria could give her a hug. She didn't think she deserved one.

After all she did.

"Courtney?" Maria asked.

"I'm fine Mar," She said with her voice cracking, before rushing to her room.

Maria sighed and walked to her room, she understood why her sister had acted the way she did. She really didn't hate Courtney at all, she wished she knew that.

She looked around the room and sighed.

It didn't feel right.

This didn't feel right.

Usually when she was staying over at one of her older brothers' houses, she felt like she was at home, like she was safe. She felt comfort.

But this wasn't home.

And she didn't feel safe.

Or comfort.

And John wasn't her brother.