Summary

America Singer entered in the Selection but she never got picked. Instead, Kamber Leger got chosen as a throwaway character, but she persevered, much to everyone's surprise, and won Maxon's heart. With this fresh opportunity in hand, Aspen proposes to America and she accepts. But on the day that Maxon will announce he and Kamber's engagement, angered Southern rebels attack the palace and kill Kamber and her entire family. Disheartened, Maxon sends home the remaining Selected. Until two years later, his father announces a raging battle with cancer, pressuring Maxon into another Selection as his dying wish. America enters again, and this time around is chosen. But will both Maxon and America be able to overcome their heartache and find a way to love again?

All rights go to the wonderful Kiera Cass. Dialogue will be similar but not be copied.

Prologue

"You know I'm not going to get picked, right?" I said as the line moved up slowly.

My mother snorted. "That's a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. As soon as everyone sees my daughter, you will be chosen. And why wouldn't they? You're beautiful!"

"Besides the fact that your daughter is a Five," I pointed out. "Princes are not too keen on magicians and painters to make into queens, are they?"

"Oh, please. None of that will matter once they see your face." She sounded absolutely confident.

I opened my mouth to argue, but a melodic voice got to it first. "Magda!" We both turned.

There was Aspen's mother, a smile turning up the corners of her lips. Behind her, were her twin daughters Kamber and Celia. I was particularly fond of them because they looked and acted a lot like Aspen. And with their dark hair, infectious smiles, and sparkling eyes, who wouldn't like them?

Aspen's mother turned on me, and her smile widened. I returned it happily. I adored this woman; there was just this quality about her that less than one percent of the human population did: true kindness. I'd seen her give away toys and clothes that her children didn't want anymore to Sevens and Eights who had absolutely nothing.

"Hello, Lena, fancy seeing you here." Mom said, forcing a smile. "And Kamber, Celia, how are you today?"

"Great!" they said together.

"You two look stunning," I said truthfully, tucking one of Celia's jet-black curls behind her ear.

"We want to look good for our picture," Kamber said.

"What picture?" I questioned.

"Well. . ." Mrs. Leger's voice lowered a notch. "Yesterday, I was cleaning a magistrates' house, and found out that this 'lottery' isn't much of a lottery after all. This is the reason they're taking pictures and getting all the information they can. Why would it matter how many languages you're fluent in if it were a lottery?"

She had a point.

"It seems that word has spread; look at all the girls who have overdone themselves!" she exclaimed.

She had another point. There were girls who obviously did know. . .and those who didn't know. I saw tons of girls wearing outrageous dresses and resembled clowns with the amount of makeup on their faces. Others. . .they were dirty, hair tangled, wearing old, tattered clothes.

Me? I was just. . .decent. Decent wasn't good enough. An unwelcome flutter of worry tingled my stomach.

Wait. . .but why was I worried? I stopped my train of thought to rearrange it.

I didn't want to be a princess; at least, not Illéa's princess, at least. I wanted to be Aspen's princess. And if I didn't look good enough for the posh royal family, then that was good. I would at least be a step below Aspen's sisters. They had natural beauty that was rarely found anywhere, and the hints of makeup highlighted that natural beauty. If either of them won, or even got into the competition, Aspen's family would have everything they'd ever wanted. My mother would surely approve of me marrying a One; she deemed me lucky if I even got a Four! And think about her reaction to marrying a One.

"You're absolutely right," Mother agreed. "Look at that girl; she looks like she's ready to go into the circus tent!" She laughed, but there was something off about it. She hated that I was in the middle and not on top of everyone else.

"I don't know why some girls way overdo it," Lena said. "Just look at your daughter; she's so pretty! I'm so glad you didn't go down that road."

"Oh, I'm nothing compared to Kamber or Celia!" I winked at them, and they giggled.

"Are you kidding? Each and every time Aspen comes around from helping your brother, he tells me that the Singers have more than their share of talent and beauty." Aspen's mother said.

"Really!" my mother said.

"Yes, really. A mother could not ask for a better son; he's so supportive and works so hard."

"He will make some lucky girl very happy someday," Mother said.

Mrs. Leger's head turned quickly to make sure no one was listening. "Between you and I, Magda, I think he might already have somebody in mind."

My heart stopped, then restarted faster than ever. I didn't know if I should say something or stay silent, not sure if it would give me away.

"Is that so? She must be special if your Aspen chose her; what's she like?" Mother asked.

"Actually, I don't know! I haven't met her yet. And I can only guess that he's been seeing someone, but lately I've been seeing him happier," she responded, eyes sparkling.

Why lately? I wondered. We'd been together for nearly two years, so why only lately?

"He hums us to sleep," Celia piped up.

"He also sings," Kamber supplied.

"I didn't know he sings!" I exclaimed.

"Uh-huh," they sang.

"Then he has to be dating someone!" Mother said. "I wonder who she might be."

"Me too. But I'm guessing she must be absolutely wonderful. For the past few months he's been working hard - harder than he usually does. And he's been storing money away. I'm not completely sure, but it's my guess that he's saving up to get married."

The gasp that escaped was uncalled for; a thrill passed through my entire body. Luckily they all assumed it was the general excitement of it.

"And I couldn't be more happy for him," Mrs. Leger continued. "Even if he hasn't told us who she is, I see her as part of the family already. He smiles a lot, and he just seems. . .content. It's been hard on all of us since we lost Herrick, and Aspen has taken it upon himself to be the father figure. A girl who makes him happy makes all of us happy."

"She is such a lucky girl!" Mom cooed. "Your Aspen is a great boy!"

I could hardly believe it. Here his family was, trying to tie loose ends, and he was storing money away for me! I didn't know if I should chide him or kiss him. I was just so. . .lost for words.

He was going to propose!

I couldn't get it into my brain properly even though it was all I could think about. Aspen, Aspen, Aspen, I sang in my head. I moved up the line, signed a paper to confirm everything on my form was true, and got my picture taken. The room was small and connected to the window where you were supposed to sign. The walls were made of gray cement and there was one stool to sit on. I sat on the stool, righted myself, and turned to the photographer.

No girl in all of Illéa - or perhaps the world - could beat my smile.


A/N: Welcome to my first story! Please tell me what you think and if I should continue. Thanks for reading and tell me what you think by reviewing!

Until next time,

Red