"I should never be left alone with my mind for too long."

-Libba Bray

Italy's Point of View

The moment the door closed I felt my heart flip and my stomach churn. Regret clawed at me viciously. Ferociously. My soul was bleeding with all that was guilt. What had I done? What kind of monster have I become? Hate? Yeah, sure I hate some things… But to hate a person is a sin. To be so corrupt… What kind of person am I? Inhumane is the only word that describes me now.

"I don't hate you… I could never hate you…" I whispered to him. "I don't… You believe me don't you?"

Believe you? After you just tried to shut the door on me three times? After you didn't allow me into your home? We're still best friends. I totally believe you.

"But, I mean it Germany… I don't…" I pleaded.

Of course! I really believe you. I do.

"Forgive me! I'm…" I fell to my knees on the scratches made by his bowl, "I'm… A monster I know… But forgive me… I'm selfish I know… But forgive me… Please…"

Why would I ever forgive you? Just like you said: You're selfish.

"But I—I'm so sorry!"

You're a monster. I will never forgive you.

"You used—you used to forgive me!" I choked out.

That's when you smiled. Sure, I told you not to smile around me, but I hate the real you inside. I love the Lies better. No one would like the real you.

"Stop it!" I screamed at no one.

No one at all.

You're so annoying. Attention seeker. I kissed that girl just to get on your nerves. Because I hate you that much.

"Germany, stop!" I clawed at my ears.

I know you've been in love with me. I've always known. But I just love to watch you suffer. I won't love you back. No one will love you.

My ears started to bleed. I picked at the insides, the outsides. I nearly ripped them off. Anything to shut up Germany.

He finally stopped.

I thought I would be relieved when he stopped, but it only made it worse. Every syllable ran through my head. My heart if I still had one. All I wanted right now was to die.

Die.

Die.

Suicide.

But countries can't die…

But Holy Rome did…

My eyes jolted open. Holy Rome died. That means...

How did you die, Holy Rome?

I could only think of one country that might know anything about any of this, and that was China. He was oldest wasn't he? He must know something.

He must know something. Something! It has to be possible! I can't just keep living with this guilt! This fake self… This remorse. This unrequited love. This… Horror.

I walked over to my cell phone and flipped it open, fumbling with the buttons, but eventually the right numbers appeared. I clicked the call button.

Ring.

Ring. Ring.

Answer already…

Ring.

"Hello?" I heard his sweet voice. And I'd never been so happy to hear it.

"China!" I said happily, even grinning in real life.

"Italy! What's brought you to call me?"

"Oh I…" I tried to quickly think of something. Then it hit me. "Germany gave me some homework! I wanted you to help me with it!"

"Italy, I'm a bit busy. I can't come over right now."

"No, no, it's just one question," I said quickly.

"Oh, if that's the case, I guess I could help."

"Yay~" I sang. "Well, Germany told me to do some research and find out if it was possible for a country to die. Y'know like suicide? Totally random... I figured since you were the oldest, you would know best!"

"Are you sure he asked that, Italy?" his voice dripped with doubt, "Countries are immortal."

"Ve~ He did," I fidgeted nervously, "Holy Roman Empire died… So he told me to figure out how."

"Oh, I see. That's a bit different," his tone changed, "You see, it's actually is possible for a country to die if their army is defeated in war, and their land is conquered."

"So… Only being defeated in war will kill a country?" I asked as I tried to hide the disappointment biting on the tip of my tongue.

"Yeah," China said. Though after a moment, he added: "Actually… Now that I think about it there may be another way."

"What's that?" I asked almost too quickly.

"Well, technically speaking, if a country was to cut out their own heart or other vital organ, and put it apart from their body, their body couldn't heal itself."

I carefully thought over the new information. How could I ever accomplish such a feat? Once I cut out my heart won't it be hard to put it somewhere else? Maybe a box of some sort… Or maybe throw it in the ocean as I stay on shore? I could even ask someone to do it for me… Probably Russia. He seems the most heartless. No pun intended…

"Italy?" I heard the voice on the other line.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I asked if that was all you needed."

"Oh, yes! Thank you so much!" I tried my best to sound happy like those other times.

I heard the phone disconnect and didn't bother closing my phone as I ran back to my bedroom. The paint covering my body made it hard for me to move as quickly as I wished, but I didn't care so much. No need to wash the paint off either. Why clean what will soon be dead?

Narrator Point of View

China hung up the phone from his desk. His paperwork lay forgotten on the desktop as he started to think about the call he'd just received.

That was a strange call… Since when did Germany assign homework? He wondered. Wait… Did I just help Italy cheat on his homework?!

China almost face-palmed. How could he be so dumb? All these thousand years of being so ethical… He was just so hypocritical to all the teachings he tried so hard to engrave in all the hearts of his Chinese citizens!

Why was he even fretting so much over this little thing? Though he knew it wasn't that big of a deal, part of him just kept prodding at his curiosity. It grew ever so big.

Eventually, China picked up his phone again, dialing a number. He heard the ringing in the background and patiently waited for someone to pick up.

Finally the receiver answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Ah Germany," China said, "I was just wondering something. I helped Italy on the homework you gave him. That isn't cheating is it; was he supposed to do it on his own?"

"Homework? What homework?"

Mwahahaha... I'm really enjoying this more than I should. XD AND I'm writing TONSSSSSS Hope you like it! I think the concept of the chapter was okay but I think I failed in the writing portion. m(_ _)m Too much dialogue... Anyways, I hope it was okay for you guys! I write to be read~ Don't forget to review! ^.^

PS: The rating may change to T. I'm not sure where I'm going with this but it's just a warning.