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“Hey PA…?” Virginia called out, voice sounding slightly nervous. “Can I talk to you?” She stepped fully into the room. “Hm?” Pennsylvania hummed. “Sure, what is it Virginia?” She asked, looking up from the book she was reading. “Remember when we were talking about how gay marriage got legalized and I asked were lesbian? I just realized you never actually answered my questions. So, are you lesbian?” She asked Pennsylvania, whom had started sweating slightly. “Why do you want to know? What makes you think I am?” She asked, voice shaking. “I remember you said you didn’t want a boyfriend one time. So I again ask, are you lesbian.” Virginia asked, shifting her position to block the door slightly. “That was a joke! I was joking!” Pennsylvania defended herself, voice rising in pitch. “That doesn’t answer my question.” Virginia said, stepping closer. “C-can you p-please drop th-this? Why do you even want to know so bad?” Pennsylvania said, stepping back slightly before feeling a hand on her turtleneck. “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania English! Just answer the question!” Virginia yelled, before getting shoved back by Pennsylvania, who was now crying and running out of the library. “Penn wait–” Virginia called, she looked at her hands. “Stupid.” She mumbled. “Why can’t I just control my anger. I know Pa hates when someone calls her by her full name, why did I do that?” Tears started welling up. “Maybe West Virginia is right, I do need therapy.” She whispered.
“Mom?” Virginia called out. “Yes Virginia?” United States asked. “I made Pennsylvania cry… I know I’m grounded, I know I am, but can you check up on her for me?” She said, looking down. “I’ll go check on her, and yes, you’re grounded.” United States said.
“PA? Can I come in?” Untied States asked. “Mhm…” Pennsylvania said, sniffling slightly. United States opened the door, sitting on the floor by her. “I know why you’re in here, Virginia said that she made me cry.” Pennsylvania mumbles, the red dragon wings on her head twitching. “She had asked if I was lesbian… I ask why… she said because I had said that I didn’t want a boyfriend once… I said I was joking… she said that I didn’t answer the question and grabbed my turtleneck and I asked if we could just drop this and she… she… called me my full name and told me to just answer the question and then I shoved her… so there.” She explained, tears welling back up. “Well are you?” Untied states asked. “You did say you didn’t want a boyfriend.” She said, wings flaring outwards slightly. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want.” She added on. “THAT’S the thing!” Pennsylvania yelled, crying again. “I don’t WANT a partner at all!” She admitted. “I don’t KNOW why, but the thought of having a partner doesn’t make me feel happy or something, it makes me feel… uncomfortable!” She yelled, sobbing now. “Don’t even get my started on… sex.” She gagged. “The thought makes me sick.” She mumbled. “But everyone wants a partner, everyone likes… doing that, right?” She asked, no hiding in her mom’s shoulder. “There there.” Untied states whispered, hugging the keystone state. “Not everyone feel wants a partner, not everyone likes that.” She whispered. “You know New Jersey also doesn’t want a partner or want to do that.” She mentioned. “New Jersey hate nearly everyone and everything, they don’t count.” Pennsylvania added slightly sarcastically. “That’s true, but what about West Virginia, Hawaii, Alaska? They don’t hate nearly everyone and everything and they also feel like that.” She added. “That’s what aroace means?” Pennsylvania asked, now looking up at her. “Yeah, it is.” She said. “Oh, I guess that’s what I am.” Pennsylvania said. They knew it would take a while for her to accept herself, but it was a start.