Time to start a new fanfiction, this time, The Selection Trilogy, taking off from after The Elite. Hope you like it.

I don't own any of the characters that's all Keira Cass.

xx faithinfools

I woke, my eyes were red from crying. What I felt for Maxon was unlike anything I had ever felt before but at the same time Aspen was my first love, he still had a pull on my heart every time I saw him and I didn't know why. I pulled the covers off and walked to the balcony, opening the doors to the cold, crisp air. Suddenly my ears perked up, I could hear the beautiful sounds of music far off in the distance. I began to sway back and forth, dancing in the small area of my balcony, dancing with my pretend partner, circling round and round in circles to the beat of the music, my eyes closed. Suddenly a hand grabbed my outstretched one, another circling around my waist. I gasped and opened my eyes wildly. Maxon. Soon enough my head was resting on his chest, eyes closed, breathing in his beautiful scent.

"Oh America... I could get used to this." I smiled up at him.

"So could I." We were silent for a moment.

"You know what it's going to be like now right..?" I sighed.

"Yeah... I figured. It was a stupid thing to do but I... I just... I don't know... I feel for them Maxon. You don't know what it feels like... Living in conditions like they do..." I looked down. He pulled my chin up and stared into my eyes.

"I know, America... I might not understand but I know..." I sighed.

"How's your back?" He winced.

"Better, healing. I've got to go, I'll see you later alright?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He left, closing the door behind him. I crumpled to the ground, tears springing from my eyes, he wasn't the same, different, distant and all because of me. What I did was stupid and I knew it. Right there and then I pledged to act like a proper princess should; regal, sophisticated, not at all like me.

It was time to go down to breakfast and already, my mask was in place. Ready to prove my worth. I walked in, the first in the room and sat down quietly. One by one the remaining girls walked in, Kriss as bubbly as ever and Celeste with an annoyed expression on her face. We all rose as the royal family walked in.

"Please sit down girls." We curtsied and sat, eating. I didn't say a word. I ate in silence and could feel the stares of King Clarkson on me, harsh and unforgiving. I finished quickly and excused myself from the room, not even looking at Maxon once. I walked straight into my room, my maids fluttering around me.

"Is there something wrong America?" Lucy asked timidly. I turned away, willing myself not to cry.

"I've done something terrible Lucy. And now, I've decided to be a proper lady." They all gasped.

"But America! Maxon likes you for who you are." Anne said gently.

"But I'm not enough. The King said so himself." I said quietly. "I'm not as pretty as Celeste, I'm not as loved as Kriss, I don't have any connections like Elise. I'm a nobody, a five. I should have known better."

"Please America, don't feel like that. If he doesn't love you for who you are, he's not worth your time." My voice broke.

"Thanks girls." They all came over and gave me a hug.

"You guys are the closest friends that I've had, besides Marlee that is, but she's gone."

"And you're the best Lady we've ever met." I smiled gratefully.

"I should probably head down to the Women's Room. But I don't want to..."

"Just play your music America. It'll help." I smiled shakily and went to my piano but it felt wrong. It wasn't right. I grabbed my guitar in it's case and walked into the gardens, settling myself on the bench, I started to play. I hadn't composed anything in a while and now felt like the time to do it. I started to sing. I sat there singing in the sunshine for a long time before a young boy came hurtling out of the bushes, startling me. He stood there mesmerised and terrified at the same time. He looked like he was only 7. I smiled gently.

"Hello young one."

"Hello." He said shyly.

"What can I do for you?" I asked kindly.

"Umm... I... I..."

"It's alright. I don't bite." I said smiling. "What's your name? Mine's America."

"Mine's Cameron." He said proudly.

"Well Cameron. What are you doing out here all alone?" His smile turned into a frown as he burst into tears. I put my guitar in its case and pulled him towards me.

"Shusshh, shusssh. Did you get lost?" He nodded in reply, looking at me with his adorable blue eyes. I picked him up and put him on my hip as I used to do with Gerad. "Shall we go find your parents together?" He nodded again, looking a bit happier.

"Sing?" He asked. I smiled.

"Of course." I started to sing him my favourite lullabies as my mother used to do for me and I picked up my guitar and off we went, on an adventure to find his parents.

MAXON

I was frustrated, infuriated. As I sat at the breakfast table, I watched as Kriss talked gaily of something to with dresses and Elise was hanging onto her every word. She glanced at me and smiled. I smiled back. But my gaze moved along the table. Celeste looked like she was utterly bored but was interrupting the other girls' conversation with her own input every now and then. My eyes kept moving and zoned in on her. America. My America. Or she used to be... I sighed, earning myself a questioning glance from my mother but I shook my head slightly and she continued her conversation with father. I turned my gaze back on America. She looked utterly stunning, yet there was something wrong. Something was off. She wasn't herself. I could tell that much. She stayed absolutely silent, eating her food quickly. I tried to catch her gaze to tug on my ear but she wouldn't look at me. Her eyes although they were stunning, I could see the red rims, barely visible under her eyes. She had been crying. I instantly felt bad at abruptly leaving this morning but I couldn't take it. I had trusted her with almost everything and yet, she trusted me with nothing.

I pulled my eyes back to my plate, eating in silent contemplation when a sudden noise made my head go up. I watched as America quietly excused herself and immediately left the room. I was perplexed. Surely she wasn't that upset. I would have to find her later. After all of my tedious meetings... I sighed... Oh America... If only it were that simple...

Urgh. I had to clear my head. These meetings were going no where, just in circles over and over again. It was ridiculous. I couldn't believe it. Why wouldn't they just listen to each other? Maybe then we'd actually get something done. I walked out to the gardens, needing the fresh air to clear my head, when I heard the most beautiful music. I listened as my feet took me to the source. America. Of course. I watched her silently from behind one of the many columns that held up the palace. She looked so serene, so beautiful, so sad. Her eyes were closed as she poured all of her emotion into her song. I smiled and closed my eyes, enjoying the small interlude from the normal palace duties.

Suddenly my eyes opened as a boy came shooting out of the bushes and came to a stop in front of her. She looked at him startled but smiled as he trembled with fright. She was saying something to him and he was answering but I couldn't here what they were saying. I was surprised when he suddenly burst into tears and made a move to go forward and help her deal with him but stopped when she quickly put down her guitar and picked him up onto her lap, consoling him. She talked to him gently, slowing his tears and bringing a smile on his face. She looked so at ease, so normal. She would be a great mother. I continued watching as she picked him up, balancing him on her hip as she picked up her guitar and began to sing to him as he threw his hands around her neck, completely at ease. I smiled as they walked off. She was so gentle and kind, if only... if only it were that simple... I sighed and walked back inside knowing it was time to face the advisers again, just to go round and round in circles as the rebels came ever so close.

What did you think? Review please! I will try to update this as much as possible but I've got a few other fanfics going on at the same time and a hectic school year so bare with me.

xx faithinfools