Hey guys! Thank you so much for the support I have gotten for the past few chapters! Okay, this chapter will be in Aspen's P.O.V., and I hope this will explain some things. See you at the bottom of the page!


Aspen's P.O.V.

After the… incident at America's, I somehow can only think of one thing: Lucy. Will she take me back? We can work it out, smooth out the wrinkles in our relationship. I know that I have to find her. I do because, because… I love her?

That must be it. I love her so much more than America ever loved me.

I guess.

I head back to the studio with only minutes before she leaves, and as she is walking across the parking lot I run to her. She turns, noticing me, and before a cold greeting can pass from her lips I gather her in a breathtaking kiss. She melts into me, as there is nothing else to do.

She breaks away for air and whispers gently into the afternoon air, as though a butterfly has poured from her mouth. "What was that?"

I stammer, not understanding what she is saying. "I'm… umm… I'm sorry, I thought…"

She lets out a little breathy laugh, and then leans up, closing the gap in between us and kissing me. She breaks away, her eyes still closed.

Her bright hazel eyes open and shine with tears of happiness as she says, "I never said I didn't like it."

I give her a genuine smile that would light up the world if it was any bigger. It's a risk, but she has to know. She has to know by now.

She has to know that I love her.

Gently pushing me away, she gasps and says quietly," Now you decide to come? What about America? And the Prince? We can't be together, Aspen."

I keep my expression calm and collected, although on the inside I am falling apart. Just when I am about to walk away, despairing, my mind conjures up a plan. Though risky, I think it would work, simply because we love each other.

And a little ingenuity won't hurt, but still.

"It's not entirely fool proof, but it would work. Somehow I could come to the palace with the new draft members and be a palace guard. They have a trading program where you can trade in to be a guard, you know, for the less fortunate. It doesn't always happen and is very selective, but I think I could qualify for one of the volunteers."

She smiles, overwhelmed, and kisses me again. This time, however, it feels final. Like we just sealed an agreement and can actually live now, the way we are supposed to. In love.

Oh I can't wait for the day when we actually become man and wife. I hope we will anyways.

After she kissed back my mind began going into overdrive and one of the key points was marriage. But am I ready to get married to the most wonderful woman in the world? Will she accept me even after I have been with America?

Oh. I forgot the question about America.

"She's through. I should have never been with her in the first place. The entire time, there was only you. When I finally found out the truth, she started to yell at me, as if it was all my fault that she cheated on me!"

I don't even notice that near the end tears started to fall, finally being let go after being held in for so long. I don't even care that I slightly tweaked the events and the occurrences, because I know that she won't even pay attention to anything I say about America.

I'll bet that once she heard the part that said "She's through" she instantly let herself go in relief.

"And the prince," she inquires," what about him?"

"Just be careful. Don't be too careless around me and we'll be fine. I promise, Lucy. Okay?"

She snuggles into me, fitting perfectly in my waist like she belongs there.

Her car is right beside us, waiting to take her home so that she can begin her last couple days before being escorted to the luxurious palace, where hopefully I will be waiting for her.

I say emotionally, "I guess I'll see you later then."

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you to the draft station! Or at least to the airport itself. I want to spend every last moment with you now before you leave," she says rather forcefully with a voice that makes me shiver a bit at the commanding tone.

I run over to my truck and climb in, waiting for her to climb in the passenger seat. I am about to stick my head out the window when she appears at my side.

"I'm driving," she says. I gape at her only for a minute before deciding to mess with her for a moment.

I smirk, saying passively," Okay!"

She waits for a moment, looking surprised that I actually complied without a fight, expecting me to open my door and step out for her to enter the driver's seat.

Wrong.

Without her even noticing, I quickly shift the gears into drive and press on the accelerator lightly, not wanting to run over her feet on accident.

She jumps back and watches, not quite adapting to the new development that I have thrown at her.

When she does, she looks like she is torn between trying not to laugh and trying not to punch me.

But me?

I press the accelerator harder and laugh my first real laugh in a long time.

She runs after my blue truck, deciding to laugh instead of getting mad, and in that moment, I know that she is the one.

My one.


I stop and let her climb into the truck, both of us laughing so hard that we have tears in our eyes. We calm down and I begin to drive towards the airport, savoring these moments of enjoyment before the next couple months of separation.

She is perfect. Totally and insanely perfect, and I love her.

I get an idea that will be rushed, but perfect, so I decide to institute it. I stop at the local mall and tell her to wait for me at the local hangout, as it is only 6:00 and the draft plane leaves at 8:00.

