NK POV

I was walking slowly to the school. Another day of Hell. Yay. I was wearing a baggy jacket and black jeans, not like anyone cares. I was wearing the hood and staring at the side-walk as I walked. The only reason I get out of bed in the morning is for China and my friends. AndSouthtoobutwhatever-

I heard footsteps behind me and closed my eyes, preparing myself to get pushed to the ground and taunted. Instead, I heard my boyfriend's voice. "North!"

I relaxed a bit and stopped walking. I turned around and smiled a bit at the taller Chinese. He was running towards me, which is something he only does if he slept in. Guess his alarm clock didn't work this morning.

China caught up to me and quickly caught his breath. "Nǐ hǎo (Hi) babe!" He hugged me tightly and kissed my head.

I smiled softly and hugged him back. China...he's one of the few good things this world produced. "안녕 (Hi) babe..." I murmered.

China sighed. "Don't wanna go to school?" He guessed.

I nodded and glanced in the direction school was in. "Nobody likes me there... I only go there to get bullied at this point..." I looked at the ground sadly.

China hugged me from behind and held me close to him. "You know...we don't have to go..."

I looked up at him. "Are you suggesting we..?"

China nodded. I looked away, nervous. "But won't we be considered suspicious? Because of everything that's going on..."

China kissed my cheek. "It'll be fine. I'll call Taiwan and South Korea and tell them we're not going to school today, okay? If anyone asks where we are they'll back us up."

"Won't Taiwan get mad at you..?"

"Shì a, (Yeah) but it's worth it to spend time with you."

I couldn't help but smile at my boyfriend. "Okay."

China kissed me softly. I melted into it. We eventually pulled away after a few seconds. "So, where are we gonna go?" I asked.

China took my hand in his. "Your house." He smiled.

I returned the smile, feeling happy and relaxed for once on a school day. China started walking and I kept up with him. I leaned on him and he wrapped his arm around my waist.

China pulled out his phone and dialed his brother's number. He started talking to him in Chinese, and I could hear Taiwan was less than happy about the news I assume China told him. Taiwan eventually calmed down, but by his muttering I could tell he wasn't exactly happy still. China eventually hung up.

Sure enough, China then called my brother. He started talking to him in Korean. "잠깐만 요, 당신은 당신이 내 동생과 함께 학교를 건너 뛰고 있다고 말하고 있습니까? (Hold on, you're telling me that you're skipping school with my brother?) South asked.

China nodded despite the fact that South couldn't see it. "예. 괴롭힘 때문에 학교에 가고 싶지 않습니다. 오늘 우리가 건너 뛰는 것이 편안 할 것이라고 생각했습니다. 누군가가 우리에게 어디에 있는지 물어보기 위해 당신과 대만에 알려야했습니다. (Yes. He doesn't wanna go to school because of the bullying. I thought it would be relaxing for us to skip today, we just needed to tell you and Taiwan just in case anyone asks where we are.)" He glanced at me with a smile.

I smiled back. South was silent for a few moments. "글쎄 ... 알았어 ... 그를 안전하게 지키라고, 알겠 니? (Well...okay... Keep him safe, alright?)"

"걱정마 (I will, don't worry.)"

"북쪽을 사랑한다고 전 해주세요 (Tell North I love him, bye.)"

"괜찮아 안녕. (Okay, bye.)" China hung up the phone. "South says he loves you."

I nodded. I held onto China's arm as he put his phone away. "There's my house." I said.

China and I walked up to my front door. I pulled out my key and unlocked it. China and I walked inside. "I'm gonna change." I walked upstairs as I heard China close the door.

"Okay, I'll wait on the couch." China said.

I made my way up the stairs and to my room. I opened the door and closed it behind me. I sighed and smiled. You're probably getting annoyed with me saying this, but I really don't deserve China. What did I ever do to get him?

I looked towards my closet and walked over to it. I opened it and traded my clothes into more happy looking ones, a pastel green with a cartoon nuke on it and some shorts. I swapped my gray shoes with ones of lighter color.

