Thanks to all who have read/reviewed/favorited/followed this fanfic of mine. Also, even though her husband is deceased, I'm keeping Klara's mom as Mrs. Abbing. This is partly due to my lack of imagination for a motherly name, but for now, I just like her as Mrs. Abbing. Also, there's a little surprise mixed in here~! Please enjoy chapter 2~!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN Hetalia. I only own the OC's.

Chapter 2: Growing Up and Making Friends

A few years passed and Klara was now in the second grade. Granted, she was at a school meant just for blind people, but a school is a school. She was considered a genius within the community, mainly because she was able to master Braille in both English and German by the time she was only four years old. Now that she was seven, she had learned three other languages and was currently mastering her fifth language, her first being German, closely followed by English, then French followed by Spanish and now she was working on perfecting her Italian.

The high school her mother teaches at is a branch school from the famous K-College level school called Hetalia Academy and is known for its variety of students. Her mother had quickly befriended the French professor there, a Mrs. Suzette Bonnefoy. She has a son that's only two years older than Klara and his name is Francis Bonnefoy, but his nickname from Mrs. Abbing and Klara is 'Franny'. He had quickly found out about Klara's unusual albinism, but it only endeared the little girl to him. He couldn't help but think of her as his precious younger sister.

Once when he and his mother were walking home with the family of two from Klara's day care, Francis spotted some mothers out with their young ones gossiping and staring and pointing at the widowed mother and her blind child. Feeling protective and angry all of a sudden, Francis scooped Klara up into his arms and set her on his shoulders, making sure she had a good grip on him before he continued walking with Mrs. Abbing and Mrs. Bonnefoy as if nothing had happened. Sending a hidden glare towards the gossiping females, Francis stuck his tongue out at them, not caring one bit if his mother reprimanded him for bad manners (though she secretly praised him when they got home).

The second teacher that Mrs. Abbing found a friend in was the Spanish professor. Her name is Rosa Carriedo and she also has a son. Her son is best friends with Francis, and his name is Antonio Fernández Carriedo. Not one for being left out of a situation involving his amigo, he tagged along one day after his mother had come to pick him up from the Elementary section of the Hetalia Academy Branch School. Both him and Francis are in the fifth grade, but they're in different classes so they can only meet during lunch or recess- or any other time that they aren't in school for that matter. So after they were picked up by their mothers, and another woman Antonio hadn't seen before, the three women started talking with each other, discussing the behavior of their students that day.

Antonio talked with Francis. While they were talking though, Antonio noticed that his mother was starting to break off from the group.

"Hey mama, puedo jugar a la casa de Francisco?" Antonio asked Mrs. Carriedo.

Stopping in her tracks, Rosa looked at her son before asking Mrs. Bonnefoy if it was ok for los chicos to play together. Saying that she didn't see why they couldn't, Mrs. Carriedo thanked Madame Bonnefoy. Turning to her son, she fixed him with a stern look that clearly said goofing off and causing trouble for the French woman would result in punishment. Nodding his head in understanding, Antonio rejoined the two teachers and his friend.

After a good twenty-five minute walk (yes, Antonio had counted), he found himself staring up at a large white building. Turning his head, he tried to catch a glimpse of a sign that would tell him just where the group of four had travelled to. Noticing his friends' wandering stare, Francis spoke up.

"Mon ami, what's wrong?"

"Ah, n-nothing! Hehe, just wondering where we are…do you know, Francis?" Antonio asked his best friend.

"Oh, that's right! This is going to be your first time meeting her…" Francis trailed off, increasing his gait to keep up with his mother. He had been to the school for disabled children only a handful of times before, so he could still get lost if he didn't stay close to Klara's mother, or his own whenever she had the time to come along.

"Meeting 'her'? Francis, don't tell me it's another of your lo- mmph!"

"Shhh! Do you want to get me in trouble with ma mère?! No, it's not one of my so-called 'love interests'. And just so that we're clear on this, I'll punch you if you lay a hand on her! She's practically my little sister, and I care very much for her!" Francis whisper-yelled to his best friend, covering up his mouth so that his mother wouldn't start reprimanding him for already seeking romance at such a young age.

"Okaaaaaayyyyy…" Antonio replied with a somewhat perplexed look on his face.

