Sealand and I sit in the corner of the room, being ignored. As usual. "Sealand, I envy you," I mutter. Sealand looks at me questioningly. "At least you're a country!" I whisper-yell. "I'm America's little sister, California! A state!" I ball my fists.

"Don't feel bad, California," Sealand says with a smile. "We're technically both in the same boat." I nod and sigh heavily.

"… I guess you're right. Oh, look! I think England wants to talk to you!" I point out. Sealand glances at England's frowning face, and then at me. "Go on!" I say. Sealand hesitantly stands up and walks over to England.

"How did a little brat like YOU get into the meeting?!" was all I heard from him. It's lucky that I'm America's younger sister, or I would be being treated worse than Sealand. I don't know why I ever even think that England will have something good to say to Sealand. I stand up and walk over to America, who is sitting alone.

"Hi, bro!" I say with a smile. America's face brightens when he sees me. He laughs and lifts me up onto his lap, and ruffles my hair.

"There's the little hero-in-training!" he says. I love my brother's bright attitude and fun personality. Of course, the only thing the other nations see in him is arrogance and how much crap he eats.

I'm my brother's pride and joy. I have Hollywood, which is what he boasts about most of the time, and I have a TON of beaches, which is another thing he likes to shove down people's throats. America's really proud of me, and I think the other nations don't mind me much either.

"So… Anything interesting happen?" I ask through a piece of gum. America shakes his head and sighs.

"Nope. The most interesting event that took place today was England kicking Germany in the crotch."

"Oh my God!" I gasp. "Are you serious?..."

"Yep," America says, smiling. "Germany's face was so red; we thought he was going to erupt like a volcano. Which, now that I think about it, would've been pretty frickin' epic." I laugh. Suddenly, I am pushed over by someone.

"AMERICA! AMERICA AMERICA AMERICA AMERICA AMERICA AMERICA!" Italy is bouncing off the walls with an ecstatic look on his face. Not in his eyes, of course, considering he never opens them. "I heard this CRAAAAZY rumor about this haunted old western-style house in the east! Can you tell everyone about it? Because I REEEEEAAALLLLLLY wanna go, but I'm too scared to do it alone! Please, America!" Italy wails. "Oh, hi, California," he adds with a grin after looking down where I am sprawled on the floor.

America looks into Italy's eyes (eyelashes?) with an adventurous and mischievous glint in his eyes. "Deal, dude." They shake on it. "Oh, and Italy?" America calls before the pasta-loving maniac is out of earshot. "Can I bring California with me?"

"Sure!" Italy yells on his way to talk with (invade the personal space of) Japan.

"So, whaddaya think, sis? You up for the challenge?" He looks away for a second, then turns around and yells, "BOO!" I jump slightly, which causes America to triumphantly laugh. "This is why I am epic," he says with a serious expression. We both burst out laughing.

"Definitely, bro. It's gonna be so fun!" I nearly squeal. Wiping off my shirt a bit, I head over to chat with France. He doesn't know, but I've had a crush on him forever. No one knows, really, except Sealand. He and I are best friends.

"Um… Hi, France." I smile shyly and rub the back of my neck self-consciously. Little does France know, my heart is thumping away. He tilts his head downward and looks into my green eyes. With my green eyes, long blond hair, and … 'prominent' eyebrows, I look almost exactly like England for some reason. Well, we are technically siblings, in a sense.

"Did you need something, California?" he asks. I can tell by his voice that he doesn't really care. He's never really liked anything to do with America.

"Um… Oh!" I yell out. I don't want to look like a fool, so I say the first thing that comes to mind. "America, Italy, Germany, Japan, Prussia and I are going to a supposedly haunted house out east. Do you want to come along?" I feel my face turn bright red. France looks at my growing blush. He suddenly leans in close to my face.

"I would love to, mademoiselle," he says flirtatiously. I am so stunned that I can barely say "awesome" in reply. I quickly dash away to Sealand, who has been sulking in the corner for a while now.

"Sealand!" I hiss. Sealand and I both duck silently under a table.

"What is it, California?" Sealand asks. He looks at me confusedly.

"I think…" I start, "France was flirting with me." Sealand smiles encouragingly at me. "I'm not so sure about it, though…" I add quietly. Sealand looks confused.

"But, haven't you liked France forever? What are you not sure about?" he asks in disbelief.

"Well, he seemed like he didn't care that I was even standing there until I blushed." I sigh heavily. Sealand takes my hand.

"At least he'll pay attention to you," Sealand says. I nod, as if to say, "You're right." Suddenly, I jump up and smack my head on the table.

"Is there someone down there?" Russia's kind voice reaches my ears. I quickly scramble away. Russia scares me a little bit.

"I have to get going!" I whisper. I clamber out from under the table, bid a quick farewell to Sealand, grab my sweatshirt, and run to catch up to the others.

Once I can see the faint outlines of men, I notice that there are three extra people in the group. After jogging to get a better look, I see China, England, and Russia. 'America must've told them, too,' I think. "Hiiiiiiiii…" I say, sneaking up on America.

"EEEKKK!" he shrieks, jumping a mile into the air. England, France, and I are doubled over laughing, while Russia just smiles that creepy smile and China moves forward without batting an eyelash. America glares at me. "You just…caught me off guard, is all." I poke him in the stomach.

"Yeah, right," I reply. England pats my back and grins. France moves beside me and slips his hand into mine. I freeze for a second, but keep moving quickly. 'This is a dream come true,' I think with a dreamy smile on my face. 'France likes me, I just scared America and we're venturing into a haunted house! What could make this day better?' We pause in front of a huge house. The large door is intricate and beautiful. I let go of France's hand and walk up to the door. I run my hand along the front, and then grasp the doorknob. "Ready?" I ask. Everyone nods, and I almost open the door. I stop when I hear a cell phone ring.

"Sorry, guys, that's me," China calls. He opens up his phone and puts it to his ear. "Okay… Yeah." He hangs up. "It was Japan. They're still at the meeting room, but they'll be here quickly," China quickly explains. "Ready." China nods towards me.

I firmly grip the doorknob, and slowly turn it. I walk inside.


A/N: Okay, so I'm home sick today. I wrote this while listening to France sing 'Marukaite Chikyuu'. XD I hope you like it, and I'll be starting the second chapter right away!

Rose :) By the way, if you think that California is a Mary-Sue, alert me in any way possible! And the plotline will differ from HetaOni.