Disclaimer! Almost all the characters belong to Kiera Cass, besides my OCs of course! And some parts of the story are word for word from the book, including the snippet at the beginning. Alright... now that's out of the way, on with the story! To anyone who reads thanks and I hope you like it!

(Page 291 of The One)

"Trying to arrange a tie to meet later?" Maxon asked, and I whipped my head back.

"No of course not."

"Its not like it matters. Kriss's family will be here this afternoon for a small celebration, and yours will be here to take you home. They don't like for the last loser to be alone. She tends to get dramatic."

He continued, "You can keep the house if you want. It's been paid for. I'd like my letters back though."

"I read them," I whispered, "I loved them."

"Don't know what I was thinking."

"Don't. You. Dare," Mason ordered through gritted teeth. "You put on a smile, and you wear it to the last second."

I blinked away the tears and gave a weak smile.

"That'll do. Don't let that slip until you leave the room, do you understand?"

I nodded.

"I'll be glad when you're gone." He was so cold.

He turned back to Kriss with a smile that wrenched my heart. I could hardly breathe in this dress and they way Maxon was talking to me, so hateful with such a warm smile, constricted my breathing even further. The lump in my throat threatened to steal away all my remaining oxygen. Once Maxon made his short speech and had given Kriss the simple princess cut diamond ring, I could feel the tears about to spill over, but my eyes met Celeste's and I could feel her giving me all the strength I needed to get through the next few minutes.

When the cameras fell dead, I felt the first tear spill and Maxon's warning ringing in my ears as though somehow I'd been surrounded by a fog a hate. Before anyone could see I wiped it away.

Maxon, soon after, adjourned the ceremony and we exited, everyone being sent back home with their story of watching the future king get engaged.

I felt a hand wrap around my wrist, long and rounded nails jabbing gently into my arm. When we arrived in the side parlor, and warm arms engulfed my as I collapsed into a fit of tears.

"America..." Celeste held me eve more tightly.

I was ashamed of myself, I deserved this. I just hoped that in punishing me, Maxon wasn't also punishing himself.

I could feel the cloud of panic suffocating me worse than smoke ever could and I wheezed through my closing throat and blood shot eyes. Not making a shred of sense, I blubbered all my sins to a confused Celeste.

Soon enough I felt three more sets of arms engulf me. Anne, Lucy, and Mary were comforting me now as well.

"How did you all know I was here?" I cried in both disbelief and gratefulness.

"I sent for them while you ranting." Celeste replied regal as ever, "I sent that hottie guard, Ledger..?"

"Leger, milady." Lucy piped up.

"Right that one, the one with the eyes, the one you were blubbering about."

"Quit rubbing salt in the wound!"

"Hey I got dumped too, but I promise there are plenty more guys out there ten times better than- okay maybe not ten times but at least like five times better- than Maxon who would love you on first meeting! And there are guys who'll forgive you for a mistake like what you made. Maxon just doesn't know how to handle not being the one guy every girl wants and desires."

I laughed, for the first time since Maxon had killed me with his eyes, I laughed, until it turned into hysterical crying once again.

"Don't worry,girl, get it all out." Celeste hugged me tighter.

"America?" I heard May's voice from the door.

"May?" I was confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Maxon brought me here as a last minute surprise. He flew me in last night. I've been looking for you for over an hour. Are you okay?" she put a hand on my arm and slinked down onto the floor beside me, Anne, Mary, and Lucy backing up to give us some space.

"Is there anything you'd like Lady America?" Anne asked, "Some water? A handkerchief?"

"Jeans."

"What?" Mary laughed heartily.

"Jeans, and a blouse and some sneakers."

"Are you sure?" Lucy clarified.

"Yes bring them to my room... or I guess my former room now. I'll be packing. I need to go home."

"America are you serious?" May this time.

"Yes, and bring me Officer Leger, I have something for him."

"Yes ma'am!" they said and scurried off to do their final biding on my part.

"Let's go." I grabbed May's and Celeste's hands hauling them to their feet.

As we headed down the hall and to my room, we walked past the Women's room where Maxon stood with his arm tucked neatly around his new fiancee's waist as she showed everyone the diamond.

I wanted to barf.

When we arrived at my room, Aspen was waiting outside.

"You called," he said professionally.

"Yes." I replied getting straight to the point. I opened the door and picked up the picture frame of the house and the penny in the jar. I threw each of them at the wall watching them shatter. A smirk crawled across my lips, breaking things really did seem to help. "Here you are."

I gave him the single penny and the picture of the house, address written on the back.

"What is this, Mer?"

"A house. A nice house that I don't want anymore. I don't think I can stand being in this city for another hour, let alone living here in the nice house my ex bought me. Its yours, and with this penny I finish your payment for your services. Our transaction is over, goodbye." I embraced him, leaning entirely on him. I stood on my tip toes and whispered, "Whom ever you do fall in love with Aspen Leger will be lucky to live there in that nice house with you please don't try to give it back, I'm begging you. Go ahead and sell it for all I care."

When I released him he was stunned, and I couldn't have cared less.

I turned from him, looping an arm through May's and Celeste's and we entered my room. Within the hour I'd begone, and within a week, I had no idea the whirl wind I'd just brought raining upon me.