Hello everyone, my newest story Hetalia Academy! I hope you enjoy it because I plan to make plenty more chapters and back stories and all that glorious stuff. Countries like France, Japan, Poland, Sealand and Liechtenstein will all be there plus others. Well I hope you all enjoy the first chapter.

Chapter 1- Announcement

"Alright everyone, settle down. It's time for an announcement." My teacher was a soft-spoken, sweet lady. None of us really had the heart to give her any trouble and so we always just listened to her simplistic instructions. All the eyes in the room turned toward her to give her their full attention. She was no younger than fifty and yet she looked at least thirty five. She was one of those health-nuts that made sure to moderate everything she ate. It had to do with how she was raised. Her hair was cut in a short bob and the color was a black that reminded me of Batman's cape. Her eyes were this really icy blue and her skin was pale giving off a really cold look to her. But apart from her appearance of a lengthy 'Ice Queen', she was the sweetest lady you would've ever known. "One of you will be going on a trip to the main school out in Italy. How exciting! But like I said, only one student can go."

If this were any ordinary school, we'd all be scrubbing floors and cleaning shoes to have the money to afford it. Then again, this isn't 'any ordinary school'. I attend the prestigious chain of worldwide schools known as Hetalia Academy. The man who owns all of these, Himaruya Hetalia Hidekaz had a dream of uniting all of the world's children. Getting these students accustomed to each other's culture and ensure future world peace and harmony. 'Tolerance, Peace and Harmony' are the school's motto. We even have a salute after our own country's.

"With pen on my heart

And a salute to the world,

I draw this circle using my love

For the Earth is a giant circle

Where the ends connect

And the countries do too."

This is our law. We live by this law. We bathe with the law. The law is our life. All the students of this academy have dedicated their life to world affairs. To get in, you need to have wide knowledge of at least four different countries, including your own. Mine were America, England, France, and Spain. I live in America. The other three countries were all ones that had settled here so they weren't that hard anyway. Oh yeah, my name is Alfred F Jones. I'm the top student at Hetalia Academy's American school. There are over one hundred and fifty schools worldwide; one for each country. Even micro nations have their own schools. Except Sealand, they have to use a tutor from a school if they want to attend.

Although the main building is in Italy, there's a second one for the country itself. The main building is used only for the best of the best. Personality and looks don't matter as much as intelligence and knowledge of the material presented. Those students live on campus; however their life after school does not have to be on the school grounds. Students are allowed to walk in and out of the gates with an ID card given to them. Students often share a room with a roommate and can have many luxuries including snack bars and television. There are game rooms, a multitude of libraries and music rooms, along with many amazing things to eat from each country prepared by the greatest chefs.

The school makes its money through fund raisers and donations from wealthy families whose children attend it. They also take student work and auction them off with the student's permission. I had even heard of this Italian boy whose art work is as amazing as Leonardo Da Vinci and Picasso combined. Now that's saying something. There's also this French kid that can cook better than Gordon Ramsay and has fed groups of people at parties and others of the sorts. I have volunteered with firemen and doctors to help out. I have wide knowledge of the medical field and with fire so it's a win-win right there. That work was my favorite; anything charitable I could do, mainly because it made me feel like a completely awesome hero. I also like seeing the smiles on everyone's face while I help them. Kind of warms your heart to see all the happiness.

"Time for the announcements to see who won!" The flat screen's static switched to the principal. "Good morning students. As you know, once a year we send a student to the main campus in Italy. This is one of the most prestigious honours to be bestowed upon anyone. Now here in my hand," he said as he raised the envelope in his hand, "-is the result of who gets to go to Italy. You've all worked so hard this year and the results were close but one student stood out above all." He tentatively opened the envelope. All the students leaned forward in their seats, biting their nails and gripping the desks in anticipation. I wasn't here to make it to the big school. I just wanted to be taught and learn and then move onto the FBI or CIA. That'd be the coolest job ever. Of course it would be amazing to travel to Italy and study abroad. To go to Manarola in Cinque Terre, or Lake Como in the Italian Lake District. We'd also get to freely roam Europe, all by train. It'd be a wonderful experience.

