What you are about to read is action packed. Crazy long and action packed but completely worth it.
I don't own The Selection Trio by Kiera Cass.
Two months has gone by. Queen Caroline, Owen's mom, had graciously allowed me to start helping with some things around the castle and about five weeks ago everyone knew that Owen and I were actually starting something. It was public. Reporters were trying to cover it. Sadly there have been to many stories of me out in clubs and partying, drinking and just being crazy. That is almost every night and during the day Owen and I are doing work or hanging around. I used to ride horses when I was young and Owen had gotten me a horse the day after I arrived and I started riding, when I could. I also sang once and awhile. I was stuck with organizing the ball with Reagan and I was just walking over everything looking at all the decorations and making everything look perfect. People were to start arriving in half an hour and since Caroline put me in charge it had to be perfect.
"Babe." a voice said and I jumped turning around. Owen was standing in the side door of the ballroom.
"What?" I questioned and kept walking around. I could feel him walking towards me. He grabbed my waist and turned me around.
"Relax. Everything is perfect. You have to get ready." he told me.
"Everything can't be perfect. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to me." I told him, resting my hands on his chest.
"I'm perfect." he gloated, I smiled and kissed his lips.
"Fine. I'll go get ready." I said to him, and he grabbed my hand intertwining our fingers and we walked to my room. I was to see all my friends from different countries, even ones from Illea. Owen kissed me away and I walked into my room to see Beca standing there with her arms crossed.
"You are late!" she exclaimed and grabbed my hand dragging my over to sit down.
"I'm sorry, Beca. I had a lot of things to finish." I told her, she began to work on my hair and demanded for me to fix up my nail polish.
"No you didn't. You just wanted everything to be perfect because your worried about Queen Caroline's reaction." she said and started blowing out my hair. I was never allowed to see myself when Beca got me ready. She made small curls in my hair and then did my makeup. I was then put into a dress. It was a deep purple dress, with a silver lining that hugged my upper body and flew out into a flowy and layered dress. I spun around in the dress in front of the mirror and looked at myself. I hugged Beca and there was a knock at the door. Beca pulled away from the hug and she answered the door. Owen was standing there, in his tux. I walked over to him and he stared in awe.
"Have a great night you two." Beca winked and walked out the door. I smiled and Owen grabbed the back of my head and pushed our lips together in a heated kiss. I pulled away after a little and he let me down from his grasp and my feet fell to the ground with a big stomp of my heels. I smiled again and walked over to the vanity. I fixed my makeup quickly and smoothed out my dress then fixed my hair and Owen and I walked hand in hand to the ballroom. Everyone was in there and Queen Caroline and King Xavier along with their children. All dressed amazingly.
"Ames, I love your dress." Emily exclaimed. I smiled down at her while she showed me her toothless smile. She just lost a tooth and this time I asked to put something under her pillow. I put a beautiful red dress, it was all red and it went perfectly with her blonde hair. And I added locket because she really loved them. She had on all those things and I was happy she was wearing them.
"And I love yours." I replied. They announced the king and queen and they walked through, then it went youngest to oldest so Owen and I were last to walk in. My breath caught when we got to the end of the stairs and started walking around. People and more people. Maxon and Kriss.
"Hey remember that I'm here okay? Run your hands through your hair and I will come and save you." That was our signal. That was our save me signal. We started it a couple days ago, when he was stuck talking to some elders. I nodded he kissed my cheek.
"America Colette Singer!" a voice scolded behind me. I winced at my middle name and turned around to see Celeste.
"It's not necessary to use my middle name." I told her and she hugged me.
"It is so good to see you. It's been like forever." she said, I pulled away from the hug.
"It's been two months." I informed her. She looked at me like I was crazy.
"That is far too long." she told me and then turned towards Owen. "How are you? Are you treating her right? If you're not I can kill you, you know that right?" she bombarded him with questions walking closer. Owen was absolutely terrified of her as he should be but I decided to save him.
"Celeste, he's been a perfect gentlemen." I told her and she stared at him for a second longer.
"Good." she said and backed away.
