AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, guys! This is my first Selection fanfic so please go easy on this. Basically it starts at the engagement ball for America and Maxon. I think that I'll have America, Maxon, and Kriss POVs in this story. Please PM me or review if you want to hear from someone else. Anyway, I don't own anything - all rights go to Kiera Cass. Who's excited to read 'the Heir'? I know I am SUPER excited! And have you all read the Blood of Olympus? Ahh! So amazing!
Okay, here it is then, and please review or fave!
KRISS POV:
I stood stiffly, watching Maxon and America dance, watching as my first love slipped further and further away from me. After a while, I move to the refreshments table, chatting lightly with Natalie and Tiny until they were swept up by guards politely asking them to dance and I nibbled alone on a Scottish crème biscuit.
Someone touched my shoulder. I jumped. "Kriss? I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you." America. The last person I wanted to see.
"That's alright," I say lightly. "I was zoning out."
"Kriss . . ." she bit her lip. "Kriss, I know you're sad. Really sad. I know how it feels. And I . . . I'm sorry for it. If I weren't here, maybe you'd have had Maxon to yourself. But I . . . I just wanted to say that. And I want you to know that I don't want to lose your friendship. And I know Maxon wouldn't either."
The anger inside of me rose. Not at her. At me. But I had to take it out. "Lady America, I appreciate your words, but I would like to tell you that you've never had my friendship. I am not sure what you are hinting at." Rejection stood plainly on her face for a brief moment until she quickly composed herself, blinking rapidly and smoothing her dress. She looks up again. Her stature is calm, but I know her so well I see the hint of vulnerability in her blue eyes.
"Okay," she says. So much like a queen already. "Okay, Kriss, not friends. But . . . close acquaintances. I understand. And I know you'll want space but . . ." she gives me a ghost kiss on my cheek. "Don't lose yourself." She squeezes my arm lightly, gives me a sad smile, and melts into the crowd. I stand there, all remorse crumbling. Regret and guilt pinches in my stomach, almost making me hurl the crème biscuit I just had. Quickly, I walked towards Celeste and the Prince of Italy, with whom she was flirting.
"Oh, hey, Kriss," she flashes me a smile. The prince nods at me. "Lady Kriss."
"Hey, Cel," I whisper. "Your highness," I curtsy. Celeste hugs me and the prince nods.
"Please just address me as Mark," he said, giving me a slight bow. I smile at him and turn to Celeste, who smiled at the prince.
"Your highness, this is a lovely song," she says.
Prince Mark smiles. "My lady Celeste, if you are inferring that we dance . . . shall we?" he offers her his arm and she giggles delightedly before accepting it.
Celeste is a flirt. So am I. When I want to be. Right now, I need to be on my own. I head to a corner with a cake and try to tune out the world.
AMERICA POV:
When Kriss harshly spat those words at me, I almost broke. My heart felt squeezed to explosion and I had trouble thinking. Then I remembered Amberly's words. I closed my eyes, took a breath, and tried to compose myself. But Kriss knew me too well. I knew she could see the hurt in my eyes. "Okay," I said as calmly as I could. "Okay, Kriss, not friends." I took another breath. "But . . . close acquaintances. I understand. And I know you'll want space but . . ." On impulse, I lean forward and gently give her a sisterly peck on the cheek. "Don't lose yourself." The pain in my heart is wrenching, but I squeeze her arm lightly and force myself to smile and leave.
Kriss. The sweetheart. The quiet, queenly girl that the public loved.
Me. The redhead. The fiery, temperamental girl that some people adored.
We were so different yet we both won the heart of a certain person. Only later, one became a friend and one a lover. Losing Kriss' friendship is hard. She was so sweet and solid. I knew her too well and having those words spat at me broke me. We'd gone through so much together. It was pain. I knew she was angry and heartbroken. But I could only hope that she would calm down soon enough. I wanted Kriss back as a friend so close she was almost a sister. As I weave through the crowd, I spot Kriss talking with Celeste, who was flirting with the prince Mark from Italy. I decide not to go there and find my fiancé instead.
"Hello, beautiful," he greets me with a chaste peck on the lips. I smile.
"Hello, my soon to be my Royal Husbandness," I say, tucking my hand into his arm and sipping from the glass I plucked from his fingers. "What is this?" I ask, staring at the clear amber liquid. "It looks like my hair."
Maxon laughs at that. "Perhaps a little tamer. And to answer your question, it's apple cider."
"Mm," I take another deep sip. "My prince, you do know how to select delicacies!"
Maxon takes the glass back and drains it. "Well, Ames, now that you're done interrogating me, what's wrong? Don't pretend, darling, I know you too well to miss that fake calm look in your eyes."
