Shelby sighed as she laid on her front lawn, staring up at the blue sky. The clouds were scarce for now, but she knew in a day or so, storms and rain would once again batter her neighborhood, something that made her nervous and anxious. She hated storms.

But for now, she was quite content. The afternoon sun kissed her skin, warming her and giving her the blissful sensation of peace. Rarely was the weather this nice. Today, she just wanted to bask in the light. Her chest moved up and down slowly, and despite knowing that she should never fall asleep outside in the neighborhood that she lived in, she couldn't help it as she began to doze off.

Suddenly, she felt the grass rustle next to her, as if someone just sat down, before it rustled again, this time, right next to her face. She turned her head slightly towards the movement, and opened one eye, only to discover that she was nose-to-nose with a smirking Poland.

She shrieked, jumping up with surprising quickness as she took a few steps back. Only after a few moments of shock and terror did she fully realize who it was.

"Feliks!" She exclaimed, placing her hand on her chest as she panting, her heart racing and her blood pounding in her ears. "You just scared the crap out me." She breathed, sinking back down in the grass.

"Yeah, I can see that. I have eyes, you know. Great eyes, actually." He stated, flashing a half-smile as he sat up and faced her. "So, what are you doing here, laying in the yard all alone and stuff?"

"Just enjoying the sun. It's never this nice in Michigan." Shelby explained, her eyes traveling to the sky once more.

Feliks followed her gaze, only to become incredibly bored in a couple seconds. He rolled his eyes, his gaze settling on Shelby again. "Yeah, well, I totally have a sun in Poland too!" He exclaimed.

Shelby eyed him for a second. "It's the same sun, dude."

"Yeah, well, either way, we get good weather like this, like, all of the time. It doesn't really rain, the temperature is never too hot, and it's hardly ever windy! It's totally way better than this garbage city." He explained in a teasing tone.

"Hey, don't hate on the city. I happen to like it here." Shelby warning, laying back down in the grass. "But that does sound super nice."

"Of course it does! You should come visit." Feliks ventured, his stark green eyes flashing deviously as he glanced down at the teen.

"I should. But I can't get to Poland without getting on a plane." Shelby pointed out, closing her eyes.

Feliks frowned. "I totally didn't consider that." He muttered, almost to himself. He studied Shelby for a few moments, before he noticed a lump on the side head, near her temple. Poland smiled. "So, I will just have to kidnap you."

Shelby laughed, smiling at what she thought was a joke as Poland pulled his pistol out. "Yeah, good luck with-" Before she could even finish her sentence, Feliks bashed his elbow into her head. She stiffened for a moment, before going completely limp.

Poland laughed triumphantly. "My brilliant plan was brilliant! She totally never saw this coming." He complimented himself. Despite being only a inch taller than Shelby, he was able to scoop her up with ease, given he was stronger than the average human. "TO WARSAW WE GO!"

Four days later

Matthew sat quietly next to Hope, his bear Kumajirou on his lap. On the TV, her favorite show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While Matthew hadn't seen them all yet, he liked watching them with her because whenever he glanced over, she had a different facial expression. Sometimes it was pure joy, with her multicolored brown eyes wide and her grin large. Sometimes she was on the brink of tears.
And sometimes she was simply silent and stiff with the tension of the show. Every-so-often, a girl named Karai would show up and make her a bit jealous, something Matthew couldn't help but find adorable. Other times, like the season 3 finale, Hope seriously needed a shoulder to cry on, to which Canada was happy to obliged.

However, today was different. Hope seemed unfocused and worried. She was checking her phone very frequently, something Canada found odd.

Canada paused the show, glancing over to her with concern. "Hope, what's bothering you?" He asked softly, turning his body so he could face her.

Hope glanced at him, pursing her lips. "One of my Wattpad friends went inactive. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's unlike her- usually, she'll at least vote for people's stories. And if she does leave, she gives us a hiatus notice." Hope explained, frowning. "I guess I'm just worried something bad happened, that's all."

"Oh, that's sad. What's her name?" Matthew wondered out of curiosity.

"Shelby." Hope stated simply.

Canada paused, his eyes widening slightly. "Her... Her last name wouldn't happen to be Ferrell, would it?" He asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Hope's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know that?"

"Because she went up north with me and Alfred not too long ago. She never wanted to eat my pancakes." He whispered, burying his face in Kumajirou's fur. "She can be really scary sometimes. And stubborn. So stubborn..." He muttered through his bear's fur. Kumajirou only blinked a couple times, but otherwise paid the country no attention.

"Maybe we should have Alfred check on her or something?" Hope suggested.