Once I was done changing, I rushed back to China eagerly. He heard me coming down the stairs and turned in my direction. His eyes widened when he saw my clothes.

I stopped at the bottom and smiled at him. "What do you think?" I asked.

China looked at my clothing and smiled. "It looks great."

I went over to him and sat in his lap. He held me close and turned the TV on. He turned to a channel that had a cartoon playing and we both watched that.

Not many people know this, only my close friends and my brother, but I love cartoons. Some countries say they're childish and shouldn't be watched by us, but I disagree. Cartoons are a great way to relax and take your mind of things. On top of that, they can be funny and are entertaining. And just because it's a cartoon doesn't mean it can't deliver important messages.

That's just my take on them, at least. I really really like them.

China chuckled behind me. I turned to him. "What?"

"You really like cartoons don't you?" He asked with a smile.

I nodded, beaming. "They're great to watch, can you blame me?"

China shook his head and chuckled. "Cutie."

I blushed and hit him playfully. "Sh-Shut up..."

China started laughing. He pulled me closer to him by my waist and we watched the cartoon for a while longer. After about the 20th episode China looked at the time. "Hey, wanna do something else?"

I looked at him. "Do you not like cartoons?"

China shrugged. "I never really watched cartoons growing up... Taiwan and I were just trying to survive."

The room went silent. I sighed and hugged China. "I didn't know... I'm sorry..."

China hugged me back and kissed my head. "It's fine..."

"Well, what did you wanna do?"

China smiled. "I was wondering if we could go to my house and play with Azure and Yellow. That is, if you wan-"

"Yes yes yes!" I smiled brightly. "Let's go! Let's go!" I grabbed China's wrist and dragged him off the couch.

China chuckled and allowed me to drag him to the front door and outside the house. We walked down the sidewalk to his house. China walked to the front door and unlocked it. I ran inside while he laughed behind me. "Azure! Yellow!" I called the whelps. China says that's what they call baby dragons.

I heard running. Azure and Yellow bounded into the living room and tackled me to the ground. They started licking me as I laughed.

China closed the front door and chuckled at the scene he saw. "Alright, Azure, Yellow, get off him."

Azure and Yellow jumped off me and ran to the couch, looking back at me and wagging their tails excitedly. I wiped my face of saliva and giggled. "They're the same as the last time I saw them!" I said as China helped me up.

China smiled at me. "You can play with them while I make something to eat."

"Okay!"

China walked away to wherever his kitchen was. This house is so big I don't think I could find his room if I tried. Anyway, I looked at Azure and Yellow and they seemed to have the same thing in mind. "Alright boys, what do you want to do?" I asked.

Azure flew up and landed on my head. He peaked his head over and looked at me. I giggled. "Hi Azure."

Yellow started pawing at my legs. I chuckled and bent down to pet him. China told me that Yellow really likes pets. Azure curled up on my head.

"Babe! You want a snack?" China called from the kitchen.

"Yes please!"

"How does WangZai QQ Gummy sound?"

"What's that?"

China walked back to me holding two bags full of what looked like gummies. "There's multiple flavors, I'll just give you blueberry." He gave me a bag.

I opened it and took a gummy out. The fragrance coming from it smelled like blueberries. I popped it into my mouth and chewed it. "How is it?" China asked, already munching on his.

"It's delicious!" I squealed and continued eating from the bag. In no time at all it seemed, the gummies were gone. I whined, looking inside the empty plastic.

China chuckled and gave me his bag. It was a different flavor but I didn't care. I ate them all in one sitting. "Jeez, guess they are as addicting as America says they are." China commented when I was done.

"What do you mean?" I asked him. Yellow and Azure stole the empty bags and ran off with them.

"I gave America one of those a while ago. Middle school, I think. He said that they were super addicting." China explained.

"Well that McDonalds lover was right. Those are super good!"

