This chapter's writing may be even more cringier than the others. I might pick up the pace, too.

South Korea POV

I was sitting on the stairs leading into the school. I was chatting with America (obviously), Russia, Ukraine, and Canada. Canada was drinking maple syrup (How...) while America chatted away. You could honestly compare America's mouth to a cheetah.

I occasionally looked at Soviet, I still remember what he said yesterday. Will he really beat up Taiwan when he sees him? Will Taiwan even come to school?

My thoughts were interrupted by something hard hitting the back of my head. "Ow!"

America looked over at me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so. Something hit my head." I replied, rubbing the back of my head.

I looked at the ground and saw a rock sittinf next to me. I picked it up and examined it. It's pretty small, but it still hurt some how. Whoever threw it must have a hard throw.

I felt tapping on my shoulder. The taps seemed hesitant and slow, but they also felt hard and hurt a little bit.

I looked behind me and to my surprise, saw North Korea standing there. One of his arms was behind his head and he was looking at the ground. An awkard silence was between us until North finally spoke up.

"Hey... uh... sorry about hitting you with that rock..." He murmured.

I was so shocked that he was willingly talking to me, let alone apologizing. I must've been staring at him for a while and it made him comfortable. "I'll go now."

He was about to turn around when I grabbed his arm. "It's alright. It didn't hurt that much. But I'm happy that you're talking to me. It's been a while, hasn't it?" I was probably saying too much for North. He never really was a talker, let alone to me.

He tugged at his shirt and nodded. "Yeah... It has..."

I was about to say something else when America cleared his throat. "Ahem."

America tried to make his voice sound like he was clearing his voice to talk and he was chill, but he ended up sounding annoyed, which he was.
North and I turned to him. America looked straight at North. "Thanks for apologizing North Korea. Now if you mind?" America's voice was cold.
North nodded and quickly hurried away. I stared after him and then glared at America.

"What?" America raised an eyebrow.

"Do you know how long it's been?" My voice was cold and mean. I was truly upset. "That was the first time my brother willingly talked to me in years! We were getting along just fine but then you went and ruined it."

America was shocked for a second. He then looked sad and looked away at the ground. "Sorry..."

I honestly didn't feel bad right now. I huffed and crossed my arms. The one time North Korea talks to me and America makes him go away again.

Russia, Canada, and Ukraine didn't know what to do. They were sitting in the middle of their friends argument. I said this in an attempt to reassure them, "You don't have to choose sides. This is just between me and America."

It worked. Russia went to comfort America and Canada and Ukraine decided to talk again. I remained silent to cool down.

I've never been this mad at America before. I do however, remember a time when I was more mad at America than this. It was once again during the Cold War. I was sitting in America's house and my flag had finished changing.

America was telling me about being a capitalist, and how much I'd like it. He also told me my new name. I don't remember what else he told me when I jumped up, screaming at him.

I screamed at him that I didn't want to be a capitalist, I didn't want to be South Korea and I didn't care. I told him that the only thing I wanted was my brother.

I shook my head to escape the memory. It's bad one in my mind. Sure, it allowed me to become who I am now, but it's filled with so many negative things that I didn't want to remember it.

I heard yelling that pulled me out of my thoughts. Like I thought, Soviet was trying to attack Taiwan, but Italy and Japan were holding him back by his arms. Third Reich was in front of him, trying to calm him down and pushing him back. Taiwan ran inside the school. Soviet was trying to run after him, but was failing.

Eventually, Italy got annoyed with everything that was happening and just picked Soviet up and hoisted him over his shoulder. Soviet was kicking and screaming for a couple minutes. He eventually calmed down and I could hear Italy say, "You done?"
Soviet nodded and Italy put him down. Even though Soviet was mumbling he didn't run inside the school after Taiwan.

I turned away from them and looked around for North Korea. He was talking to China and Indonesia. That was strange. North Korea only got along with Soviet Union and China. I guess Indonesia somehow got on his good side. But then again, I don't know much about him because of our separation.

Indonesia seemed really relaxed and happy when talking North, unlike other countries. Other countries are either on edge or like they were about to fight.

Anyway, Indonesia gave North Korea something and then walked off. North Korea showed China whatever he was holding and China nodded. North turned to me and looked at me for a few seconds.

I smiled and waved at him. It seemed like he smiled too, but it could've been my imagination. China tapped his shoulder and he continued talking to him.

