America's POV:

It had been about three hours since I kicked Canada and England out of my house. England was practically in tears and begging me to let him stay, but I honestly did not care. Canada and England, the two people who were supposed to love and care about me, had been my greatest tormentors. The evidence of how their words affected me were permanently etched into my skin and mind. I laid in bed curled up under the blanket, tears streaming down my face as their painful words echoed in my mind.

Idiot!

Worthless piece of s***!

Fat Ass!

Useless!

Selfish!

Go to hell where you belong!

Waste of Space!

Your ideas are so stupid! Why do you even bother showing up to meetings?!

I wish I was never your father!

Attention Whore!

Weak!

Pathetic!

Stop saying you're the hero. You're only lying to yourself!

I wish you were dead!

Go away, no one wants you!

Slut!

Reckless!

I HATE YOU!!!

A sob of pure agony and grief ripped its way out of my throat, my tears falling faster down my pale clammy cheeks. My entire body trembled as I curled up tighter, burying my face in my knees and trying to calm myself down. My eyes fell on my razor, which laid on top of my dresser and I reached out to grab it, my hand shakng violently. I wanted...no, I needed to feel the sharp pain that came from the jagged metal ripping through my skin, creating beautiful scars on my hideous, fat, ugly body. Scars that I had earned, that I deserved. Scars that took the pain of those words away. Just as my hand wrapped around the handle, a loud knock sounded on my door. I quickly snatched my hand back and sat up, wrapping my blanket around my bare torso.

"Come in," I said hoarsely. The door opened and Delaware came in with Pennsylvania, clutching a notebook tightly to his chest. My eyes widened as I saw the tears leaking out of Pennsylvania's crimson eyes as he put his arm around Delaware's shoulders. Pennsylvania never cried.

"A-America...why...?" Delaware said softly, looking down at my journal and back at me. I broke into a cold sweat and snatched the journal out of his arms, terror welling up in my chest. They'd read it.

"H-How much did you read?" I asked shakily. My two younger brothers glared at me, Pennsylvania moving away from his twin and kneeling beside my bed directly in front of me.

"You didn't answer his question. Why, America? Why are you doing this to yourself?!" Pennsylvania growled, but his eyes were filled with grief. I set the journal aside and hugged my knees to my chest, forcing back my tears. I couldn't let them think I was weak.

"I deserve it. I'm a horrible country, and I do more harm than good. I forget Canada, my own brother, and treat him like sh** when I do remember him. E-Everything they all s-say...it h-hurts. But I know it's true." Delaware paled but said nothing, and Pennsylvania just looked up at me. So I continued. "I'm a worthless fat ass that no one needs or loves. I only hurt everyone. I-I do this b-because it makes the pain go away," I said in a hoarse whisper.

"America, what are you talking about?!" Pennsylvania said firmly, sitting next to me on the bed and grabbing me by the shoulders, turning me to face him. His albino skin was even paler than usual and his white shock of hair was beginning to stick to his forehead from sweat. I looked away from the seemingly disgusted look in his crimson eyes. He hated me...he thought I was disgusting...I could see it. I bit my lip and held back a yelp as his nails dug into my shoulders, sending a shooting pain down my arms.

"P-Pennsylvania, stop! You're hurting him!" Delaware gasped, grabbing Pennsylvania roughly by the shoulders and pulling him away. I winced a little and gingerly touched my right shoulder, which was smarting horribly.

"I-I'm sorry. It was an accident," Pennsylvania said quietly, looking down at his hands shamefully. I shook my head and turned away. I didn't understand. Why was he apologizing?! He should hate me! He should be disgusted with me! I was worthless, a nobody. My scars should make him hate me! That's how it always was!

"America. Look at me." I refused, instead burying face in my hands. The bed creaked as Delaware and Pennsylvania sat on either side of me. I trembled as Pennsylvania reached out to touch my shoulder, afraid. Was he going to hurt me?!

"N-No...please d-don't..." I whimpered, hugging my knees to my chest and trembling. He was going to hurt me. He was going to show me how much he hated me! Just like Japan had, and just like England had, just like everyone had! I didn't want this! A sob burst through my lips and I recoiled sharply as Pennsylvania's hand touched my shoulder. He stared at me in shock, his hand hovering in the air.

"A-America...I'm not going to hurt you!" he exclaimed sorrowfully, tears beginning to glisten in his eyes. I gasped and trembled more violently as he wrapped his arms around me. I struggled to get out of my younger brother's grip, but he refused to let go. He rubbed my back and whispered soothingly in my ear, trying to calm me down. I stopped struggling but my body still shook violently, my eyes wide with terror. Delaware joined the embrace and rested his head on my shoulder, tears spilling down his cheeks.

"We would never hurt you, America. Please, don't be afraid," he said quietly, and I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart.

"B-But...why wouldn't you? Don't you hate me? Don't you think I'm disgusting?" I asked. Delaware looked up at me with shock, his blue eyes wide.

"W-Why would we hate you?! You should be the one that hates us! We didn't see what was happening to you until it was too late..." Delaware's voice trailed off and he buried his head in my chest, hugging Pennsylvania and I tighter.

"I never want to see another intentional scar on your body again, America. Understand?!" Pennsylvania said, looking me in the eyes. I nodded.

"I-I understand. I pr-promise I'll stop." But I knew, deep down, that I wouldn't be able to keep that promise.