China chuckled. "Well, come on. We gotta stop Azure and Yellow from trying to burn the bags. It'll set the house on the fire...again."

~Timeskip~

China and I were in a coffee shop in town. It wasn't the super popular one in town square, instead it was the one Honduras really liked. China was talking about how obnoxious the shop in town square was.

"Excuse me?"

China and I turned and saw a black haired woman standing there. Her hair was tied up in a high pony-tail. She looked to be in her twenties. "Are you gonna order anything?" She asked.

"Yes, can I have a coffee?" China asked.

"Do you have any snacks?" I asked.

"North, you had snacks before we left."

"So?"

China facepalmed while the worker laughed. "Yes, we do have snacks. Do you want a certain one?"

"Any will do."

"Alright then, I'll be back with your orders." She walked away.

"She seems like a nice girl." I said to China.

He nodded in agreement. We talked for a bit longer before the worker came back with our orders. "One coffee for you," she gave China his coffee, "and a few snacks for you." She gave me a Rice Krispy Treat, a bag of chips, a granola bar, and a bottle of water. "Hope these suit your needs." She said.

"Thank you!" I smiled at her as China pulled out his wallet.

"You are very welcome." The worker smiled back at me.

China handed her a wad of cash. "Just consider the extra as tip." He said.

"...That looks like a thousand dollars." I said.

"iT's A tIp-"

The worker took the money and gazed at it. "Wow...thank you.."

"My pleasure." China smiled and put his wallet away.

The worker started walking away. "Uh..Ms?" I called.

She turned around. "Yes?"

"What's your name?"

The worker's smile widened. "Isabelle. My name is Isabelle."

China smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Isabelle."

"It's nice to meet you, too." Isabelle walked away.

~Timeskip~

China and I were walking through a meadow. The flowers' colors varied from white, red, and yellow. Splotches of green grass were barely seen in the blanket of flowers. Small animals darted through the flowers, and butterflies flew around, their colors and patterns making them look like hovering versions of the plants.

China and I were holding hands. No words were exchanged, we just enjoyed the other's presence and took in the beauty of the meadow.

"Hey, North?" China let go of my hand and pulled me closer with it.

"Yes?" I asked.

"See that bench over there?" China pointed to a brown bench sitting in the shade of a tree; the tree also had flowers blooming from it.

"Yeah." I replied. "You wanna sit down?"

China nodded. We walked to the bench and sat down on it. We looked out at the flowers and plants in the meadow that barely blew from the soft wind. I sighed and leaned on China. He wrapped his arm around my waist. This day is nice... Better than the ones before it.

I closed my eye and let my body and brain relax. Where could be a more perfect place to do so? I was in a beautiful, quiet meadow and my boyfriend was holding me close.

China and I sat like this for a while. We had no cares for the world, just us two in this paradise. That's all we needed right now. My worries and stress for everything had been washed away.

An hour went by. Maybe an hour and thirty minutes? Maybe two hours? I'm not completely sure, but China gently shook me awake. Guess I had fallen asleep. I opened my eye and looked around. My eye landed on China's face. He bore a worried frown. "Babe? What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Look." China pointed to something in the distance. I had to squint to see it.

Just poking out of a cluster of red and white flowers, there was something. I'm not sure what, but something was most certainly there. "What is that..?" I asked.

"Not sure. I just saw it blowing in the wind and then it landed there." China explained, getting up. He offered me a hand. "Let's check it out."

I took his hand and he pulled me up. We walked side-by-side to the mysterious object. Once we reached it, I crouched down and pulled it out of the flowers. It was a piece of paper. "Ugh, just a piece of paper? C'mon North, let's go back to our spot." China turned to walk away.

I flipped the paper over to it's other side. "China, wait."

"What?" I felt China crouch down beside me. "What the..."

Something was written on the paper. A lot of something's. It looked like...a list? Or maybe it was just quick sentences, like what a poem does? I don't know, I couldn't read it. The paper was dirty and fragile, the words on it looked to be wiping away. Streaks from the ink were everywhere.

