TheElementEarth

It was a boring class, third period History. No doubt about it, especially when you had other things on your mind. Obstructed from the teacher's view, a boy scribbled out a message to his friend. I talked to her... He shoved it across the table to his friend, who quickly picked it up and read it. The friend looked at the other, wide-eyed. About what? He quickly scratched out, handing it back. Life, was the boy's simple answer. It was true, but it wasn't the whole truth. The whole truth was nothing his friend needed to know. The boy gave the paper back. The friend gave the boy an irritated look, and then turned to the paper. Do you still l

The cold air cuts right to my bones as I walk to where he is. I haven't seen him in a month. Or two or three, but I'm not counting. I'm counting how long he's been gone, which is four months. I still haven't forgiven him for it, but our sons convinced me to go. I couldn't disappoint then by abandoning him completely. I see him, and smile a bit. Even if he's gone, I still love him. I walk over to him, and kneel in front of him. "Francis, it's been a while," I say. He doesn't respond. I look up at the sky. "I'm sorry I haven't come to visit in a while. It's been hard...since you left. The boys miss you, you know. Matthew has to sleep with me

I never sleep; the sun always bothers me in the day, and at night all I can think about are the things I regret doing. I don't even know what day it is. I can't tell them apart anymore. I remember the way home used to look, and ghosts of memories taunt me with that fact. Home wasn't much, but it was ours. I wish you'd come back. Tell me what I've done. I'll fix it, I'll change. If you come home. I don't need or want the scars and memories I have, but I carry them. I want to be rid of them. But it won't matter, because I'll be home. My nightmares, they haunt me, even in the daytime. I would lock the doors to keep them out, but I don't, jus

I'm so nervous my knees are hitting each other as I wait anxiously in a subway station. My ten thirty ride should be coming any minute now, and once I get on, there's no turning back. I'm finally going to see my mother, after five years of having her completely cut out of my life. It's been so long, and I feel so guilty for having left her on her own in the large, Victorian house where I grew up. I've changed so much since then, and I'm afraid she will not accept my returning. It was me, after all, who vowed never to set foot in the house again. It was me who left her in the house on the hill, all alone, with only the whistling wind and and

I knew I shouldn't have loved my brothers boyfriend. I knew Norway loved Denmark with all his heart, and vice versa. But I still loved Denmark anyway. He treated me like his son, cared for me and my older brother for years. After Norway was taken by Sweden, we became closer. Sometimes, I would say I had nightmares, just so I could spend the rest of the night with him comforting me. In retrospect, I realize he only comforted me because he felt he owed it to Norway to take care of me. But then, I thought he loved me, more than in a brotherly way. Every time he said, "I love you," I felt so amazing. But every time, when he ended the sentence

Sometimes I hate you. Sometimes I can't stand you. But I care for you, And I will never let anything hurt you. You are my family, My flesh and blood. I will protect you from All the horrors I can, Save you if you're in trouble, Catch you if you begin to slip. I will teach you right from wrong, Teach you tolerance, And how love is genderless, And how to be the best person You can be. Because over my dead body Will you be intolerant, Will you hate unreasonably, Will you choose the wrong path. Because you are family, And I care about you. -Love, Big Sister

"Will you miss me?" Norway asked Denmark, holding on tight to his lover, tears about to fall. "Yes, of course," he replied. Sweden was coming to take Norway away the next day. "I'm leaving at dawn," Norway said. "I know," Denmark said, tears gracing the corners of his eyes. "But I want to spend one more night with you, Norge." Without waiting for an answer, Denmark got out of Norway's grasp, and lead the smaller man to their bedroom. When they reached the bed, Denmark pulled Norway down beside him, wrapping his arms around his lover. They lay there quietly, until Denmark hears Norway's breath even out and knows he's asleep. Then the tear