Hey guys sorry that I had to do over but as some people said it got off to a little bit of a weird start and I really want to do over. I really hope you like it and review please I love reviews and tell me how I could make the story better I love other people's ideas. Thanks
Chapter 1
I sit on my chair next to Maxon and stare at him. He doesn't look back even though I wish he would. I need to explain myself. He keeps his face turned directly at Kriss. I turn around and look at Aspen. He is looking at me. I can tell he is sorry but he just mouths 'It's going to be okay'. I nod and smile back at him to let him know I want to believe him but I don't think I can. Tears spring in my eyes and I force myself to hold them back. "Trying to arrange a time to meet later?" I hear Maxon behind me.
"No of course not."
"It's not like it matters. Kriss' family will be here this afternoon for a small celebration, and yours will be here to take you home. They don't like for the last loser to be alone. She tends to get dramatic." This wasn't the Maxon I knew. This Maxon was cold and distant. "You can keep that house if you want. It's been paid for. I'd like my letters back though."
"I read them," I say barely above a whisper. "I loved them." He huffed like I was making a joke.
"Don't know what I was thinking."
"Please don't do this Maxon. Please I love you" My whole face crumpled.
"Don't. You. Dare," he ordered through gritted teeth. "You put on a smile and you wear it to the last second." I tried blinking the tears away and smiled like I was fine. "That'll do. Don't let that slip until you leave the room. Do you understand?" I nod. He turns back to Kriss. I hear the start of their conversation. "So where were we?" Maxon asks.
"Umm… well you were asking about my perfect wedding," Kriss says giggling. I stop listening there. I wondered if she knew yet. If he hasn't told her yet she must've assumed. I can imagine it now, their wedding. Maxon would give Kriss whatever she asked for. She would have the dream wedding. Then they would have beautiful children and the children would have the best life ever because their parents are perfect and kind. I bet Kriss would make sure the caste were taken away and Maxon would finally figure out what Kriss is. I start pinching my leg to stop myself from crying and think about May and Gerard and my mother. I would live with them soon. I could even spend more time with my niece Astra. Maybe life wouldn't be so bad after all.
After half an hour or so more Gavril takes the stage. "Welcome people of Illea to the end of the eagerly awaited selection. Today Prince Maxon will reveal his choice to the world of who will be the next queen of Illea. So let's let the Prince take the stage." There's a round of applause and Maxon takes the mic.
"A couple of months ago I was here but telling you all about how nervous I was that 35 women were all going to live with me. Today I have finally narrowed it down to both of these lovely women. At the start I never thought I would get to this point but I guess the world even lets princes find true love. So today I am going to announce the new future princess of Illea." He looks at Kriss than at me. When he looks at me I see no emotion. Nothing. "So I chose Kriss Ambers." Kriss gets up with a smiling face and walks up and kisses Maxon right on the mouth. I clap to show Maxon that I am really trying. He breaks the kiss and smiles at her.
Celeste is the first person to greet me afterwards. She opens her arms and I fall into them. She hugs me tight even though I am not crying.
"Are you alright?" she whispers in my ear.
"I will be." I whisper back. She releases me and I smile at her. A guard comes up to me to tell me that I can go now and I follow him out. My maids packed my bags and have already put them in the car giving me no way to say goodbye. I am practically pushed in the car by one of the guards who seems to be called Johnston but I am guessing that is his last name. I expect the car ride to be long but we are already there in five minutes. I get out and realize that this isn't the airport but the house from the picture that Maxon gave me. It is even more beautiful than in the picture. I hear laughter from inside and guess my family has already moved in. I run up the stairs and see my mom, May, Gerard, Kenna and James all sitting on a couch laughing.
"America!" my mom says getting up and hugging me.
"Hi guys." I say once she has released me.
"Look at the house!" May squeals. I laugh at her enthusiasm.
"It's very nice." I say still giggling. A throat is cleared behind me and I turn around to see the guard still standing there. "Oh you can go if you want." I say quickly seeing how uncomfortable he looks.
"I just need to know where to put your bags." He says. I never realized I had bags.
"Oh if you get them I can show you where her room is." My mom says. The guard leaves and James follows no doubt wanting to help. When they come in they are both carrying two bags each. I gape knowing that that's not my stuff. Mom shows them to my room and I follow behind them. My room is empty apart from a bed and a dresser. They put my bags down and I am itching to open them but wait till everyone has left the room to go through them. I open the first bag. It is filled with hair products, perfumes and make-up. Mary, Lucy and Anne must've snuck these in thinking I would need them when in reality they probably won't get touched. The second bag has books. Piano books and reading books. I dig deeper and find one of Gregory Illea's diaries. My hand shake while I'm holding it. How did it get in here? I thought King Clarkson took it back. It falls out of my hands and I find more of his diaries and books on American History. I decide to go through them later and move onto the next bag which is filled with all the clothes that were made for me and the jeans. I smile at the memory of our bet. I look at the next bag which has pictures and more pictures as well as presents. A few letters sit on top and I start to read them.
