Warning: A political event is the main topic for this chapter. This chapter is not about choosing political sides. Rather, it's about one of Iowa's biggest events and the importance of voting in elections. Plus, be aware the characters/states featured in this chapter may not necessarily represent their entire population's political beliefs. For anyone commenting on this chapter, I appreciate comments that avoid arguing about the 'better' party. Anyway, thank you for reading this and feel free to continue reading. You've been warned.

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Iowa. The 29th state is mainly known for corn. And that's it... Oh! The state is also known for its caucus. That's pretty neat to know...

What is a caucus, one may ask? Well, the definition of a caucus differs in usage for every country. For the United States, a caucus is basically a meeting of local members of a political party who conjugate and vote on the delegates they approve for office. Compared to primaries, caucuses are usually restricted to certain voters within their political community. In addition to that, such voters could only vote for nominees within their respective political party affiliation; not the other's. Most notorious caucuses happen during a presidential election year where the state communities of a political party vote on a presidential nominee of their respective party to compete in the national election.

To those who may be wondering why Iowa caucuses are such a big deal, it's because they're usually the first major contest to be held in the presidential election. Since 1968, Iowa has continued to showcase the first results of the candidates most favored among the political parties. Most Americans (who do pay attention to politics) anticipate these results. Not only do they show the most favored candidates in each party, it can also influence the people's' vote as well as affect candidates to change tactics that'll increase their chances of getting nominated. For the state who likes to grow corn on sunny days, this kind of pressure can put him on edge. This is especially true with 2016's unpredictable atmosphere.

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Knock! Knock! Knock! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong! Ding-Dong!

After the 13th phone call, the 44th knock, and 28th door bell, Nebraska, wearing a ruffled, lemon yellow, tank top and white, flower-printed, pajama pants, slammed open the door. Before she could open her sticky eyelids, a sudden warmth enveloped around her waist, nearly knocking her over. Her blurred vision made out Iowa's lanky arms holding her tight in a desperate embrace.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for answer- Ow!"

Iowa fell onto his butt on the white porch. His light brown eyes glanced back at Nebraska's, hers were ablaze in annoyance after four and a half hours of sleep.

"Do you have any idea what time it is? It's 3:26 in the morning for crying out loud!" She emitted a red, dangerous aura that made her platinum blonde hair rise above the prickly, cold air.

He crawled on his knees, bowing down to the only state to answer him at this late hour.

"I-I-m sorry, but I need your help!" She was about to shut the door. "W-Wait!"

Just in time, he managed to shove his left foot in the doorway.

"I want sleep," she yawned. "I'll deal with you later."

He frantically shook his head. "B-But I need your help now! My caucus is tonight and I need you to help me organize it."

Nebraska gave him a deadpan stare. "Seriously? I don't have time for this." She continued to stomp his foot out from prodding between her and her cozy bed.

"I won't leave until you come and help me with my problem! Ow! Stop kicking my toes! Ow!"

"Can't you get Missouri or Wisconsin to help you instead?" she questioned while attempting to press the door close.

"They said they didn't want to be involved with me!" he whined.

"And neither do I."

She made a giant push on the door, nearly an inch closer to closing the front door for good.

"C-Come on, Nixie! This is an emergency! Please! You're my best friend! You're the only one I can turn to for help! Please! I-I'll do anything! Please don't shut me out!" Iowa pleaded as he pushed against the door with all his might.

After a five minute pushing contest and a neighbor asking Nebraska to keep the ruckus down, Nebraska relented his poor foot. It would appear she wouldn't get any sleep until she helped the poor guy out. In a tired huff, she gloomily stood in regret while Iowa wept at her feet, incredibly grateful for her support.

"Let me get dressed before I head to your house," she grumbled.

He delightfully nodded in a sparkly mood. "I am forever in your debt."

She sighed. "And already 2016 is starting off swell."

~ The Next Day ~

After the Iowa Caucus, Nebraska ended up staying over at Iowa's house for the night. The next morning, she woke to the smell of breakfast that wafted into the guest room. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she went into the kitchen to find Iowa cooking at the stove.

"Good morning, grumpy pants~" he greeted her as she entered his kitchen like a slumped-over zombie.

