*All characters belong to Kiera Cass*
Chapter 2
The ladies got me into a modest bikini that I was comfortable in. Carolina had an ocean on the eastern border, but we lived on the western side, so I'd never gone in the ocean before. In Angeles we were never allowed out of the palace, except for the one time were Maxon, Aspen, and I snuck out.
"America!" Nicoletta hollered, sending a wave of cool water my way.
I tried to dive away, but it got me. "That's it!" I laughed. I waded through the water and splashed her. She screamed, covering her face.
The other girls left the water a few minutes ago and were sunbathing in front of my private cabana. Nicoletta and I decided to stay in the water longer, though.
"Okay! Truce!" She shrieked, holding her hand up.
I smiled, shaking her hand. "Alright."
We waded in the smooth water for a while longer. The sun made the water look like it was sparkling.
"America, tell me now. How are you really doing?" Nicoletta swum closer. "I know you loved him, Prince Maxon."
"Yes," I answered, clearing my throat. "And I'm doing alright."
She gave me a look. "It's me. Be honest."
"No really, I just needed time. I'm alright now." Looking away, I tried to focus on anything else. This conversation was bringing everything up again.
"Well, I am here when you need to talk." She told me, understanding.
I nodded. "What is it you wanted to tell me about the rebels?" Focusing on something other than my love life, or lack thereof, would probably be better, I decided. Plus we were alone now.
She sighed, "There is a lot to discuss, especially with what happened with the attack at the palace."
"Yes, the king and queen being killed, not to mention Celeste and the guards and servants that were there."
Nicoletta shook her head, "The tragedy of it all. It was horrible when I heard of it."
"So the rebels contacted you again?" I asked, trying no to think of it all. Maxon had told me he loved me during that attack, that he was sorry. Afterwards, when I thought he had died, I was so heartbroken.
Later, when I found out he was alive, I rushed to him. But Kriss was already there, with a ring on her finger. He'd told me that he proposed to her. Like nothing he said during the attack mattered. By then, my heart was truly lost and I just left. That was the last I saw of him or Kriss. I didn't bother seeing Maxon again, asking for an explanation. I figured it would only make things worse.
"I am officially working with the rebels," Nicoletta responded. "Well, secretly. I wish so much that you were queen, everything would be easier."
"Well, that's not going to happen," I replied. "Kriss is part of the rebels, anyways."
"I know," she said.
"You know that?" I was surprised. "How?"
"Maxon," she said, looking guilty. "Maxon contacted me about a week ago. He told me about Kriss. I guess she confessed to him."
"Makes sense, they are going to be husband and wife after all." I don't think I did a good job keeping the bitterness out of my voice, but she never commented on it.
"Kriss is barely a rebel though, she doesn't know that much. Not as much as you or Maxon. She just supports them, basically. Maxon, though, he wants to help. He is still going ahead with breaking up the caste system too, starting with the lower castes. You probably knew that already though."
I shook my head, "No, I didn't actually. I'm glad."
It was basically my idea, and I was happy that he was going to go along with it. I knew I had a part in him understanding how bad things were with the lower castes and how unfair it was. Hopefully, it would work.
"You didn't know? But it's all over the papers!" Nicoletta gasped, looking confused.
"I've been avoiding the papers," I confessed.
She looked sad, "Of course you have, but you can't avoid the world forever, America."
"Unfortunately," I muttered. "Go on with the rebels though, I want to know what's happening."
She sighed. "Well, I've provided more financial aid. I've even met with Georgia and August. They are working hard on gaining support to stop the Southern rebels from attacking more people. That is where you come in."
"Me?" I asked. "What could I do?"
"A lot," she smiled. "You don't realize the influence you have on people. All of what you did during the Selection, in those interviews. America, the people loved you. I'm pretty sure the country was in an uproar when Maxon chose Kriss over you. But the point is is that if you are on the Northern rebels side, you can get a lot of followers to support them. With your help, and with the numbers increasing, the Southern rebels will be defeated. Georgina and August want to meet with you."
"I don't know, Nicoletta. I'm not sure if I'm the same person as before…" I stopped.
She took hold of my hands, squeezing them in hers. "America Singer, you are always going to be that person. Right now, you may not feel it. You may not even think it. But you are going to feel better, you are going to move on with your life, and if I am being brutally honest, you are going to become a very important princess for this country. One that is my ally now. Because of you."
