A/N

Honestly, I'm surprised anyone read this far. I hope you enjoy this chapter too.

~Shatter.

Chapter Three.

~°~

New York was worried.

Specifically, he was worried about his father. America.

None of the states, territories, or district had ever asked America why he had kept them secret. And now that they did, and knew why, New York was worried.

He didn't even know exactly why he was worried. Well, he did, but he didn't. It's confusing.

Anyway. . . .

(A/N Just ignore that last bit. It's cringy. XD I'm too lazy to erase it.)

~*~

England was worried about America. How could anyone go through what America had been through and not be depressed?

England had a feeling that America had been lying. But everything seemed like America had been telling the truth, except the nagging doubt that it was a lie.

And if it had been a lie, it worried England that he could lie so easily about that kind of thing.

And if he hadn't been, then whatever.

But England wanted to know whether or not America is okay.

~*~

America was not okay.

America was not okay. He was not alright. But he was fine.

He was always fine.

Always.

Do you know what "fine" really means? Because America does.

"Are you okay?

No. "Yeah, I'm fine."

The same answer every time. Sometimes worded slightly differently, but always fine.

Fine does not mean okay. It does not mean alright. Fine is what you say when you are not okay, but want everyone to think you are.

It's the same old question. Every time. And the same answer. Every time.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

~*~

America locked the door to his room tightly shut.

Then, he got a knife and pressed it to the skin on his arm. He saw the familiar sight of blood pooling from the wound. A few minutes later, he wrapped up the new cuts, cleaned up the blood, and took a few anti-depression pills (that worked very well *sarcasm*) before going back out of the room.

I told you he wasn't fine.

~*~

Nothing seemed different about the nation. Both England and New York noticed (or rather, didn't notice) this. But they couldn't get rid of the bad feeling they had. But they couldn't do much about it right then; besides, America's door was always locked. Even when he's not in it.

Even when he's not in it!

He could be hiding something. They wanted-no, needed- to know: is America really okay?

~*~ Time Skip to Tomorrow ~*~

America has a confession to make.

He can see England's imaginary friends. He pretends he can't, but considering he has one too, of course he can. Just like England can see Tony.

(A/N Yes, Tony is America's imaginary friend in this story. I haven't actually read Hetalia, I've only watched it, so I'm sorry for any inaccuracies. Besides, I wanted it to be different, haha.)

But he pretends that he can't. What would anyone think of a hero who could see imaginary friends?

They'd think he's crazy.

Though America wouldn't say that he's not. Besides, the imaginary friends of theirs seemed so. . . real.

Honestly, America didn't actually know that Tony wasn't real.

America, unaware to what the author has been writing about him, left his room to ask Massachusetts if he could make breakfast.

(A/N I know that makes the rest of this part pointless, but whatever.)

~°~Lalalalala~°~

The nations had been accepted by the states. Surprisingly, even by the ones they wouldn't expect to be accepted by. For example, Japan and Hawaii had been getting along perfectly.

But England noticed that some states didn't accept him as well as everyone else. Especially one.

Massachusetts.

England's relationship with the colonies was. . . different. For one thing, he already knew that the colonies had existed. They were, of course, his colonies at one point. He didn't know about the other states, of course.

The colonies got along well with England too, talking to him nicely and everything. But they didn't seem as comfortable with him as the other states, district, and territories.

England sighed. They must remember the American Revolution.

But it's not like England was going to try and take away their freedom. They knew that, and England knew that they knew it.

But he also knew that the colonies hated him.

And he knew why. And he accepted it. He deserved it, did he not? Maybe he wouldn't try and take away their freedom. Maybe he regretted what he had done. But their hatred for England ran deeper than that.

Their people had fought for their freedom. Their people had died for other's freedom.

And England had killed their people. Maybe the personifications don't really have control with what happens, but he went along with it, and fought with his country.

And to the colonies, that made all of the difference.

And yet, Massachusetts didn't even poison his breakfast.

~°~Another Time Skip~°~

"I know why they hate me," England said to America later. "I'm just wondering why they haven't killed me yet."

America stared at England for a moment, thinking about how much he should tell.

"A lot of them would love to," America said, finally. "But they listen to me. I don't give them too many rules, considering that I wouldn't dare make them feel that their freedom is being threatened, so when I do, they listen. Besides, they know me better than most." America paused, then continued. "Some of them have forgiven you. But a few haven't. Especially Massachusetts."

England sighed. "Of course he hasn't. That was actually me."

America nodded. "That wasn't just your country. You were a part of that."

England knew it was true, but he felt kind of sad that America would blame him. That America, the happy, forgiving person, still hadn't given him for that.

Of course, if someone had killed someone that England thought of as a daughter, he would never forgive them, either.

A/N

So that should be about when you realize exactly why I put that picture at the beginning of this chapter, if you haven't already guessed.

Anyway, I'm going to leave the chapter e for now. Thanks for reading! Please comment and correct stuff.

~Oliver.