"Oh, Madame Bonnefoy, you should've seen it! Meine süße kleine Klara did hand painting in class yesterday! She said that the teachers told her what colors were which and had helped direct her to them…I'll have to put her painting on my desk when we have school again Monday morning…Ah, anyways, the day before, she had asked me what my favorite colors were. When I told her that they were white and red, she asked me why. Well, who wouldn't like the colors that make up their own child? When I told her that, the smile she gave me was the sweetest I've ever seen on her little face! I have the painting she did at home. She used only white and red in her painting; even though some parts became pink because she didn't wait long enough for the paint to dry, I think it's the best present I've received from her, other than the day she was born," Mrs. Abbing carried on, unaware that she was rambling and confusing little Antonio to no end.

"Oui, Madame Abbing- you'll have to make sure that you bring it in to class on Monday. Ah, would it be alright if Francis and I came over for dinner tonight? My husband is away on a business trip yet again and I fear Francis gets rather lonely when I'm busy grading papers and such…That is, could we come over with you after we get little Klara if you don't mind?" Mrs. Bonnefoy asked her German friend.

"Ja, I don't see why not. And I know that little Klara would love the extra company," Mrs. Abbing replied in kind.

Finally coming to a halt in front of a dark oak door, Mrs. Abbing knocked on the door loudly before turning the knob and entering the make-shift classroom. Antonio followed after Francis who followed his mother who followed Mrs. Abbing. The sight that met his eyes was a peculiar one. There, at the front of the classroom, an area was cleared of any and all obstacles. The children were all sitting in a circle, and one girl was walking around the outside of the circle, placing her hand on her classmates' heads.

"Ah, she must be playing Duck Duck Goose…" Antonio thought.

The girl placed her hand on top of a snowy white head before calling out, "GOOSE!" and continuing to move at a very brisk pace around the cluster of students. The girl who had gotten picked quickly stood up, stumbling a bit from the little dizzy spell that gave her, before chasing after the girl that had picked her. Calling out in a soft, quiet voice, the snowy white haired girl said the other girls' name.

"Lovina! You're always going to outrun me, aren't you?! Why do you keep picking me?" little Klara complained with a little pout on her pale face.

Feeling around till she could feel an empty spot among the circle of students to sit, Lovina laughed.

"Hahaha! Of course I'm going to pick on you, Klara! You need to build your strength up in order to fight off any weirdoes that might come after you! My nonno said so! Besides, your hair is so light and fluffy, it doesn't hurt my hand!" Lovina declared with a triumphant smile.

Chuckling to himself at the cuteness of the situation, Antonio didn't know that his chuckle had been heard by the small seven year olds. Hearing the room become unnaturally silent, Antonio looked around, seeing how defensive the children had become. Not knowing what to do, Antonio looked to Francis for help- but Francis was already at the little white haired girls' side.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed as he swept Klara off her feet and gave her a hug.

"Franny! Hehe, when did you get here? Ah, where's mutter?"

"I'm right here, little Klara," Mrs. Abbing called out, walking towards her child and bending down to kiss her forehead.

"I am here as well," Mrs. Bonnefoy spoke up, moving to pat Klara's head.

"Mutter! Tante! How was your day?" Klara asked, happy that they were here to pick her up.

"Hey Klara! …should I ask now? Nonno said to be polite too…" Lovina asked, uncertainty creeping into her Italian accented voice.

"Giusto! Ach, Mama, wäre es in Ordnung sein, wenn Lovina schlief auf in unserem Haus?" Klara asked her mother.

"Ich sehe nicht, warum nicht. Wann wird ihr Großvater werden sie abzuholen?" Mrs. Abbing asked her child.

In turn, Klara asked her best female friend. "Lovina, quando sarebbe il vostro nonno essere voi raccogliere?"

"Ummm, I think he'll be getting me tomorrow after Feli's painting lesson…" Lovina responded.

"Okay! Then, go and get your belongings. Mrs. Bonnefoy and little Francis as well as little Antonio are going to be coming over to play and have dinner as well! The more, the merrier~!" Mrs. Abbing responded with a small hop in her step as she walked with her daughter over to her desk.

"Mutter?"

"Ja?"

"Who is 'Antonio'?"

"Ah! Francis, would you mind giving the introductions? Please and thank you!" Mrs. Abbing called the blonde boy over.

"Sure, no problem Madame Abbing!" Francis replied.

"Franny, who is this 'Antonio'?" Klara asked softly in her German accented voice.

"Antonio is my best friend- actually, scratch that, he's more of a brother to me like you're a sister to me," Francis said, smiling all the while.

