Speed Date 9

All around her, nations were wandering back to their tables, save for a few stragglers. Dates resumed and Maria was left alone at her table.

"Hmm…" Maria wondered aloud, "I wonder who I'm supposed to be with right now."

Maria heard the sound of a throat clearing and she abruptly looked up. In front of her stood, or rather sat, someone. And on this certain someone's face there was a hint of an apologetic nature and an even smaller hint of annoyance.

Maria gasped and blushed. She felt awful for not noticing the Canadian. For a moment she thought he was Alfred! She knew how much he hated being confused for his brother. Now, if only his name hadn't escaped her.

"Oh, hello, M… Matt…. Matthew… Matthew!" Maria stammered, "Yes, hello Matthew!" she repeated a bit stronger.

"Hello Maria," replied Matthew.

"Oh Matthew, I am so sorry I didn't see you there!" Maria blurted.

"Don't worry about it! It happens all the time…"

As he said this, he buried his head into the white fur of the polar bear that was in his arms.

"But I still feel terrible. I need to do something in order to make up for it!" Maria said as she unconsciously leaned across the table to pet Kumajiro on the head. "Ah, I know! I'll take you out for coffee and pancakes!"

Maria remembered how much Matthew loved his pancakes. Matthew politely declined although the mention of pancakes did intrigue him. When he declined Maria responded with a, "Are you sure?" To which he would say he was sure and then the cycle would continue.

Before they could spend the rest of their date "arguing" over whether or not to go out for coffee and pancakes, Kumajiro popped up and said, "Maria and whoever you are!" (He gestured towards Matthew when he said that.) "You two are going to waste all your time debating whether or not to go out for coffee! You! (And here he pointed yet again to Matthew.) Invite Maria out for something at Tim Hortons!"

Maria and Matthew looked at each other a bit bewildered. Matthew then asked, "Um… so do you want to go to Tim Hortons for some coffee and doughnuts and then maybe I'll make some pancakes after?"

Maria smiled and replied, "I would love to!"

Kumajiro let out a small smile and the promptly buried his head into his owner's arms.

After a couple quiet moments, Matthew and Maria began a conversation. Just as there conversation was coming to a close, the bell sounded. Matthew brought Kumajiro closer to his chest and looked at Maria.

"So I'll be seeing you later?" he asked.

"Of course!"

As he walked away Maria murmured to herself, "Remember, he's Canada, not America! Matthew, not Alfred."