I took a deep breath. I was calm now, I think I can talk to America again. I turned around to apologize-and America wasn't there. Neither was Russia.

Canada and Ukraine were still here, though. "Hey, Canada? Do you know where America and Russia are?" I asked the Canadian.

Canada looked from Ukraine to me. He shrugged. "Dunno, I wasn't paying attention."

"They went in the school. America said he wanted some space." Ukraine said, answering my question.

I couldn't help but think America wanted some space from me. To be honest, it hurt. "Do you think he wanted some space from... me?"

Canada choked on his maple syrup. After he stopped sputtering, he turned to me and shook both his hands and head. "No no no, I don't think America wanted space from you, most likely me. I was ranting on him earlier about how maple syrup is way better than Pepsi or Coka Cola." He smiled. "America would never hate you. If it seems like he does, give it a little time and then make up."

I smiled and nodded. Canada always knew how to make countries feel better. I looked towards the doorway. "Do you think I should go in and apologize?"

Canada shrugged. "I don't know about that one. Strange, I know. But America did make your brother go away right when you were about to finally talk again."

"You had a right to be upset. I would've been upset as well if it were me and one of my siblings." Ukraine added. "But it's up to you decide whether to apologize or not in this situation."

Canada nodded. "It's 50/50 right now. How I see it going, it's either you or him apologize and you hang out again or neither of you apologize and you hang out again."

I nodded. 'I just have to decide whether or not the one who apologize's is me.' I thought.

I thought about this for a bit. I decided I'd just go inside and see how America is doing, and then ponder my next move. I got up and walked to the doors. "Where are you going?" Ukraine asked, turning around.

"To see how America is doing. And don't worry, I won't come back outside and interrupt your make-out session with Canada. 음식." (eumsig./Chow.)

I learned that from Japan. Ukraine and Canada's faces were red as I went inside. I laughed to myself before setting out to look for America.

After what felt like hours of searching, I finally found him by the science classroom. Russia was hugging him as he wept into his chest. I felt bad because I was the one that made him like this. I sighed and called out, "America? Russia?"

Russia looked at me and America followed a couple seconds after. "S-South?" America stuttered.

I nodded. "It's me. Listen, I'm sorry that I yelled at you like that-"

"No."

"Huh?"

Russia let go of America and he walked over to me. America wiped his eyes and sniffled. "Don't apologize."

I was confused. "But it's my fault you were crying."

America smiled, half sad half pure. "You had a right to be upset. It's my fault. I never should have interrupted your conversation." He wiped away another tear. "You and North have been separated for too long. I don't own your country anymore, you can make your own decisions. If you want to talk to your brother I'm not gonna stop you."

I hugged him, well, it was more of a tackle-hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

America laughed and hugged me back. His smile vanished when we pulled apart. His eyebrows were creased. "Please make smart desicions. I don't want your country to suffer."

I playfully rolled my eyes (Yes, they have pupils.). "I'll be fine, America. Besides, if I'm ever in trouble I'll call you, okay?"

America sighed and smiled. "Okay."
The bell rung. To be specific, the eight thirty bell rung. I still don't know why they installed that. It's still the first week of school and where did they find the time to install it?

America walked to Russia and waved to me. "I gotta head to homeroom, see ya at lunch South Korea!"

I waved back. "Bye!"

I ran down the halls to get to homeroom. Walking into the classroom, I noticed no students were inside, other than North Korea and China of course. I walked to my desk and took my phone out of my backpack. I played some games on it for a while.

I eventually got bored and looked to see what North was doing. To my surprise he was writing in a notebook, but I guess everything "new" he does is surprising to me.
He was writing something in Korean, which I could obviously read.

이 문장을 다시 쓰되, 나라의 문화에 대해 뭔가를 추가하십시오.
(Rewrite this sentence, but add something about your country's culture.)

Huh? Why was he writing that?

North Korea then picked up the notebook and showed it to China. China read it, and I was impressed. Sure, he pronounced a few things wrong, but overall he did everything correctly. North Korea nodded and told China he did well. He then corrected China on the ones he pronounced wrong. China made a oh sound.

"내가 ... 문화를 쓰나요?" (naega ... munhwaleul sseunayo?/Do I... write... culture... down?)

China said the words slowly, and North laughed. "지금은 아닙니다."(jigeum-eun anibnida./ Not now.)

China nodded. As if on cue, countries started coming inside the classroom.

