Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I have updated, but spring break ended so I have been at school :( but I'm hoping this chapter will make up for it. By the way, thanks guys for 5 favorites, 15 follows, and 29 REVIEWS!

Basedonthosebooks: Yeah, what would we do without our ignorant little America? And yes, I love cliffhangers!

XxAquastormxX: Thanks for the advice, I will try and keep it in mind :)

Guest mih: I was planning on making her fall in love with someone in Italy, but I changed my mind because I have seen a TON of stories doing that lately. And I LOVE brownies! As for music, I like Katy Perry and upbeat stuff. Occasionally I listen to sad songs if I'm in a bad mood :P

Ilona18: I like those things too, especially chocolate ;)

Knife Toot Heart: I feel so bad because I was calling you Knife to Heart LOL. And wait- does that mean you eat unicorns O.O And thanks so much for the compliment that really made my day! (Also, when I read the last part of your review, the prediction, I was like: STALKER REBEL LOL!)

Missmya16: Nice predictions!

HyperFLUFFY: Ahh cheesecake! And idk if I can do longer chapters but I will try! Also, yes I will do some sunshine and rainbows and makeout scenes when America gets back together with Maxon :P

Guest: OMG LAVA CAKES! –Drools-

So here is chapter 4!

America is boarding the plane to Italy when a man aims a gun at her heart

I screamed loudly. The security guards ran up to the man, and he seemed to realize what was about to happen. The guards grabbed the gun just as he pressed the trigger and there was a loud boom. There was a shriek, which I thought was mine, although I wasn't really sure. Nothing was registering in my mind except one thing- there was blood all over my shirt. My world faded to black as I crumpled to the ground.

It seemed like seconds later when my eyes open later. I jerk my head up and look around, expecting to see the man with the gun hiding somewhere, but instead I find myself looking at a room that had little to no color. The walls, floors, and ceiling were white. I looked down and found myself sitting on a bed- also white. Then I realize I must be in an infirmary.

A few minutes later a nurse holding a clipboard comes rushing in from a door located to my left. She explains what happened as she checks my heartbeat and changes some bandages that were covering a wound in my stomach.

"So you probably remember that man who shot you, right?" she asks me, and I nod.

"Well, he shot you in your lower stomach. It's a good thing it wasn't your heart, or we wouldn't have been able to save you. Well after he shot you the airport was in chaos. Half the staff was trying to help you while the rest of themwere trying to get the man into custody." She explains to me.

"His name is Sandy Black, isn't it?" I ask. The name just comes out of my mouth, and I have no idea where I had known it from. Neither did the nurse, apparently, because she gasps.

"How did you know that?" she asks while writing stuff on a clipboard, "It's top secret- only a few people at the hospital, along with the government, know that name."

"I don't know," I say, shaking my head. The nurse looks thoughtful before continuing the story.

"Well anyway, he was arrested and taken to jail. Meanwhile, you were brought here. You have been out for a day."

"Where am I?" I ask.

"Italy."

The nurse walks out the door, and I spend a long time thinking on the information I had just learned. I honestly don't know how I had learned the name of the man, but I didn't think the nurse believed me when I said that. I wonder if my shooting had been on TV. Even if it had been, I doubted that many people cared. Most of my country hated me for what I had supposedly done to Maxon's heart. And I didn't think Maxon cared one bit what happened to me.

That was fine with me though, because I didn't care what happened to him either. But if I was in Italy, that meant I could continue planning for my revenge on Maxon.

Sometime later I fall asleep, and when I wake up I ironically find a TV in my room. There is a remote on my bed, so I grab it and press the button that looks like the "on" button. Sure enough, the television turns on. I admire it. It's a flat screen TV that is at least 80", and the resolution was amazing, especially compared to my one at home.

There is currently a show playing called "Italian Cooking". Someone had done me the favor of making sure the shows had English captions showing up at the bottom of the screen. I flip through the channels, looking for something that appeals to me, when I come across the Report. That's right- it must be Friday again.

I focus on the screen. My vision is a little blurry but I can still make out what's happening. Gavril is speaking.

"-Have all heard what happened to America Singer, formerly in the Selection. But for those who have not seen the footage, here it is."

The screen is now showing a video of the man shooting me. I watch myself let out a high-pitched noise as I fall to the ground. I force myself to look away as men beat up the man called Sandy and pull him away. It's not that I like him- it just reminds me of poor Marlee and Carter. I suddenly think of how selfish I had been over the past few weeks. How could I have not thought about them? And my family must be freaking out.

A tear leaks from the corner of my eye. What had I turned into?

Maxon's POV

It was Friday, and the Report was live. Gavril had shown all of Illea the clip of America being shot. To see her so helpless- it reminded me of how stupid I had been. I gave up my only chance to be with her, and now she probably hated me. I didn't know why I did that whole thing on the Report about her, I was just mad at her for calling me a stuck-up prince. Hadn't my father said the exact same thing? The video ended, but I paid no attention to that. I was lost in thought, but was jerked out of my zoning when Gavril called my name.

