Aspen's POV

"I gave my maids the day off today," Mer says, and I immediately sprint to the kitchens.

When I open the door, several ingredients fly up in surprise. "Sir Aspen," the chefs scold kindheartedly.

I laugh and say a bit breathlessly, "Where's Lucy?"

"Yes?" I see her blonde hair first before her face. "Sir Aspen," Lucy says, curtsying. "What may I do for you?"

I look at the suspicious faces and stutter out, "Um, I spilled a bottle of cologne in my room. Would you mind helping me clean up please?"

The look of disappointment covers her face like a shroud, and I mentally smack myself. I just needed to get her to my room. I just need to be with her alone.

"Of course, Sir."

Once we exit the kitchens, I take her hand immediately and run through the halls, not caring about the questioning glances from the guards.

"Aspen!" Lucy cries. "Where are we going?"

I just grin at her, and my smile widens when I see her smile back. We enter my room and she puts her hands on her hips. "Where's the mess you made?" she says mockingly.

"There isn't one, but I figured you knew that," I say, laughing. I take her tiny, gentle hand in mine and hold her cheek. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are, Lucy?"

A blush steals her cheeks. "Aspen, we can't."

"Au contraire, my fair lady." She giggles at the title. "Maxon's proposing to America tonight. He's won, but everyone clearly knew he would."

"I thought for sure you would win," Lucy confesses in a whisper, touching my chest. "I mean, you're smart, brave, handsome..." Her cheeks turn pink again, and frankly all I want to do is kiss her. I just don't know if she'll let me. Her eyes raise to mine again. "So you're out of the competition?"

"Not officially, but yes."

"So does that mean I can do this?" She steps up on her toes and hesitantly puts her lips to mine. I can feel a hopeful future in our kiss. I can't hold back a smile, and I feel like everything is falling into place.

She pulls back first, and I can sense the initial fear in her eyes when she looks at me. "I'm sorry," she whispers. "I shouldn't have done that. I...got carried away."

I grin, kissing her nose. "It doesn't matter," I whisper back, my lips brushing with hers. "I would have done it too."

I get lost in the taste of her mouth, the way she tastes like berries and pastries. Lucy wraps her arms around my neck, and I sigh. I take the pins out of her hair, and blonde locks fall like a waterfall of sunlight. I run my hands through her hair, and I grin.

She giggles and pulls back. She gives me one last kiss and mutters, "I really need to go back to work. I'm sewing America's engagement dress tonight."

"Mm," I say, stealing another brush of the lips. "I'm sure she'll be fine wearing a potato sack for tonight."

She smacks my shoulder and laughs. "This is on national television, Aspen! She has to look presentable, more than presentable actually. And my being here won't help her look like the princess she actually is."

I set her down, and she begins to walk out. "Wait," I say. "Your hair." It's messy, and I really don't need to be caned for beating a few hours.

She rolls her eyes. "Can you just imagine Anne being so concerned?"

"I do not want that happening," I say. I straighten her maid uniform, admiring how adorably flustered she looks. "I'll see you tonight after the engagement?"

She winks. "Meet me in the kitchens."

Lucy's POV

When I shut the door behind me, I still feel giddy.

We all deserve to be with the person we love. The hard part might be trying to find that person. And once we do, we can only hope the journey after that will be easier together than alone.

Do I love Aspen?

I don't know.

He dated America! He dated one of my best friends, the princess of Illéa. I shouldn't have him. I don't deserve to have him. He's handsome, smart, kind, selfless. He almost reminds me of my father in the way they both want the best for everyone.

Would I do anything and everything for Aspen Leger, a boy from Carolina?

Absolutely.

America's POV

"Mom?"

"Come in, dear."

I walk into her office, and I can feel my eyebrows drawing together when I see the ceiling-high stacks of documents. "Mom, that's..."

"A lot of work?" She laughs. "America, you'll be dealing with this soon, but you shouldn't let that scare you." She sets her pen down and folds her hands on top of each other. "Now, what brings you here?"

I bite my lip, smiling. "The Selection has a winner."

Mom gasps and stands up. "America, that's wonderful! Who is it? Or would you like it to be a surprise? Do you love him? Oh, America!"

I laugh and accept the tight embrace she gives me. "It's Maxon, Mom," I say, and I pull back to see her reaction. At first, I think I'm going to see some sort of horrifying disapproval, but she's beaming.

"I'm so proud of you, honey."

"I love him, Mom. He makes me feel so happy, and...I just love him."

She wipes tears from her eyes. "If only your father were here to see this. He'd be so proud too. I'm so happy for you." Mom sniffles and claps her hands. "Well, we have an engagement ball to prepare, don't we?"

"Can we invite the eliminated Selected? Can we invite Marlee?" I ask, already excited.

"Anything you want, America," she says, and the phone calls begin.

Well, hello there. Is it AcademicGirl? Absolutely. Is it the same AcademicGirl from a year ago. Absolutely not.

This story is about to end, as many of you know. The next chapter is the engagement ball, and a really interesting event that will occur. Everything might shatter. It could be totally similar to The One and you'll know how everything ends...or I could throw everything to shambles and you'll get an ending that could totally throw you off.

I don't know.

I haven't decided yet.

Thank you so much for your support! I really love all of your reviews, and I can't believe people still read this stuff. So I would answer reviews, but unfortunately, it is an ungodly hour of 1 o'clock in the morning, and I'm watching America's Next Top Model...Um so yeah that's my life at the moment.

This story will be over in about three-six chapters? I'll see you soon :)

Love ya!- AcademicGirl