"Oh, Alfred wouldn't know what happened. Shelby hasn't spoken to him since he gave her poison ivy."

"You can't give someone poison ivy." Hope let out a short laugh.

"He didn't shower after he got the rash." Canada explained.

Hope shook her head. Part of her didn't think America was that stupid. But the rest of her easily believed it. "Of course he didn't."

~~ Meanwhile, in Lansing, Michigan ~~

Alfred was up earlier than usual. Usually he didn't wake up until noon, but today he rose at the unthinkable time of 10 in the morning. Still, he used this to his advantage, slipping on some clothes and his glasses, before heading out for some McDonald's hash browns.

As he munched on them during the car ride back to his hotel, his phone began ringing in his pocket. He whipped it out and once he saw it was his brother, he answered the call, using one hand to hold the phone to his ear and the another to steer, which was difficult, because he still had a hash brown in that hand.

"'Sup, bro? What's up with you always calling me so early in the morning? Did you have another nightmare?" He laughed into the device as he kept his eyes trained on the road.

"No, that's not-"

"Awe, do you need to call Arthur again to calm you down?" America teased in a mocking manner, using an obnoxious baby voice. On the other end of the line, Alfred heard a girl giggle. "Oh, is Hope over? Hey, Hope!" He shouted into the phone, making sure she could hear.

"Hey Alfred!" She answered.

"Listen, America, this is-"

"You know, you've been hanging out with Hope an awful lot lately. I'm starting to think this more than just casual friendship. Does Little Maple have a crush?" Alfred ventured.

"Cut it out!" Matthew's voice trembled nervously on the other end of the line, and Alfred could perfectly envision how beet red his face must be, and how awkwardly Hope was probably standing. Awkward couples were the funniest couples. He shipped it.

"I'm actually calling you about Shelby." Canada finally was able to get his point across.

At the mention of her name, Alfred's smile dropped. "She still isn't talking to me, man. You give a girl poison ivy one time, and she stops talking to you for a month! That girl can sure hold a grudge!"

"Well, Hope said she's disappeared from Wattpad. She's really worried something might have happened. Could you maybe try and check on her?" Canada questioned.

"I mean, I'll try and all, but I can't promise anything, dude. Like I said, she's pretty pissed." Alfred pointed out.

Luckily for Alfred, he was in Lansing already because he had been checking on how Flint was recovering from it's state of emergency. It only took him an hour to reach Shelby's house. He knocked on the door, finding himself slightly nervous. He wondered if she would finally speak to him again.

The door opened and Alfred raised a brow in confusion. The girl at the door wasn't Shelby- she had brown eyes, freckles, and lighter, straighter hair. She was also way taller than Shelby. "Who are you? And where's Shelby?" He asked, attempting to peer around the girl into the home.

She crossed her arms. "You're that Alfred guy, right? The one my sister can't stand half the time?" She asked in an irritated tone. "Well, if you're looking for her, join the club. She went missing a few days ago. We've tracked her phone to Poland, but we have no one idea how she got there or who took her."

Alfred's eyes widened, "Poland?"

"Yeah. My parents are trying to find a way to get there, but it's pretty-"

"OKAY THANKS GOTTA GO BYE!" Alfred yelled, slamming the door in the girl's face as he booked it back to his car, calling Canada back. Before his brother could even greet him, he began talking. "Matt, she's in freaking Poland!"

"Poland?"

"Yeah, that's what I said. Try to keep up with me, dude. Anyways, I bet you all the Big Macs in the world that Feliks has something to do with this! He's always pulling weird crap like this!"

"Alfred, just calm down."

"I AM CALM, DAMNIT!"

"Listen, Hope and I will come with you to get her." Canada stated gently.

"Why do you need to come? I can handle this on my own!" Alfred urged.

"Because you're too jealous to handle this properly."

Alfred's face flushed slightly as he took off, speeding down the road. "I'm not! Just- if you're coming, get your stuff together. I'm hopping on the first flight available."

One day later

Feliks stood in front of a mirror, flipping his hair back. "You know, I am really liking this game. I look fabulous." He stated, winking at his reflection. He wore a spring yellow dress with a woven brown belt around his waist, and a jean jacket draped over his shoulders. He had a flower barrette holding his hair back, and he managed to get ahold of some eyeliner and mascara.

Shelby stood next to him, her arms crossed over her chest, which was very visible in the robin egg blue dress Feliks had given her. "Don't you have something a little less... Revealing?" She pressed, her cheeks slightly pink.

"No." Feliks laughed. "And before you start the complaining, it's totally not my fault your boobs are too big for my clothes." Feliks explained, before pulling out his cellphone. "Come here and take a selfie with me- Lithuania will love this." He exclaimed, hooking his arm around Shelby's waist and pulling her into the selfie, clicking it before she could protest.

