11I punched Prussia in the jaw. He stumbled, then dodged when I swung at him again. We weren't really fighting, this was training. I know everyone else thinks Prussia is a total jerk, and I know that because a few people have told him he shouldn't hit a girl. Truthfully, I was the one who talked him into this.
"Hey, Prussia! Had enough yet?" I asked him, breathing hard. Prussia laughed his adorable kesese laugh. Really, it was so cute! He punched me in the jaw while I was distracted with those thoughts. I heard him laugh again.
"Aw, am I too much for the poor little America? You're the one who looks like you've had enough." he taunted. I shook my head and glared playfully at him. He smirked down at me and offered a hand to help me up. "But I will let you have a break, since you really need it." he added. I took his hand and he pulled me to a stand. I huffed.
"I don't-" I began, but Prussia was already walking away.
"If you don't accept my awesome offer, then go get a group and we can practice your marching again. Otherwise, take the rest." he replied, obviously knowing how much I hated marching practice and wanting me to take the rest.
It's strange how Prussia knows when I need a rest, even if I don't know it myself. I stood and winced at the pain that had started to set in. Wow, Prussia was right, I do need a break. I sighed as I slowly retreated to my less than comfortable cabin, to lay on my less than comfortable cot.
I followed Prussia through the forest. He claimed he knew these woods like the back of his hands, but we were clearly wandering in circles. I didn't question him though, I would wait for him to ask for help. I just hope he asks soon, because I'm really not feeling so well today.
I haven't felt well for a couple days, but I didn't say anything. I'm not a wuss who can't handle a headache and an itchy throat. I'm fine other than that, and I'm pretty sure that's just from the scars of war and land being taken. Sure, it was winter and I don't think I've recently had land stolen, but... I'm not weak, I'm not getting sick like a lot of my soldiers have.
"America?" Prussia asked. I looked up and noticed I couldn't see him anymore. I hurried forward and almost ran into Prussia, who was walking back toward me, probably to get me. I laughed quietly, but felt like a total idiot. Prussia snickered.
"Daydreaming again, are ya brat?" he asked. I stuck my tongue out at him, then coughed quietly. I tried to make it sound like clearing my throat, but that just made me cough again. Prussia looked at me and I waved my hand as a signal not to ask, quickly putting an end to the little mini coughing fit by clearing my throat.
"So, you lost yet?" I asked, looking at him. Prussia laughed.
"The awesome me can never get lost! We're just going for a long walk away from camp!" he replied. I raised an eyebrow.
"Is that why we've been wandering in circles around Valley Forge for the past hour and a half?" I asked, judging the time from the new posistion of the sun, which was sinking. Prussia looked at me with a blank look on his face, obviously dumbfounded. Then he nodded, as if he'd known all along.
"Of course! It took you this long to notice? This was a test, you were supposed to wonder why the whole time, so I could see if you even paid attention!" he hissed, though I knew he was lying. I rolled my eyes, which caused him to grab my ear.
"Ow, hey!" I whined, not liking the punishment as he turned and lead me by the ear through the forest.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, America! I thought we had that established!" he replied quickly, leading me. I sighed, pouting. Of course he chose now, when I didn't feel well, to actually punish me. It might have something to do with the fact that I also made him look like an idiot just now.
"Ow! Dude, OW! I'm sorry!" I whined, that ear feeling sensitive from the cold wind it had been exposed to before being grabbed by Prussia. Prussia snickered.
"This is really all it takes to make you cry? Sad, America, really sad." he teased. I pouted, crossing my arms. I really felt cold, and sore. I stumbled slightly, my foot hitting a root. Prussia released my ear and looked back at me.
"America?" he asked, his voice kind of fading as he said it. I stared down at me feet, kind of out of it... After a moment or so, the world went black.
I woke up on my cot, feeling sore and cold. I looked down at my arms, gasping when I saw the rash. Oh my God, do I have... There is no way... "They said you have smallpox." Prussia mumbled. I yelped and turned to see him standing in the doorway of the cabin. I stared at him for a moment, then shook my head.
"Get out of here, you'll get sick!" I whimpered, not wanting him to get sick because of me. Prussia shook his head.
"I've already had it, can't catch it again." he replied. I sighed, leaning back. Now I just didn't want him to be here because I felt stupid. How had I ignored the symptoms? Aches, fever-
"How long have you felt sick?" Prussia asked, sounding slightly annoyed. Great, now I'm in trouble for keeping my stupid silence!
"A while. I just thought it would go away, I didn't think it was smallpox. Now I just feel like an idiot for ignoring the damn symptoms." I admitted. Prussia nodded.
"Ja, you are an idiot." he agreed. I looked at him as he approached me. "And now you're a sick idiot. Now rest, we don't want the little country to be out of the war with something she probably got from the British." he added, feeling my forehead. I looked up at him quietly, feeling my throat tighten up and my cheeks get pink. He smirked at me, watching my face.
"Miss Amelia, I have something to tell- Oh, I didn't mean to interupt." General Washington's voice called from the entrance. Prussia literally jumped away, as if something had shocked him and I looked toward the General as soon as the Prussian was out of my veiw. I laughed nervously.
"You didn't interupt anything, what is it?" I asked. General Washington had a frown fixed on his face as he approached.
"We have proof that the British are spreading smallpox to our troops on purpose." he replied. Instant anger filled me. England had given this too me on purpose!? How dare he!
"What are we doing about it!? Damn it, I won't let them make us do this just so they have another weapon for war!" I hissed. General Washington looked surprised for a moment, having heard me cuss. Prussia was the only guy I had cursed around, since I knew he found it funny. I glared at Washington. "Don't look at me! Go do something to prevent this, damn it!" I snarled, pointed toward the door. Washington shook his head and excused himself awkwardly, leaving.
"Wow, is somebody cranky when they're sick?" Prussia asked, trying to make a joke. I could hear anger in his voice though, too. I glared up at him, still angry. He walked over and put his hand on my forehead, doing something I never thought of him as. He was gentle. He gently pushed me down so that I was laying down. I looked up at him, about to protest. Prussia shook his head.
"You need to rest, America. You're sick, and I want you back in fighting condition as soon as possible."
Note : DONE! You have no idea how hard it was to write this chapter! I wrote this chapter five times, and wouldn't save it. Finally, I copied it and pasted it, so it worked. Now, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!