HELLO~~~~~

Confession time, I don't have much to do with this book. I have the basic plot, but no way to get the plot moving!

So, I wanted to turn it into one of those books where Alfred sings. I know it already is one of those books, but I've run dry on what to add.

I'll still keep it to the storyline, but I want to hear some song request that I can incorporate into the story~

Marco-Brazil

Carlos-Cuba

Asadi-Afghanistan

Gal-Israel

____________________________________________________________

Alfred was currently at the market with Cuba and Brazil, shopping for the big feast that his Papa and Mama were going to make that night to truly celebrate his return. The shopping list was pretty hefty, and the three nations had to go to five separate stores to get all the special ingredients they needed.

"Hermano, Primo, we have one more store to go," Carlos explained with a smile. Marco took a deep breath, happy that they only had one more spot to go to. Alfred gently patted Marco's back, assuring him that the day was almost done.

As they continued to walk, they were stopped by a few rogue fans. Alfred happily took the pictures with the girls and they moved along. Alfred was even stopped by a news reporter, who wanted to do a short interview. Carlos and Marco didn't mind, so they stood by and waited.

"So, America," she began, "why are you still in Canada?" 

"Well, I made a few friends and wanted to hang out for a bit," he smiled softly. Alfred's smile seemed to melt the cameraman and the reporter's heart.

"Are these your friends?" she gestured to the back, Alfred simply nodded, "with all those shopping bags, I assume you need to get moving,"

"Just having more guest tonight, something personal,"

"Personal, looking back that part of your persona seems the most secretive,"

"Well, sure. America is just a persona, an extension of who I really am. Who America is and who I truly am are not the same, and that can be said for the other members of International as well," Alfred then noticed Marco and Carlos looking stunned, "sometimes, we associate behaviors with certain nations. America is loud, proud, and always smiling. But, me, I'm still a human who has insecurities and doubts. I have fears, flaws, and problems. It is important to look at a person not just on the surface, but on a deeper level. Personally, I don't allow many people into that circle because of my fear of abandonment. But, as with all celebrities, we still are human. The media needs to realize we aren't just the personas we make ourselves to be,"

"That was very touching, who knew America would have a way with words,"

"America isn't saying this, I am," Alfred corrected with a soft smile. The reporter smiled back and nodded.

"Thank you for allowing this short interview, I'm sure it will make a lot of people happy,"

"Thank you for listening to my rants," America and her hugged, allowing him to walk away with a new wave of giddy. Carlos and Marco walked beside him, smiling like dorks.

"Alfred, that was some speech," Marco noted. Alfred shrugged.

"As a personification, we live our entire lives thinking we need to be a certain way. But, Carlos said it the first night we met. Cuba can hate America, but Carlos is still Alfred's brother. Our nations' can be assholes, but we're family," Carlos felt a tear come to his eyes, hugging his brother tightly.

"You're too good for this rotten world," Carlos then let go of Alfred, making the other fall back a bit. The three made their way to the final store and walked inside, going to the isles they had to go to. As they were passing the spice aisle, Alfred noticed a shorter girl trying to reach off the top shelf. He wordlessly walked over and got her the spice, handing it to her.

"Here you go," the girl smiled and took it from him.

"Thanks, hey! You're America! Can I take a photo with you?"

"Sure," Alfred knelt a bit so he could be in the frame, but her phone was snatched.

"No way," a taller man took the phone and glared at Alfred.

"Oh come on, Asadi! I may never get a picture with a celebrity again!"

"No, I don't want you associating with one of them,"

"One of who?" Alfred asked.

"Asadi!" Gal screeched, "I'm so sorry, he means Americans. He doesn't like them too much,"

"Oh," Alfred was kind of upset about that, "well, I wouldn't want to be a bother then," Alfred backed off and walked away. He found his brother and cousin in the meat department, grabbing a few packages of drumsticks.

"Hermano, you look like someone ate all of your ice creams. Estas bien?" Alfred attempted to smile but failed.

"I'm ok,"

"Primo, that is not true," Marco went to crack his knuckles, but Alfred held his hands.

"It's fine, someone just said they didn't like me because I'm American. Not like I can change that person's mind,"

"We can," both Carlos and Marco argued. Alfred shook his head and laughed.

"It's nothing to worry about, ok? Let's just grab the food and get back to the house," both Carlos and Marco knew how much that hurt their little baby bean. After all, he had just given a speech about how a person is to be judged on who they are, not where they're from.