Nodding in understanding, Klara looked in the direction she thought Antonio was and stuck out her hand for a handshake.

"Hallo, ich bin Klara! Freut mich , Antonio," Klara spoke, introducing herself in her native tongue.

"English, Klara, speak English," Francis reminded little Klara.

"Oh! Sorry about that," Klara blushed bright red, though on any other child, the blush wouldn't have been so dark.

"Hehe, it's fine, niña! I'm Antonio Fernández Carriedo! What's your name?" Antonio laughed lightly at the little girls' reaction.

"My name is Klara Clarimonda Abbing! Hey, Antonio?"

"Sí?"

"Are you coming over for dinner just like mutter said?"

"Sí! Would you mind if I played with mi amigo, Francis?" Antonio asked the little albino.

"Nope! But only if you let me and Lovina play with you both!" Klara declared.

"I don't see why not!" Francis put in.

"Klara, does Lovina have what she needs with her?" Mrs. Abbing called over to her child.

"Ja! Do you, Lovina?" Klara responded before quietly asking her Italian friend.

"Yep!" Lovina answered.

"Okay then, let's be on our way! Supper won't cook itself you know?" Mrs. Abbing said.

And that is how on a Friday afternoon, if you were to walk down the street that the Abbing family lives on, you would see a rather happy group of six individuals on their way home or to a friends' house to have an afternoon of merriment. When all four children had been dropped off in the living room, Mrs. Abbing and Madame Bonnefoy let their school work be placed on the kitchen table by Francis and Antonio while they went grocery shopping for enough ingredients to feed the sizable group. After reassuring Mrs. Abbing, just like he always did, that little Klara and her new friend were going to be well taken care of, Francis helped his mom push Klara's mother out the door so that they could actually get to the store before the local supermarket ran out of the ingredients that they would need for that night.

"Okay, Klara, do you have any homework that needs to get done?" Francis asked, knowing that he had to get down to business before any of them could play.

"Nein, I don't. I even helped Lovina get hers done before you came and picked us up!" Klara stated proudly.

"Oh, congratulations! And I already finished mine before ma mère came and picked me up. I also helped Antonio out with his, so that means we can go ahead and play!" Francis exclaimed, proud of his 'little sister' for being so responsible.

"Ah! I almost forgot! Franny and Antonio, this is Lovina Vargas! Lovina, Francis Bonnefoy and Antonio…Carriedo! Right? There, now I've properly introduced you all!" Klara lightly introduced everyone again, stopping only to make sure that she had gotten Antonio's name right.

"Hi…" Lovina shyly waved in the direction of Klara's voice, a miniscule scowl on her pouty lips.

"Lovina…" Klara had a warning intonation in her voice.

"Non posso farne a meno! Sai che sono nervosa in mezzo alla gente che non riesco nemmeno a vedere!" Lovina exclaimed.

"Lo so, ma è necessario fermare accigliato! Si rovina la voce carino!" Klara countered.

Upon hearing what her friend said, Lovina couldn't help but blush bright red.

"I-I-I-Idiota! Saying that won't make me like you more!" Lovina exclaimed before settling for a pout and trying to find her friends' hand.

Knowing that Lovina was happy was enough to make Klara giggle. Giving a satisfied nod, Klara reached out her hand to make it easier for the Italian girl to reach her. Wondering why the albino would be giggling after being called an idiot, Antonio was about to voice his question when he saw the small smile crawl up the blushing Italian's face as Klara's hand met hers.

"Wah, tan lindo~!" Antonio couldn't help thinking, blushing a little at the thought.

Seeing the small blush creeping over his friends' cheeks, Francis had to hold back a laugh. Even though he was only in the fifth grade, he was not unaware of the love a human being could have for another.

"So little Lovina is Toni's type, huh? Well, I'll need to make sure I get Klara to assist me in some matchmaking~!" Francis thought.

So as the four children played, waiting for Mrs. Abbing and Madame Bonnefoy to get back, Francis did the best detective-like work he could do as a ten year old. After all, what friend was he if he couldn't even make sure that his best friend was able to secure a relationship? Granted, it wouldn't be able to properly develop till quite a number of years later, but it's better to start early rather than late!

As he listened to and participated in the talk going around the small group, Francis was able to identify a few rather necessary points about Lovina.

She likes tomatoes.

She has a twin sister that's younger than her by a few minutes.