"What the heck..?" China whispered.

"I can't read it..." I murmered.

"Me neither, it's too dirty."

"Should we wipe the dirt away?"

"No, the words' ink would be wiped away as well, and then nothing but unreadable smudges would be left."

"What do we do then?"

"Give it to UN, he'll know. At least, hopefully..."

China stood up and offered me his hand. I took it and stood up. "How do we get this to UN? He's in school with the other countries and organisations."

China held my free hand and began walking. "During PE, we'll sneak into the locker rooms and change into our uniforms. And then we'll find UN on the field."

I nodded. "Okay."

~When they're at the school~

I looked up at the building we called 'school'. Shouldn't we just call it Hell? It'll be way easier.

Wait, no, then it'll get confused with actual Hell.

But ain't it the same thing?

Anyways, my nervousness was through the roof and I was shaking slightly. China squeezed my hand reassuringly. I looked up at him. "It'll be alright, Northie..." He said, hugging me and giving me a kiss on the head.

I sighed and let myself relax into his touch. It calmed me down in only a short while. I looked up at China and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'm okay now." I smiled.

China pulled away and took my free hand in his. "Still have the paper?"

I glanced at the dirty and fragile paper. I couldn't clutch it too hard or it'll rip for sure. I nodded and looked at China again. "I got it."

"Alright." China turned towards the building and I did, too. We both took in a deep breath and let it out. We held each other's hands tightly. "Let's go."

SK POV

School is so boring. All you do is stare at the teacher as they ramble on about something that makes you want to fall asleep. You're not allowed to move or talk unless told to, and you get in trouble for trying to entertain yourself so you don't fall sleep in the middle of their lecture.

My head rested in my hand, who's elbow was on the table. I kept glancing at the clock. Every minute felt like an hour in the classroom. I looked around. It seems as if I wasn't the only one who was excited for class to end. Other countries also glanced at the clock, tapped either their fingers or feet softly, and one or two were trying to not fall asleep using different methods.

I turned my attention back to the front of the room. I tuned back into whatever Mr. Ferndale was talking about. Something about elements, I don't know.

The rest of class was just me looking at Mr. Ferndale but not actually paying attention. He never called on me, which is good. I wouldn't know the answer anyway. Stupid idiot actually thought I was paying attention, hah! I'd rather be banned from K-POP for a week than attend his class everyday.

The bell rang, signaling to all us bored students that it was lunchtime. I got up and put my stuff in my backpack. I and the other countries eagerly flooded out of the classroom.

The hallway was soon filled with chattering countries. Conversations ranged from the shrillest of laughter to the dark depths of the kidnappings. I didn't pay much attention to any of the conversations, cause why would I? They're none of my business and most were uninteresting.

I reached my locker and opened it. I traded my backpack for my lunchbox. I went to close my locker when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and saw Soviet Union standing there with Russia behind him. "Hey South." Soviet greeted.

I closed my locker, still looking at them. "Hi Soviet. Hi Russia." I waved to them. "What do you need?"

"We haven't seen North Korea or China all day." Russia said. "Do you know where they are?"

I nodded. "China said they were skipping school today."

"Skipping?" Russia asked. "That doesn't sound like them..."

I nodded. "I know, but China told me that North really needed a break from the bullying."

"If I were getting bullied I would want to skip school, too." Soviet said with a distant look in his eyes.

"Da, I guess it's reasonable..." Russia sighed. "I just hope they're okay."

"Me too. But China will protect North if anything happens." I said.

"Da, I guess..." Russia still looked worried. I won't tell him to not worry, he has every right to. Heck, I'm worried myself.

"They'll be okay, I'm sure of it." Soviet said. There was an obvious hint of worry in his eyes but I didn't say anything.

"네 (Yeah)... Let's go to lunch now." I smiled at them.

"Alright. Russia, you gonna sit with America today? He's been casting glances at you for a while now." Soviet said as we began walking to the lunchroom.