"Feliks, DO NOT send that to anyone!" Shelby urged, trying to snatch the phone away, but Poland managed to keep the device out of her reach.

"I do not see what the big deal is. Lithuania will be looking at me, not you!" Poland assured her, although Shelby still attempted to grab the phone, jerking Feliks's arm and causing him to click a few buttons on accident. "Aw, look what you made me do! I just sent it to Latvia too! That was totally not my fault!" He yelled, pushing Shelby away.

"FELIKS!" She shrieked and went to tackle him, before she paused as something began pounding on the front door.

"Feliks, open up! It's America!" The superpower shouted from the other side of the door.

Shelby froze where she stood, her eyes wide. "Tell him I'm not here!"

"Don't be stupid! He's probably here for you!" Poland pointed out.

"Well, tell him I already left for the airport or something." Shelby suggested as another round of obnoxiously loud knocking pierced the house.

"Fine, but I'm not doing it because you're my friend. I just feel embarrassed for you!" He laughed, before adjusting his dress. "I wonder if he'll even recognize me. I look less like Feliks and more like a hot supermodel."

Feliks smiled, adjusting his jacket as he walked confidently to the door, opening it to reveal Alfred, Matthew, and Hope, who were slightly at the the sight of Poland. While Poland distracted them, Shelby closed her bedroom door, searching for her clothes. "Why did I agree to play freaking dress up. I'm 17, not 5." She muttered to herself, digging through the pile of dresses and skirts.

"Sorry, boys, but Shelby just left. She missed you guys so much, she just couldn't bare it anymore." Feliks explained. "So, you can go now."

"I don't believe you for a second. When you lie, your voice gets really high and right now, you look and sound like a girl." Alfred stated, crossing his arms.

Poland's teasing green eyes hardened slightly. "Your insults are very clever, but even so, Shelby does not wish to speak to you. She's having too much fun with me." He stated, placing his hands on his hips as he glared up at America.

"No way, dude, she has way more fun with me!" Alfred shouted defensively. "Move outta my way, I want to talk to her." He said, easily brushing the shorter country to the side. "Shelby! Where are you?" He shouted as he made his way through the house and down the hallway. "Shelby! Come on, we're going home!"

"I'm not coming out and I'm not speaking to you!" Shelby shouted from her bedroom. Alfred tried to open the door to the bedroom that she was speaking from, but it was locked.

"Damnit, Shelby! Come on, I'm sorry about the poison ivy. Just come out." He whined, much in the manner a two year old would.

"Feliks," Shelby shouted, and country stepped forward. "Where the hell are my clothes?"

"When you first changed, you changed in the bathroom, remember? Your clothes are in there." Feliks laughed, finding this all quite entertaining. From the other side of the door, they could hear Shelby curse.

"That's absolutely fantastic." She muttered.

Hope giggled. "Shelbs, were you playing dress up?"

"You know what, Hope, it was harmless and innocent until you all showed up." She responded in an irritated tone.

Poland elbowed Hope, "Let us just say the dress leaves little to imagination when it comes to the chest area." He muttered.

Hope's eyes widened slightly "Oh, that's bad." She frowned, looking to the two brothers. "Alfred, Matt, maybe we should go wait outside."

"I'm not moving from this spot. I'm my own boss, don't tell me what to do." Alfred crossed his arms stubbornly.

"Listen, Shelby, you're family's really worried aboot you. We need to take you home." Canada spoke up.

After a few moments, the door opened slightly. "They're worried?" She whispered.

"Well, yeah, I talked to your sister." Alfred explained, leaning against the door. "She said your parents are going crazy."

That seemed to do the trick. Shelby stepped out of the room, her eyes trained on the floor and her arms crisscrossed over her chest. Poland let out an entertained laughed as both Canada and America's faces turned bright red. Canada covered his face, seeming more embarrassed than even Shelby. Hope hurried to help her friend, taking off her jacket and passing it to Shelby, who put it on quickly and gratefully.

Poland sighed, stepping over to Shelby. He was still smiling, but his eyes gave away his sadness. "Thanks for hanging out with me these last few days. You may not believe this, but not many people like to spend time with me. Lithuania says my personality is a little off-putting." He explained. "It was nice to have a friend who actually likes me and stuff."

"Awe, Feliks, I definitely had fun. You know you're one of my favorites." She smiled kindly. She wrapped her arms around him in a short hug, which he returned solemnly. "Just, next time, don't kidnap me."

"I will promise no such thing." Poland winked. "Do widzenia, Shelby."