"Well America, I have to go talk to some girls about some things." she told me and walked away. I saw Kriss and Maxon in the corner all lovey. I grabbed a champagne glass from a passing waiter and took a big gulp.
"Already?" Owen asked also grabbing one.
"I will limit myself." I told him. "Even though I can hold my liquor." I added and we walked around. Greeting people as we walked, I knew most of them so Owen didn't have to tell me all their names. Owen had to leave to go and talk with his old buddies and I was called over my Kriss. I heard her call my name and I switched to my second glass of champagne. And walked over there.
"America, it's so good to see you!" Kriss exclaimed.
"It's good to see you too Kriss." She pulled me into a hug that I didn't want. Her style was uptight and I didn't like it. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her dress looked like she was thirty. I pulled away from the hug. "Maxon great to see you." I smiled in his direction.
"Great to see you to America." he replied and nodded. I took a sip of my drink.
"What have you been doing in France, America?" Kriss asked. That was a dumb question.
"I think you know what I've been doing. I'm all over the news, like everywhere." I told her and took another drink.
"I have seen those. All the pictures from clubs and all." She said with a big smile on her face. God I might kill her. I ran my hands through my hair hoping for everything that is holy that Owen saw.
"Those aren't the only things there Kriss." I told her.
"But it's the most. I mean I never knew that you could act like that." she said, I brought the drink to my lips and drank it down. It was better than strangling her. I turned around and walked away grabbing another drink and started drinking it again.
"Ames I'm so sorry." Owen apologized.
"Too late. I was this close to strangling her. And then I downed an entire drink." I told him and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"I couldn't get away. I was talking to the RQ of New Asia. She never stops talking." he said, RQ means the retired queen.
"Yeah whatever." I said and set my drink on a passing waiter and I grabbed Owen's hand pulling him onto the dance floor. We started dancing.
"What exactly happened?" he asked nodding towards Maxon and Kriss.
"She was talking about how I was acting at the clubs and stuff." I told him, and Owen pulled me closer.
"I bet, you would be acting like that if Illea didn't have all their damned rules." he said and I laughed.
"Maybe." I told him.
"May I cut in?" Maxon asked behind me. Before Owen could go off on him I set my hand on his chest and nodded. He kissed my cheek and walked away.
"Prince Maxon, what brings you over here?" I asked him.
"Kriss is upset, because of the way you were talking to her." he told me.
"I should be the one upset because she was being incompetent." I told him.
"Fair enough." he replied, he knew I was correct. I always correct.
"How is Marlee and Carter?" I asked him, I thought about those two a lot.
"They broke another rule." he replied simply. I stepped away from him. "And they are both to be dead by tuesday." he added. The next couple of seconds, flew by. I slapped the prince of Illea across the face.
"You son of a bitch!" I exclaimed. Something I have never done before.
"America." Caroline scolded.
"You try to talk to me and I will slap you again." I told him and walked out of the ballroom. I picked up my pace and walked towards my room. When I got there, I was crying. I took out a pair of black jeans and a t-shirt. I was sick of this damn dress. I locked the door and I changed into the clothes. There was knocking at my door and Owen yelling for me to open it.
"Babe, open the door." he said. I sighed and walked over to the door, I still didn't have my shirt on, but I had a bra on.
I opened the door and his eyes went straight to my chest. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and he shook his head. He looked up at my puffy eyes.
"What happened?" he asked me, walking in the door and closing it behind him.
"Maxon is an ass." I told him and walked over to grab my tank-top pulling it over my head. He looked at me saying tell me more.
"Marlee and Carter broke another rule apparently and this time they were put on a death sentence." I told him and he pulled me into a hug. I started crying again into his chest. He calmed me down and ran his fingers through my hair.
"What do you want to do?" he asked me.
"I want to save my best friend." I mumbled against his chest.
"I'll see what I can do. And you stay away from anyone from Illea." I nodded into his chest and pulled away. He cupped my cheek and wiped the tears from my eyes. "It'll be fine." he whispered. I nodded against his soft hand and he kissed me softly. He pulled away and kissed my forehead walking back out the room. I walked over and grabbed onto my songbird necklace and slipped it on. I always found that having my father with me in this necklace always made everything seem so much better. There was another knock at the door and I sighed walking over to the door. I opened it and saw Queen Amberly standing there.
