"...and you'll need to be sure to ask America these questions. He has a tendency of just rushing off into things without providing much more information. We don't want another incident like last time."

I handed Russia the pages I had just gone over. I pointed my finger to a highlighted portion on the front page. "This is your opening statement about the state of the economy and the welfare of your people."

"This is hard to remember," Russia said flipping throughout the papers. He smiled up at me in his creepy sickly sweet way. "Why don't you just do the meeting for me?"

I started to shake. "Sorry, Mr. Russia. I'm not allowed in there. I'm not actually part of the G8."

Russia didn't say anything or move. He just kept on staring at me. I was shaking so bad. My muscles were so sore, and his gaze just made everything heavier.

America stuck his head out of the meeting room. "Dude, Russia, commie buddy. You're holding up the party. Get in here already."

I was relieved when Russia turned America's way. "Da! I will come. We are buddies, da? We're great friends. You want to become one with me, da?"

America shook his head exasperatedly. "Stop joking around, man. Let's just get this boring meeting over with."

Russia seeped into the meeting room. It seemed like he took in his dark heavy cloud in with him. I was sorry for the other members of the G8, but I was glad I was finally rid of him.

I leaned on the wall and fell to the ground. My whole body felt like it hurt. There were bruises and soreness everywhere invisible. I don't think I could live with this much longer, but what choice did I have?

"Um, are you okay?"

I looked up to see him. I didn't do very well at hiding my shock, surprise, and confusion.
"Ah, you probably don't remember me. My name is..."

"Canada..." I breathed. And didn't think I'd ever see him again.

He smiled gently down at me. "You actually remember me!" He slid down the wall to sit beside me.

" Of course I do. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm here to keep you company," he said.

I shook my head. "That's not true." He couldn't have. Not after the way I made a complete fool of myself last time I saw him. "I'm sure you probably have something more important to do." He was in a uniform and everything. I must be keeping him late from some sort of meeting.

"Nobody will notice I'm gone." Canada was smiling at me, but there was a sadness in his voice. His eyes were just a confirmation of the fact. "I usually don't get to say much, anyway. I'd much rather spend time with you."

"Still, I don't see how anyone could not notice you." I don't know why I said that. My exhaustion must have been really out of control. My head and eyelids felt really heavy. They both started to droop. My head landed on something warm and furry. It wasn't soft, per se, but my head settled farther into its comfort.

"You must be pretty tired, huh," Canada said with a bit of a laugh and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. It sounded nervous and awkward, but a sort of hopeful at the same time. I still couldn't quite grasp it.

I felt Canada's fingers on my palm. I hadn't realized that my hand had found his. His fingers curved around the outside of my hand and pulled me in. His hands were large and calloused, but still gentle and warm.

"Tired is a bit of an understatement," I said as I yawned. "I'm pretty much working as a slave," I complained. I felt like I could tell him anything in this state.

"What would you do if you were free?" Canada asked.

"I don't know," I said sleepily. "Run. Be happy. Go to see you."

"Me? Why me?" he said with a laugh but also intense curiosity.

"I still need to give you back your hoodie from last time."

"Right," Canada said, finally understanding. "You never forget anything, do you?"

"Not usually. I suppose that's why Russia keeps me around." I yawned again. "Though, I would probably go see you anyway."

"I'm really nothing special," Canada said. A soft pressure pressed the top of my head. "Hardly anybody notices me."

"You only need one person to notice you to be special," I said. "You're special enough to me. If I was free, I'd go see you in a heartbeat."

I could feel my head getting heavier. I was being drawn into sleep. As I started to rest, I dreamed as I drifted that Canada in his low soft voice whispered, "I think you're pretty special, too."

I must have fallen asleep because I was jolted awake when the doors to the meeting halls were opened. My head whipped up. I turned. I had been sleeping in Canada's shoulder. Why was I so stupid? I was just making things more awkward.

Mr. Russia was one of the first to exit the room. He looked all around until he found me leaning in the wall. His eyes narrowed when he saw.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Russia. I hadn't expected the meeting to end so soon," I said still a bit flustered.

"Who is this?" he asked as I struggled to get back up.

I was back on my feet with the helpful tug of Canada, his hand still in mine. I let go quickly, embarrassed.

"I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry!" I said to any and all who would listen. I looked from Russia to Canada. Both looked confused of what was going on. At times like these, I really wished I could fully disappear.

"I'm Canada," Canada sighed, as if he had said the phrase a million times.

Russia smiled a bit. "Oh! Lucky me. I found him! You're missing member of G8!"

I could feel my knees shaking. Canada was rich, too? He was so far out of my league, it wasn't even funny. I thought China had been the last member. At let, that's what Russia always said.

"But why were you out here with my little Lithuania?" Russia said with a questioning look on his face.

My apologies came out as whispers. This was a mistake I should have never left myself so open like that. It would just make everything hurt worse.

"Lithuania and I were just talking. I let him borrow my hoodie. It's my favorite, so I really want it."

"Oh." Russia looked at me. "I didn't know Lithuania took your hoodie. I'll bring it back next meeting."

"Actually, Russia, I think I'd rather get it myself." Russia looked surprised at Canada. "You see, it's really special to me. I'd rather not be separated from it any longer. I really love that hoodie." Canada looked down at the ground.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't realize it meant so much to you."

Canada looked up at me, a slight blush on his face for some reason. "Well...it kind of does."

I felt kind of guilty. I had selfishly kept the hoodie that Canada cared so much for. I was glad I had it. It was a nice reminder of that day with him, despite how much I had embarrassed myself. I wondered why he had let me keep it for so long.

"If you don't mind, I think I'll come over to get it later," Canada continued to Russia.
What? "No!" I said out loud. I couldn't let Canada do that. Once you went to Mr. Russia's house, you would never get out in one piece or with your sanity.

Russia and Canada looked at me in astonishment. "I mean, this is a very busy time for us. Especially after the meeting today. We wouldn't want to trouble Mr. Russia. His sisters are coming over later, so things are going to be hectic enough as it is."

Russia's face went grave. "Da. You can become one with me later, Canada."
"But I never said..."

"Bro! Why are you always so late?" America said. It looked like he was returning back to the meeting room. "You never come on time! We can't start the meeting without you. And don't you dare blame kuma-what's-his-name again. We just spent a half hour counting, trying to figure out who was gone. I kept telling them had eight for a reason. Seriously, what's a G8 with only seven people?"

"I'll be right there, America," Canada said. He took one last glance at me as he, Russia, and America went back to the meeting room. I gave a small little smile to him as he left. I knew he wouldn't understand, but he really should stay away. I didn't want him to get hurt because of me.

Before he went through the door, it looked like he mouthed something to me. It almost looked like,"I'll save you."