4. Grown-up Christmas List-Kelly Clarkson

America walked down an empty alleyway in downtown New York City. It was Christmas Eve around midnight, and unlike usual, he felt down. Maybe it was his people making him feel this way. In the last few decades, a surplus of the American children lost parents or siblings in things like car accidents, or their fathers or mothers had abandoned them, or they were poor, or unhappy, and his soldiers were missing home. There were lots of problems, and America felt that this was why he was feeling so low.

A cough from his right caught his attention and he saw a grimy looking man sitting against the wall. He was probably homeless. America sighed and pulled out a ten dollar bill, handing it to the man. The man looked up at him for a second smiled a disgusting looking smile and then ran off. America knew the man would probably use the money to get alcohol somewhere, but it still was the right thing to do in his opinion.

If he looked down from an airplane or Helicopter on this city, America would be proud of his success, his growth, his power. But from here, in a smelly, dirty, empty, alleyway, it felt about as far from success as you could get. He remembered his history with the puritans when they first came here, shortly after he was born. He spent his first Christmas with England, but after that he usually spent it with his people. They always welcomed him warmly even though they did not know who he was or where he came from, and they always gave freely to him, treating him better than they did themselves. He could go knock on any door and it wouldn't change, not back then. Now, if he were to knock on some random person's door and ask to spend Christmas with him they would probably slam it in his face. Oh well, people change as they become successful.

He looked up through the smog at the moon and wondered why he was thinking about this, and more than that, why he was missing those days. He hadn't thought about them in years and certainly hadn't wished he could spend another Christmas like that. Maybe it was because he wasn't having a party this year and the other countries weren't around. He had few to no human friends, and the politicians that were his bosses certainly didn't want to spend Christmas with him; he was too big a part of work. Maybe it was just because he was feeling…lonely. He hadn't felt lonely in a really long time. He wondered if maybe Native America would want to hang out. He doubted it.

He smiled when he caught sight of a sleigh flying over the buildings way above him. Finland. Finland was a nice guy, and really one of his many big brothers. If Finland wasn't so busy tonight America probably would've tried to hang out with him. If Sweden would let him at least. America suddenly wondered if maybe Finland did have a lot of magical powers on Christmas. After all, Finland was Santa. He was pretty sure anyway.

Then it hit him; he should write Santa-Finland a letter! He didn't know if Santa could actually pull it off, but it wouldn't hurt anything would it? He pulled out a pen and paper and began writing.


Finland sighed happily as he cleared New York City. He loved Christmas, probably more than anyone else. Flying through the night sky on a magic sleigh and giving presents to little children; who wouldn't love that?

He gasped when a small rocket dropped into his sleigh. "What is this?" He picked the rocket up and saw a little door on it. Taking one glove off so he could grab the little handle he opened it and saw a piece of paper in it. He pulled it out. It looked like a letter. "Who would send me a letter?" he wondered out loud as he opened it.

Dear Santa (or Finland, ya know, whichever),

Do you remember when I was little and you first found me? Before England got me? It's been a long time hasn't it? Back then, I really needed all of your help. I know I'm big now, and I like to say I never need anyone's help, but I think I really need your help again.

There are some things I've always wanted, but never asked for. They're not for me, not really, but they are things I really, really want.

I wish that no more lives would be torn apart, and that we wouldn't start anymore wars, and time would heal all hearts. That everyone would have a friend, and right would always win, and we would never lose our love for one another.

Is there any way you could do that? I know I'm asking a lot, but if you could get those things for me, I would never ask you for anything again. If you can't do it, I guess that's okay too. I'll just do what I've always done and try my best to make the world peaceful and everyone happy.

Sincerely your (kind of) little brother,

America

Finland smiled and folded the letter up. He could never forget America as a little kid. He really would've sort of been America's big brother had England and France not jumped in, and he probably would've enjoyed it. Now he just wished he could actually give America the gifts he wanted, but he knew he couldn't. He was only one country and couldn't force the others to feel the same way, or the humans to do anything. However he was sure as long countries like America and him worked for it that someday there would be peace.

A/N So this one is not-so-great. And it's really short. Oh well. Please review anyway.