The List

Part 1, Chapter 2: Miss USA

((Writing this chapter was almost painful at times, but I did it. Sorry for the appallingly slow and irregular updates, I just have no motivation. This chapter is set at a beauty pageant, but don't expect it to be accurate. I know nothing about what pageants were like in the 1950's. All I know about the Miss USA pageant, I learned from Miss Congeniality. It should also be noted that I learned self-defense from that movie as well. On another note, why do I make America such a fail when meeting pretty girls?

To my wonderful reviewers:

(I really should have done this last chapter as well, but I completely spaced on it…)

CBJC: I'm glad you're enjoying it! Geoffrey Chaucer will definitely be short-listed, but I'll have to do more research first. I know absolutely nothing about British literature unless we're talking Shakespeare. Blame it on my high school. They require American lit, sure, but Brit lit is an elective… One that no one chooses. I wanted to take it, but not enough other people signed up to make the minimum class size requirement.

The Guy Below Me Sucks: Your name wins. Thanks so much~ I just came up with the thought of her because she was the first Playboy model of the month. So, I'm guessing a lot of American guys thought they were in love at that point. xD

GlassCase: Oscar Wilde has also been shortlisted! Thanks for the input! I'm usually not that big of a fan of hate sex either, but we all know it happened. Also, I know a decent amount of Cold War trivia, mostly revolving around the science of the time, so I couldn't help but give myself a chance to use it.

StevetheSuperOtaku: Sir Steve, you never fail to flatter! Thanks so much!

LovelessRain0397: I love you too, m'dear. -huggles-

Rusty Halos: OHMIGOSH why did I not think of Queen Elizabeth I earlier! You pointed out a seriously big blonde moment of mine, there. Thanks so much! Also, yes, it is a lot of lonely nights. But in my headcanon, America was a little held back by his Christian beliefs for a while. It wasn't too long ago that it was a big deal if someone had sex before being married!

HetaliaUSUKcp-MomoChan: Wait- wait a sec. YOU WROTE SNOWY RELATIONSHIPS. -glomps- You just made my day with that review, seriously. I think we all knew they DID IT, m'dear. And USUK does guarantee awesomeness! This story wasn't much of a gamble when it comes to that.

And now, the story!

I don't own Hetalia. If I did, there would be more USUK and RuCan would be canon. ))

Sometime During the 1950's:

The beauty pageants had been going on for years, but for whatever reason, America had never attended one until that time. The organizer put him right next to the judge's table, in a place of honor, so he had a great view. When the music started and the young women began to file on stage, his eyes grew as wide as saucers. The fashion designer on his left began to comment.

"South Dakota's posture could use some work, but look at those legs!" America found himself nodding in agreement.

"Check Miss Texas out!" He said to no one in particular. "If I were a woman, that's what I'd want to look like. She's… She's…"

"All American beauty." The closest judge commented to him. "She's the favorite. Her name is Alicia Jane Oakwood."

America's eyes didn't leave Alicia's figure for the entire first night. Her bouncy blonde bob and blue eyes captured his attention and simply would not let go. He read her profile printed in the program - she was a small-town girl who dreamed of moving to the suburbs, marrying, and having three kids. She tutored children who struggled in school. Her father and older brother both served in the air force. She acted in community theatre, and had been in commercials on TV.

Alicia Oakwood may have been America's perfect woman in that particular decade. That night, when he retired to his hotel room, visions of white picket fences and a blonde-haired, blue-eyed wife in the modern kitchen danced in his head.

( Of course, that was before the reoccurring nightmare of communists taking over his government started. It was always the same - Russia sent a nuclear missile, America and England would have to hide underground, alone together, with only each other for comfort… )

In the morning, he took a quick cold shower, splashed on some lavender water, and stepped into his gray flannel suit. He tried to comb his hair, but Nantucket, as always, would not stay down. He didn't try too hard, though, lest another cold shower be required. Giving one last polish to Texas, he stepped out of his room, double checking that his key was tucked safely in the pocket of his pants.

He has been aware that he was staying in the same hotel as the contestants, but the fact didn't truly hit home until he found himself sharing an elevator with Alicia Oakwood. She was even more breathtaking up close. His heart seemed to stutter when she smiled up at him.

"Mr. Jones, correct? You're one of the guests of honor. I'm Alicia. You can call me AJ."

"Uh, call me The Hero! I mean, Am - I mean, Alfred. Right! Call me Alfred!" He shook her hand, holding on for a little longer than politeness dictated. He let go, blushing, when the elevator door opened and a few other girls pushed their way inside. America was surprised by how many girls made it their business to know who the judges spoke to, and dropped flirty hints that he should mention them to the panel. They were all fake - but not Alicia. AJ. She was… Genuine. Everything from the spark in those eyes to the freckles splattered on her pale cheeks was real.

"We get a long break for lunch," AJ said, looking at him. She was only an inch or so shorter than he. "Would you like to join me?"

"It would be my honor… AJ."

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor, and the two separated with a lingering glance.

The pair met at the hotel's dimly lit restaurant at noon. AJ seemed to have pulled one of those lightning-fast changes that pageant girls were so good at. Her simple blouse, pearls, and pencil skirt looked just as good as the fancy dresses she wore on stage. Her sun-streaked hair was pulled into a bun, though a few strands hung loose, framing her delicate face. "Alfred! You made it, I'm so glad!" she stood from her stool at the bar and gave him a quick hug. Alfred blushed, and ordered a margarita, along with his usual burger. It was what modern businessmen drank at lunch, and that was the role he was playing.

"It's great so see you. How do you think the competition is going?" It was a line he had rehearsed in his head. not too personal, not too impersonal. Just something two people would talk about at lunch, naturally.

"Oh, I don't know if I'll win…" She said, looking down with a sad smile.

"What- What do you mean by that! You're beautiful, of course you'll win!"

AJ looked up, her eyes sparking with something, something like hope. "You really think so?"

"I know so! If I were a judge, I would totally pick you!"

"But you're not a judge. Maybe you could… No, I wouldn't ask you to put in a word for me. That would be unfair to the other girls."

"Oh, I wouldn't need to, you'll win anyway - "

"Have you seen New York? I'm hopeless against her." A tear began to fall, and America acted without thinking. He turned her head toward his and gave her a gentle, loving kiss. When he withdrew, her eyes danced. "Oh… Um, Alfred…"

He turned back to the bar.

"Um. Miss Oakwood, how much more time do you have left of your break?"

"An hour at least."

"Would you like to come up to my room with me?"

Forty five minutes later, the pair laid in bed next to each other.

"Alfred?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you don't want to help me win?"

He didn't answer her. She got up, dressed, and left the room without a goodbye. And America felt like a horrible person.

So, that night, before the next round of competition began, he left, guilty that he couldn't bring himself to help her.

She won anyway. That evening, she went back to his room, intent on thanking him for his help with a night of loving, but he was gone. She spent the rest of her life remembering the man who helped her to win the crown of Miss USA.

((I kind of hate how I ended this chapter. Meri got played, and it didn't even matter in the end. Alicia Oakwood was not a real Miss USA contestant, however, she is very loosely based on a girl I know in real life. If she seems familiar, that's why. The real girl is much kinder, I promise.

Thanks to Amber Lehcar for her help with the chapter.

I hope you enjoyed~ Please review with any comments, and especially if you have critique. I'd really appreciate it! Have fun, everyone! -EP))