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

Chapter 42~!

"Aaand... we're here!" Feliks announced as the limousine rolled to a stop at the curb of a tall building with the word "Łukasiewicz" etched in the marble by the door. I gaped up at the height of the building, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

"Come on, Melina, we gotta get going!" Feliks pulled me inside by the arm and we were in the elevator in a matter of seconds. "Okay, rule number one: Try to smile a lot and look appealing. Rule number two: Be yourself."

"Wait, what?" I said, not really sure what was going on.

Feliks rolled his eyes with a groan. "Meli-na! You said you, like, needed me to coach you! That's what I'm doing!"

I shrugged. "Okay, sorry. I'm following you now. Culture shock and all."

"Oh girl I know. But anyway, when they're taking pictures you gotta, like, smile and look totally comfortable in what you're wearing. You gotta smile and, like, make what you and what you're wearing look totally awesome."

"Okay," I said with a nod. "And what do we do first to get me ready?"

"Practice."

~~~

"Okay, now, like, turn your head like this. A little more. No, too far, you totally look like you're, like,  tryng to see under your bed."

"I'm trying," I said through gritted teeth.

"I know, now, like, rotate towards me a little. Good, now, likem flash a smile. No, a smile, not a grimace. Jeez, Melina, that's, like, not very attractive at all."

"Well I'm sorry," I said exasperately. "I've never done anything close to what you're trying to teach me."

"Yeah, I can totally tell." Poland sighed and sat on the edge of the stage before turning around to face me again. "Is there something up with you? I think there's something, like, bothering you or something."

I shook my head and sat down with my legs crossed. "No, like what?"

"I don't know, a relationship, a family member? You haven't seemed totally relaxed at all."

"I'm just nervous, is all," I said. "I guess there's something about a relationship, and a family member, but it's complicated and I dunno if it's worth mentioning."

Feliks leaned forward with his chin in his hands and his elbows resting on his knees, looking at me intently. "Spill, girlfriend."

I looked surprised, and then sighed and shook my head again. "I don't know..."

"It'll help to, like, get it off your chest."

I rolled the thought around in my head, and then sighed, giving in. "Okay, I guess I'll tell you. I... like someone..."

"Ooh! I totally knew it!" Feliks said, clapping his hands together. "There's no way a girl like you wouldn't have liked someone!"

I smiled softly. "Yeah, but... I know he doesn't like me back. I overheard him saying so to... his brother, and I guess I felt disappointed when I heard him say it."

"Ooh," Feliks said, his tone dropping. "That is bad. Who is it?"

I blushed dark red and shook my head, looking down at the floor. "Oh no no no no, I am not saying who I like."

"Oh, please, Melina? I promise I will totally never say anything to, like, anyone! Ever!" he pleaded.

"No no no," I repeated, shaking my head even faster. "I couldn't, it would just- I mean, no way because you'd laugh- no one even knows who I like because he isn't noticed so why would it matter?"