Iowa was in a chirpier mood than usual, especially after the day of his caucus. Awake at six, washed up, and all morning chores at the barn done, he was so thankful for Nebraska's help. He went out to make a nice, homemade breakfast for his friend. With a spatula in hand, he flipped a couple of sunny-side eggs in a frying before placing the eggs on their plates. Accompanying the eggs were warm hash browns, crispy bacon strips, and butter toast. At the red, checkered table was a pitcher of pulp-free orange juice and a milk jug next to a box of Frosted Flakes and small, empty bowls. He set the plates at the table, sitting himself down in one of the chairs.

Rather than sit down with Iowa at the table, Nebraska went toward one of the kitchen cabinets. Iowa cocked his head perplexed.

"You looking for something?"

Nebraska looked dead at him. "Any medicine for a sore throat?" Her voice was that of a dry toad.

His eyes widened. "Oh gosh! What happened?" He got up from his chair and went over to her.

"... Yelled too much at the Republicans," she muttered before coughing into her arm.

Iowa fetched some cough syrup from one of the kitchen cabinets, handing the bottle over to her.

"Geez... I'm so sorry."

She brushed him off as she drank some of the medicine out of a small cup. "I'll be fine. I just want to go home after some breakfast," she muttered.

The two went back to the table and had their morning breakfast. In the background played a podcast on the radio, reviewing the results of the Iowa Caucus.

"You owe me big time," she croaked, finishing up the last of her hash browns.

He softly smiled. "How was your side of the caucus?" he switched subjects.

She shrugged, using her fork to play around with her eggs. "Honestly, I barely remember three of the Republicans before going blank on the rest," she spoke through her sore throat. "How about you?"

Iowa swallowed the last of his glass of orange juice. "It was pretty easy for me," he gloated. "I mean, there were obviously two close contenders and it was a good race. I wish the turnout was a little higher, but I'll take what I can."

She nodded, continuing to eat the rest of her breakfast. "By the way, have you decided which candidate you'll be voting for?"

"Well, actually... I think I'm going to pass on this election."

Nebraska thought he was joking. "What? Didn't you whine for five hours how this year's candidates are flawed in one trait or another?"

He scratched the back of his head. "Yeah. As of now, I think all of the candidates are unsuited to be president."

She scowled. "Still, you could at least choose one who has policies you can deal with rather than some random nut taking over the presidency."

He scooped a spoonful of his cereal and put it in his mouth. "So, there's the zodiac killer, the brother of the guy who caused the 2008 recession, the socialist, the scandalous former secretary of state, and the saggy, orange-face walrus from Mars's eighth circle of Hell..."

Silence loomed between them until two giggling smiles formed on their faces. Laughter erupted for a solid minute before they were able to calm down.

"Fair enough."

"I have a bad feeling about this year."

"Me, too. But hey, what could go wrong?"

They laughed again.

The Iowa Caucus is over, but further down the road are more elections and debates before the nationwide presidential election in November. Other states will have to deal with their own struggles, whether be setting up the polls, holding political debates, and placing their own votes on who they choose to be P.O.T.U.S. for the next four years.

Whatever happens, always remember: Never wake someone in the middle of the night... But also vote no matter what. Like, seriously. The United States is known to have a very low voter turnout. For democracy, it's important for everyone to pitch in and use their right to vote. To any U.S. citizen old enough to vote, research the candidates, choose one most preferred to your views, and vote according to the scheduled vote of your local area. 

In the chaos of future elections, the millions of dollars spent in nationwide campaigns, the fiery drama in three-hour debates, the dramatic scandals, and political hell, just remember this final statement: All is done for the vote.

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+ Of course, Iowa caucuses aren't accurate forecasters when it comes to who'll be chosen for office. Take the 2016 election for example. That year, Donald Trump didn't win Iowa over; he was a runner up to Ted Cruz, another Republican presidential candidate. Nevertheless, this caucus did serve its purpose as an indicator among party candidates on what the people want for president.

- U.S. politics is a complicated fuckfest I can't properly explain without offending someone. Even so, my final message still stands. Sure, politicians are evil assholes who care only for wealth and power. It also doesn't help many people believe their vote won't matter; such a mindset is why America, a republic made up of citizens who vote and elect people to government positions, has a low voter turnout compared to other republics in the world. The 2016 U.S. presidential election may be over, there'll be more elections to come no matter what people say. I encourage anyone old enough to vote keep an eye on elections and vote on the candidate they think will better their lives.

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