They had gotten the rest of their food and headed to the checkout line. As Alfred was about to load the final things, he saw Marco facepalm.

"We forgot the whole turkey!"

"It's ok, primo. I'll go get it," Alfred ran off.

Marco started to unload the rest of the cart while Carlos was trying to find the card. It was there that he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked over and saw Afghanistan, smiling widely.

"Asadi, how are you amigo?" they shook hands.

"I'm fine, Gal and I were just picking up a few things," he gestured to his little sister.

"Hey, Carlos," she greeted quietly as she fidgeted with her sleeve.

"Chica, why are you so down?"

"She wanted to take a picture with some famous guy, and I told her no," both Marco and Carlos looked at Gal.

"Why did you say no?" Marco questioned. Asadi scoffed and looked at his sister.

"It was some American man, I don't want my sister being around them. All those pigs are bastards in some way shape or form, I don't want her associated with stuff like that," both of them didn't get a chance to say anything before Alfred came back.

"Here we go, Hermano! I got this biggest one they had!" Alfred smiled until he noticed Asadi standing there, "oh, hi again," he whispered quietly as he placed the turkey on the conveyor belt.

"You actually associate yourself with that American pig? I thought you hated Americans," Asadi spoke with such spite that Alfred visibly flinched.

"I think I'm just going to wait outside," Alfred quickly ran off.

"Hermano, wait!" Carlos tried to call, but Alfred was already gone. He turned to Asadi with an angry look on his face, "not all Americans are bad, you know. That one just so happens to be my brother, and he is so painfully selfless and kind!"

"Wait, so that is-" Gal begun.

"Sim, it is," Marco finished before she could even ask, "it looks like you still have a lot to learn about him before you judge him," Marco took the card from Carlos' hand and swiped it, paying for their food, "come on, we need to make sure he's ok," Carlos nodded and looked back to Asadi.

"You shouldn't judge him, amigo. He isn't how you think," with that, the two walked away.

Alfred didn't talk much until they got home, to which he promptly began to tear up. He ran off to the library, where he found Canada, Spain, and Russia playing cards and England, Netherlands, and Romano reading. Russia immediately noticed the tears running down Alfred's cheeks and ran over to him.

"Sunflower, what happened?! Who do I kill?!" the notion of killing made everyone look, and Spain nearly knocked over the table to make it to her baby.

"Mijo, que pasa?!" Alfred just began to slide down the wall, while England helped guide Alfred down.

"I just don't get it! I know my country has done bad things! But why do people always think all Americans are just racist, gun-wielding jackasses who don't care about any other country?! No matter what I do to try to change that image, so many people just continue to see me as nothing but an obese slob who is ignorant of other cultures!"

Canada felt something snap inside him, he thought one of his citizens did something.

"Alfie, who hurt you? Did you get a name?"

"Asadi, Carlos knew him. He had a sister, she was pretty cool. Her name was Gal,"

All the nations seemed to understand now, and Canada stormed out. Romano went after him, trying to catch him.

"Matthew, wait! What are you planning to do?!"

"Uncle Lovi, do not try to get in my way. Asadi is aboot to find out why people don't fuck with me," Romano chuckled.

"What are you, nuts! I'm coming!" Canada grabbed his hockey stick and Romano grabbed a bat.

Italy had caught Romano while they were leaving, and was told everything. Italy told Germany, Germany told Prussia, Prussia told Austria, Austria told Switzerland, Switzerland told Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein told Hungary, Hungary told Belgium. Pretty much the entire house knew within an hour, and Asadi had a permanent target on his back.

Well, it can go without saying that Asadi was put into the hospital. He was there with Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. They were all informed of the new discovery that America was in fact alive, which was shocking. But, what was more shocking, was when Gal turned up the tv.

It was about America's interview.

"And now, an exclusive interview with International pop star, America. Brought to you by our very own Fawn Jun,"

They all watched the interview, Asadi especially. He noticed how Alfred was extremely sincere. Then, the part that made him change.

"Sometimes, we associate behaviors with certain nations. America is loud, proud, and always smiling. But, me, I'm still a human who has insecurities and doubts. I have fears, flaws, and problems. It is important to look at a person not just on the surface, but on a deeper level. Personally, I don't allow many people into that circle because of my fear of abandonment. But, as with all celebrities, we still are human. The media needs to realize we aren't just the personas we make ourselves to be,"

This was what changed Asadi's mind about America, forever.