Alstroemeria

Chapter 4

         Waking up in a cold sweat is not a pleasant way to start off at your first day in school. You were shaking, your heart was racing, you were dizzy, your fingers were numb, you were having a hard time breathing. You were terrified.

         Oh..

         Oh...oh no..

         You realized you were having a panic attack. You had a nightmare you hadn't had for decades. Something must've triggered it. It was Alfred, wasn't it. Seeing the man whose army was responsible for demolishing your sister brought up agony in your life that you thought you left behind.

         At this point you were calming down a little, you got up and shakily walked to your bag at the foot of your bed. Collapsing in front of it you dug through it looking for medicine, when you found it you popped a few pills and downed them dry. By now you were awake. Nothin' like a panic attack to wake you up in the morning1.

         You knew you wouldn't be able to fall asleep, so you decided to unpack. Stumbling around in the dark you turned on the lights. Cringing at the light you began unpacking your clothes into the closet.

         You were about done and got to a little paper ball. You smiled fondly at it. Grabbing it out you began to unwrap it as you sat on your bed. Inside was a small necklace your sister made for you. It wasn't the prettiest but it meant everything to you.

         Its funny, isn't it? Death. When your sister was alive you never wore it, it embarrassed you. You never wanted to eat her cooking, it wasn't the best. But once she was gone you began wearing the necklace every day. It was the most beautiful thing on earth to you. You ate any leftovers in your fridge she made, it was delicious.

         You didn't realize you were crying until a tear landed on the pendant of the necklace, sliding off onto your thigh. You wiped your 'sweating' eyes and got up, putting the necklace on. As you got dressed you couldn't think of much but your sister. Claudia2. That was her name. It was tattooed above your left elbow. Claudia.

         You were dressed. You grabbed the manila folder from your nightstand and began to head for the door.

         The elevator ride was boring, long, uneventful. Once down you noticed a man and a girl at the front desk. You recognized them as Switzerland and Liechtenstein. You had met Liechtenstein at a festival in Belvisida long ago. To you, you were acquaintances, to her, you were friends.

   "Ah! Miss Levitra!" The front desk lady, America's Boss, waved you down.

         You walked over to her, nodding silently at the two others at the desk. The man scoffed, the girl smiled.

   "Hello." Your voice shook ever so slightly, the effects of the panic attack not fully worn off. No one seemed to notice, and you were glad.

   "Miss Vogel3 here needs a roommate!" She was cheery as ever. You were confused.

   "Doesn't she have her own dorm?" Every country does, right?

   "Well yes, but no.. Her dorm seems to be infested with roaches. We've managed to close off the infestation to Miss Vogel's dorm only, but it will be a while before we manage to get rid of it."

   "I see..." You knew where this was going. From what you heard of Switzerland and Liechtenstein you knew Liechtenstein to be kind, but her brother was very protective. You were willing to room with her if Switzerland would allow it.

   "I was wondering if Miss Vogel could-" The front desk lady began.

   "I told you, my sister can room with me." The swiss man interrupted her, he was obviously frustrated. First their flight was delayed, next Liechtenstein's room is infested.

   "Mister Zwingli, please. I told you, separate genders may not share a room, even if you are siblings." As Switzerland was about to speak a glare from America's Boss shut him up. "Now then, will you let Miss Vogel room with you?"

   "Well, yes, I suppose, is Mister Zwingli okay with her rooming with me?" You questioned.

   "Vell.."

Other:

   1. Belvisida has had many panic attacks since the loss of her sister. Mostly after nightmares. It is the same nightmare each time: the one when the attack is replayed over and over, and she only hears her sister's last words.

   2. I just searched random names, if this is your name, feel free to change it.

   3. Himaruya mentioned Vogel to be a possible surname for Liechtenstein. Her name will be Elise Vogel.