******MAKE SURE TO READ THE BOTTOM, IT'S IMPORTANT!************

Chapter 7

MAXON'S POV

To say that I'm nervous for the Report is an understatement. I know the nervousness doesn't show because my smile is too wide and my eyes are too bright. I give myself a once over in the mirror before walking out in the hallway only to be intercepted by Aspen.
"Hey," he greets, sticking an arm over my shoulders. He looks smart in his green suit and combed back hair. "Haven't seen you since breakfast," he comments. I shrug, the smile not coming off of my face.
"I had a date with America," I explain. He smirks at me. We're the same height if I'm not taller. He ruffles my hair.
"How was it?" he asks in a singsong voice. I chuckle a bit.
"I could ask you the same about your date?" I reply. He didn't have time to tell me this morning because I was too busy listening to one of the suitors, Jayme's, propaganda about having slept with the Princess after their first date.
Aspen groans.
"It was awful," he answers. He pulls his arm off my shoulders and skips ahead a few steps so he can walk backwards. "Johnny spoke about himself the whole time and we had to share a horse." Aspen chuckles a bit. "You should've seen his face, Max. He was white as a ghost when he saw the horses." I chuckle a bit at that. I can imagine all buff Johnny cowering at the sight of a horse.
"Now tell me about your date," Aspen persists. He comes to stand beside me and I push him playfully.
"We just walked around the gardens," I tell him. I don't want to tell him about the water, it seems like a private moment we had that I don't want to spoil.
"Just walked?" Aspen mimics, sounding unconvinced. "Didn't you talk or do anything?" I sigh. Sometimes Aspen can be hard work.
"We talked about sunflowers and photography," I give in.
"Boring," he yells out inappropriately. I want to stick my hand over his mouth but he's just having fun. Anyone who hears has to accept that we're just two boys away from home.
We walk into the studio together shoving each other playfully. All of the other boys are mingling and producers are bustling around the room. I spot America talking to Gavril with a concerned look on her face. I want to go over and comfort her but I know I'd be stepping out of line.
Aspen and I walk over to a few of the other boys who're talking amongst themselves about football. I've never been much of a football fan, preferring boxing and gym. I try not to think of how I got into those sports.
During the conversation I can't help looking over at the Princess. She looks beautiful in the light pink dress she's wearing and her hair tied into a bun. Her eyebrows are creased and her mouth frowning which only makes her look more gorgeous. She turns her head and meets my eyes for a second before bashfully turn away. We're only friends and friends don't stare at each other for extended amounts of time.
"Alright, Romeos," a shrill voice says out. Her voice projects and we all turn towards the sound. Silvia stands wearing a pale green suit with a clipboard in her hands. She points around the chairs, yelling different boys' names. Each of them quietly stand and take their place. It's all I can do to assume that the Report is starting soon.
I don't get seated beside Aspen and instead get placed beside a quiet, timid boy named Johannes. I don't bother trying to talk to him and instead look around for Princess America. I spot her almost immediately sitting beside her mother, their hands intertwined. I smile at their obvious closeness. The King sits beside his wife watching us all with an evil glint in his eyes. His gaze meets my own and I quickly look away but the few seconds our eyes were meeting have me shook. I focus on a the wall instead of watching people in fear someone will meet my gaze again.
"Lights….," someone called, "camera….Action!" A spotlight circles around Gavril Fadaye just before he begins to speak.
"Hello people of Illea," he greets staring at the camera. "Today we have a special program for you. For the first time ever the lovely Princess America's suitors stand in this very room." He gestures to us. I smile widely and look to the Princess who is blushing and smiling shyly.
"Let us all meet the very handsome Quinton James from Kent," Gavril calls. The boy names Quinton stands up and walks over. He's lean but muscled and tall. He towers over Gavril before he takes his seat in one of the prepared chairs. "So Quinton, what is your first impression of the princess, and, double question, have you two been on a date?" Quinton laughs awkwardly before answering in a very deep voice. He runs a hand through his dark hair and I'm sure I can see a bead of sweat running down his chocolate face.
"Well, we spent some time in the archery ranges. I taught her a few techniques but I personally think she already knew them." He winks at the princess who blushes furiously as she giggles. "She was quite clever and very, I mean very, beautiful." Everyone laughs at that. I look at Princess America who seems to be holding back tears and blushing. I stop laughing and furrow my brows. I miss what Gavril says but Quinton makes his way back to his seat. The Princess' gaze meets my own frantically. I give her a concerned look before mouthing it's going to be okay,even though I don't know what 'it' is.
Boys file through, each of them telling their own stories of their dates. I occasionally glance over at America who is wearing a pleasant smile but in her eyes she looks terrified.
"And last but certainly not least, we welcome Mister Maxon Screave to the stage."