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, wondering if she was right.
"I just am, us Italians are always right on these things!" She grinned.
"How would I even get in touch with them? Georgia and August," I questioned.
"Leave that to me," she smiled larger. "So is that a yes?"
I thought it over. Being part of the rebels would give me a purpose again. I knew my dad would have also been proud of me, as he was a rebel himself. Making him proud, even though he was gone now, still was something I strived for. Sitting around and moping about my life wasn't going to do anything. Trying to make a difference in this country was a start to something, at least.
"I'll meet with them and see what they have to say," I told her.
"Good," she replied. "Let's get dressed up and go out tonight to celebrate!"
I laughed. "I'm not sure about that."
She dragged me back to the shore, laughing. "Girls, we are going out tonight!" She yelled. They both cheered in response. I guess that meant I was going out too, I thought, unsure if this was a good idea.
"You need to have some fun!" Nicoletta told me on our way to my suite. "This is the perfect opportunity to for it. Let's dress up, get our hair done, and go out!"
I smiled at her enthusiasm. "I think you are going to be the death of me," I shook my head.
"Let's get ready," she replied.
About three hours later, we finished 'getting ready' which was quite the process when there were four princesses in the resort. Mr. Wess was more than happy to work with us and provide a lot of the resort extras that I had profusely refused when I arrived. With hair stylists, designer clothes provided, and make up artists, we were pampered to the extreme.
They dressed me in a tight deep purple dress that went to just above my knees. It was sleeveless, so I absolutely had to have a necklace too, according to Noemi. The necklace had a small, silver chain that contained several diamonds at the center. Then, every necklace also needs earrings, according to Orabella, so I put on diamond earrings too. The worst thing was the heels, however. They were four inches and walking in them now was nearly impossible.
Nicoletta wore a gold dress that was shorter than mine, but had long sleeves. Her shoes were also gold, as well as the jewelry she wore. Orabella dress was a red, long one that was tight to her body until about mid thigh. She wore a simple crown with her dress, making her look regal. Noemi opted for a pant suit, which I was instantly jealous of. Dresses were never my thing, though I had grown to like the comfier ones.
We made our way to the limousine, exiting the front doors of the resort. Immediately, flashes started going off and reporters started asking questions. Most were directed at me.
"Princess America, how are you doing now that the Selection is over?" "Princess America, care to comment on which dress Princess Kriss will choose for her wedding?" "Princess America, have you found a new man yet?" "Princess America, have you spoken to King Maxon?"
There were more questions, but they all blended together. Starting to feel dizzy, I grabbed onto one of the girls for support. This was too much, it was a terrible idea. Why on earth had I decided to let them take me out of the resort? What was I thinking?
"Almost there," I heard one of them say. Looking up, I realized we were nearly in front of the limousine. Okay, I could do this. Just a couple more steps.
Suddenly, a reporter moved right in front of me. "Princess America, tell us all how you feel about King Maxon not choosing you in the end."
Tell them how I felt? Not going to happen, I thought, starting to get angry.
"Excuse me," I told her, being polite and trying to get her to leave me alone.
I think giving her a response was where I went wrong. She continued talking, "Princess, it must be devastating. The majority of the country was rooting for you, after all. We all saw how you and him were on television, we thought he loved you. We thought you loved him. Do you think he made a mistake? Do you miss him at all?"
I knew I shouldn't listen to her, I knew I should just walk past her and get in the limousine like the other girls were doing, but something in me couldn't do it. I had to respond, I couldn't stay silent.
I gave her a polite smile, "Maxon and I, err, King Maxon and I got along well. But clearly, he loves Kriss. And I wish them all the best, as anyone would." I turned to the other reporters, all of them had their eyes on me. "I truly appreciate all that happened during the Selection and the support I received from Illea. My hopes are that I will make a difference for this country, even though I am not queen."
"Princess America! Do you agree with King Maxon's new policy on diminishing the caste system? We know it was something you believed in." A reporter asked.
"Of course I do, he is my King. As he is yours. I believe in what he wants for this country, it's what I want as well. That will be all, thank you."
With that, I moved past the reporters, already asking questions again. I got into the limousine and the driver closed the door, blocking out the sound of them.
