"Shelby."

She stared at the wall, ignoring Feliks's existence.

"Shelby, come on! I'm, like, trying to apologize to you and everything."

Still, no response. She simply kicked her legs back and forth, waiting for the doctor to return with the x-ray of her hand.

Poland groaned loudly, "I hate the cold shoulder. You are knowing this!"

This time, she looked at him, but it was a empty stare, her blue eyes void of emotion.

"I said I'm sorry. I'll say it a hundred times! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Okay, maybe not one hundred times, but you get the point. I did not mean to make Alfred that mad, I swear it!" Feliks rambled.

"Then why in the name of God would you do that, Feliks? What made you think that was okay?" She snapped.

His shoulders slumped. "I was not thinking. I just like making him jealous, okay? I find it hilarious. He gets protective, you go all, 'I am independent woman', and everything gets all awkward and cute. I'm a sucker for awkward and cute! Look at Lithuania! Is that a crime?"

"It is when I'm involved." Shelby grumbled.

"Lesson learned, okay? I won't do it anymore." Poland huffed. "You know, you should be apologizing as well, hothead. You made it sound like it is a bad thing that I'm gay."

Shelby slouched slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way, Feliks. I was just trying to emphasize to Alfred that you were so he wouldn't think I slept with you."

Poland flashed a smile. "Okay, I know it's, like, a touchy subject, but that was totally brilliant. 'Are you referring to the republic, or me?' That was golden."

Shelby lifted a brow. "'Touchy subject'? It happened an hour ago. And it wasn't funny, you pushed Alfred way too far."

"I thought America had a sense of humor. Apparently not when it comes to you, kochanie. I have never seen a redder face."

"I didn't see his face. I had a hard time seeing past the pain in my hand." Shelby muttered, lifting it up to examine it. It was swollen and turning a purple color, which was darker in hue where Alfred's hand had been placed. Anger surged through Shelby's veins again, pounding in her ears.

"America did not do it on purpose. He probably didn't even realize he was hurting you. If he had, he would have stopped." Feliks pointed out.

"Yeah? Well, that doesn't make my hand feel any better." She growled.

Silence settled over the pair. Shelby set her hand back in her lap, keeping her eyes trained on the floor, while Poland watched her curiously.

"You know, you are one strange girl."

"Tell me something I don't know, Feliks."

"No, I am being serious. You are very confusing. You love Alfred; this is fact, right? And Hope is already dating Canada. Yet you remain single. One minute, you look at America with admiration in your eyes, the next, you're like, ready to slit his throat. It's giving everyone whiplash."

Shelby pursed her lips, taking a deep breath. "Hope's a lot different than I am, Feliks. I'm not really capable of romance, especially with guys like Alfred."

"'Guys like Alfred'? What does that mean?" The blonde challenged.

"Guys who are good looking, charismatic, funny, kind, excitable." She explained, her feet slowing 'til they were no longer kicking. "He's attractive in all aspects. And he's been around for centuries. You know how many girls he's probably been with?" She was almost whispering now and Feliks found himself having to lean forward to hear her.

"I'll never compare to them."

Feliks blinked. "Is that seriously what you are worried about?" He inquired, his tone exasperated. Shelby didn't answer, only nodding in reply.

"But Shelby, you're perfect, too! You have those pretty blue eyes!"

"They're only pretty in certain light."

"You have a nice smile."

"My gums show too much when I smile."

"You have nice skin."

"It looks orange in the summer."

"... You have nice hair?"

"Do you see how frizzy it is?"

Poland was becoming frustrated. "Do you like anything about yourself?"

Shelby considered this for a moment. "No, not really." She decided.

"You are way too much like Lithuania. You don't have enough confidence, no self-esteem. You need to ignore all that stuff you think about yourself and try seeing what everyone else sees!" Feliks exclaimed.

Before Shelby could have a chance to answer, the doctor came in with the x-ray results. He explained to Shelby that her hand was badly sprained, but no bones were broken. Still, she would need to head for the hospital to get it treated properly.

Poland sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest while also crossing one of his legs as he half listened to the doctor, but for the most part his ears were ringing with what his friend had said.

"I'll never compare to them."