It's not that I'm not a dedicated worker. I'm actually quite dedicated. It's just that everyone else around me seems much smarter or would deserve it instead of myself. But I'd never tell them that. I'd be the one to scream at the top of my lungs all the false reasons why I should be the one to go to Italy. I'm also very brilliant and strong, sports like football, baseball, and basketball being my strong suits. I have some of the best grades in all of my classes and I've tutored many of my peers. Despite what everyone says, I disagree. I'm not that great of a student, just really smart. "The student traveling, full scholarship and air fare paid; to Italy is…Alfred F. Jones!" The class resonated in a round of whooping sounds and cheers. I received many pats on the back and several hugs and cheek kisses from the girls in my class. I actually won! I made it to Hetalia's Main School. This is… it's just amazing. Even my mind's stopped working properly. Me going to Hetalia Academy? This is probably the greatest thing to happen. Maybe I'm better than I thought I was. "So pack your bags you're heading to Venice, Italy! Congratulations."

I couldn't stop smiling, all the applause and congratulatory wishes just made my ego fly. I was high off of attention and pride that I whooped with a few of the students in celebration. A few friends had even thrown me a party as well. Everyone was invited to wish me safe travels and fond farewells. The next day I packed my belongings, prepared for a boring flight from Minnesota to Venice. Since I was excused from classes, I was finally able to get a descent call from my parents.

"Hello?" There was a weird pitch to my mother's voice. She seemed almost excited and happy.

"Hey ma, I have great news!"

"Oh boy I can't wait! It's been so long Alfie, how've you been?"

"Great thanks mom, but I ha-"

"Oh yes your 'great news'. Two in a row, let's hear it." Two in a row? I'll ask afterwards.

"I got into Hetalia Academy's Main Facility in Venice!" I had to move the phone away from my ear to keep from becoming deaf at the high pitched squeal she released. "Another! Another! Cheryl, two of my kids got into the 'Big One'!"

"Uh, two?"

"Oh yeah, you're step brother Matthew got in too! He's in the school up in Quebec remember?"

"Oh yeah! Wait really? So I'll get to hang with him?"

"Well duh!"

"Don't duh me."

"Hush, I'm proud of you Alfie, you'll do so great. I hope you have a great time."

"Thanks mom, I'll call you when I land tomorrow."

"Okay baby, I'll talk to you and Matthew soon. And make sure you keep an eye on him."

"He's older than me though."

"Yes but he's also very shy and easy to push around, you know this. I'm just worried that people will keep ignoring him. He never seems to hold onto his anger but I know it hurts him when nobody remembers that he's there. You're all he has at that school so please keep a watchful eye? And introduce him to your friends if you make any."

"If?"

"I'm sorry mister 'I'm so damn popular'. When you make friends."

"Sure thing mom, I'll talk to you later."

"Bye son." I hung up and glanced at the half empty room. My roommate Al walked in; he had the façade of a tough guy but inside he was the sweetest person. He had an infatuation with animals and keeping them safe. He was a vegetarian and would constantly insult my tastes for meat. "All ready pork chop?"

"Yeah, my flight leaves tonight."

"Well good luck doll. Make sure to get some sleep on the flight because once you land, boom! Morning and sun." I just chuckled. "Yeah I know."

"Welp, I'll let you be pork chop. Even though you're a boy scout, you're still gonna be my doll."

"Thanks?"

"It was a compliment."

"Thanks." He left the room with a wink and a wave. What a player, he went for anything that walked and talked. Yes, even men. But who could blame him? If I had his looks I'd abuse that one hundred percent. It also doesn't help that he's a city kid who grew up around violence. One wrong word and the bomb could burst.

It was time to head to the airport; packing my things into the back seat, I took one last glance at the familiar building. I smiled and waved at the crowd that gathered to watch me depart. "I'll never forget you guys!" The crowd responded with cheers and whoops that's volume nearly shook the ground. I gave out a last hurrah and jumped into the back seat of the vehicle that was sent for me. Only 10 hours to Italy, and time seems to be taking its own sweet time.

So this is the first Chapter guys! Yes I know that salute is ridiculously dumb, don't judge my horrible ability to create a salute. Either way I thought it came out pretty well. If there's anything I could fix then please tell me. I feel like certain things could use a tweaking but I'm not entirely sure what it is. But I hope you guys enjoyed and I should be able to update soon. It's currently rated teen but i'm not sure if I should M-rate it in the future, or if I'll need to.