It didn't take longer then two seconds for Florida to come running down the stairs.

"Lets just play." He wheezed, collapsing on the ground.

Hawaii skipped over to him and patted his head. He looked up at her. "She didn't want to play?"

"I didn't have a chance to tell her." He shivered. "I didn't know she had that much vocabulary. Never interrupt a Cali nap."

"Well I'm glad your alive!" Hawaii grinned, then squeezed her eyes shut. "One, two-"

"Wait wait!" New Jersey squawked.

"We have to go over the rules first." Delaware snapped.

"Ok!" Pennsylvania puffed out his chest as he hopped on the couch. "First rule: no going in Dad's room!"

"Second rule:", Utah quipped, "no going outside!"

"Third rule: no quitting!" Arizona joined Pennsylvania on top of the couch. "We'll stay hidden until you find us."

"Or until dinner time." Texas mumbled under his breath.

"Ready-" North Dakota started.

"Set-" South Dakota grinned.

"GO!"

The States flew off in different directions, and Hawaii squeezed her eyes shut and began to count.

"One, two, three, four, five..."

New Mexico flew up the stairway and launched himself into a cabinet as Nevada ran past in a blur.

"Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen..."

Alaska sank into the freezer and Texas wiggled into a broom closet. Georgia wedged himself past Alabama, who was trying to decide if the pantry or under the sink was the best place to hide.

"Twenty six, twenty seven... "

Arkansas giggled as Connecticut slipped down the basement stairs and grunted several swear words. Idaho jogged upstairs and slipped into the media room, only to find that Iowa had already taken his ideal hiding spot.

"Thirty-four, thirty-five..."

Illinois ran into the library and Kentucky rolled under the couch.

"Fourty!" Hawaii giggled. "Ready or not, here I come!"