Chapter Text
Chapter 1 - A New Start
Your POV:
I raise my eyes to the school sign post which says "Hetalia High" in bold lettering. Who would have thought that starting a new school would be so nerve-racking (especially after attending so many other schools globally). When I say globally, I mean attending a different school in a new country every 6 months or so. This has led me to know several foreign languages as well as the different cultures that I have lived in. Even so, new schools are daunting, especially after not being in the country for nearly five years.
At least I know that my older brother and his childhood friends are attending the school as well - not that I need them to look after me. I mean, I'm going to be 17 this March... I think that I can handle myself OK.
Finally gaining the courage to take the first step into school, I look ahead to the new semester. I head to where the headmasters office is with all the possible greetings I could give to other students when I meet them... man, I sound like a real nerd right now (you'd think that I've never made any friends before). Gently knocking on the door, I hear an "enter" to which I reply by carefully opening the wooden door.
The room was filled with various works of art - none of them famous, they must be from the previous students. A large table sat in the centre surrounded with three chairs, two closest to the door and one opposite. There were a few photo frames on the desk facing away from me as well as a light blue and white vase with a bunch of daffodils placed artistically on the centre left of the table. A small name plaque sat at the edge of the desk closest to me with silver engraving saying, "Mr J Vargas".
The man sitting behind the quite intimidating desk had olive skin and brunette hair that curled around his face which complemented his honey coloured eyes. There were a few distinct curls sticking out - but that only added to the charismatic vibe that I received from his friendly smile.
"Ah, you must be the-a new student. (Your/Name)(Last/Name), I-a presume?" A thick Italian accent inquired.
"Um, yes... I was told to pick up my school timetable from here when I came through the entrance"I answered. My nerves were set at ease when his smile widened at my response.
"Of-a course, (Y/N)... Here-a you go. I've heard a lot about-a you from your-a brother. He seems very-a fond of you-a."He chuckled. I was slightly embarrassed to find out that my big bro had been talking about me to the headteacher - all I can hope is that those comments were all positive. Even with the embarrassment, though, I couldn't help but smile with pride. After not seeing my brother for so long, and now him speaking fondly of me makes me feel unique, in a way.
"Yes, well, if only I could speak of him in a similar manner." I said jokingly. This caused Mr Vargas to laugh heartily - it sounded like a deep rumble if you listened carefully.
"Anyway," He continued, "you better be-a heading to home-room now, unless you-a want to be late on your-a first day." I giggled slightly at the questioning face he pulled.
"No, I wouldn't want that to happen, Mr Vargas." The Italian grinned.
"There is no-a need for such formalities, miss (L/N). Call-a me Grandpa Rome, or just Grandpa if you wish. All the other-a students call me-a that." I was shocked, to say the least, that he would allow me to be so informal after only minutes of meeting him. Grandpa Rome obviously noticed my shock and laughed again before explaining,
"This school is-a like a family, (Y/N). You wouldn't call your-a close relatives Sir or Madam, would-a you?" I thought about it before smiling.
"I guess not. Well, have a good day, Mr Var-- I mean, Grandpa Rome." He smiled at my attempt, even though it sounded rather peculiar to be coming out of my mouth. He returned the gesture with a small wink and wave as I left the room. I didn't know whether to be flattered or creeped out. But, if anything, he was one of the nicest teachers that I had met in my life - and that's saying a lot. One of my teachers in Germany used to whack the end of your table if you so much as looked around the classroom.
Maybe this starting-a-new-school this won't be too bad, I thought as I began to decipher where my home-room would be and head in that direction. The corridors where now full of students, and a few of them gave me a look (you know, the your-a-new-student look). Some then went on to smile at me while others just continued on their own way. At least they don't want to start a fight with me or want me as an enemy.
I finally made it to my home-room and I stopped in order to gain my breath - it's not that I'm unhealthy, I'm just nervous. Tentatively, I reached for the door handle and began to turn the knob. Here goes nothing, I sighed inwardly as I pushed the door open with as much confidence as I could muster.