/Chapter One: An Unlikely Friendship\\

Chad sighed, standing in front of Alfred's home on his doorstep. She held a rolled up piece of paper in one hand while the other rubbed the back of her head. "I hope this isn't a mistake…"

She remembered how Francis had told her; 'Now zat you are an independent country, you must go out and make new friends, mon chere!'. She groaned, rolling her eyes. "I've never even been outside of Africa or France… I don't know how to do this, but I can try…" She took a deep breath and knocked. "Hello, Mr. Alfred!" Sound confident… Sound confident…

A moment later, the door opened slightly and Alfred poked his head out. "Hello? What's up, brah?!" He smiled.

Chad laughed a bit to herself. "Hey, Mr. Alfred. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing, but my brother Francis told me it'd be a good idea to go make some friends, and I already met Arthur, so I thought I'd go onto you…!" She smiled, a tad nervous.

"Oh! Come on in, then!" He opened the door all the way and stood to the side to let her in.

Chad smiled, putting her list of Nations in her pocket, and skipped inside. "Thank you!"

"No problem dude, feel free to take a seat!" He sat back on a couch. "You're that one chick from the last World Conference Meeting!"

Chad glanced at the ground, slowly walking over to sit next to him. "Yeah… I wasn't as nice as I usually am!"

Alfred laughed. "Don't worry, I don't remember a single thing except for you raising your hand to punch ol' frog face in the face!"

Chad stared at him funny for a moment, then laughed. "So… You don't remember my name, country, I don't know… My eyes?"

Alfred shook his head, still smiling. "Nope, not a thing! I never fully pay attention at meetings. They're so boring!"

Chad smiled weakly. "Heh heh heh… Well, my name is Chandler Amari, but everyone calls me by my nation name, Chad. Plus, I actually enjoyed the meeting…" She held out her hand.

Alfred took her hand and gave it a firm shake. "Nice to meet you, dude! Alfred Jones, nation of America! But you can call me Alfred. I wish we could eat during meetings, though, I might actually pay attention!" He laughed.

"Well, maybe you should bring it up, then! I wouldn't oppose it!"

Alfred shrugged. "I know Iggy wouldn't like it, so I doubt they'd let me."

Chad smiled. "Arthur's the one who drinks tea during meetings. I'll back you up next time, I promise!"

Alfred smiled. "Thanks, Chad! That means a lot. So what brings you here again?"

Her shoulders sank. "Francis told me I needed to get out and go make some friends… Though I doubt I'll make any good ones- everyone's so much higher up than I am."

"Nah, don't worry about it! I'm sure you'll do fine. Can I get ya' anything?"

She shook her head. "No no, it's fine! I don't want to be a bother."

"Pfft, don't worry about it! So, you've seen Arthur, huh? What did ya' think?"

Chad smiled a bit. "He's very chivalrous- I like gentlemen. He's a good guy. But he's a bit of a stick-in-the-mud; he needs to learn to have a little fun!"

Alfred rolled his eyes. "I know, right?! He's so uptight."

"Yeah, he is. I like people like him, but I like having a fun time- a bit of risks, adventure, danger, things you've never done before- that stuff excites me! What's life without having a bit of fun?" She paused. "… I am so sorry."

Alfred laughed. "Dude, don't worry about it! I totally agree with you! I think we'll get along just fine."

She smiled. "Yeah… I think so too." She sighed, looking at the clock. "Oh dear, it's lunch time. I told Francis I'd at least have dinner with him…"

Alfred glanced at her wrists. "Don't you at least have a watch?"

She shook her head. "… Francis says I don't need one because I'm pretty." The corner of her eye twitched lightly.

"Pfft, sounds like him."

Chad stood up. "It was nice meeting you- err, seeing you again, Mr. Alfred!"

Alfred stood up as well and gave her a hug. "Dude, it was totally my pleasure!"

Chad blinked, a tad surprised, then smiling and returning the hug. "Heh!" After a moment, she pulled away and headed towards the door, waving.

"See ya, dude! Drop by whenever you want!" He waved, watching her close the door behind her. She seems nice.