Russia rolled his eyes playfully. "Da, Ame's been calling me every morning begging me to sit with him at lunch."

"Okay. I almost feel bad for him."

"Wait, really?!"

"Almost."

I chuckled at the two Russian's conversation - well, Russian and Soviet conversation.

We reached the cafeteria and walked inside. Soviet split off from us to sit at his usual table with Italy, Japan, and Reich. Russia and I sat at America's table. "Babe!" America hugged Russia as soon as he sat down. "I thought you'd never sit with me again!"

Russia returned America's hug and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry, Ame. I'll try and sit with you more often, Da?"

"Yes yes yes!"

I chuckled. "Alright, love-birds, break it up." Poland rolled his eyes playfully. "I suggest you eat your food."

America and Russia pulled away from each other. "Poland, we have all of lunch to eat. No need to rush us." America said, biting into his sandwich.

"Still, you never know when they'll cut lunch short unexpectedly." Poland flexed his wings. "That may not seem like it'll happen but it's possible."

"Poland's right." Ukraine shrugged.

America adjusted his shades so they were covering his eyes again and continued eating. "Hey, Poland?"

"Tak?" (Yeah?) Poland bit into his food.

"Can you tell us about how genes work?" America asked.

"America, you dumb idiot, we learned about genes in Middle School!" Ukraine said.

"Don't call him a dumb idiot, that's my job." Russia cast a quick glare at his older brother.

"Woah, woah, let's not argue. Besides, I should've been specific. I meant if Poland could explain to us how the genes of wings work." America said.

"Oh." Ukraine, Russia, Poland and I all said in union.

"Let's see..." Poland thought for a few moments. "Well, if one parent has wings and the other doesn't, then only the first-born child of the couple will have wings. Any other children after that will not have them."

"Seems reasonable." Ukraine said. "That explains why Kaza has wings and the rest of us don't."

Russia nodded. "But," Poland put a finger into the air. "There are times where something happens to the genetics."

"What do you mean? What happens?" I asked.

"Sometimes the first-born of a couple I mentioned earlier for some reason will not have wings. But a later off-spring will. This case is very rare, and no one knows why it happens when it does." Poland explained.

"I've never heard of that before." Russia said.

Poland chuckled slightly. "Of course you haven't! That is rarely ever talked about since it's such a rare case, and only us winged countries are taught it for some reason. Nonetheless, there hasn't been a case of this for...600 or so years? Yeah."

"Well, the more you know." I said, smiling.

"That gets me thinking." Russia placed his elbow on the table and rested his head in his hand. "Kaza has wings, right Ukie?"

"Correct." Ukraine responded.

"And based off Poland's information, that must mean that one of our parents has wings, right?"

The table went silent. "Well...yeah.." Ukraine said.

"Then which of our parents has wings? And that brings up another question of mine: who's Mama?"

"Russia, we will talk about this another day..." Ukraine looked away.

"But Ukie this is important! Which one of our parents have wings? Who's Mama? And if both our parents don't have wings does that mean Kaza's adopted?" Russia looked at the older Ukrainian, his eyes filled with questions he wanted answered.

"Russia, that is enough." Ukraine looked uncomfortable.

"Ukie this could mean something!" Russia started brainstorming. "Since Papa doesn't have wings, Mama must be one of the female countries who do! Now I just need to-"

"Russia!" Ukraine snapped. Russia shut his mouth and stared at him. "That's enough from you. We will not talk about this here."

"But-"

"Enough!" Ukraine stood up while shouting.

Everyone at our table flinched. Countries from other tables looked over at us. I could hear them whispering. Ukraine closed his eyes and sat down. "We'll talk about that later. Don't say anything about it until then."

"Okay..." Russia went back to eating his food.

Our table sat there in silence for a few moments. The other tables went back to their own conversations. Poland eventually cleared his throat. We all looked at him. "Um...Russia and Ukraine, you guys have a sister that doesn't go here, right?"

Russia nodded. "Da."

