The palace was in full flurry. The other day, Maxon and Silvia had announced that there was going to be a ball at the palace in honor of an old holiday from the time of America called Halloween.

I found it weird that we were re living the past like this, but since King Clarkson allowed it, I figured it couldn't be that big of a deal.

There was going to be dancing, with lessons for the Elite, and we were all required to dress up as something creative. And the best part of course was that our families were invited! Yay! Great! I was sooo excited to see my parents!

I hadn't really spoken to Maxon since that kiss, everyone had been really busy preparing for the Halloween ball. I was going dressed as peacock, since most of the girls were doing something different, though I heard that America was also doing something bird themed.

Copy cat.

My mood didn't improve upon hearing Maxon and America out on yet another date in the hallway.

Suffice to say, I was in a bad mood during the day we had our dance lesson.

Oh, I was great at it sure, but I could just see America glowing with happiness, even when she stumbled on her moves.

I felt a little bit better after the dance instructor praised me for the 4th time and asked me to help Natalie, who danced even worse than America.

She nearly broke her ankle when I told her to turn right and she turned left. Two left feet, I told the instructor grimly.

Natalie took it in stride, though I saw America glowering.

Later that day, we were all gathered in the foyer for our families to arrive.

Everyone was giddy, except for me.

I meet the other girls in the foyer, and we all stand in a straight line. Every time someone fidgets, Silvia shoots us a glare.

Finally, finally, we hear voices coming from the doorway, and in comes the Elite's families.

I spot my parents instantly; so do the other girls.

Everyone immediately bursts out of line to attack their parents with hugs; I just stiffly step out of line.

I thought that I wouldn't like seeing my parents, but I hadn't ever really left them for this long, and I found myself hugging them, and I found them hugging me as well.

Mother looked really happy, naturally so, making me think that leaving her gave her time to reexamine how much she took me for granted.

Maxon comes up behind me and shakes my father's hand, who looked extremely well put together in the presence of the prince.

Mother falls over herself trying to impress him and I have to roll my eyes, but I don't, because I think of how that would look.

Then Bridge is there to escort my parents to their room, and I find myself alone in the foyer, wondering what I was to do now.

I sigh loudly and sink into one of the soft couches.

Honestly, what was I doing here? It was clear that Maxon liked, and dare I say, loved America. She was going to win, I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I wasn't going to be the winner. How could Maxon not like me? And I wasn't trying to sound vain or anything, but I got always got the guy, what was different this time?

I curl up into a ball and put my head on the arm of the couch, eyes closed, thinking.

"Miss? Are you ok?" A voice asks.

My eyes fly open.

It was a boy, or I guess a man. He was in that in between age of boyhood and manhood.

I quickly sit up, smoothing out the creases in my dress.

"Yes, of course, I am fine, thank you, I was just resting my head for a bit." I say brushing it off.

Who was this boy was the question.

"Ahh, well, I wouldn't want to disturb you any more." He says backing away.

He turns around and leaves me on the couch wondering if there was something in my teeth or something that made him practically run off.

Then it hits me. Oh! I was a part of the selected, and he probably knew that, and talking to me could probably get me in trouble? But who was he?

I rub the space in between my eyes and hairline in circles, and then return to my room.

Bridge was there, laying out something glittery on my bed.

"Hi!" She says waving. "We finished your costume!"

"Great." I say dully.

Bridge senses my mood, but doesn't press it, instead helping me into the costume and remarking how pretty I looked.

After I take it off, she returns it into the closet and presses her hands nervously in front of her.

"What Bridge, just tell me!" I say exasperated.

"Ok, well, I was just wondering if you wanted to come with me to watch the band rehearse for the ball." She says shyly. "I know a few of the band members, but the thing is, they're all two's, famous musicians and such, and it wouldn't be proper for a six to go alone and ask them for an autograph..." Bridge says trailing off.

I look at her blankly, then giggles a little.

Bridge looks offended.

"No no, I'm sorry Bridge, it's just that I've never seen you shy about anything." I say explaining. "Of course i'll go with you, what is the band name?" I ask curiously.

"Oh, you probably wouldn't have heard of them, they do classical music, as well as rock music." She says.

"Try me." I say crooking a finger.

"Ok then, they're called The Livid Rabbits." She says gauging my reaction.

I manage to keep a straight face.

"Ok, let's go see this classical and rock band called Livid Rabbits, now I am quite curious." I say smiling.

