War's Edge

First Suspicions

Some time around midnight, an exhausted country stumbled into his house, tripping up the steps and flopping into his bed. His snores resonated around the room, but he slept to his heart's content.

America rolled out of bed, giggling childishly at his bedhead in the mirror. After combing his hair with his fingers, he changed out from his PJs and raced downstairs. Delaware was already awake and making breakfast for the states that chose to live here. Most states chose to live in one house together, and this one was the one deemed as the original thirteen colonies' house, along with any states too young to be alone or any state that simply wanted to visit. Hawaii lived here and often dressed for her own house's temperature rather than the chilling one at the thirteen colonies' house.

As usual, New York and New Jersey were arguing over a petty topic at the table. Delaware remained void of emotion, but America sensed that his state was in a good mood since Delaware seemed to easily move around the kitchen. Massachusetts walked in while reading a book, and like clockwork, the two brothers helped each other as Massachusetts grabbed the first plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon while Delaware drizzled syrup over the pancakes. Both New York and New Jersey paused their argument to mutter a quick 'thanks' to Massachusetts before quickly raising their voices again. Rhode Island wouldn't wake up early, so Delaware covered her plate in foil and put it in the fridge.

"America!" Hawaii exclaimed.

"Hawaii! How's my little sister?" America asked, having recently gotten back from a business trip.

Hawaii hugged her brother tightly.

"Connecticut said I got a little taller! Oh, and I made this!" Hawaii excitedly said, pointing to a decent picture on the fridge of Hawaii, America, and Tony all holding hands.

Georgia and South Carolina arrived, both giggling and talking in varying southern accents. North Carolina scowled at her sister, but stalked toward America and kissed his cheek.

"Welcome back," she muttered, then as if she had never shown that she missed him, she turned up her nose and grabbed her breakfast. Maryland could be heard in the adjacent room tuning her viola while Pennsylvania warmed up her voice.

Then, Virginia ran into the room, dragging New Hampshire with her. New Hampshire was as void of emotion as Delaware, so they got along nicely, and both often kept their siblings in check.

And that, along with Hawaii, was the original thirteen colonies' house. America was confident in the knowledge that his states would be there for each other. He had united them, and they lived as a family, bickering and laughing together.

"Could you play my tuning note?" Pennsylvania politely asked.

Maryland played a single note, drawing and pushing her bowstring back and forth. The crisp note paired with Pennsylvania's sweet voice soothed America, giving him a much needed break from his usual hyper self. New York seemed to protect his food as if it were his last meal, and for good reason, because the other states would pick food off each other's plates if you weren't paying attention. Delaware, surprisingly, was the main state to blame for this. Some of the younger states wouldn't want to upset him, but as they grew up, they realized that Delaware was just messing with them in his own emotionless way.

He and New Hampshire kind of remind me of Sweden...

"Maryland! Pennsylvania! Breakfast is ready!" Hawaii called.

The music came to a halt as both states entered the kitchen. There were only two tables pushed together to be one in the middle of the room, but in a storage closet, more folded tables sat in case of guests. America was usually in a rush, needing to be somewhere or do something as soon as possible, but seeing as he had a free day, he used his utensils instead of treating his breakfast like finger food.