What is... "Home?" (Hetalia Fanfic, W.A. '13 Finalist)

Chapter 38~!

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's good to be back," I said, stretching my blazer-covered arms over my head as I walked with Alfred and Matthew through the gates of the school. "Even with all the free time we got on vacation and all the work we gotta do here."

"It's okay, I guess," America said with a shrug. "Personally I liked vacation more. What's more awesome than video games and pizza and pop when you want it? And no homework!"

I nodded. "Yeah, I see where you're going with that. It was nice, but... this is kinda like my first home, y'know?"

They both looked at me, making me feel suddenly boxed in. "Um, well, that is, it's been my first one that's good and worth... living at... Why are you guys staring?"

"That was just really deep, dudette. 'Sall."

"Hey, no calling me dudette, remember? I'm Malcolm now."

"Oh, hey, that reminds me! I have an idea you gotta hear!" I heard Canada groan and facepalm but I shrugged.

"What is it?"

"What if instead of trying to make you a total guy, what if we-"

"I am not going to pretend to be an "It"," I told him.

"No, I wasn't gonna suggest that. I was gonna say why not pretend to be gay?"

I blinked. "Um, huh?"

"Yeah, you heard me. You could pretend to be gay so people aren't so ready to suspect you for being a girl." He grinned like it was the best idea in the world.

"What if it makes it awkward between me and some of my other friends?"

"Well then you're still in the closet about being gay, I guess."

"But then would it matter if people knew or not?" I shot back readily. "If I'm in the closet only the people who are prying would find out."

America looked stumped. "Well then, shoot my idea down, whatever."

"Hey, it's a good idea, Al. Maybe if I need to explain for looking girly I'll say I'm gay. It'll help in some way, so thanks for that," I said, trying to make him not so miffed and be sincere at the same time.

"... Yeah, okay. You're welcome, Malcolm dude."

I looped my arms with one of Al's and one of Matt's and pulled them along. "Come on, let's go to the dorms! I wanna get settled in again!"

~~~

"Wow," I said, taking a step back from my closet with my eyes wide.

"What's "wow"?" Canada asked as he came up behind me. "Oh, that's wow."

My closet was nearly overflowing with clothes and other things. Compared to last year, when it was so bare I could hide inside it with someone else my size, this was a big change!

"Ugh, I'm gonna have to hide these girly clothes." I pulled out a couple shirts and the dress, stuffing them way in the back.

"Hey, what's that?" Matthew asked, pulling the dress out again and holding it up. "When did you get this?"

"Um, France, Spain, and Prussia got it for me," I said, pulling out the shoes from the floor of the closet. "These go with it. I'm not sure why they got me them, though."

"I'll bet they've got something planned," Canada said somewhat suspicious-sounding.

"Should I be afraid? Very, very afraid?" I added.

Canada shrugged. "I have no idea, but maybe it won't be bad. After all, you handed their asses to them at New Year's."

I was perplexed. "Um, are you talking about drinking in the contest against them?" I asked.