Bridge looks relieved and follows me out the door.

I really was curious. A bunch of two's who played both classical and rock music and got paid a bunch of money for it? Practically unheard of. It was really hard for two's to make it in the instrumental music business, all of the fives taking up the room.

Bridge leads me into a part of the palace that I'd never seen, probably the music wing or something like that.

Before long, we hear the sound of the ending of the dance number that the Elite were learning, coming from a set of double doors.

Peaking in, we find a group of 6 boys, with their backs to us, finishing the song.

Without even seeing us, they switch their instruments, from piano and violin, to drums and guitar and launch into a rock number.

Bridge and I stand in the doorway, nodding in time to the music and swaying our hips.

Wow, these Rabbits were good! How does a band that plays rock music so well, play classical music with violin and cello so well as well? It was a gift!

The finish the song, and Bridge and I clap loudly for them.

All at once, almost comically, all 6 band members whip around to look at us, and I realize that one of the Rabbits was the boy from earlier, who asked me if I was ok.

He stares at me, recognizing me as well as the girl from earlier.

We stand in awkward silence, until I, not being able to take it anymore, clear my throat.

"Hi!" I chirp. "My friend and I heard that you were practicing down here, and we wanted to listen and maybe get an autograph?" I say trailing off.

The lead singer recovers himself enough to say, "You're Celeste Newsome right?" He asks.

"Um yeah, and this is my friend Bridgette." I say gesturing at her.

The boy from before frowns when he hears my name. Did he really not know who I was?

"Ok, cool, yeah, sure, you can have our autograph." The lead says.

I look over at Bridge, and her whole face is red, she's dying of embarrassment.

Whoops!

I take her hand and march to the front of the room.

"Hello again." I say to the boy from before as Bridge gets her autograph.

He looks up, startled. "Hi." He says sheepishly. "Sorry about before." He says ducking his head a little.

I smile a little at his shyness. "No, there's nothing to apologize for." I say.

We stand in awkward silence, until I speak up again, "So I guess you guys are the band i'll be dancing to." I say good naturedly.

"Yeah, it's a real honor to be asked." He says holding his guitar to his chest. "Hey, isn't she a maid?" He asks nodding at Bridge.

"Yeah, so?" I ask defensively.

"No no, nothing, it's just that..." He trails off, embarrassed.

"It's just that you heard that I was a rude and bratty bitch right?" I ask him challengingly.

"Um, yeah." He says, going as red as Bridge.

Bridge, clutching a paper, comes to stand by my side.

"Don't you listen to rumors. Celeste here is the best girl in this whole selection, I don't care what everyone is saying about America Singer, Celeste has a heart out of gold." She says.

Aww! Bridge!

The boy backs off. "No, I didn't mean any like, offense. Agh! I'm sorry, I just screwed up this whole conversation." He says looking up at the ceiling.

I find myself smiling. "No, it's cool. Can we listen to some more of your songs?" I ask.

"Sure!" The lead jumps in eagerly.

Bridge and I back up a little as they play a song called So Close to Famous.

After that song, Bridge and I beg for an encore, and they switch their instruments of guitar and drums, out for a keyboard, a cello, two violins, and two violas.

This song is the second number that the selected have to dance to, and I practice the steps along with the music, Bridge trying to follow along, and doing pretty good.

After the last measure is over, we burst into applause.

"Thanks, our practice is over, and we'll be seeing you, Lady Celeste, at the ball." The lead singer says mischievously.

"Yes, I will, hey, you know my name, but what are all of yours?" I ask.

"Oh." The lead replies, "I'm Jake, that's Kevin, Andy, Evan, Mike, and Josh." He says.

The boy from before was named Josh.

"Thanks." I say.

The boys shrug and turn to pack up their instruments.

Bridge motions for us to leave.

"Aren't you coming?" She asks.

I wanted to stay a little bit more, but after hesitating, I nod to Bridge.

"Yeah, sorry, let's get back to my room, before Jodi and Sarah think we'd been kidnapped." I say offhanded.

I leave the room, itching to turn around, but I don't, though if I did, I would have been granted by the sight of 6 boys looking after Bridge and I, as we leave the room.

Thanks to Tinyiscool12 for faving, as well as rosereader for following and faving, and dolly123 for following!

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Hi everyone! Thanks for reading and remember to review! Any suggestions for what you want to happen next are welcome! And guys! Maxerica is having twins!