"America, may I ask you a question?" Italy asked during one of the G-8 meetings.
"Sure thing." America said with a soft smile. (He rather liked Italy because he was always cheerful.)
"What is the Pledge of Allegiance?" Italy asked.
"Umm," America said rubbing the back of his neck, "that's a rather awkward topic for me."
"Why?" Italy asked. (Can't read the mood.)
"Because it's freaky, that's why!" Russia said with a shudder.
"How?" Italy said looking even more confused. "Can someone tell me what it is?"
"It is a pledge said before classes begin in most schools in my country." America said turning red with embarrassment. "It goes:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"That is strange, but why is it creepy?" Italy asked.
"Just imagine a crowd of little children, chanting a verse in unison, hands over their hearts, and faces without emotion." England said looking a little creeped out.
"That is scary!" Italy said in horror as he imagined what England said.
"What's with the "Under God" part?" China asked with an angry look. "What about non-worshipers? Not every person has the same religion."
"It represents a patriotic, not religious, belief." America sighed. "Atheists who find the phrase offensive and people who believe the phrase does not apply to their God are not punished if they refuse to say the pledge. They have the right not to. And please don't bring up the religious part. Some people want it taken out, and some people want to keep it. It gives me a headache just thinking about it. Listen, I find it just as, if not more creepy than you guys do due to the fact that they are doing it to respect the flag."
"So why continue the pledge when it causes so many arguments?" Italy asked.
"People in my country can't agree on even the most minor things." America said with a sad look. "They could never agree on something as big as religion. With the freedom of religion, banning teachers in public schools from preaching to kids, trying not to offend anyone, and hundred others reasons, I'm doomed to listen to people argue for the rest of my life."
"That sucks." Italy said with a look of pity. "Do you want some pasta to cheer you up?" He held up a plate of pasta, which seemed to come out of nowhere. America just stared at the plate for a moment, and then started laughing.
"Dude, you have to teach me how to sneak in food like you do." He said as he accepted the plate from Italy.
A/N: Ok, so as everyone knows, (and now knows from reading this chapter), the Pledge of Allegiance is pretty strange. I really find it hard to explain, so I would encourage anyone who is still confused to look it up. I didn't mean to make this chapter so depressing, so sorry about that.