I know that my last chapter was quite different from what I usually write, so give me a chance to explain: KRISS DOES NOT HATE AMERICA. I know my wording in the last chapter confused some readers (and my word choice was very strong) but Kriss is blinded by sorrow and later in the chapter envy. She loves Maxon and even though she thought America was interfering with her relationship and (possibly) the "death" of Maxon she still respected and admired America. That's also why I included this paragraph to explain (but I probably didn't do a very good job at explaining): "Don't get me wrong, I liked America. She was kind, I guess, and she loved to make us all laugh. She stood up for what she believed was right which is a quality I always admired about her, and she was an honest player of the game. Because that's all the Selection really is: a game." Maybe I should've added more detail or more of an explaination?
I seriously love how in your comments you were trying to be positive about the chapter (even I wasn't thrilled with it I just wanted to upload a chapter for you all) so thank you for trying to make the most of that horrible chapter. Thanks to the comments that had recommendations on how to improve the story/chapter. I love hearing your ideas and if you didn't like what I wrote, then I won't do it again.
Now that the explaination is out of the way...cue the shoutouts!
Virtue01: Thank you, so very much. I can't even put into words how deeply your comment struck home. Reading: "I can't believe you said that you not a great writer when you were in you bad place you had support and was helped. Turn that around and think of the many people reading your brilliant and enjoyable story that you have helped with identifying some issues in the chapters and coming to term with them. That is how I see your writing because it has depth and meaning," How to best describe how I'm feeling...*goes and fangirls in a corner*. But seriously, thank you!
SophieOfWoodsBeyond: Thank you for graciously pointing out the *many* flaws in the chapter. I loved how hard you tried to phrase your critism in a polite manner...but just tell me how you feel. We're all friends here :) (I hope). "Weeeellll...I have to say this chapter was...kind of odd. Not the writing or the idea, those were great, but the whole Kriss thing makes me a little meh about her character," you're so polite, I love it! Thank you for commenting on (almost) every chapter and cheering me on from the sidelines.
Storyteller: Your review was so long I couldn't even read it all on my email! Thank you for your honest critiques, I will certainly keep them in mind for the future, and thank you (not just you, but you were the main instance of this) for bringing it to my attention that it sounded like Kriss hated America. Believe me, I never meant it to sound like that, I just wanted her to be so love sick (like in Shakespeare) that she is completely blinded and no longer understands her emotions (kind of like Helena in AMSND except with different symptoms of the love sickness). I'll take several of your ideas in consideration, and I'm sure that you'll be seeing them very soon. Thanks for the grammar corrections!
xoxowb4ever: Not only did you follow AND favorite Never Leave You, you also followed and favorited my profile. A big, warm thank you from me goes to xoxowb4ever for your support!
America's POV
*about a month later*
"Maxon, I'm home!" I called, my voice echoing around the small room. No reply. Strange. I wonder where he is. His shift should have ended by now.
Leaning against the wall with my arms crossed against my chest, I smiled. Although this small, abandoned house and Five lifestyle was nothing like the gorgeous palace and life of a One, Maxon and I were just settling in. It had been almost a month since we fled the palace and we both had a small source of income.
Maxon (or Kaden as the people in Carolina knew him) had applied for a job at a Two modeling agency. When he received the job, we celebrated. Because my job was never steady, it was nice to know that at least one of us would always have a steady paycheck to count on.
I, on the other hand, had just managed to establish myself as a musician in Carolina under the name of Rosemary. As I accepted and performed at more gigs, I began to establish quite a name for myself. Many of the people living in Carolina wondered why they hadn't heard from such a talented musician before, but to my relief, they didn't press too harshly into the matter.
Walking through the house, I hopped over the rubble that used to be the far wall and began to walk towards the fields that were very close to our house. Maxon sometimes went there to capture shots of the hazel grass against the purple sky. It was difficult terrain to cover on foot, but I loved going through the shots when Maxon wasn't home. He really was a great photographer with an amazing eye.
When I finally reached the field, I noticed that there were several small candles scattered around the field. It almost looked like the small candles were spelling something out. The curiosity got to me as I walked towards a small hill that was on the edge of the field. What did it say?
When I reached the top and turned around, I almost passed out in shock. Tears started running down my face as I carefully read the message: WILL YOU MARRY ME? and at the very edge of the message, I saw Maxon placing the last candle on the question mark. He stood up, brushed off his pants, and froze when he saw me at the top of the hill.
Maxon's POV
I hope America will like this. I spent a lot of time, money, and effort on this proposal and I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect. I had left work early and stopped at the bakery to pick up a box of strawberry tarts before heading to this field and setting up a small dining table covered in rose petals and candles. Realizing that I had purchased way too many candles, I was struck with the brilliant idea to spell out WILL YOU MARRY ME? in the grass.
It seemed like a great idea at the time, but as I placed the last candle in the grass, I winced at my sore legs and back. I had to constantly run up the hill to make sure that the letters looked right, and my back was sore from constantly having to bend over and adjust each small candle so it was just right. But this was for America. I would literally do anything for her.
As I placed the last candle, I sighed in relief. It had been a long afternoon and I was considering just proposing to her in our house when I saw a shadow move at the top of the hill. Then I saw her sharp, auburn hair. Then her sky-blue eyes. Then her pink smile.
Tears were running down her face as she stared at my message and I was imminently afraid that she hated it. Ignoring my sore back and legs, I ran to her and kneeled down on one leg.
Clearing my throat, I began my already-prepared speech: "America, my dear, I have only known you for a year, but that's all the time I needed to know that you were the one. You changed me, America, for the better. First, you were my friend, and you taught me about life outside the tall, pale yellow palace walls. Then, to my request, you became my favorite, and you taught me that there is hope for everyone, no matter the circumstance. After that, you were my love, and you taught me that a life without you in it was no life at all.
"America, my dear, my ONLY dear, you are the melody to my song. You are the color to my world. You are the sun to my rain. You are the light to my dark. You have changed me into a man that I never would have recognized two years ago. I have no words to describe the love you have shown me and how happy I am to simply be in your presence.
"Now, I must ask, will you be my princess? I'm not a prince, just a humble Five who would do anything for the Lady he loves. You may not be Illea's princess, but you will always be mine. If you want a crown to prove it, I'll get you a crown. I'll get you anything to prove how much you mean to me.
"America, I'm a selfish man, and I want you. I want you to be my own forever and if wearing that ring around your finger shows that you will only ever be mine, then how could I not get it for you? America, what I'm trying to say…" Maxon stubbled over his words before sighing and continuing, "America, my friend, my dear, my love, will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"
I held up the ring in its blue satin case. It was not the prettiest ring in the store, but when I saw it, I knew it screamed America. It was a simple gold band with a small clump of diamonds encircled by a ring of rubies that matched America's hair and personality exactly. It had taken weeks to save up enough money for it, but when I did, I proudly waltzed into the jewelry store and bought it.
I glanced up at her, her blue eyes meeting my brown ones and I hoped that my strong love for her was being conveyed in my look. With tears pouring out of her eyes, America said the simple word that would change my life forever: "Yes."
Sorry I haven't been updating as much because school is a horrible thing that exists, but I hoped that the proposal would be an apology for you! Also, as a side note, I probably will only be able to update once a week now, but I'm hoping that once I graduate I can update more. Thanks for reading!