Here's the next chapter.
"America!" Someone whispers harshly. I moan at the sound. "America!" There is it again. "America wake up!" I suddenly feel hands shaking me and I roll over in agitation.
"What?" I complain. I blink my eyes and there is Maxon, smiling happily back at me.
"Come see this, America" he says, pulling my wrist.
"Maxon! It's…" I look at the clock. Half past four. "It's four thirty AM! I need another three hours or so rest." I reply, trying to turn over.
"No America!" Now he's complaining. "You have to see this! It's beautiful!" That word was all it took and soon I was following Maxon to see what was so beautiful.
The balcony doors were already wide open with the cool morning breeze sending chills down my body. It's not very light outside, but in the distance, behind the vast forest of trees is the sun. The sun is peeking up from behind the trees and the little light shining through shows a beautiful yellow-orange sky.
"Wow" I say. I have never really paid attention to the sunrise, I suppose I was never awake to anyway.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Maxon asks. I peek over at him and he's gripping the railing. His brown eyes widened at the magnificent sight. He looks like a small boy wondered by a new toy. In his eyes you can see someone who yearns for something more than what he already has.
"It is," I say, still looking at him. I guess I got a little distracted by him, but turned to look at the sky again, not wanting to miss a second.
As soon as the sun was higher in the sky we went back inside, besides it was getting chilly out. I went over to grab a robe when my eyes glanced at the calendar.
February 11.
It was getting closer and closer to my birthday and I was no longer feeling excited. All of Illea will have the eyes plastered on their TV sets to watch the whole celebration. It was like I couldn't relax at my own birthday party. I had to look amazing, act wisely and try to look like one of the happiest girls alive.
"I have a few meetings this morning," Maxon says. "So I'll have to go now, but hopefully we can meet up around lunch."
"OK." I say, sadly. He gives me a sympathetic look and a quick kiss on the cheek and leaves the room.
So now I have nothing to do today. I know my maids would probably be able to keep me company, but I don't want to be cramped up in my room. So I quickly get dressed by myself and find someone who can keep me company.
I knock on May's door not much later and it is swiftly opened by one of her maids. It was reassuring to see that she still had one, because I never seemed to see them.
"Hello, is May awake?" I ask quietly, just in case May is sleeping in.
"Yes, your majesty." She replies with a curt nod and ushers me in. I walk in to find two other maids packing belongings and May folding clothes into a suitcase.
"Where are you going?" I exclaim. May looks up, startled. I suddenly remember the maids and politely ask them to leave.
As soon as the door shuts behind them I say again,
"Where are you going?"
"America," she sighs.
"What's the matter?" I ask, noting the look of stress on her face. May has never looked this unhappy-no not unhappy, anxious- before.
"Ames, we can't stay here. Well I can't, at least."
"What do you me-"
"America we were almost killed by a rebel!" She shouts at me. May starts to take big, deep breaths to calm her down as she speaks again, as I am far too baffled to say something.
"I understand that you're the princess and future queen, but you have all the protection in the world and it's your responsibility to stay here, but I don't think I can. I cannot handle those…attacks!" she finishes, slightly puffed.
"But May," I start, grabbing her hand. "You saved us. You threw an orange at his face! Great throw by the way." I say, trying to lighten the mood.
May looks down, smiling, trying to contain her laughter.
"I know," she says.
"And you have protection, too," I say. "After all you are sister of the princess." I give May a little nudge and she giggles.
"Yeah, I guess." She looks down. "But what if it happens again, and there is no fruit to save us?" I giggle, by the silliness of her words, but quickly contain myself.
"Well, it won't" I say. I wish I had something better to say. I was practically lying to her because there was a very high chance it would happen again.
I suddenly realized the only way to keep her safe was to put an end to the rebels.
End of Chapter 14
Sorry it was shorter than usual!