"You mean Lithuania?" Ukraine bit into his food.

Poland nodded. "Tak. (Yes.) Why doesn't she go here, again?"

"She can't do anything English." Ukraine said. "She's attending a different school since she'll be at a huge disadvantage at this one. Do you know any adults here that speak Lithuanian?"

I shook my head. "No."

"Exactly."

Poland leaned forward and rested his head in his hands. "I want to meet her."

Russia smiled slightly. "You can, it's just that me or one of my siblings or Papa have to be there to translate."

"That's fine."

"You really want to meet Lithuania, Poland." America said.

"What do you mean? I always want to meet new people." Poland raised a brow.

"I know, it's just you sound more excited to meet her than anyone else." America smirked. "Somethin ya wanna tell us?"

The lightest tint of red bloomed on Poland's cheeks. He frowned. "Ame, I haven't even met her yet..."

"Oh ho ho, what's this I see? Some light blush?" America continued to smirk.

Poland groaned and covered his face with his hands. "Ame stop..."

"Do you like her? Surely you've seen her somewhere before to be blushing." America teased as Poland's blush deepend.

Poland gathered his stuff and stood up. He left the lunchroom. "Ame!" Russia looked at America.

America shrugged with a grin. "What?"

"Why did you tease him?!"

"Because it's funny."

Russia groaned. "What am I gonna do with you..?"

"Kiss me?"

"Nyet. You've lost kiss privileges for a week."

America whined and wrapped his arms around Russia's neck. "Noooooo! I want kisses!"

Russia laughed. "I'm only kidding." He kissed America's forehead.

Ukraine smiled and waved Canada over. Canada walked over and sat beside Ukraine. He instantly hugged him and Canada hugged back. I rolled my eyes. "Are you guys done making me feel lonely now?" I asked.

"Not yet." Ukraine grinned.

"Okay." I got up and threw my trash away. I went to walk back but someone called me.

"South Korea!"

I turned around and saw UN walking up to me with EU, NATO, and ASEAN behind him. Well, NATO was actually dragging ASEAN over but same thing.

"South." EU nodded at me when they reached me.

"EU. UN. NATO. Organisation who always wakes up on the wrong side of the bed." I nodded at each of them.

I heard more footsteps so I looked behind me. World Trade Organization walked over with Taiwan. "Here's Taiwan." She said once she and him reached us.

"Thank you, WTO." UN said.

WTO nodded and walked away. "South Korea and Taiwan, can we talk to you in the hallway?" UN asked.

Taiwan and I shared a glance. "Uh, sure." Taiwan responded.

Taiwan and I followed UN, EU, NATO, and ASEAN into the hallway as some other countries watched. EU closed the lunchroom doors once we were out.  "South, Taiwan, do you know why you're here?" NATO asked.

"Wow, NATO's being professional for once." ASEAN rolled his eyes.

NATO slapped the back of ASEAN's head, earning a "Oof!" from him. "Now's not the time for your sarcastic jokes, ASEAN." NATO crossed his arms.

ASEAN rubbed his head and glared at NATO. "Yeah, well-"

"Enough, you two." EU was frowning.

ASEAN huffed while NATO turned back to me and Taiwan. "Sorry about that," UN apologized. "Can you answer the question, please?"

"Well, no, we don't know why we're here." I answered the earlier question.

"North Korea and China haven't turned up to school today," EU explained. "Since their your brothers we were wondering if you knew where they were."

Taiwan nodded and leaned against the wall. "They're skipping school today." He said, blankly.

"Why?"

"North didn't want to deal with bullying today, China went with him."

"Okay..." UN didn't look very happy about the news.

"You both can return to your tables." NATO said, leading the way back inside the lunchroom.

We all split off back to our tables. I sat down at mine and closed my lunch box. "South, what was that about?" America asked.

"They had some questions that needed answering." I replied.

"What about?"

"They wanted to know where North and China are."

"North and China? What, are they not here?" Ukraine asked.