She likes the color red simply because she's been told tomatoes are red.

She used to live in Southern Italy till her grandfather moved here to New York City, taking Lovina and her younger sister Feliciana with him.

She's distant at first, but once she warms up to you, she can be quite protective of you.

Insult her friends and she'll beat you up- or at least threaten to.

"I'm glad that Klara has a female friend like her. I just hope that she remains obedient for her mothers' sake," Francis thought.

Ten minutes later, the two mothers walked into the house, asking the boys for their help with the groceries they had in Mrs. Abbings' car trunk. Two hours later and you could find the group of six eating away at a delicious dish of Chicken a la Crème (Madame Bonnefoy had insisted on cooking this meal; Mrs. Abbing couldn't refuse her, but she insisted on helping out).

Later that night, when Madame Bonnefoy left with her son and her sons' friend in tow, the two mothers made plans to make this a regular occurrence. Needless to say Klara was ecstatic; Antonio was as well, but for an entirely different reason, a reason that Francis knew even if the little Spaniard didn't.

After their guests had left and Klara and Lovina had gotten ready for bed, little Klara asked her mother, "Würden Sie sagen, ich habe Farben in meinem Leben jetzt ? Ich kann nicht wirklich erklären, aber ich fühle mich wie ich es tue," Klara confessed to her mutter.

"Ja, ich würde sagen, dass Sie Farbe in Ihr Leben , meine süße kleine Klara haben," Mrs. Abbing answered, a smile upon her lips.

Giggling happily a bit, Klara smiled back to her mutter. Leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her Töchter forehead, Mrs. Abbing bid Klara and Lovina goodnight.

"Gute Nacht, Mama," Klara said, a yawn slipping out.

"Gute Nacht, Klara, Lovina." And with that, Mrs. Abbing left to go to her own bed.

"Gute Nacht, Lovina," Klara whispered, smiling when a soft snore reached her ears.

Yep, you guessed correctly! The little surprise is the introduction of a blind genderbent Romano! Feliciano is also going to be a girl in this fic, but she doesn't have a disability. Depending on how I write next chapter, there may or may not be another surprise…it depends on if I put another time skip in or not. :p I probably will though…Well, here are the translations for this chapter!

Translations:

Amigo = Friend (Spanish)

Hey mama, puedo jugar a la casa de Francisco? = Hey mama, can I play at Francis' house? (Spanish)

Los chicos = The boys (Spanish)

Mon ami = My friend (French)

ma mère = my mom (French)

Meine süße kleine Klara = My sweet little Klara (German)

Oui = Yes (French)

Ja = Yes (German)

Nonno = Grandfather (Italian)

Mutter = Mother (German)

Tante = Aunt (German)

Giusto! = That's right! (Italian)

Ach, Mama, wäre es in Ordnung sein, wenn Lovina schlief auf in unserem Haus = Ah, mama, would it be alright if Lovina slept over at our house? (German)

Ich sehe nicht, warum nicht. Wann wird ihr Großvater werden sie abzuholen? = I don't see why not. When will her grandfather be picking her up? (German)

Lovina, quando sarebbe il vostro nonno essere voi raccogliere? = Lovina, when would your grandfather be picking you up? (Italian)

Hallo, ich bin Klara! Freut mich , Antonio. = Hello, I'm Klara! Nice to meet you, Antonio. (German)

Niña = Little girl (Spanish)

Sí = Yes (Spanish)

Nein = No (German)

Non posso farne a meno! Sai che sono nervosa in mezzo alla gente che non riesco nemmeno a vedere! = I can't help it! You know I'm nervous around people I can't even see! (Italian)

Lo so, ma è necessario fermare accigliato! Si rovina la voce carino! = I know, but you need to stop scowling! It ruins your cute voice! (Italian)

Idiota = Idiot (Italian)

Wah, tan lindo~! = Wah, so cute~! (Spanish)

Würden Sie sagen, ich habe Farben in meinem Leben jetzt ? = Would you say I have color in my life now? (German)

Ich kann nicht wirklich erklären, aber ich fühle mich wie ich es tue. = I can't really explain it, but I feel like I do. (German)

Ja, ich würde sagen, dass Sie Farbe in Ihr Leben , meine süße kleine Klara haben. = Yes, I would say you have color in your life, my sweet little Klara. (German)

Töchter = daughters' (German)

Gute Nacht = Good night (German)

Without further ado, Please Review! :D