"I can't talk right now." I told her and began to close the door but she pushed it open and walked right through.
"I don't appreciate your behavior America." she said turning around to look at me.
"And I don't appreciate your son." I told her, crossing my arms, I was more confident around Amberly and her reactions I had to no desire to care for.
"America what happened to you? You have turned against everything you are. You are getting drunk at clubs, dancing rather inappropriately. Your behavior has changed, drastically. You used to be one of my favorite girls, in the selection and now I'm not even sure I want to know you anymore." she expressed.
"While I have been here, I have began to start programs and I am practically running this palace. I organized that entire ball! And if the press only want to show my bad side then so be it. I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. Yeah, maybe my behavior has changed but my heart was broken and the only person who could repair it is Owen. If you have a problem with me, you can leave." I exclaimed. She looked at me surprised and nodded walking towards the door. She paused as she reached the door like she wanted to say something but then she walked out the door closing it behind her. I sighed and flopped down on my bed. I grabbed my phone and called the Illea palace. A secretary picked it up.
"Illea castle, can I help you?" she asked me.
"I need to talk to a prisoner." I told her.
"I'm sorry, that's not allowed." she said.
"I need to talk to Marlee Tames. Now and if you don't put her on the phone I will get on a plane and come there myself, and go straight to see her. And that's even more not allowed." I told her.
"Can I ask who's calling?" she sighed.
"America." I answered, I didn't really need to tell her my last name everyone, everywhere knew who I was.
"Please hold a moment." she said and I was on hold for about two minutes before I heard Marlee's voice.
"Hello?" she asked.
"It's America." I told her.
"America. Oh my, I miss you so much." her voice was breaking.
"Marlee, what happened?" I asked her.
"Carter and I, the rule about having sex." she told me. In Illea you cannot have sex without getting married, that's a big rule. "I'm pregnant America, and they are going to kill me and the baby. Without knowing." she cried.
"Oh, god. Marlee, listen to me. I'm going to do everything I can. Owen is helping me and Caroline will probably help me." I told her.
"Okay." she whispered.
"When Maxon told me about you at the ball tonight, I slapped him across the face and called him a son of a bitch in front of everyone." I told her hopping I could make her laugh.
And she did, hearing my best friend laughing again just made my day.
"Sweetie, I'm gonna go and talk to Owen. Stay strong." I told her.
"I just… I love you as a best friend. You are like a sister to me." she began. She was saying goodbye, just in case.
"Mar, stop. You are going to live. All three of you and if you even doubt me for a second, well you won't because you love me. And I love you." I told her.
"Okay." she whispered. "Bye." she added.
"See you soon." I corrected.
"Right see you soon." I hesitated before hanging up the phone but I did. I sighed and stood up. I went to Owen's office.
I heard arguing. I opened the door and saw the three of them standing there along with Maxon and his parents along with Kriss. I sighed.
"Marlee is America's best friend. They are practically like sisters and because of the stupid rules of Illea she has to die because she had sex? That is absurd!" Owen yelled. He always defended me.
"I don't have a choice!" Maxon yelled back.
"You do have a choice. You broke her heart once, isn't that enough for you? And now your putting one of the only people who has kept America together in the past month on death row! This is your fault from the beginning." Owen yelled.
"Stop it both of you." I demanded, they turned towards me. Owen ran his hand through his hair. I walked closer. "All of you will listen to what I have to say, with no interruptions." I told them.
They all turned towards me. Waiting for what I'm about to say. I looked at all of them.
"King Clarkson, Queen Amberly you have a son and King Clarkson has a daughter. King Brandon and Queen Caroline you have nine children." I said.
"How does this relate?" Clarkson asked.
"Marlee is pregnant." I told them and there was gasps, surprise faces and a what from Amberley.
"You have no proof, Marlee could be lying." Kriss spoke up.
"Shut up Kriss." I demanded and she shut her mouth. "My best friend does not lie to me! She is about to die over some of the stupidest rules in Illea!" I yelled to them.
