How America Became America

27

Sorry, it's been a hot second.

Of course, the first thing the nations heard was sobbing. The scene opened up to Alfred sitting on his bed with a pocketknife in his right hand. His left arm was exposed.

"What if someone sees?" he asked seemingly no one.

"Glamours work wonders," Atticus's echoey voice told Alfred.

In response, a simple nod. He put the knife to skin, but before he could pull the trigger, a knock came from the door.

"Al?" Catalina asked through the door, trying to open it, but it was locked. "Whatcha doin' in there?"

"Nothing," he called out. "Just give me a minute."

He stashed the knife under his pillow and pulled his sleeve down. Then, he got up and opened the door. Catalina's eyes widened as she saw the state of
her big brother. She had something in her hand.

"Yeah?" he asked, his eyes still red.

"Al," Catalina said, her voice dripping with concern, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, just what is it?"

"Uh- um, you have a telegraph."

"Who's it from?"

"It just says Toris."

Alfred's eyes widened and snatched the telegraph out of Catalina's hand, acting like a child on Christmas. He quickly read the letter and he started smiling wider and wider. He finished and then rushed forward to hug Catalina, picking her up in the process.

"Toris is coming to visit!" he was now jumping like a little girl, while still holding Catalina.

"Put me down," Catalina tired, and subsequently was let go, falling to the floor. "Who is this Toris guy and why did you just drop me like a sack of potatoes?"

"Sorry," he helped her up. "He's another country I met while overseas. He's nice. He offered to be my friend. Now, that makes my friend counter up to three, though Ivan never officially became my friend, he's still my friend."

The nations watching felt guilty about the whole thing. Only three nation friends, only two 'official.' What an awful feeling.

Alfred looked back at the telegraph, reading over it again.

"He should be here within the week or so...." He read.

His head snapped up so fast it should've caused the nations to have whiplash. He quickly rushed out of his room and past Catalina, grabbing his coat and straight into his car. He quickly drove through the night and to the White House. He quickly got past security and straight to where the Wilsons slept. He knocked lightly on the door.

After a few minutes, Edith Wilson opened the door, still in her nightgown, causing Alfred to blush.

"Alfred?" she was probably wondering why her nation was at her door so late. "What are you doing here?"

"Is Woodrow doing any better?" was all he asked.

"I'm afraid not."

"Then Madam President, I would like to speak with you on perhaps taking a leave of absence."

She laughed lightly, "How many times do I have to remind you not to call me that?"

"About a dozen or so."

"Anyway, let's go somewhere besides my bedroom door to discuss this."

Before long the two were sitting in the kitchens eating a warm snack, oatmeal raisin cookies with milk. They were joking for a couple minutes before getting their little meeting on track.

"So, what's this about you taking a 'leave of absence?'" Edith asked.

"I have a friend coming to visit," Alfred explained.

"A friend? Who is this friend?"

She was acting like the mother Alfred wished he still had.

"Toris, he's a nation and-"

His eyes widened. He quickly looked around like he was expecting something.

"He just entered my land again," he said suddenly. "I have to go to New York anyway, so yeah, can I take that break?"

"Uh- um," she stammered, unsure of what was going on. "Sure, take as long as you need."

"Thanks!"

As he grabbed his jacket he kissed Edith on the cheek and rushed out to his car. He hopped in, top down, and drove off into the night, ending the scene.

"Who did you sense?" Arthur asked.

"Someone who does a lot of business in my land," was all he said before the scene started.

Alfred was lucky that he got a parking spot where he did. He was right outside of his apartment building. He hopped out and quickly headed in, he had
trouble turning the key into the building, but quickly enough he was in his small apartment.

It was cozy, believe or not. He had a small bed in the corner, a couch in the middle, and kitchen connecting on the far side of the apartment. It was a cozy studio. He quickly went to the closet and pulled out some clothes, changing into Amelia. She rushed out of her apartment and into bright city. She had a day ahead of her.