Chapter 1
It's midnight, and the alarm you set goes off. You bang it hard to make sure it doesn't wake the others (your brother Australia, Japan, and Thailand), then roll out of bed and grab your shoes. You already have your clothes on and you can't wait. Tonight is the night you've been looking forward to for ages, a dastardly escape in the dead of night. Or in other words, a midnight picnic! Grabbing your torch and backpack, you sneak downstairs and out of the back door, praying the floor won't squeak and wake your roommates. It doesn't, and soon enough you're outside. "Arthur? Al?" You whisper into the forest that backs onto your shared house. "_! There you are!" A smile breaks across your face as Alfred, the fun-loving American tackles you in a bear hug. "Alfred, don't strangle her!" You squint out from beneath Al's jacket. There's Arthur. The Englishman's disapproving frown turns into a smile as he catches up and waves at you awkwardly. "Good to see you, _." "You too, Arthur." Suddenly you're shy. America sets you down on your feet, and you grin at them, your best friends in the whole world. And more. As the representative for New Zealand, you're technically related to both of them, but that doesn't stop you from having a massive crush on both as well.
"So, Iggy and Zee, whaddaya say we get going?" Alfred says, rolling up his sleeves. You notice Alfred is carrying a huge knapsack with what looks like a tent on top, while Arthur has only a small satchel. He raises his caterpillar eyebrows at you and you stifle a giggle. Alfred looks up. "Well, come on!" You grab your bag and give the peace sign, quickly turning it around so as not to be disrespectful to the UK representative. He winks at you, and you feel your face grow hot.
"C'mon, Al." You shout, running on ahead to break the awkwardness of the moment. You hear Alfred cursing behind you, Arthur swatting him, then the sound of the Hero running up behind you.
You lose your stride as you turn around to see Arthur slung over Alfred's back, letting out a string of swear words, some of which you don't even know yourself. You crack up, falling to the floor as the Englishman shouts even more. "Well, you're slow!" Al protests as he is socked in the ear by Arthur's foot, but he's laughing anyway. After a few minutes (ending with Al and you lying spread-eagled on the autumn leaves, cackling with laughter), Arthur grabs your hand and pulls you up. "Enough jokes on my behalf. Alfred, lead on."
As your small party continues through the darkening forest, you can't help but notice that Alfred is straying closer and closer to you, until you're bumping arms every step. "Al? What's up?" you ask, concerned. "Oh, hehe, n-nothing!" He replies. You cross your arms over your chest and smirk up at him. "Alfred F Jones, I think you're scared!" He hangs his head in embarrassment, and it's all you can do not to throw your arms around his neck. Instead, you grab his hand, saying quickly, "Don't worry, I'm here." He grins down at you, and you smile back. He begins to lean down... "Hey! _! Alfred! Where the devil have you got to?" You quickly jump away as Arthur comes crashing through the trees. "Well come on then!" He cries. You continue walking, heart pumping, spine tingling, not looking at Al. You're certain he almost kissed you.
