Hey guys. I'm so sorry that I don't have a strict update thing but hopefully soon I'll be able to post once or more a week. I really hope that you like this it took a long time to come up with the idea of what to write for this chapter. Keep writing comments I absolutely love feedback on my stories. Hopefully I can start updating more regularly.

Chapter 2.

AMERICA

6 MONTHS LATER.

I sit at my desk at work looking through some papers. After I left the Selection I became a teacher. Even though my job has nothing to do with music I don't mind. I like teaching history. We learn a lot about Gregory Illea and how he came to make Illea. I have to teach exactly from the book but I still know better. Gregory Illea was not a savior. He was merely a power hungry man. We talk about other things as well like the war of America and the previous Selections. We talk a lot about my Selection. Those are my least favorite lessons. The students know I was a part of the Selection but thankfully they don't ask too many questions. Even though some lessons hurt to speak about I love my job. I still play music in my free time and even help out my mother sometimes. It's not the same. When I used to help her I had hope for a new future for something that was bigger than all the castes. When that was lost I was lost, then something happened and my hope return but now nothing. It's all gone. Been destroyed by heartache and heartbreak. I shake my head dismissing the thought. I didn't notice but the papers I was holding have fallen on the floor in a mess.

"Great," I mutter. I kneel down and begin to pick them up when I hear a knock at my door. "Come in," I call without looking.

"Do you need any help?" a male voice I don't recognize asks. I look up and see him standing in the doorway like he didn't understand what 'come in' meant.

"No I'm okay," I say with a smile looking up at his face. I continue picking up the papers and see a new pair of hands next to mine picking up the rest. The sight of this strangers hands makes me freeze. I stand and he rises not even a second later. He places the papers, might I say very neatly, on my desk.

"Thanks but I didn't need your help," I say. He just smiles in response.

"Just because you are holding onto 5 horses doesn't mean that you are holding off the stampede," he says giving me a look I don't understand. We stare at each other for a while before it gets to awkward so I speak up.

"Did you come here for something?" I ask.

"Oh yes. I was looking for my Aunt. Madeline Delware. Do you know her?" Of course I knew Mrs. Delaware. She gave me my tour on my first day of work. I always liked her even though she doesn't really speak to me.

"Yeah she is in the administration office I think," I say, pointing in the direction where the office is.

"Okay I guess I'll be off," he says. "The names Ben by the way." He walks off before I can offer my name. I hope he doesn't notice and come back. I doubt he will but just in case I close my shutters. I continue packing up and walk towards the door when I hear a soft knock. I walk towards it slowly hoping that it's not Ben behind the door. I open the door slowly at first but then swing it open. It's not Ben at the door but it is his aunt.

"Mrs. Delaware," I say. "What are you doing here?" Isn't she supposed to be with her nephew?

"I actually wanted to talk to you about something," she says, shyly. "I've been wanting been to talk to you about this for a while."

"Okay go on," I say not trying to rush her.

"I was in the Selection for the king." I almost gasp but stop myself. "That's okay gasp if you want it's crazy."

"Sorry I didn't mean to-"

"I said don't worry. That's not my point though," she says putting her hand up to stop me from talking. "I thought I was in love with the King. I thought he loved me too. I thought that he would propose and we would live happily ever after. I even made us joined names. They were Madson and Clarkline," she says laughing to herself. "It was ridiculous. When he chose Amberley I was heartbroken. We were the closest of friends and I felt as if she had stabbed me in the heart. She stole my true love. I didn't talk to her for years. I got so sick in my anger and rage. I became ill and was forced into hospital. My sister visited and there was this doctor. His name was Thomas. He was oh so kind to me. I loved talking to him. Eventually I found myself falling. This was 7 years after the Selection. I got better by the day. Not many weeks later I was out and walking again. Thomas and I kept in touch and when he proposed I was so happy. While we were engaged I thought about Clarkson and how ridiculous that was compared to how I felt about Thomas. I realized how much I missed Amberley then. I got myself sick. Again. I told Thomas and my sister about it all. They understood and suggested that I call her up. I cried for days not knowing how she would react of I called. Finally I did and she was so happy to hear from me. I apologized for all of the nasty things I said about her and we talked for hours. We haven't gotten out of touch since. The point to this story is that you can't hold on to whatever grudges you have with Princess Kriss," she says finally. I don't have any grudges. I am perfectly fine that Kriss was chosen. It still hurts and we haven't talked since the selecting but that has nothing to do with any grudges I just haven't had any time.

"I don't have any grudges with Kriss who isn't Princess yet. They aren't even married yet. I'm fine I just don't have time to call her," I fire back. Madeline is just like her nephew. They both have dark hair and dark eyes and they are both tall and can't keep to themselves.

"Fine I was just saying. I missed out on a lot because I held onto grudges," she says starting to walk away.

"Thank you but I'm fine," I call as she walks out the door. Why does everyone have to put their noses in my business? I'm perfectly fine.

I'm fine, I tell myself but even so I fall to my knees silent tears running down my face.

I'm fine.

I really hope you guys liked this chapter I know it doesn't have any Maxmerica. I'm thinking about doing a Maxon chapter for my next one. Comments please.

Thankyou

-bookluver111