France's Daughter // Hetalia

Chapter Thirty-Two- The World I Once Knew (1)

Charlotte (Charlie, Lottie)

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"Uhm.. hi.. guys...", I wave awkwardly, looking around at all the eyes on me. This is exactly what I was afraid of. I just wanted to pop in from the background- not enter some kind of cult circle. 

I turn to the girls for some kind of explanation or support, but they quickly spread out, and start to push me towards the center. I stare at Francis, my blood boiling. He planned this. 

"Sit down, mon cherie", he smiles gently, patting the free space in front of him.

"What the hell is this?", I snap, shrugging the girls off of me. It's bad enough he planned some sort of intervention- but to order me around, now of all times!? "You have some balls-"

"Sit down!", Ivan yells, and I jump out of my own skin. 

He clears his throat, a quick blush spreading across his face as everyone stares at him in- not shock, but approval. Even Alfred seems a bit awestruck- which seems to bug Kiku. Nevertheless, I quickly sit in front of Francis, fingering a strand of hair to try and placate the nerves rushing through me. I went from angry, to scared- and now, I'm more confused than anything. What is he planning here? Lin Yi sets a hand on my shoulder, and I look back at her, only to see a worried smile across her face. Now I'm getting nervous...

"Charlie, there's something I've been keeping from you", Francis finally speaks, breaking the harsh tension from Ivan's shout. I look back to him, and let out a soft chuckle. What a surprise. "And- I need you to not lose your mind when I tell you this- I need you to stay calm, alright?"

I nod slowly, my eyes darting around the others for some sign of anything but worry. Everyone looks so on edge and frantic- as if I'll snap at any moment. I've never felt so powerful, yet helpless. 

"We...", he motions with one hand to everyone encircling us. "...Aren't human."

I blink- then burst out laughing. "Is this some kind of prank?", I ask, breathless and hysteric. 

Nobody laughs along with me. I guess they prepared beforehand. I never knew they were such good actors. Quickly, I clear my throat, and fold my hands in my lap, sitting up straight to try and play along. 

"Okay, so what are you? Aliens? Ghosts!?", I ask shocked and fearful, biting my nails playfully. "C'mon, what the hell is this", I ask, chuckling and looking around.

"We're the personifications of countries, Lottie", England pipes up, his words gentle and soft. "I know it's a lot to process, but-"

I can't help but burst out laughing again. "That would explain the diversity!"

I'm laughing so much, I have to wipe a tear from my eye. I'm not half as mad as I was before they started this. This is hysterical- I just wonder where it's going. I already figured out it was a prank, so why are they still going along with it? Maybe there's something I'm missing. 

"Charlie-", Francis takes my hands, but I quickly swipe them away. "...We're not kidding."

I look around, giggling like a school girl. This is too much- it's starting to get a bit weird. I don't like it much anymore. The smile fades from my face after a few minutes, and all I can do is look around, waiting for someone to finally crack and start laughing- but no one does. 

Eventually, he sighs, and looks towards Arthur, who nods as a response and quickly gets up. I watch him leave, and then arrive again- with someone familiar.

"Get off of me you stupid England!", the boy kicks and squirms, until Arthur finally lets him go. 

He skids into the center, in front of Francis, and looks down at me with curiosity. Where do I know him from..? I tilt my head, and he does the same. It's as if we're both trying to figure out where we know each other from.