A/N: I don't know what it is that possesses me to write an author's note in every chapter I write. Whatever. Anyway, enjoy.

o0o

Estonia didn't even make it halfway up the stairs when he heard the phone ring. He let out a long breath.

"I'll get it," he said, and went to answer the phone.

"Hello, this is Estonia."

"Estonia? This is China, aru," came the voice on the other end of the line.

"Oh, China, can I help you?" Why was he calling?

"I just wanted to see if Russia was alright," China said, his voice tinting toward worry. Estonia felt his heart stop.

"Why, what happened?"

"Well," China started, but then stopped. "I think you need to talk to him. You should be able to cheer him up. It'll mean something coming from you."

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Well, I'm off. Thank you." Then silence on the other end. Estonia put the phone down slowly. His brothers looked at him expectantly.

"So what's going on?" Lithuania asked. Estonia shrugged.

"He wouldn't say. Said I should talk to Russia."

"I don't envy you that job," Latvia said. Estonia shot him a look. Nervously, Lithuania put his hand over his younger brother's mouth.

"Well, are you gonna talk to him?" he asked. Estonia nodded.

"I'm going to try." He walked back to the stair case. He began his ascent up the stairs, trying to keep his heart in his chest. What did China mean by "It'll mean something coming from you?" He didn't want to think about that. The very thought that Russia was upset caused a pain in his chest. He hoped more than anything that China was right, and he'd be able to cheer Russia up. But the outlook seemed bleak. Russia didn't seem like the type that got pulled easily out of bad moods.

He walked down the hall to Russia's room and knocked on the door three times.

"Russia-san? Are you alright?" he called. There was no reply. "Russia-san?" He knocked on the door again.

"What do you want?" Russia's voice was small, it barely penetrated the door.

"I-I just want to know if you're feeling alright."

"'M fine. Go away." The words struck Estonia hard. It took him a second to respond.

"Are you sure? You can talk to me…"

"Go," Russia said with authority. Estonia stepped back, hurt.

"I-I'll come back to check on you later," he said. There was no response. He turned and walked back to the foyer where Lithuania was still standing.

"So?" he asked.

"He wouldn't even open the door," Estonia answered, fighting back tears. Lithuania put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I'm gonna keep trying though. He can't stay in there forever," Estonia said. He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

And he did try, but to no avail. He tried a few hours later, offering Russia lunch, but he refused. He tried again around dinner, but still Russia refused. Then at nine o' clock, he went as he did every night to sleep beside him. He didn't even respond. Crushed, Estonia went to his room and fell onto his bed. He didn't sleep that night. He couldn't even cry; the pain he felt was beyond that. So he spent the night staring at the wall, wishing he could think of anything to do to help his dear Russia. The night wore on.

o0o

In his room, Russia curled into a ball and lay staring out his window at the thick snow. He was cold. Looking to the place where Estonia usually slept, he felt his throat tighten. Once again, Poland's words echoed through his head:

"They're not your friends. They, like, don't even like you. They're terrified of you!"

"Terrified…of me…" Russia whispered. He closed his eyes, wishing he could close the pain out of his heart.

o0o

Alright. One more chapter left. Thank you everyone who's reading this. Please leave a review.