I barely slept. Between getting in so late and the excitement over what was coming, it was impossible. I curled closer to May, comforted by her warmth. I'd miss her so much once she left, but at least I had the prospect of her living here with me to look forward to.

I wondered who would be leaving today. It didn't seem polite to ask, so I didn't; but if I pressed, I would guess it was Natalie. Marlee and Kriss were popular with the public-more popular than I was-and Celeste and Elise had connections. I had Maxon's heart, and that left Natalie without much to hold on to.

I felt bad because I really didn't have anything against Natalie. If anything, I wished Celeste would go. Maybe Maxon would send her home since he knew how much I disliked her, and he did say he wanted me to be comfortable here.

I sighed, thinking of everything he had said last night. I'd never imagined this was possible. How did I, America Singer-a Five, a nobody-fall for Maxon Schreave-a One, the One? How did this happen when I spent the last two years bracing myself for a life as a Six?

A tiny part of my head throbbed. How could I explain this to Aspen? How would I tell him that Maxon had chosen me and that I wanted to be with him? Would he hate me? The thought made me want to cry. No matter what, I didn't want to lose Aspen's friendship. I couldn't.

My maids didn't knock when they came in, which was typical. They always tried to let me rest as long as I could, and after the party, I certainly needed it. But instead of going to prep things, Mary went around to May and gently rubbed her shoulder to wake her. I rolled over to see Anne and Lucy holding a garment bag with somber looks on their faces. I studied their faces then peered at the bag. A new dress?

May roused at Mary's gesture.

"Can't I sleep?"

"No" Mary said sadly. "There is some very important business this morning. You must go to your parents right away."

"Important business?" I asked. "What's going on?"

Mary glanced at Anne, I followed her eyes. Anne shook her head slowly.

Confused but hopeful, I got out of bed, pulling May with me as I do so. I gave her a bug hug before she left to Mum and Dad's room. Once she left I turned to my maids.

"Can you now explain to me what's going on?" I asked Anne. She shook her head. I huffed, frustrated to not get the information I was seeking.

"Would it help if I order you to tell me?" Anne shook her head slowly again, sadness in her eyes.

"Our orders come from much higher, My Lady. You will have to wait." It seemed like she was trying to hide her sadness, it didn't work very well.

"Anne what's wrong?" I pressed on. She simply held up a hand.

"No more questions my Lady, let's get you ready."

I watched them carefully as they ran my bath. Something was wrong really wrong. After my rather short bath, they did my hair and makeup. Mary's eyebrows knit together she lined up my makeup and pins for my hair, Lucy trembled for no reason every now and again, Anne's plain and stiff look on her face made me frightened.

She was usually so put together, even at the worst of situations. But today it looked like her body was weighed down by millions of rocks. Her slumped figure and broken face expression made me want to cry. She would even stop and rub her temples, as if that way the hurt would go away. Something is not right.

I looked over as she pulled out my dress. It was a simple, lace high-cut long sleeved dress. It was jet black. I suddenly came into reality, realising what this meant. I started to cry before I knew who I was mourning.

"Miss, are you alright?" Lucy asked softly.

"Who died?" I asked "Who died?!"

Anne walked over, turned to me and softly wiped the tears off my face.

"No one has died." But her voice wasn't comforting, it sounded as sad as I was.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxpage breakxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

As I walked down the stairs to the foyer, my heels making a soft sound as I walked down the stairs. I was surprised to see everyone else already down there. A wave of relief hit me, I wasn't in trouble.

"There is the fifth girl!" One of the guards shouted. "Let's go ladies!"

I was confused. What about the sixth?

"The fifth?" I thought to myself as I got to the bottom of the staircase. I looked around at the girls.

I saw Marlee, Celeste, Elise and Natalie, as we were guided down the hall. The guard was right only five.

I caught up to Marlee, who was frantically looking around for something.

"Marlee." I whispered. "What's going on?"

"I don't know." She whispered lightly in return. "But my maids were acting strange this morning. They are usually so happy, but today was different."

"Same." I replied.

"Did you realise that Kriss isn't here? I wonder why."

I looked around at the girls surrounding me. She was right Kriss wasn't here. I started to worry, even though Kriss and I weren't the closest of friends.

My first thought was that Maxon had sent Kriss home. But it just didn't sound right. I thought Maxon liked Kriss, I guess I was wrong. But wouldn't she come past my room to say goodbye?

I started to play with the hem of my sleeve as they opened the front doors. It was strange because we normally weren't allowed outside. I started to panic.

Out the front, lined with guards, were our families. Mom, Dad and May looked anxious. I sent Dad a questioning look, he simply shrugged as Mom shook her head.

I scanned the men in uniform for Aspen, he wasn't there. I heard some soft sobbing behind me. I turned to see Kriss's parents to the back of our line, Kriss's mom crying softly into her husbands shoulder, he held her tight with a broken look on his face. He looked as if he aged years in one night. What had happened?

We were escorted outside, the sunshine hitting my face causing me to squint at the sudden amount of light.

A huge platform had been placed in the middle of the street. With hundreds, maybe even thousands swarming around it. Children were placed on shoulders of parents, and hundreds of cameras were positioned around the platform. To capture something not in view of many eyes.

The crowd cheered as we were guided to our seats. I could see all the girls in front of me relax as the crowd screamed our names and threw flowers at our feet. I waved to the crowd before we all sat down into our seats. I felt so silly for worrying, this crowd is so happy, why would something bad be happening?

May giggled, thrilled to be part of the excitement. I smiled and sighed, she was back to herself. Then my attention was turned to two strange structures on the platform. The first one looked like a funny looking A. The second one was a block of wood with two bracelet looking loops on either side. I studied them trying to figure out what was going on.

The crowd erupted again when the King, Queen and Maxon walked out and onto the platform. Them too with jet black clothing, somber expressions on their faces as they took their seats. I was close to Maxon, so I turned his way. What ever was happening, if he looked at me and smiled everything was okay.

I tried to read Maxon's face, it was hard, but I could tell he was trying hard not to cry.

I few moments later the crowds cheers turned into cheers of disdain. I turned to my left to see what was making the crowd so unhappy.

I gasped in shock and fear, my stomach twisted at the sight of Kriss being dragged onto the platform in chains. Her once beautiful dress was torn and broken, you could hardly see the delicate golden flowers that were once on her dress. Her head was facing the ground, ashamed.

I noticed the figure behind her, a guard, he was facing the crowd searching for something. He gave up searching the crowd and he also looked at the ground. He looked familiar, jet black hair and fair skin.

Reality hit me like one million, maybe more bullets to the heart. I held in a scream.

That was Aspen.