What is... "Home"? (Hetalia Fanfic, Part 2)

Chapter 122~!

This chapter marks the beginning of the end. Excuse me while I go sob in a corner TT~TT

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"Are you sure you want to go out? You've been having some health issues, I don't think you should be exercising so much, you know?" Canada advised me as I pocketed my cell phone while standing. I'd just told him I was going to take a quick walk on the trails in the woods to clear my head.

"Don't worry, I'm not," I said with a reassuring smile. "I can barely keep my eyes open with all this studying, I need a breather. You're welcome to join me, though."

He pursed his lips and glanced down at the book in his lap. "Oh, I don't know... I've only got a little more to do for this class..."

I waved my hand flippantly. "It's fine, don't worry about it. I'll take Ko with me, it'll be fine." I scooped her up and gave her a piggyback ride out of our dorm after pecking Canada on the cheek. We passed a few other countries, including Poland walking around with Lithuania.

"Ah, Mr. Poland, we really should be studying," Lithuania was saying as I walked by them both.

"Hey, guys!" I greeted with a little wave.

"Halo, Melina!" Poland cried while glomming on to me. "You should totally save me from studying, y'know?"

I laughed. "Wish I could, I'm trying to escape it myself."

"How?" he begged me to know.

"Taking a walk in the woods."

He stuck his tongue out in distaste. "Sounds, like, boring. But hey, did you see your pictures in the magazines? The shoot went totally well!"

I gasped. "No way! I didn't see anything yet, but that's so great! Was I successful, you'd say?"

"Definitely! You totally should become my employee, full time!"

I chuckled and shifted Ko in my arms so she sat a bit more comfortably. "I just might take you up on that offer. The shoot was a lot of fun! But I'd better get going, the sooner I get my walk done the sooner I can get back to studying."

"Laaame," he replied, stepping back. "Alright, see you later?"

"Yup! Bye, Felyks, see ya, Toris."

They both waved and I continued on, entering the forest not long after. Ko was very happy, looking around at all the scenery and pointing out the things that caught her eye the most. The fresh air was so rejuvenating, I almost thought my cough was going to go away. Yeah, like what Canada had said earlier, I was starting to have health problems. I'd almost failed my P.E. final because I was so fatigued, I was falling asleep standing up! It was worrying me horribly, but when the sleepiness went away I developed a bad cough that I almost couldn't hide from my overprotective friends.

"Are you feeling any better, Melina?" Ko asked sweetly, putting an ear to my chest and listening as I answered.

"I suppose I am, it's been better though." I cleared my throat and looked ahead, noting the large tree the path veered around sharply.

"Hmm... You still sound pretty bad," she reported, leaning her head back and drawing in a deep breath.

I decided then was a good time to change the subject. "Hey, enough about that. How're you coming on with the babies? Any kicking yet?"

She smiled and shook her fuzzy head. "Not yet."

"What is it now, two mon-" I stopped short my sentence when a twig snapped from somewhere to my left. Ko's ears twitched and she lifted her nose to the wind, sniffing intently. I whispered to her gently, "What was that? There aren't any large animals in these woods, are there?"