"Well done," Nicoletta commented.
"I guess I still don't know when to keep my mouth shut," I sighed, leaning back against the seat.
"Which is why we love you!" She laughed.
"Which is why your country loves you!" Noemi added with equal enthusiasm.
As the driver took us away from the resort, I looked back and noticed that some reporters were following us in their cars. I sighed, would this be what my life was like? How was I even supposed to meet the rebels in private if I was being followed all the time? I supposed it would all die down after more time had passed. I hoped it would at least.
We arrived at a fancy restaurant, avoiding more reporters as we made our way in. Knowing we were being watched, we avoided alcohol. Since they were princesses too, they had to be weary of public appearances as well. So getting drunk was not an option when cameras were around.
Instead, we sipped on some virgin drinks that were deliciously sweet. The food arrived, and it was like I was back in the palace. It tasted heavenly. The girls laughed at my love for food, but I didn't mind.
"So, one of those reporters asked a question that has been on my mind too," Noemi commented between bites.
"Oh?" I asked, taking a sip of the strawberry mango drink I had ordered.
"Have you gotten any offers for marriage from other men yet?" She asked, smiling.
My eyes widened, "Oh! Well, I've received a few letters, yes. But I'm not looking right now, it's, uh, too soon."
"Who?" Nicoletta asked, excitement in her voice. "We know a lot of the bachelors and we can tell you all the gossip!"
I laughed, "Oh gosh, I don't know if I remember. Well, I did get a letter from the Prince of France this morning."
They all squealed. I had to cover my ears, they were so excited. Spending time with them was almost like spending time with the girls in the Selection again.
"Prince Calvin! He is so attractive!" Orabella commented. "Very handsome."
Nicoletta nodded in agreement, "I heard he liked you, actually."
"From who?" Noemi asked, curious.
"From my friend in France, Ines Bernard," she turned to me. "She is a very good dancer. Her performances are always sold out."
"A dancer? So she's a three?" I asked casually.
They all looked at me. "America, in France there are no castes, remember?" I blushed, I knew that. It was just so natural to think of it.
"Besides, you must remember that if you are to be France's future queen," Noemi laughed.
I frowned, "Well, I doubt that would happen."
"Why not?" She asked me. "You are single now."
"Yes," Orabella smiled. "And he is very nice to look at."
They all laughed, and I joined them. I couldn't believe we were even having this conversation. After all, my heart still belonged to someone else, someone who was marrying someone other than myself.
The thought of Maxon made me somber again. All the walks through the gardens that I loved, all the little touches and kisses we shared, and that last night we had together. It was all so special. I honestly thought I had loved Aspen at one point, maybe I did. But with Maxon, it was so much more than just first love. It was true, honest, and pure. Something I wasn't sure I could have with anyone else. And just thinking about it made me miss him even more.
The girls must have picked up on my change in mood, because they switched the subject and started talking about some celebrity scandal that had happened. I tried to listen, but my mind kept wandering back to Maxon. What was he doing right now? Was he in his office, working? Was Kriss with him? Were they organizing their upcoming wedding arrangements?
My mind became consumed with these thoughts, thoughts that I had all the time during the past couple of weeks. It was times like these that I wondered if I would never actually get over Maxon. How could I, after all?
Some people say that soulmates exist. I honestly didn't until I met him. I still didn't understand how I could miss someone so much until now. I started to breathe heavily, I could feel my heart begin to race. I kept losing the people that I loved. First my father, him not being in my home anymore. My home not even feeling like my home anymore. Then losing Celeste, her getting shot right in front of me. The image playing like a movie in my head, over and over again. All those people during the attack. Maxon, giving me hope again, but it being taken away. Feeling alone and utterly heartbroken.
It was all too much, it was like I was feeling every emotion possible all at once. I stood up, and noticed the girls looking at me with concern.
"America," Nicoletta started, but her voice sounded funny. The ringing in my ears was distorting it too much.
"I need," I started, mumbling too much. I tried again, "I need to…" Before I could finish, the world around me started to go dark. Splotches of black that wouldn't go away started to become bigger and the ringing in my ears was louder, causing everything else to go silent. Then, it all stopped, and everything was dark and I felt myself begin to fall. Then, I felt nothing.