AMERICA'S POV

I can't take it. They've all commented on my beauty and made joke and I can't take it anymore. Some of them have exaggerated the whole date by saying that I must have enjoyed their company or that I seemed to like them very much; I can barely stand any of them.
Maxon stands, his blond locks falling across his forehead for a moment before he brushes it back. He puts on a show stopping smile but it seems to waver for a moment before setting in place. He takes his seat, settling into the plush white chair.
"So Maxon," Gavril muses. I close my eyes hoping Maxon can be decent enough to not tell anything more than that we walked through the gardens. The whole date was a mistake. I could've told him something he could say rather than actually letting him experience a date. I could have given him a script and I doubt he would even mind. We're friends and friends help each other. Stupid to play with the water and stupid to even suggest we go to the gardens. Stupid stupid stupid.
"What have you and our lovely queen-to-be been up to this week?" Gavril wags his eyebrows making everyone laugh. Maxon smiles softly and looks up at me. I can see the question in his eyes, what do I say? I want to run over and thank him. I keep smiling but briefly shake my head, such a small movement that no one would notice. Maxon turns back to Gavril with a wider grin on his face.
"You two can speak telepathically now, can you?" Gavril jokes. Maxon chuckles and even I giggle a bit.
"You've caught us," Maxon replies with his arms up in surrender. He's a natural at this. Even I'm not that good with cameras and publicity and I've been doing it my whole life. Maxon's joking face softens to a more reserved happiness. "No, we really just spent a great afternoon in the gardens. I told her a bit about sunflowers and photography, lighting and those things and we just walked around." He smiles lightly afterwards. A communal 'awww' runs through the room. Maxon keeps his head turned to Gavril but I see his eyes dart this way for a second. It reminds me of catching him staring earlier. He was probably just glancing around but I felt all gushy for a moment.
"That sounds sweet," Gavril comments. He leans forward and puts his elbows on his knees. "What do you think about her?" Maxon smiles wide with his teeth and thinks for a moment before answering.
"She's such an amazing person, despite her status and I feel so lucky to have this experience to meet her and get to know her." My heart drops and my breath stops. I feel butterflies flying around my stomach. My smile widens until I probably look like a crazy person. Maxon turns and looks at me, sincerity in his gaze.
"Well that was lovely," Gavril says. He stands, leaving Maxon sitting in the chair. Maxon looks confused but stays in the chair. Gavril addresses the camera. "That's all for this week's Report. Stay safe and we'll see you next week." The lights go out and I hear people bustling around. I look around in the dim light for Maxon but I can't see him. I need to talk to him.
"My room ten o'clock," my father's deep voice says behind me. I shiver but nod.
I run out of the studio and straight up to the second floor. I walk up with the boys, chatting with some of them, thanking them for their kind words but looking around for that one face.
I say goodnight to the boys and slip into Maxon's room hoping none of them see or hear me go in.
Now I just have to wait.

MAXON'S POV

I got caught up talking to Aspen after the Report. He said I was a true TV personality and should consider acting after this. I didn't know if I should take it as a compliment or an accusation.
I know a lot of people will think what I said about the Princess wasn't true but now I knew it was. At the time I was looking for something that wouldn't upset her but would also make me look good, now I know it's true.
I open my door and begin to take off the scratchy suit jacket and then move to unbutton my shirt but a tiny squeak stops me. I turn around and spot the Princess standing in the middle of my room with a horrified expression in here. I'm over to her in three steps.
"Your Highness," I hiss, "what are you doing here?" She looks apologetic and sags.
"It's stupid but I needed someone to talk to and you popped into my mind," she admits. It takes a few seconds to process. I start laughing.
"What?" she demands. I laugh more.
"You could've just waited outside," I say through laughs. I know I'm only laughing from relief that I didn't finish removing my shirt before she squealed.
"And be seen as a suspicious whore princess?" she says, astonished that I even suggested it. "And how was I supposed to know you would strip off before the door even closed?" I laugh hard before walking over to my bed and falling down to it.
I laugh into the sheets and after a few minutes hear her giggle softly. I sit up on the bed, calmed down and pat the spot next to me to invite her over. She sighs and jumps down on the bed. She lies back so her legs are dangling off the side. She looks exhausted and it's only nine o'clock.
"Did you mean what you said about me?" she asks, sounding dazed. She swings her legs back and forth. I sigh and lie back. So even she didn't believe me.
"Is there any reason I wouldn't?" I say as an answer. I see the corners of her mouth raise a bit. She doesn't seem to mind that we're lying this close to each other which is weird.
"Thank you," she whispers. I smile.
"Your welcome." She sits up on one elbow, most of her body still lying down, and looks down at me. We stare at each other for a while before I break the silence.
"If you were asked the same question," I start, "but about me, what would your answer be?" She smiles and thinks a bit. I can't help but think about how beautiful she looks.
"I would say that you are one of the kindest, gentlest males I have ever met and you are an absolutely phenomenal person." I smile and chuckle a bit.
"I don't beat any females in the kindest, gentlest person?" I joke. She smiles before reaching out and poking my shoulder. I take in a deep breath and so does she.
"No," she says before looking up at the clock and jumping off the bed. I sit up but don't step off the bed.
"What's wrong?" I ask, alarmed.
"I…I have to g-go," she says not looking at me. She darts to the door and runs out of the room.
I want to follow her, I want to see what she's running to. But I stay where I am, giving her space.

Did you like it? Do you see the trust forming? I'm so excited. Also, you got two chapters in a row.
So the very important thing that you have to read this for is that I am going to do a Q&A in a few chapters for you guys. So what I need you to do is ask questions because you can't have a Q&A without the Q. So in the comments write a question about the story or really anything OR if you want to be private about your questions, text me via my Instagram account fantastical books.

Have fun asking your questions, next week I'll probably have the Q&A up next week if I get enough questions so please ask them. They can be about the story, what I may be planning to do, why I write, how I write, the music I write to, my future projects or just questions about me (for e,g, when did I first read the selection, what's my favorite book etc.)

Have fun and please enjoy the rest of the story!