The scent of tea drifted lazily through the house. Virginia glanced up from her work at the smell, a sigh coming from her mouth. She gracefully stood up and walked to the kitchen, where her nice, hot tea had just finished steeping. Just add sugar and milk… "Hm", she hummed gratefully, taking a sip.

And all went downhill from there.

XxXxXx

"Alright! So, everybody knows that deserts are hot during the day and cold at night, right? Of course!"

Oregon nodded timidly in agreement, even if Nevada didn't stop long enough for the others to answer.

"And I mean really hot in the day, like scorching. And freezing cold at night. I mean, have you spent a day and night in a desert? Although I don't see what all the fuss is about. Just wear sunscreen during the day and have a lot of big, fluffy blankets for night!"

Nevada twirled merrily away from the screen in order to face the group sitting at the large table, blue eyes shining.

Virginia's eye twitched as she sat drinking her tea, trying to ignore the words that kept coming from the western state's mouth. Rhode Island, sitting next to her, scoffed.

"What does this have to do with anything?" He asked, a sneer in his tone. "Well, nothing, really. But no one else was saying anything. So, yeah, who wants to go camping in the desert with me and Cali?" California, eyes closed and head tilted back, lazily looked up and waved one hand to the states that turned to her.

"Why would we want to do that?"

Nevada grinned largely, beaming. Virginia wouldn't doubt that she had been waiting for that question.

"Because we're awesome to hang around, that's why!"

California laughed at something Florida whispered in her ear, the latter promoting a glare from the usually easy-going Nevada. The sunny state either didn't care or didn't notice the sudden glare, and continued chatting with a groggy California.

"Says who?" Irritably asked Rhode Island, snapping Nevada out of her one-sided glaring contest.

"Wha?" Dear God, she really looked confused. Had no one questioned this before? Virginia felt a headache coming on. "Who said you where awesome, huh?"

"Why, I did, of course!"

Rhode Island face palmed.

Virginia did, too.

Sitting next to each other, North and South Carolina giggled. Rhode Island turned to glare at them, but the twin girls just stared back, grinning happily at his pain. He felt a shiver crawl up his spine.

Creepy.

Which was what New Jersey thought, too, as he tried to subtly shift away from them. Honestly, why did he sit here instead of next to his closer kin?

New Jersey flinched when he felt his back hit something solid. Something solid that was breathing. Looking up, and up, and up… finally, New Jersey's eyes widened when he saw Texas in all his cowboy glory staring down at him. For a second, New Jersey was sure the Texan would, once again, mistake him for New York. He flinched, closing his eyes and waiting to be hit by the giant of a man.

"You okay, little guy?" Instead of pain, he felt big hands rest on his shoulders and gently turn him around. He peeked his eyes open to see Texas looking worriedly looking at him and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, I'm- I'm fine. Thank you. Uh, are you alright?" Stupid question, of course Texas was all right. But New Jersey was used to people mistaking him for his older brother, New York, and getting all up in his face because of something the other had done. It was rare that someone knew immediately who he was.

New Jersey would be the first to admit he looked uncannily like his older brother, with their similar dark blond hair and light green eyes. Although New York's eyes looked darker due to the mix of violet he inherited from Canada. But New Jersey was slightly shorter than New York, had a smaller build than him, and wore a different style of clothes and regular glasses instead of New York's sunglasses. His hair was also longer than his brothers. So New Jersey was confused as to how the others always mistook him for New York.

"Nat! You okay, man? That Texan didn't hurt ya, did he?" Speaking of New York, he was angrily stomping over to them. New Jersey doubted it was for his sake, though, because the other seemed to either fight him or ignore him like everyone else unless he wanted something. New Jersey thought he was just using this incident as an excuse to fight with Texas, who was his archrival.

"You! Where's your manners, stupid redskin? Apologize to my little bro!"

He was right. Of course he was.

