Chapter 8

⚠Warning⚠  This chapter contains bullying!

(Germany's POV)

     It was later in the morning. Germany was usually a night owl, but he had been exhausted last night. His shoulder hurt, likely as a result of collision with the wall when his father shoved him into it last night. He figured it was nothing major, as it usually never was. Getting up and massaging his shoulder, Germany put on his white button-up and black slacks. It was his default outfit, and he usually wore it whenever it was clean.

     Germany gathered his things and put them into his backpack. He proceeded with his daily routine and headed downstairs. He looked and saw that his father was awake. He was fully dressed and was reading something in the newspaper. He acknowledged his son with nothing more than a sip of his coffee and a snarl. Germany grabbed a banana for his lunch and left the house without saying anything.

     Germany walked his usual route to school. He casually looked at all the houses he passed. He wondered where and how close Russia lived. He also wondered if the people who lived int he houses watched the star's at nighter and hoped for something better. Germany was almost so used to walking up to Israel's house that he almost stumbled over his friend. Israel was lying on the porch, wrapped in a blanket. For a spit second, Germany assumed the worst. Then, he saw his friend shift in his sleep. Letting out a sigh of relief, he gently shook Israel awake. Israel rolled over and yawned. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up.

"Good morning, Ger." He said sheepishly. Germany hadn't heard that nickname in a while, and he couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Morning. Did your parents throw another party?"

"No. A few of their friends are staying for a bit, and they were...well..doing it early in the morning. They were being kinda obnoxious, so I came out here."

Germany scoffed. "That's kinda gross. Did you get enough sleep?"

"Yeah, I think so. I came out here not too long ago."

     Yawning again, Israel got up and went inside to put his blanket away. After a minute, he came back outside. The two walked together like they usually did. Germany happened to bring up crushes in their conversation somehow.

" So, have you talked to Belgium lately?" He asked.

" Yeah.."

" How's it going between you two?"

"Good. I think she might be into me!"

" Really?"

" I think so. She hangs out with me a lot, and texts me too! We spend several hours on the phone together."

     Germany smiled at Israel. He was happy that his friend was happy. A sudden thought made his heart ache, but the thought left before Germany could address it.

"How about you and you know who?" Israel said with a wink.

" Really?" Germany said. " I told you, we're just friends!" Even as he said that, he felt his cheeks warm up a little.

" You're meeting him for lunch again, right? "

"Yeah, why?"

" I figured. To me, it almost sounds like a date."

"Israel!" Germany said, embarrassed.

" What? I'm just saying!" Israel replied playfully.

     Germany shook his head. He had to look away for a moment so he couldn't see that he was blushing. They were just friends.

     Israel was fully awake by the time they reached school. It was a perfect balance between warm and cool that morning, so they decided to sit outside instead of go inside immediately. There were a few benches placed outside, and the two sat down on one.They played games on their phones and watched birds. After a while, Russia and Japan showed up. Russia almost immediately went over to Germany to say hello.

"Hey, Germany!" Russia said, placing a hand on Germany's shoulder. It hurt for a moment, and Germany winced. Russia's gaze turned worried for a moment, but he brightened up quickly.

"Hey!" Germany replied. They proceeded to chat about random things like what they did after school and what classes they liked and disliked. Germany looked over at Israel, who crossed his eyes and gave him a goofy smile. Japan was also eyeing the two with a naughty smirk on her face. Germany, with his poor vision, thought he saw a 3rd country staring. He didn't know who, but whoever it was disappeared into the shadows.

     When it was time for class, Russia pulled Germany aside for a moment. Germany felt his heart beat slightly faster. He saw the concern in Russia's eyes.

"Hey, I noticed that you winced when I touched you..did I make you uncomfortable?"

"Oh, n-no, not at all! My shoulder just hurts a little that's all. It wasn't you."

"Okay..I just wanted to mark sure I didn't make you uncomfortable or anything."

"No you're good!" Germany tried his best to reassure Russia with a smile. It seemed to work, because Russia relaxed a bit more.

"Well, okay then. See you at lunch!" Russia said before walking away. Germany waved at him before heading to his class.

"Why did Russia want to talk to you?" Israel said when Germany walked into the classroom.

"Oh, it wasn't anything important. He thought that he made me uncomfortable when he didn't."

"What did he do?"

" Literally nothing."

"Huh. We have a project to do for science, and we need a group of four to do it. I figured we could maybe ask Japan and Russia to join? I mean, we're not in the same period, but the teacher said it didn't matter."

"Yeah, I think that's a great idea!"

"We'd have to get a group chat or something.  And we'd have to get together after school. I think Japan can do that."

"Yeah."

"You're just ready for lunch so you can see Russia, aren't you?" Israel teased.

"No!" Germany said defensively. Israel giggled as he saw Germany's cheeks turn red.

"You think this is funny?" Germany said with playful aggression.

"Yes, I do!"

●□●□●□

     Lunch came quite slowly that day. Germany didn't know if it was because he had lectures in his other periods before lunch or what, but time seemed to go at turtle speed. He was certainly ready to have a break. This time, they were going to walk out together. Russia had waited by Germany's locker. While they were on their way down the hall, Germany thought he saw a flash coming from the restroom.

" Russia, I need to stop by the bathroom real quick. I'll see you outside, okay?"

Russia nodded and went on his way. Germany slipped into the men's bathroom and looked around. The place seemed completely empty. Germany saw no trace of anyone being there. He was about to turn around and leave when a bathroom stall creaked open behind him. Out came a vaguely familiar country, but Germany couldn't tell who it was.

"H-hello" Germany said to the country. "W-who are you?"

"Call me your worst nightmare." The country replied darkly.

     In an instant, the larger country had Germany by the neck. He was banging Germany's head against the concrete wall. Germany tried to yell for help, but he couldn't make any noise at all. He could barely breathe. The other country punched Germany in the gut, which sent a small amount of blood trickling down from Germany's lips. He continued to punch Germany, who was gasping desperately for air. Tears started to fall from Germany's eyes. With a wide grin, the country dropped Germany and started to kick him. Germany could barely make a sound. More blood was coming out his mouth. He was lifted by the neck again, and the more he struggled, the tighter the country's grip got. He was punched in the face twice. After slamming Germany's head into the wall one last time, the country dropped him for good and left. Germany immediately crippled onto the cold, hard floor.

     Suddenly his shoulder was the least of his issues. For a moment, Germany saw Israel run towards him. He heard him yelling his name over and over.

And then he saw and heard nothing at all.

     (Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I realized that I have 3 chapters in a row that are from Germany's POV. To save my sanity, I may start and/ or finish the next chapter, which is from Russia's POV.)

Story word count: 1, 354 words