"Come on, I have a surprise for you." Maxon smiled as he led me up a flight of stairs a couple days after the rebel attack. I could tell he had almost let the whole "Let's-delete-the-caste-system" thing go. Almost.

I recognized the door to the Princess's suite before we even entered. I turned to Maxon, my red hair flying around my face, a huge smile on my face. He turned the doorknob and waiting inside was Marlee.

"MARLEE!" I ran to her, wrapping her in a giant bear hug. "I've missed you so so so much!"

"Me too! Maxon was so kind enough to let me back in here, and I was wondering if you wanted to come and visit me and Carter…?" She looked at me with hopeful eyes.

I turned to Maxon again. He was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed and a smile on his face.

"You're welcome to go, just be back before dinner, okay?" He grinned. I rushed over to him and gave him a quick hug of thanks.

"Thank you." I said, looking into his eyes and really meaning it.

"See you in a couple hours," he said, winking.

In Marlee's tiny apartment, we sat on the edge of her bed – their bed, I guess – after Carter had gone back to work. He really was a nice guy, and I was glad Marlee had found him.

"So, how are things?" She said, sipping from an old teacup.

"Pretty good, I guess. Maxon and I are slowly becoming okay again." I leaned back against the pillows.

"And how's my best friend Celeste?" She joked. I laughed softly and but confessed, "Horrid, as usual, but she's not my biggest competition anymore."

"Oh, America." She said, putting her arm around my shoulder. A tear slipped out of my eyes.

"You should have seen him with Kriss, Marlee. After the attack he talked to her forever, and he didn't even come see me." I sighed.

"America, you know his dad is trying to keep you apart. And besides, he planned this whole day for you to come see me. He still cares about you, I promise." She smiled and said, "Anyways, you promised I would be your maid of honor. I'm counting on that wedding to be a royal one."

We laughed and my sadness slowly slipped away.

As America disappeared with Marlee, I grinned with happiness. I was so glad that our relationship was healing, even if we weren't together. And I know how much Marlee means to her, which makes me even more grateful I decided to let her stay in the kitchens.

I walked back downstairs, bumping into Celeste on the way.

"My apologies, Lady Celeste," I said, bowing.

"No problem, Your Majesty. Where are you going? Would you accompany me to my room?" she flirted, batting her eyelashes. She was a little over the top, but I didn't see why America really hated her so much.

"Nowhere, and of course, my dear," I replied, holding out my arm. We walked down the hallway, and soon enough we were in her room.

"So, Maxon…" She said seductively, running her hand down my arm. I gulped.

"Yes…?" She moved her arms up to my neck, wrapping them around me.

"I haven't seen you in so long…" she whispered against my lips. I didn't know what to do as so pressed herself closer.

"Celeste I really don't think this is a good time –" She pushed me against the wall, accidentally knocking over a lamp.

I really did not want to kiss her. Not after America had just begun to forgive me and I had started trusting her again…

"It's a perfect time," she said, and pressed her lips to mine.

As I walked back through the secret entrance through the Princess's suite after spending hours with Marlee, I felt happier than I had in a long time, knowing that Marlee was doing well and happy with Carter. Still, I was back a lot earlier than I had thought. Carter came back from a very short shift, and I didn't want to overstay my welcome. Anyways, I could tell they wanted some alone time.

Having nothing to do with my afternoon, I roamed the halls leisurely, exploring places I hadn't been before. I heard a shuffling noise and a bang from a room down the hall. Curious, I hurried towards it, and immediately wished I hadn't.

It was déjà vu all over again and I couldn't believe my eyes. Through the open door I could see Maxon was pressed against the wall and Celeste was all over him. I gasped, probably a little too loudly, and Celeste whipped her long brown hair around in annoyance. Maxon then saw me, and looked at me with horror as I stumbled and backed away.

"America, no, it's not what you think I swear!" he said, desperately trying to untangle himself from Celeste.

I kept walking backwards as I spit out, "Oh, really, it's not what I think? I really don't see how this could be anything but what I think. I trusted you, Maxon." My voice cracked. "But I guess I shouldn't have." I blinked back tears and ran down the long, empty halls.

I stalked out the door in anger. How dare he? He tells me he loves me and then goes behind my back with Celeste, of all people. I could hear Maxon trying to catch up with me and calling out "America, wait!" but I didn't care. I walked past the guard, who started to stop me but silenced himself when he saw my stony glare.

I kept walking until I came to the center of the garden, the bench where Maxon and I had first met. I felt a pang of guilt but then realized that I was the one who should be mad at him. I pushed my hands through my hair and collapsed with a sigh onto the ground. As tears streamed down my cheeks, I heard a low chuckle.

"Not now, Maxon. Please go away," I whispered.

"Who said anything about Maxon?" a voice laced with evil snarled. I whipped around but before I could see anything I was thrown over a shoulder.

"We've got the girl!" The rebel yelled, and started running.

"MAXON!" I screamed, banging on the rebel with my fists, not that it was doing any good. The rebel alarm sounded but I was already being carried away.

"AMERICA?!" as we rounded the corner I locked eyes with Maxon's, his drowned in horror.

"No!" He began running toward us but a guard held him back. "Let. Me. GO!" He struggled against the circle of guards holding him back. "AMERICA!"

I tried to kick at the rebel but I knew I wasn't doing any damage whatsoever. I looked back at Maxon, his face blurred with the tears in my eyes, and I saw him mouth, "I love – " when I was hit over the head and everything went black.

A/N: Things are starting to heat up, and there's more action to come! Thank you so much to everyone who read my story and favorited/ followed it!
DelicateLion: Thanks! Here you go :)
babysitter1997: Sorry, I know a lot of people don't like Aspen. I had to address him at least once because he is a main character. But there's more Maxon-adorableness coming, so don't worry ;)
Princess America: No worries, I'm definitely continuing! Thanks for reviewing!
Juliana Roce: Thank you! That was just my intro, I'm trying to write longer chapters :)