I sigh and look down. "Fine. Kriss uh . . ." I bite my lip, unable to continue.
"Kriss?" he looks surprised. "What's wrong with her?"
"Oh, um, she's, um . . . heartsick? And only one person can cure it. You. And that requires me gone."
"Are you asking to leave, America?"
"No! Absolutely not! Maxon, I love you – I said yes. But Kriss … said some harsh things to me and I'm wondering if she meant it." I try to sugarcoat it a bit for Maxon's sake.
Maxon hesitates. He seems torn. "America, my dear, I . . . perhaps I should speak to Kriss? I still love her – but only like a brother would a sister. I no longer care for her as a lover, but rather in a brotherly way."
"I know, Maxon, I trust you," I place my hand on his arm. "But no, don't. I think that Kriss will come around. I have no idea how long it will take, but her heart is in the right place."
Maxon nods, distracted by the slow song playing. "Would you care to dance, Princess?"
"I am not the princess yet, my prince," I tease him. "I believe you are talking to someone else."
Maxon laughs at that. "Fine, then. Would you care to dance, my only Lady America?"
I pretend to consider. "Why, of course, my Prince."
Together, we step onto the dance floor, swept up by the music, with attention only on each other. I feel safe, happy, and in love. For now, I'm able to push Kriss out of my mind.
KRISS POV:
I watch Maxon and America dance. I know I can't speak to them now, but I must soon. Before I leave. I need them to know that I'm sorry, and that I will continue to be their confidant, their friend, their sister. But now, I need time.
AMERICA POV:
After my dance with Maxon, he went over to greet more people while I dawdled on the side, chatting lightly with Celeste. Her Prince Mark seemed to have disappeared. "America," a voice said from behind me. I turned to see the King and Queen.
"Your highnesses," I curtsied. When I stood up, Amberly was smiling and so was Clarkson.
"My darling," Queen Amberly leaned forward to embrace me. "You look so much like a princess already. I really cannot wait until the wedding. Then I'll finally have you as a daughter and there's nothing more I'm looking forward to."
"I agree," King Clarkson said, touching my arm gently. "I know I was a bit harder on you during the Selection, America, but I want you to know that both Amberly and I love you like we would a daughter and I am so glad that Maxon made the right choice."
"I am glad too," I say. "Although I am a bit worried about all the duties that will come along."
Amberly laughed. "No worries, dear, no worries. I will be there to help you along and so will Silvia. And with your quick mind, I doubt you'll struggle long. I don't suppose I ever told you about how I was when I was first a princess? Clarkson, do you remember?"
"How could I forget?" Clarkson laughed as I shook my head.
Queen Amberly smiled. "I spent nearly a month trying to figure out how to organize the papers on my desk. But anyway, America, I know you won't be like that."
I smile weakly and they walk away. From across the room, I catch Kriss' eye. She looks at me for a moment and starts walking towards me. I didn't think that we would clear things up so quick, but I suppose this is the time.
I slowly make my way towards her. Her eyes are conflicted. "America . . ." she whispers.
"Kriss," I say softly. "What's wrong?"
She jolts back, surprised. "You're not mad at me?"
"No!" I exclaim. "Well . . . I guess I am a little upset. Kriss, I know what it feels like to have your heart broken."
"I know you do," she whispers. "It's just . . . America, I was so close. I thought he loved me, but I guess it was in the wrong way. The thing is . . . I want to say I'm sorry for what I said back there. I was just so depressed and angry with myself. I took it out on you. It wasn't fair. I'm sorry, America."
"It's fine, Kriss," I said, touching her arm.
"And . . . will you please tell Maxon that I am not upset with him. I still love him but . . . you know, not as much. I just need some time to figure things out and restart. As soon as the Selected leave, I'm going to ask you to please not contact me too frequently. I'm going to need the time. But whatever you do, America, I want to be there at your wedding. I love you like a sister and sisters don't miss each other's weddings."
I hug her tight. "I promise, Kriss. You're like my sister too, and I will let you have your space. Contact me when you feel ready to start coming back here. I want to start on the education program you proposed. And I think we could work out a pretty good medical care to go with it. Don't you think so?"
Kriss' eyes light up. "Oh, America," she breathes. "That would be amazing." She smiles at me. "Thank you, America."
I smile as she slips away. I stay there on the side, watching my fiancé dance with May and my heart blossoms with love.
Soo... there's the first chapter. How was it? Good? Okay? Bad? Please review for what you want to see in the next chapter and can we maybe get five reviews before I post the next chapter?
So, please review! I'm out!
~BookLover