"Why you damn yank, I'll teach you about manners!"

Ah, that was why he didn't sit with them. Right. New Jersey tiredly looked between the two, and then back at the twins, who were now teasing Rhode Island until he turned red in anger and embarrassment. He shivered, but sighed and moved back in his seat.

Better them then him.

"What are you girls laughing at?" Rhode Island demanded. North Carolina, nicknamed Carol, shrugged. South Carolina, also known as Lina, pointed at him and shouted,

"Nothing much!" The twins burst into laughter, running around to dodge a red-faced Rhode Island as he tried to grab them.

"Why you little-" He tripped on someone's outstretched leg, hitting the floor.

"Like, watch where you're going. I'm trying to, like, totally talk here," griped Kansas, rubbing her now slightly sore leg. Rhode Island grumbled out an "I'm sorry," which the valley girl nodded to. "Whateves." She turned back to an amused Colorado.

With Rhode Island distracted, Nevada rounded on Florida, growling.

"Bastard," She began, "You better treat her right or-"

"Or what?" Florida smirked.

"Or I'll skewer you with my arrows, smartass." Florida shivered. He knew she would.

Normally, you would think Florida would be able to overpower Nevada. They were both the same height, or around it, but Florida had a bigger build than hers with more muscle tone. But Nevada, with her broad shoulder and better posture, looked more intimidating from afar. Fellow states thought she was to be a female version of their Dad, able to lift trees and break down doors easily. Florida was strong, too, though. But Nevada had a bow and arrows and great aim.

Sharp arrows.

Oregon watched the fight, sighing. Ever since California and Florida started dating, Nevada hadn't been herself. Luckily, it seems she was back to her chipper, if not slightly crazy, self.

Now ignoring Florida, Nevada turned around just in time to catch site of North Dakota.

"Hey, North~!" She jumped over to him, causing the quite man to pause in wait for her. She grinned as she finally got to him, clinging to his arm. "What's up?" She asked. North shrugged, the movement jostling Nevada a bit from her spot on his arm. Nevada nodded.

"Yeah. I know what you mean. It's really crazy here, huh?" Subtly, North Dakota glanced down at the state on his arm, brow raised. He saw her waving enthusiastically to someone, and looked back up. South Dakota waved back happily, skipping (literally skipping) up to them. South then proceeded to cling to North's unoccupied arm.

North sighed.

By now, the meeting room was filled with noise from various states; talking, fighting, texting, eating, playing- some were even sleeping, while Oregon tried to work but gave up after California, who was sleeping, fell on his lap and, consequently, his arms.

"That's it!" A loud bad echoed through the suddenly quiet room. Wisconsin, hands planted on the table and growling angrily at the other states, glared around the room. The states that weren't sitting quickly proceeded to.

North Dakota sat in between Nevada and South Dakota, both still clinging to his arms. His position mirrored Utah's, who was trapped between Arizona and Colorado. Next to Colorado, Kansas helped pick Rhode Island up and he sat next to her. New Mexico, currently not talking to Arizona, sat instead next to Maine, who was drinking tea with Vermont and a reluctant New Hampshire. Delaware sat next to Ohio, who sat by Idaho and Iowa, the former of which had been talking to Montana and Washington. The Carolina twins sat not far from Virginia, who never moved from her spot next to Louisiana and Hawaii. Oregon managed to wake California up and she sat up in her seat, next to Florida. Alaska sat on Minnesota's lap, glaring at Nebraska, who shifted more towards Missouri and Oklahoma. Tennessee waved towards Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, who sat across the table. Arkansas sat in between Mississippi and Kentucky, who sat next to Illinois. Michigan sat next to an empty (?) chair, lazily stretching out before tapping Pennsylvania on the shoulder. Maryland sat stiffly between Wyoming and Massachusetts. West Virginia sat across from Virginia. Wisconsin was standing next to her and Indiana, at the foot of the table.