"How do you just now notice?" Russia looked at his brother.

Ukraine shrugged. "Probably cause I don't care about North Korea and barely interact with China."

I could tell Russia bit back a snarky response to that. Canada set a hand on Ukraine's shoulder. "Maybe you should interact with them more.. Check on North because of the bullying."

"But I don't like him!"

"Still. Bullying can really hurt someone, and checking on him will help him know that there's still people who care about him." Canada smiled. "Please, Ukie?"

Ukraine sighed. "Fine."

Canada hugged Ukraine. "Yay!"

Ukraine smiled slightly and hugged Canada back. I got up and grabbed my lunchbox. "South, where you going?" Russia asked.

"Gonna walk around the school." I replied.

"Oh, okay."

I went to the lunchroom doors and opened them. I stepped out and began walking in the direction of my locker, hearing the doors close behind me. I sighed softly and continued my way to my locker. I opened it and put my lunchbox inside.

What should I do now? Walk around the school like I said? Or should I just hang in one spot and ponder things?

....I'll walk around the school. That way at least I can still hear stuff. I started down the hallway and just thought about things. I didn't let myself get too deep into my thoughts. I made sure I was still aware of my surroundings.

After a few minutes of walking, I turned a corner and bumped into something. I fell onto my bottom and rubbed my head. "Oh god! I'm sorry!"

I looked up and saw Soviet standing there with a worried look on his face. "Are you alright?" He offered his hand to me.

I took it and he pulled me to my feet. "Yeah, I'm fine." I dusted myself off.

Soviet covered his face with his hands and groaned. "I should've been paying attention! I'm very sorry!"

"Soviet, it's fine. Besides, I'm not hurt." I smiled at him reassuringly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup."

"...Are you really sure?"

"Soviet."

"Sorry!"

I shook my head and smiled. "You're like Canada2.0 at times."

"What does that mean?"

"You apologize a lot."

"Is that a problem? I'm sorry."

"Soviet, it's fine. Just stop apologizing."

"Sor-"

"So what are you doing?" I cut him off.

"Huh? Oh, just walking around the school. You?"

"Same thing."

"Really?" Soviet chuckled slightly. "I thought I was the only one."

We both laughed for a second. "You heading anywhere specific or just wandering?" I asked.

"Wandering. It's just relaxing in a way. I used to go outside sometimes but I can't ever since the school banned us from doing so during lunch..." Soviet's eyes seemed distant for a second before he shook his head. "Anyways...how about you?"

"I'm wandering as well. At first I just said it so I had an excuse to get away from the lovebirds, but then I decided to actually do it so I can think. You know where I'm getting at?"

"Da."

"Good."

An awkward silence settled in. After a few moments of nothing being said, I opened my mouth to say bye to Soviet when he asked, "What do you think of everything?"

"Huh?"

"Everything. The kidnappings, who the kidnappers are, everything..." Soviet was staring at the ground, but I could tell he was actually thinking.

"Not really..." Why would he ask me that so suddenly?

"Why?"

"I just...I try to avoid thinking about it... I try to ignore it in a way..?"

Soviet didn't say anything. He leaned against the wall and looked at the ceiling. I was starting to worry about him. As much as I don't interact with Soviet, I know this isn't like him... "Soviet..?" I went to place a hand on his arm.

The moment I touched him he flinched and his eyes widened. "Wah!- O-Oh, hey South..."

What the frick..? "Are you okay..?" I asked him.

He looked away. "Not really..."

"Do you wanna talk about it..?"

Soviet started to briskly walk away. "Soviet! Wait!" I called after him.

By the time I finished what I was saying he had already turned the corner and was gone. Jeez, he's fast...

More importantly, what was that? Why was he acting so weird? He was normal but then after the silence he...

I shook my head. He's probably just stressed out about everything. Some people tend to act weird when they're stressed, that could be Soviet's case.

No, no, Soviet's been stressed multiple times before, and he's never acted like this!

