(Warning: implications of self harm)

Idaho was in the ground

Just chillin

Under the earth

Air is for nerds

Meanwhile, Alaska was chilling in the lounge.

Idaho decided to check out the lounge.

Anyway, if you never experienced someone just emerge from the earth, you'd probably scream just like Alaska did.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to spook you!!" Idaho exclaimed.

"WELL YOU DID!" Alaska exclaimed. Georgia rushed into the room.

"Is everything ok? I heard a scream," Georgia said.

"I scared Alaska. Whoops," Idaho said.

"Alaska... are you ok?" Georgia asked.

"Why wouldn't I be? He just scared me," Alaska said.

"You're hurt," Georgia said.

"I stubbed my toe," Alaska said. Georgia knew this wasn't the case, but figured she should confront him later in private.

Meanwhile, Mississippi was just hanging out in the garden, when suddenly Wisconsin walked up to them.

"Hey... do you have Minnies number? I realized I don't have it saved on my phone...," Wisconsin said. Mississippi hummed in thought.

Sh*t... If I give him her number he'll probably text her and she'll hurt his feelings... though I know I'm not personally responsible for their feud, perhaps I could humor him?

"I actually saw her, I'll go get her for you," Mississippi said. They walked away, hid, shapeshifted into Minnesota, and then walked back over to him.

"Hey Minnie! It's a lovely day out, huh?" Wisconsin said.

"Uhh...," Crap, I don't know Minnesota as well as I could to keep up a conversation as her... uhh... "yeah, I like the way the clouds are... uh... still there," nailed it.

"Heh, they sure are! lucky us!" Wisconsin exclaimed. Mississippi smiled, happy that Wisconsin wasn't too questioning, while also super confused as to how this was working.

Meanwhile, Alabama and Michigan were wandering around, trying to find New Jersey.

"Ughhhhh we gotta find him!!!! Ames hoity-toity friends from the city are coming over tomorrow! We can't have America coming home to a crisis!" Alabama exclaimed.

"What do you see? Is there any moving furniture anywhere?" Michigan asked. Alabama looked through a wall, before turning red and looking down.

"That's the bathroom I forgot that's the bathroom hold on I must go pray to the lord," Alabama said, shuffling away.

Meanwhile, New York was sitting under a big tree on a hill. Why? Because aesthetically, it's a great placement for your characters. Especially in film/animation/paintings/other mediums of art. It's such a used and known location, that me merely mentioning it already sets the scene. Now, as an added bonus, I'll describe the weather.

The clouds above were fluffy and dancing, however they were gray, signifying a coming storm. Now to paraphrase George Carlin, this fact does literally nothing when it comes to plot, but because humans love to try and find meaning in everything, the clouds will be twisted into a metaphor about a coming drama.

Anyway, New York was sitting under a tree and drawing a city skyline while humming to himself. He colored the city the grays and blacks and silvers one would expect....

But it wouldn't hurt to add some colorful billboards, right?

So he drew in a few colorful billboards, advertising knock-off brands that made him laugh. 'The North Fake', 'Prongels', and 'Burger Queen', to name a few.

He looked at his masterpiece...

But a colorful sunset would definitely help, no?

So he added in a colorful sunset, much like the one in Californias room. At first, he thought the sunset in his room was too bright and vibrant, but he grew accustomed to it and realized it wasn't his place to judge it.

Then finally, he was satisfied...

Buuuuut there is the perfect amount of space for a dragon in the corner...

No, that wouldn't make sense, dragons can't be in cities...

Meh whatever

So, New York drew a giant dragon.

New York, satisfied with his art, looked up and realized it was getting dark out. He went inside, holding his drawing close to his chest.

"Hey Yorkie! Have you seen New Jersey anywhere?" Maine asked.

"He's still missing?" New York asked.

"Unfortunately... whatcha got?" Maine asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," New York said, shyly showing the drawing.

"Ohhh cool... I don't get it," Maine said.

"I mean... there's not much to get. It's a dragon. In a city," New York said. Maine shrugged.

"Dragons aren't the first thing I think of when I think 'city' but it looks cool. Anyway, imma go look for New Jersey in the tool shed," Maine said, walking away. New York didn't think she was trying to criticize his drawing, but the more he thought about it, the more he hated it.

Of course the dragon is stupid... why would he even be in a city??

I'm stupid

And bad at art

And life

And everything

Ok that's a bit dramatic...

But still!!!

New York got to his room, and decided to take a shower. He took off his necklace and set it down at his desk beside his drawing. Then he went into his bathroom and did his thing.

When he got out, he saw a note on the desk where the necklace once sat.

I think the dragon is awesome, and totally belongs in the city

Don't ever give up on the things that make you happy, just because others don't care enough to appreciate the effort you put into the things you love

With love,

Your secret admirer

New York smiled, but suddenly realized he couldn't find his necklace. He turned around and saw it on the floor near his door.

"How'd you get there?" New York whispered, picking it up and putting it on, gently caressing it with his fingers.

Meanwhile, Georgia visited Alaska, holding a quesadilla Wisconsin made.

"Alaska, come here," Georgia said.

"No," Alaska shouted from his room.

"I'll have Hawaii melt your door down if not,"

"But-,"

"Just come here,"

Alaska sighed and faced Georgia, taking the quesadilla and eating it.

"...if you need to talk-,"

"I'm fine, it's nothing," Alaska said. Georgia stared at him. Alaska sighed. "I'll stop...,"

"I can't ask you to just stop... that's far too large a task to just take on overnight... but I'm here to support you," Georgia said.

"Why? You never cared before," Alaska said. Georgia sighed.

"I suppose I just didn't realize... and... I mean... everyone in this house always hurts sometimes. Believe me, I notice it when people try to avoid me because they don't want me to know something... it is hard trying to help everyone... but I can't just sit idly by and watch this happen Alaska, because this has become even deeper than just emotional pain," Georgia said. Alaska nodded.

"Your gift really sucks, doesn't it?" Alaska asked. Georgia nodded.

"Especially before I realized I needed to look after myself as well... you know Alaska... I noticed you were very happy when thinking about Hawaii... maybe she can provide support-,"

"I just started hanging out with her as a friend... I don't want to drive her away immediately," Alaska said. Georgia sighed.

"At the very least... talk to her... because she really likes you too," Georgia said. Alaska nodded.

"Ok... I will,"

Otter