New York and Texas continued fighting, though, too wrapped up in each other to hear the northern state speak.

"Den mund halten!" Wisconsin yelled and the two warring states reluctantly sat back down, trying to ignore the other and listen.

"Quite! Ve vill continue zis meeting in un orderly fashion! I'll give vou eight minutes maximum to speak, und no von may speak out of turn. Raise your hand if vou vish to speak, please. Now!"

A hand rose.

Wisconsin pointed her finger at its' owner, who occupied the previously thought to be empty seat, nodding. "Wisconsin recognizes her friend Connecticut!"

The blond-red head closed his bright brown eyes, smiling widely. His hand still outstretched, the Italian-influenced state opened his mouth to speak.

"Nutmeg!"

XxXxXx

Authoress note: And that's the beginning. This chapter is based off the first episode/chapter of Hetalia: Axis Powers. I took the liberty of adding an accent for certain states based on which nations influenced them the most. Wisconsin's (otherwise known as 'The Dairy State') official dance is the Polka, symbolizing their Germanic influenced culture/ties- hence, I gave her a German accent. I myself don't speak German, although my mother does and is German herself. And, no, I will not be offended if you wish to correct the accents or other languages located within this story. In fact, I encourage it.

New York and New Jersey- Seem familiar? New Jersey is treated almost like Canada in this story. Why? Because everyone always seems to forget or ignore New Jersey in favor of New York. Actually, the two don't get along too well. New York is known to pick on his brother or use him for chores or the like.

Glasses and sunglasses- New Jersey's glasses symbolize Ellis Island, the infamous island that holds the Statue of Liberty. 'But wait, doesn't New York own that island?' No.

The federal government, which had bought the island in 1808, began expanding the island by landfill, to accommodate the immigration station opened in 1892. Landfilling continued until 1934.

Nine-tenths of the current area is artificial island that did not exist at the time of the interstate compact. New Jersey contended that the new extensions were part of New Jersey, since they were not part of the original island. The state eventually filed suit to establish its jurisdiction, leading New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to remark dramatically that his father, an Italian who immigrated through Ellis Island, never intended to go to New Jersey.

The dispute eventually reached the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled in 1998 that New Jersey had jurisdiction over all portions of the island created after the original compact was approved (effectively, more than 80% of the island's present land). This caused several immediate confusions: some buildings, for instance, fell into the territory of both states. New Jersey and New York soon agreed to share jurisdiction to the island. It remains wholly a Federal property, however, and these legal decisions do not result in either state taking any fiscal or physical responsibility for the maintenance, preservation, or improvement of any of the historic properties.

- Wikipedia

Sometimes New York will steal the glasses for a bit, but he always gives them back (not always by choice, mind you). New York's sunglasses, on the other hand, represent Long Island (which has actually been trying to become a state itself).

"Den mund halten!"- Shut your mouth! Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

Italy or Connecticut?- Yes, Connecticut is the state version of the ditzy Italy. I looked it up, and apparently Connecticut is the most Italian of states. So there.

"Nutmeg!"- Think "Pasta!". Nutmeg is a spice, though. One of Connecticut's nicknames is 'The Nutmeg State'. I had some debate on what word to use…

Connecticut is famous for the first hamburger,

One day in the year 1900 a man dashed into a small New Haven luncheonette and asked for a quick meal that he could eat on the run. Louis Lassen, the establishment's owner, hurriedly sandwiched a broiled beef patty between two slices of bread and sent the customer on his way, so the story goes, with America's first hamburger.

That place is Loius Lunch.

Another famous spice in the Nutmeg. That's why we are the Nutmeg state.

Mystic Pizza became famous for the movie starring Julia Roberts.

We are famous for a lot of the great seafood restaurants along the shoreline.

- WikiAnswers

Sorry for the long note. I do not own Hetalia nor do I make any profit from this fanfiction. Please Review.

Yours Truly,

Broken