I...what am I gonna do? I want to help him, but how? I could tell UN! Wait, no...he already has enough to deal with... ASEAN maybe? No, he doesn't give a frick unless it's about a country in his organization.. NATO? No, he still holds a grudge against Soviet from the Cold War... EU? No..he's helping UN...

I racked my brain with ways to help Soviet and sorted them into piles of "it won't work", "maybe?" and "I have to think about it more".

I was ripped from everything I was thinking about when I heard the bell ring; signaling lunch ended. I sighed and started making my way to my locker. I'll think about this later. Maybe I can talk to Soviet during Gym and ask him what the frick just happened.

~Time skip~

I was sitting with America, Australia, and New Zealand. The twins were ripping up grass blades and talking to each other about which gym activities they enjoy more. America was on his phone, probably on Facebook. I was looking around the field for Soviet.

Mr. Hound had split us all into four groups. He assigned a certain game for a certain group. Those same groups had to then split into two teams and verse each other in the game. We switch games every 20 minutes.

The group I was in had been chosen for dodgeball. America, Australia, and New Zealand were also part of my same group. Australia and New Zealand were on the other team, but we were still sitting together.

As you might've figured out by now, me, America, New Zealand, and Australia were already out. I actually got out on purpose so I could look for Soviet. I didn't see him on either of the dodgeball teams so I was looking at the other groups.

France slammed the basketball into the hoop as her team cheered. Although Britain was on the other team he congratulated her. I scanned the two teams as they got ready for another game. Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Latvia were over there. All Soviet's kids, but no Soviet.

I turned my attention towards another group playing volleyball. They were getting ready to start another game, probably in a minute they'll be playing again. I looked at the countries there. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Estonia, Belarus, and Russia were there. Once again, all Soviet's kids but no Soviet.

I looked at the last group, who were playing soccer. Honduras kicked the ball into the net. El Salvador, who was on the opposite team, got ticked and started yelling at her. They both were screaming at each other while the other countries there tried pulling them apart. Armenia and Kyrgyzstan were there, but their father wasn't.

I was confused. Where was Soviet? I scanned my group again. Panama threw a ball and it hit Åland Islands when Finland dodged out of the way. Argentina caught a ball and New Zealand got back into the game. Liberia dodged five balls that were thrown at her, and promtly used them to eliminate her attackers.

Sure enough, no Soviet. How the frick frack crackle- Oh wait, nevermind. I see him. He was talking to Mr. Hound with Italy, Japan, and Reich behind him. I got up to walk over to him but I heard quick footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw North Korea and China. "North?! China?!" I was surprised.

America turned around. "Wait a dang- weren't you two skipping today?"

China nodded when he and North reached us. "Yes but-"

"What's that?" I pointed to a paper in North's hand.

"That doesn't matter! Do you know where UN is?" China asked.

"He's playing volleyball over there." I pointed to the group. "Why?"

"I'll tell you later! At least, hopefully. Thanks!" China grabbed North's hand and they ran to where UN was.

"What the heck was that?" America stood up and came up beside me.

"I'm not sure..." I replied.

"Well, c'mon, we're up. South Africa caught two balls."

I nodded and ran back to the dodgeball game.

Israel POV

Gym was over and I had just finished changing back into my regular clothes. I was talking to Denmark about the games we had played.

"Yeah, I wasn't really a fan of volleyball." Denmark said.

"Probably cause you've never played it before." I pointed out.

Denmark shrugged. "Probably. The rules were so confusing, though. Tell me, were the rules confusing?"

"Mmm, a little."

"I'll take it."

We suddenly heard a shrill scream. Me and the other male countries who had finished changing rushed out of the locker room. I saw a few female countries rush out their locker room and look around frantically. "What's wrong? What happened?" I asked.

"It's Palestine!" Egypt cried.

"What about Palestine?" Indonesia asked.

"She's gone!" Belize had tears running down her face. "I-I was talking to her in the locker room and then the lights went out! When they turned back on she was gone! Palestine's gone!"