While she walks to the smoothie place, I run over to the jewelry store in which I had been admiring a ring for America. I choose the ring and pay for it with my exclusive two card, only used for when I am paying for something expensive because it has all the money I have saved as a two on it.

I get the ring box and run to the smoothie hangout to get Lucy.

"What took you so long, Aspen? I thought you had run off," she says jokingly, though somewhat worried. I realize that I was in there for almost an hour.

"Never," I say, kissing her lightly on the lips. She smiles as we walk out, driving the rest of the thirty minute drive to the airport.

I am trying to decide on when I will propose to her. At the palace? In the car? (as if) Or will I have to wait until the Selection is over? I honestly don't think I can wait for that long, but I might have to.

When we get to the airport I am still trying to decide.

"I have to go to the restroom," she says, climbing out of the truck once we stop, "Wait for me?"

"Okay. I have nothing better to do," I say seemingly uncaring but winking in the process. She giggles lightheartedly while walking away.

When she is out of sight I hop onto the pavement and pull out the ring box nervously. What if she says no? I know that this is rushed, but love transcends all problems and differences. Hopefully.

I hear footsteps and hurriedly put the box away, thinking it is Lucy. A person, probably a young woman by her body type, runs by. A small piece of hair falls out of her hoodie, which is pulled up over her head so as not to be noticed. It is a bright red piece of hair, and I only know one person with that shade of vibrant red hair. America?

I see directly behind her that Lucy is approaching, and the girl freezes, most likely thinking that I am looking at her. Lucy runs up and after a brief greeting she practically attacks me, which I don't mind.

However, the girl who looks like America does seem to mind. She stands, trying to seem passive, against the hood of a car, but is doing a terrible job at it. She pulls out her phone and almost aggressively begins to tap on the screen. Ignoring her, I turn my full attention to Lucy and the decision I must make that has everything to do with her.

She breaks away to talk about all of the sights in the airport, just random talking points as if she doesn't want me to leave but wants to find something meaningful to talk about. I find this endearing, but I have to make a decision fast.

Now or later? Will it be worth it to wait, or will it be more satisfying to know that I will have someone already waiting for me when I arrive home from the palace?

Suddenly, she becomes serious. "So Aspen, I've been thinking; maybe after your draft period ends and I get enough money from the Selection we could move straight to the engagement process! You love me, don't you?"

That is all it takes to let me know what my answer will be.

I notice that the girl on the car has abruptly stopped typing and is now openly listening. She can't be America, however, because America has no reason to be at an airport! Nevertheless, I have no time for her, even if she is America.


My answer to the question is now set in stone, and I know that it will be the right choice no matter what.

"Of course! You know what, if I wasn't about to get on a plane to go to the palace, I would propose now. I love you Lucy." What is in the past is in the past, and I wouldn't have it any other way than to have Lucy in my arms at this moment.

She leans in to kiss me and it is like the fireworks behind my eyelids couldn't get any more bright, more beautiful, and certainly more real when our lips brush, even as lightly as a butterfly would land on your wrist.

I pull back and stare at her beauty, her grace, her perfection. The love that I wasted on America is now pouring back into the surface, and it flows into my heart, shows in my eyes.

Now. There is no turning back as I take a deep breath.


"On second thought," I say nervously, formulating the speech that is swiftly approaching, "I can't wait another second." "Lucy, I love you with all of my heart and I never want to be away from you. I want you by my side, and I will move mountains to be with the one I love. Please forgive me for my clumsy, rushed proposal, but answer me this: Will you marry me?"

In. Out. In. Out.

Out of the corner of my eye I see that mysterious young woman, standing in shock on the hood of the car. She looks like she's about to faint. Suddenly, without her noticing, her hoodie falls off of its place on her head and her familiar face is bared to the world.

I feel like I'm about to faint when I confirm my previous guess as to who it is.

America.

Lucy's voice brings me out of my thoughts as she responds, shouting her answer for the entire world to hear.

"Yes."


I pull her up and gather her small body into a beautifully perfect kiss. I can see us with kids in the next year, two years, and ten years. Growing and growing old together, the mention of America and the Prince like a faint memory in the back of our minds, love taking up our waking thoughts and dreams.

She looks up at me with adoration and trust in her eyes, and in that moment I see it.

No matter what happens, we'll be okay. We'll survive through Selections, rebel attacks, and especially old lovers.

And there is no one I would rather survive with.


Alright, this is late I know, but at least it is long! Lurve ya, and don't forget to review!