A/N Lucy POV is italic, America's is normal. Enjoy!
"So where are we going?" I ask, happier than I have been for weeks. In fact, I don't think I have been this happy since I found out that Lady America had won The Selection. I mean, we all knew she would, but finding out she actually had made it a dream come true. In all honesty I don't think she quite realises what a difference her new position makes to us, her maids: we are now The Elite of maids, serving the future queen. Ally, who was maid to Lady Celeste, has been blanking me ever since Celeste pushed that girl down the stairs. She was certain Celeste was going to win, but I knew it would never happen. Rumor has it that the reason Lady Celeste did what she did was because she felt the other girl was getting too close to Maxon. What that girl needs to learn is that she could never choose Maxon, Maxon was going to pick. And guess what Celeste? He picked America.
"Surprise." says Officer Jerell, whose first name is Harvey. "But I will tell you one thing, Lucy. We are going out of the palace." he says and I feel myself blushing when he says my name. It isn't like I've never been around boys before, I have, plenty of times, it's just I really want this to work out. I really, really like Harvey and I hope he feels the same way too. Well, I guess I'll find out after tonight, won't I?
"Sounds fun." I smile at him nervously and he reaches for my hand, swinging as we walk through the cool, night breeze. He towers over me but I don't mind, in fact I like it. He is good looking too - perhaps not quite as much as that other guard, Officer Leger, but close. Speaking of which, I always suspected Lady America and Officer Leger might have a 'thing' going on. He was always hanging around her room and one time I caught them suspiciously close together, but America wouldn't do that to Maxon so I must be mistaken.
We continue our walk in silence, but it doesn't feel that awkward - I am just enjoying being in his presence, out here in the open, not cooped up inside sewing. I know I think this a lot, but I am so glad Mary, Anne and I were graced with being Lady America's maids at the beginning of The Selection. At first we thought it was a curse, in fact we muttered about it all day long, like how unfair it was that Susan got a Three and Mia got a Two and we got stuck with one of only three Fives. But I truly regret that now - it is much better knowing that Maxon picked his wife for love rather than the caste system.
I watch as we near the gates and Harvey holds up his identity card. They scan us through and before I know it we are walking along one of Angeles paved streets, something I haven't done in a long long time, it was probably years ago. I remember my dad saving up for ages and ages to take us out for a coffee and a slice of cake in a tea shop, it was one of the happiest times of my life. I don't get to see my dad very often anymore, but when I do I feel so glad that I have made him so proud, not only being a maid, but being a Selected maid and now the Queen-to-be's maid.
I glance up to my right and see we are walking past a cinema, somewhere I have always wanted to go but never had a chance. They cost a fortune to visit, only Threes and Twos can afford to go. To my immense surprise Officer Jerell stops walking right in front of it and pulls me alongside him at the entrance. I have no idea what we are doing here, he can hardly afford to treat me like this. I mean, the guards are paid well and all, but I know that he sends a lot of money home to his family and has none spare. So what is he buying our tickets with?
I lay my hand on his arm in a 'You don't have to do this.' type gesture but he ignores me, purchasing tickets to see a movie that is described as rom-com without the cheesiness. What rom-com is I have no idea!
"Harvey." I say, turning so he is forced to look at me. "What are we doing here? We can't afford this! You need to send that money home to your parents, they need it more than we need this."
He turns a bit red and something dawns on me. "Wait, you didn't steal the money did you?" I ask, shocked but not completely doubting my accusation,
"What? No!" He reassures me, shaking his head. I believe him. "No, no, no. Nothing like that. Not at all."
"Then how did you get it?" I press on, wanting to know.
"Uh, someone gave it to me." He mumbles, obviously unhappy that I am making him tell.
"Who?" I demand, but I think I already know.
"Lady America." he admits and my suspicions are confirmed. Damn America! But I suppose I can't blame her, though I shouldn't take her charity. But stil...we've already paid for our seats and I wouldn't want to waste any amount of money, no matters whose it is, would I?
I smile as Harvey buys a tub of popcorn for us to share and we head into the movie theatre.
"And then what happened?" I demand of Lucy, desperate to find out the details from her date.
"We watched the movie and his hand was on my knee-"
"Aw!" interrupted Anne, practically clinging onto Lucy's every word. I guess she hasn't had many boyfriends. I am enjoying myself a lot too, me and my maids are having a bit of girl time, discussing Lucy's date on my bed. It's great to be able to discuss this with my maids, it shows I think of them as friends, not as below me. Because I don't think that, quite frankly I don't believe in the caste system at all.
"And after the movie he put his coat around me because it was getting chilly," gushes Lucy, her cheeks pink from her blushing, "and he walked me to this pizza place and we ordered food and there was a candle on the table. It was so romantic." Giggles Lucy, more carefree and real than I have ever seen her. Then she casts a meaningful glance at me. "But you shouldn't have done what, Lady America."
The other girls look bemused. "What did I do?" I ask, attempting to keep an innocent 'what, me?' face on. I don't think it's working.
"You didn't have to do that, you know. But I do appreciate it, and it was totally worth it because at the end, he," Lucy pauses to take a deep breath and her eyes start shining with the memory, "kissed me!" she squeals and Mary and Anne look like they might faint.
"Really?" I ask, so happy. Yes, everything is working out.
"Uh huh. And he said he would love to see me again."
"Who would love to see you again?" Interrupts someone. I turn my head around to see Maxon leaning against the doorframe, smirking as he takes in the sight. I leap up immediately, rushing over to greet him.
"America." he smiles, taking my hand and kissing it lightly. I pull him outside, slamming the door shut.
"What were you four doing in there?" he asks as we lean against the wall of what is now 'our' room. I don't know how I am ever going to get over that!
"Discussing Lucy's date that happened tonight. It went really well." I tell him, gazing up into his mesmerising eyes.
"That's good. And on the subject of dates, I would like to take you on one, a really special one." he says mysteriously.
"Ooh! What for?" I ask him.
"Surprise."
I stand on my tiptoes and lean up so my mouth is near his. He gets the point and closes the gap and the rush of electricity I feel when we are together is still there. It is at times like these when I realise how much sweeter and more heartfelt Maxon's affections are, Aspen's were always more urgent - and I know that was never his fault, but still.
A/N OMG OMG OMG OMG! IT IS ELITE DAY! AH! I am happy to say I have already finished it, and found out the name of the third book from the ustream chat and someone else on FanFiction (Thank you! :D). I don't want to reveal it in case any of you don't like spoilers, but if anyone doesn't know and would like to, just PM me.
I hope soon everyone reads it so I can fangirl over it here, but until then my lips are sealed. But what will say is that I do think it is better than The Selection, an incredible achievement by the awesome Kiera Cass. I am definitely Team Maxon, but at some points in the book you were really rooting for Aspen after some things Maxon did. But then you find out why and you really understand. Your thoughts?
Dedicated to BestFan00 again for your continually lovely inspiring reviews!
I can't do replies to reviews to this chapter as it is late in England and I am typing this on my Kindle when I am meant to be asleep! But I will next chapter which will be up by Friday latest.
Thank you for the phenomenal 144 reviews! :)