North Korea POV

I quickly shoved the notebook in my backpack. I didn't want any countries seeing what I wrote down, despite that there's a 99.9% chance that they won't understand what I wrote. All the countries in the world-except some-hate me anyway, so they probably won't even care.

I took out a book that I was reading for the past few days and opened it up. It was a good one. I was so focused on the book and the storyline that I didn't notice someone calling me.

I eventually did, but the voice was so faint that I thought I was imagining it. But the voice called my name so many times that I just decided to see if anyone was calling me.

I closed the book I was reading and looked around the room. The only countries that were looking at me were China and South Korea, oh, and also Australia for some reason.

Australia was glaring at me, which wasn't a surprise. On the last day of summer break I threatened to nuke him. Why? He threw a spider at me. Don't think I was overreacting, Australia's spiders were huge, isn't it reasonable that I freaked out?

Anyway, Australia's siblings have been at my throat ever since. Well, except Canada. He was angry at me, but was still nice when I was around. He did make me apologize though.

Even after I apologized to Australia he was still mad at me. He 'forgave' me, but I think he only did that because Canada was watching.

Anyway, China asked to borrow a pencil, which I gave to him, and South Korea tried to start another conversation, which I ignored. He stilled blabbed on anyway.

I wasn't entirely ignoring him, though. I'll admit, I was actually paying attention to what he was saying, I just didn't face him or talk.

I felt that someone was glaring at me and looked around the room. It was Australia, obviously.

But now he was holding something. It looked like a note. He whispered something to the country next to him-which was Greece-and then pointed at me. Greece turned around and frowned at me. She then shook her head. She whispered something to Australia and they both started laughing.

I stopped paying attention to them and listened more on South's talking. I looked at my book so that I looked like I was reading to other countries, but also made it look like I wasn't entirely ignoring South.

Time skip, North is walking to history

I was on my way to history class when I heard a lot of whispering. A lot. I looked around and saw countries in the hallway whispering to each other. Strange, usually they'd all be talking. At least 75% of them glanced at me from time to time. I started getting uncomfortable amd speed-walked the rest of the way to history.

History, teacher already started lesson

I was writing down things Ms. Juniper told us to write down when I finally looked up at the board. She had written down the homework for the night and was talking about the date in which it was due. But one problem. I couldn't read what was on the board.

No, it wasn't her handwriting, her handwriting is really good. I know because China told me. It was the language she wrote it in.

English.

I know it sounds weird, but I can't read English. I can only speak it. How my phone works? Everything is in Korean. Even if someone texts me in English it translates to Korean. When I text them back, it translates it to English so they understand. You understand?

You better because I'm not explaining it again.

I nervously raised my hand and waited for Ms. Juniper to call on me. She did.

"Yes, North Korea?"

I gulped. Everyone was looking at me. "What's the homework?"

Ms. Juniper looked really confused. "What do you mean, what's the homework? I wrote it on the board."

The whole class laughed. My voice came out weak when I replied.
"Th-that's the thing... I can't r-read English..."

The whole class burst out laughing. I immediately covered my face with my arms. I wish China was here... Soviet, Russia, Indonesia, even South Korea... Anybody that cared about me!

Ms. Juniper silenced the class with a glare. She then softened her expression and turned to me. "You must be the student he talked about," She said, "I'm really sorry. It's my first day on the job. The homework is reading pages one through thirty-six, and then answer questions one through five."

I nodded and wrote it down in my notebook (He has a notebook for all the subjects, a notebook for the homework in all the subjects, and a spare one for random stuff, a.k.a. the notebook he wrote in for China to read. That one.). Everybody was back to listening to Ms. Juniper, but all I could think about was their faces as they laughed at me. They were so... happy... but at the same time their smiles were so cruel...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and paid attention the rest of class. Me. Juniper also anounced that instead of writing the homework down, she'll say it.

"For North Korea." A country whispered, too quiet for Ms. Juniper to hear but loud enough for the rest of us. The whole class giggled and a few countries looked back at me.

"I don't see what's so funny about my announcement," Ms. Juniper said, putting her hands on her hips and frowning. "but if you think it's so funny, why don't you try to teach the class?"

Everybody went silent at that.

Ms. Juniper laughed. "Thought so."

She continued teaching the lesson the rest of the period. But I couldn't help noticing that countries were passing notes around, giggled, and then looked at me.

I sighed and put my head on my desk. I just wanted to dig a hole, crawl into it, and die.

This is gonna be a long year...