"You don't have to raise you voice, darling." Amberly said.
"Obviously I do, because you don't realize how awful the people of Illea are being treated!" I exclaimed.
"How dare you…" Clarkson began.
"No, don't you start. For years Illea has been a mess. You think the castes help, people but they don't. You think your doing good, but people hate the castes and you. Then the rules, of Illea. That's an entire different story. These rules have destroyed people's lives. You have killed people for stealing. They deserve to have a chance to live and you two just kill them." I said.
"You have no right." Clarkson growled.
"I have a right. Here in France where I live and I am a citizen of, we have a freedom to speak our minds. And I don't belong to Illea anymore, which brings up another thing. You think the people of Illea belong to you. They belong to themselves." I told them.
"America." Caroline said, and her voice calmed me down a little.
"Marlee and Carter and their baby will not die Tuesday. If they do, I have to power here to break alliance with you." I threatened them. I did have the power, and Owen does to, he will support me.
"You can't possibly." Clarkson stated.
"Actually she does. And I completely agree with her." Brandon said standing up. Clarkson and Amberly looked at him.
"Our alliance is too good. It has gone on for decades." Amberley said.
"Like I said, I'm with America." Brandon informed and I smiled. Caroline stood up and nodded agreeing.
"Fine." Clarkson said and grabbed Amberly's hand and pulled her out of the room.
"America…" Maxon began. I glared at him.
"Do you like getting slapped?" I snapped. He shut his mouth, lowered his head and Kriss stood up and they walked out of the room.
"America, fantastic job. Although it took some yelling, you made your first agreement." Caroline said.
"And honesty. I was waiting for the moment I could yell at them, without getting punished." I told them and they chuckled. Owen's hand went around my waist and tightened.
"Hold onto her Owen." Caroline said and the two walked out of the room. Owen sat down in his chair and pulled me onto his lap.
"You look hot when your angry." he whispered and I laughed as I shook my head at him. "I can't believe you slapped him." he added laughing.
"Well, it's his fault and he was the only one I could take it out on." I told him, he just stared at me.
"You're amazing, you know that right?" he said, I nodded and smiled kissing him deeply. "Mmmh, I have work to do." he said between kisses.
"It's nine at night. No you don't." I corrected and continued kissing him. He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer.
I have never felt this content with someone. I have never felt this happy, even with Aspen. Owen and I have only been together for two weeks and this relationship is so much better than Aspen or Maxon. We stopped after like ten minutes and I smiled this goofy grin at him.
"You are such a dork." he said.
"I know." I replied and stood up. "I'm gonna go to my room. See you in the morning?"
"Yeah sure." he said and ran fingers through his hair. I walked out of the room and to my bedroom. I changed into a short, black, silk nightgown and braided my hair back. I took off my makeup and laid on my bed.
For hours I couldn't sleep, and I don't know why. I sighed and grabbed my robe wrapping it around myself. I walked out of my room quietly, and walked towards Owen's. A couple of times, I usually go in and slip with Owen at night because I can't sleep. I opened the door quietly.
"Hey, babe." he whispered.
"Your awake." I stated and walked over to the bed and took my robe off.
"I had a feeling you would come in here." he lifted the covers up and I slipped under them covering myself.
"No you didn't. You can never tell when I come here." I told him.
"True, I wake up and your under my arm." he said and I smiled.
"I have skills for being quiet." I smiled. I scooted myself closer to him and he wrapped an arm around me. I snugged up under his arm and rested my head on his chest. I was cold, and I was covered with a blanket and close to his warm body. "I'm cold." I whispered. He chuckled and stood up walking over to his drawer and grabbing a sweater and handed it to me. I smiled and sat up pulling the sweater over my head.
"That was my sweater from boarding school. My parents sent me there because I was such a bad kid." he told me. I laughed and we got back into our position.
"This smells like you." I whispered.
"I would hope so, I've been using the same stuff since I was in 15." he told me. And know he was 19. I smiled, as I was falling asleep he kissed my forehead. "Night baby." he whispered. He called me baby. Not babe, baby.
"Night." I replied and drifted off to sleep.