America,
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and we want you to know that it has been a pleasure taking care of you.
Love from
Lucy, Anne and Mary.
Tears fill my vision as I think about my maids. I didn't even say goodbye to them, I force the tears away so I can read the next card.
America,
Thank you for being my friend throughout The Selection. I really hope that whatever happens and whoever is picked we remain friends. I would hate to lose a friendship like ours because of a boy
Forever your Friend (hopefully)
Kriss
Even though Kriss stole the guy I love I can't stay mad at her. I put the letter aside and move to the next one.
Dearest America,
I really sincerely hope that you had a fantastic Christmas with your family. Even though you have had a great loss I don't want your Christmas to be spoiled. I know that your family will love having you there. I feel selfish wanting to spend my Christmas with you. I could hardly enjoy it. Maybe next Christmas we can spend together and your family can come. I can just imagine you singing Christmas carols and laughing at all the stories and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I can even imagine what would happen if we ended up under the mistletoe together. Oh well this is just supposed to be a card.
Love Forever
Maxon. XOXOXOXO (those are hugs and kisses which I can assure you, you will be receiving many from me.)
Silent tears travel down my cheeks but I still have two more cards to read so I keep going.
America,
Just so you know if Christmas was a couple of months ago I might have put poison on this card but since it is now and we are, well I guess, friends I passed on the poison. I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas. I probably would've called you but Maxon didn't even call so I thought maybe not. But I still got you a card for when you come back. I guess that counts for something. I guess I'm just glad you're my friend. Oh and by the way we basically had a making America Christmas cards session today. All of us were on opposite sides of the room and writing. It's hilarious. I'm pretty sure Maxon is even joining in just not in the Women's Room. God this letter is getting long. We all got you presents and I really hope you like them. You'll like mine the best. Oh and guess what. Maxon got me lots. You'll have to see when you get back. Well this card is getting super long.
From
Celeste.
I laugh at her letter at the end. I never knew Celeste and I would be so close at the end but I guess we are. I move to the next letter.
America,
I know we have only known each other for a couple of months but I feel closer to you than anyone. I hope you feel the same way about me. I know everyone adores you. The whole country for a fact. Everyone in the staff is always talking about how amazing and kind you are. I know they all want you as Queen. I adore you more than everyone- well everyone but one person. Maxon adores you. It's like you're his whole life. You should see him now. He has been practically moping. He stays up all night and never leaves his room. You're going to be princess I know it. I can't wait too. By the way I am still up for your bridesmaid. I hope so. Merry Christmas America!
Love
Marlee.
I just need to stay composed enough to read the final letter, I tell myself.
America dear,
I haven't given anyone a Christmas card but you. I don't even know why I am giving you a Christmas card. Well I guess this isn't really a Christmas card so much as a letter. I just want you to know that I am Maxon's mother and I know him better than anyone in the world. I would die to save him. I don't know what his favorite food is but trust me when I say I know this. Maxon loves you. He would do anything for you. He would take a rocket to the moon just so you could see the stars. I also know this. You love him back just as much. You may think I don't know you well enough to know this but remember that I have been in love before as well. I have seen it in so many people. My parents, my grandparents, staff, and myself so I do know that you love him. You may not even know it yet. But make sure you figure it out soon because Maxon has quite a temper if he thinks you do not love him he will go with what he thinks. Just be careful because I care about you. Probably more than the others. Just make sure you know where your heart is before it's too late.
Thankyou,
Queen Amberley.
Now the tears just come and I cry to myself. I gave everything away. I should have told him I loved him before. I cry for what seems like hour before Kenna comes in. She doesn't say anything just hugs me.
"I blew it." I say.
"How I still don't understand." She asks thoughtfully. I consider not telling her but I know she can keep a secret.
"You remember how I told you I dated Aspen?" she nods. "Well Maxon did propose to me but I-I. The next morning I was telling Aspen that I loved Maxon and he caught us and then he took it the wrong way and chose Kriss." I'm full on crying. She probably couldn't even understand a word I was saying. She just squeezes me tighter.
"I believe that everything happens for a reason." She says. "Maybe you and Maxon simply weren't meant to be. Maybe someone else was supposed to love you." I cry harder now even though I doubt it's possible thinking of someone taking Maxon's place.