"Prince Maxon- knock knock, anyone in there?" I could tell Gavril was trying to make it into a joke about me not paying attention, and I was thankful for that. Especially since I was going to get a whole series of lashes from my father later that evening for "not being princely". Oh, how I hated that whip.

"Yes, excuse my rudeness. Would you please repeat the question?" I say, sitting up in my seat. Maybe I can make up for my reckless behavior, although I kind of doubt it. I think nowadays Father is just looking for an excuse to whip me, even though I did nothing to him except being born. I guess that might be a crime to him, though, since I wasn't the perfect son he had always wanted.

Gavril looked grim as he said, "I asked, what did you think of the footage?"

"I think that no poor girl like Lady America should have to go through that."

I spoke cautiously, knowing if America were here she would hate me for what I had just said. But currently she was in an unknown location- even Father didn't even know, and he had spies all over the world. I also said it because I felt like the least I could do was start portraying America in a better light from now on.

Gavril interviewed the Elite on how well they felt they were doing in the Selection, but I hardly payed attention. I was thinking of how if America was here, I would be so much happier. I had realized over the past few days that I didn't really love Kriss, well not the way I loved America. Kriss was so much simpler and weaker than the other girls. I didn't know if she would be able to handle the stresses of being queen.

At the moment, though, she was my best bet. I would always hate Celeste to what she had done to America and I's relationship. If I had just eliminated Celeste when America had asked me to, America would still be here. And Elise had no spine. If anything, she was more boring than even Kriss. You could literally predict her next words. But still, I just wished America was back, or that I could at least make up with her. It was killing me to be away from her, and to know that she was probably still mad at me made it even worse.

While I was thinking all this, Gavril was wrapping up the Report. Luckily I was kind of listening when he asked,

"So Prince Maxon, do you already have a girl in mind for the One?"

I nodded and said, "I do, in fact. The winner will be announced after I come back from a trip to Italy in a few weeks."

This stirred up the crowd, but the Report was already fading to black. I collapsed into my throne-like chair and sighed heavily. My father surprisingly exited the room without a word to me, but he sent a glare my way. Meanwhile, my mother came rushing over.

"You did great, as alwa- What's wrong Maxon?"

Great. Just what I needed, I thought ungratefully. "Nothing," I mumbled.

My mother looked unconvinced, but she walked away. I guess she wasn't in the mood to deal with me at the moment, which suited me just fine.

I got up and stomped off, angry at the world. Why must everything happen to me? At least soon enough I would get to visit Italy and take a break from my crazy world. Even better- I was going alone! I would probably get to see my friend Prince Fredrick while I was there. I felt bad for him, since he was going to have to deal with Daphne. They were getting married in the fall.

I hadn't gotten to talk to Fredrick in a while, though, so I didn't know how he felt about that. But I would be extremely grateful to get to vent out all my problems to him.

Now feeling considerably better, I finally realized where my feet were taking me- to America's favorite place- the gardens. But for once I didn't feel bitter towards her while there. I actually felt peaceful. I stopped to smell the roses- literally, along the way. The garden was recovering from winter, but it was still a beautiful place. Before America had come to the palace, I had never truly appreciated the place, but now it was a favorite spot of mine to hang out in.

I sat on a cool stone bench, surrounded by crossbreeds of daisies, tulips, poppies, and all sorts of flowers that I didn't know, or care, what the names were. There was a fish fountain in front of me. After a while I got up and washed my hands off with the water coming from the fish's mouth. This was a symbolic fountain, meant to represent Christianity- some major religion before World War III.

But I appreciated the fountain more for the cold water rather than the history. It was like the wetness was clearing my thoughts and mind. But all good things must come to a close-

"Maxon Schreave!"

I sighed for what seemed to be the millionth time today and went in the direction of my father's voice. I rubbed my back, preparing myself for yet another whipping, but was surprised when I found Father.

"Where have you been? I have been looking for you." He said, sounding cross.

"I was in the gardens, Father. I'm sorry to have displeased you." I said, standing up straight. I was beyond trying to praise my dad, but I could at least try to behave.

"Well, come on. We are going on a little… trip."

I gulped.

Okay, so that wasn't too bad of a cliffhanger, was it? Did you guys like how I used Maxon's perspective as well as America's? And I'm so proud of myself- I did a 2000 word chapter- a first for me!

Okay, so today's review questions are these:

Any predictions?

Is there anything I need to change, or something you think I should keep doing?

Is there something that you want to happen in this story (besides Maxerica)?

And the random question: If Maxon died in The One, would you rather America end up with Aspen or someone completely new to the story? (Don't worry, Maxon isn't gonna die in my story, this was something I thought of randomly)

Oh, one more thing- Who has read The One yet? I heard some stores stocked it early. Sadly, I have to wait till the 6th :(