Anyway: UltimateMaxmericaShipper, the5SOS-YAfangirl, 4Love4Love4, Smiley face, the-ravenclaw-phangirl, baaacooon, Anegrieg, majestictales, delovlies and rachelsoccerchica you are awesome for reviewing! Thank you so much!

This chapter ended up being a lot longer and plot heavy in the second half then I intended, but hopefully it turned out interesting! Enjoy!

…

Lissa lay on her side, watching the nighttime sea breeze ripple the chiffon curtains over the French doors and windows. She couldn't even cry anymore. It was over. Wesley hated her, Ethan could care less, the Queen wanted her gone…it was only a matter of time before she was sent home.

She would miss it. The friends she had made, the beautiful dresses, the fun, the learning, and the sheer grandeur of it all. She would be a Three now, not a Seven. No more burlesque dancing, and hating herself. In a few years, she would watch Wesley fall in love and marry another girl when it came time for his Selection. Maybe she would find someone of her own. She threw back the soft covers of the bed, and sighed.

The door opened.

Lissa sat up quickly, startled. It was probably just one of her friends, though. It wasn't.

"Oh, Lis. I'm so sorry." Before she quite realized what was happening, Wesley was next to her, and hugging her so tightly she could scarcely breathe. "I'm sorry for saying those awful things. Will you ever forgive me?" He whispered into her hair.

"You mean you don't hate me?" It was the first thing that came to mind. Wesley let go, and held her at arm's length.

"Of course not. You should hate me."

"I never hated you. Nothing you could say or do will make me love you less." Lissa smiled. Wesley grinned, and flopped back on her bed in relief.

"So you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive. Why the change of heart?" Lissa curled up next to him.

"I was talking to my mother in her room before I went to bed. I found your letter on her desk, and took it. I believe you. You wouldn't have just deserted me like that." Wesley snuggled closer to her, reminding Lissa of a puppy. She giggled. "And I knew it all along. I kept telling myself you didn't come, but I knew you would have, unless you physically could not."

"I was so worried. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." He nuzzled the skin just below her ear. "I was mad, and I told myself it was just the medication. But I missed you all the same."

"How is your wound?"

"Sore, but it's mostly healed. Thanks to you." He poked her in the ribs, and Lissa twisted away giggling.

"Don't!" She teased. "We'll get caught!"

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Do you wanna go down to the beach with me?" Wesley looked slightly sheepish.

"Now?" Lissa suddenly realized she was wearing only her nightgown.

"It's just…I haven't been down there yet. And I really, really, really, really, really-"

"Fine, I'll go! I won't be able to sleep now anyway!" She jumped to her feet, in search of some sandals.

"Awesome!" Wesley grabbed her hand, and pulled her out on the balcony.

"Wait, my shoes!" Lissa called softly. He held one finger over his lips, a signal to be quiet. They ran down to the stairs at one end, and tip-toed down.

"Do you really need shoes?" He questioned. Lissa shook her head, trying to laugh without making too much noise. They ran down the path through the gardens to the beach, their laughter growing as they got further and further away.

"Ahhh! Finally!" Wesley spread his arms wide, and then on a second thought, grabbed Lissa and swung her around.

"When's the last time you were here?" She asked when he put her down.

"I think right before Andrew's Selection. C'mon!" He grabbed her hand again, and they ran through the shallow water, the waves flowing in and out at their feet. They didn't go too far, since it was nighttime, and who knows what could be lurking under the surface.

"This is so insane!" Lissa cried.

"I know. I don't want easy. I want crazy. Hey, I didn't get to dance with you tonight."

"Yeah, you danced with Mackenzie, though." Lissa scowled.

"I was trying to make you jealous." He held out his hand.

"You sure did a good job of it!" She gave in, and took his hand. He steered her over the sand in a haphazard, energy filled gallop of a waltz, until they both lost their footing, and ended up on their backs in the sand, laughing like hyenas.

"You know…I hardly ever saw stars back home." Lissa mused after they quieted down. "We lived in the capitol of Tammins, and there were so many factories, and so many lights and smog, you could only see them if it rained really hard in the middle of the night. I remember one time, I was walking home from the club, and…" Lissa trialed off, suddenly realizing she hadn't really talked to Wesley about her past. She was embarrassed to speak about it.

"What?" He asked, turning his head towards her.

"Nothing."

"Finish your story."

Lissa didn't need any more encouragement than the look in his eyes. No matter what she told him, he wouldn't care. "Well, I was so scared, because a bunch of the streetlights were out, and it had been raining, and this man kept cat-calling and whistling as I went by. And then, when I got home, I was about to unlock the door, when I looked up, I saw the stars. The rain had cleared the air, and it was beautiful."

Wesley reached for her hand, and squeezed it. "How are you so strong?"

"Huh?"

"You're a Seven. Life can't have been easy for you. And yet, you have a heart of gold. It's one of the things I love about you."

"I love that you never look down on me for where I can from." Lissa told him. "I wish…I wish this didn't have to end. You know, eventually, I'm going home. Or marrying your brother, I suppose."

"Or I might leave."

"What?" Lissa sat up quickly.

"You know, most secondary princes get shipped off to join the army. The only reason Ethan and I haven't is because my father was the second son, and he became king when his brother died. He's worried the same could happen again, so he keep us close. But let's not talk about that." Wesley stood up, helping Lissa to her feet. "Tonight, the world is full of stars." He grabbed her hand, and spun her around, before leaning his forehead against hers. "You ever kissed anyone?" He asked, his voice low and husky.

Lissa grinned. "No…" She closed her eyes, waiting.

"Good. I want mine to the first." He leaned back, and just hugged her instead. "But I think we should wait."

"Why?" Lissa was mildly disappointed.

"I still feel like a jerk. And it won't be as special if we don't wait." He ran a hand through his hair. "And we should probably be getting back anyway."

Lissa let her shoulder's slump. "Yeah."

"But thanks. For everything."

"What do you mean?"

"You make me feel alive." Wesley looped his arm over her shoulders.

"Well, you make me feel beautiful. And…well, I've never really felt that way before. When I'm around you, I feel like…like a lady."

"I'm sorry I had to go and fall in love with you. We're never going to make this work, are we?"

Lissa sighed deeply. "Wes…we'll make it work. And you don't have to apologize. Love isn't something you can decide. It's something spontaneous and reckless. Love doesn't care about what you think or that it's the wrong prince or a girl completely taboo. Love blooms even if you don't want it too."

…

Adele had changed quickly, since the party had ended much later thanks to Nat and Sirena's commandeering. She unpinned her curls, and fluffed them out and slipped off the flower. While Colin had told her not to dress up, she didn't really have anything cheap lying around. So she had donned the casual short sleeved blouse and light green polka dotted crepe knee length skirt, which she had worn during the car ride here almost a month ago, she realized. She had tried to find some suitable shoes, but all she could find was heels. Even her sandals. She ended up in the lowest pair she could find, taupe colored tee strap ones. The night was a little cool, so she wore a small cream wrap of light fabric. More for decoration, really, but better than nothing.

Now, the only problem before was getting out. Most of the girls were still up, so walking down the balcony to the stairs wasn't really an option. Neither was going down to the front door. It was a few minutes after ten already, so she decided there was only one thing for it. She locked her door leading to the central hall that all their rooms faced, and closed her windows, before tentatively stepping out onto the balcony, hoping no one saw her. She spotted Colin, lurking in the shadows of the now empty garden, and climbed up on the railing of the balcony.

This was going to be difficult. She swung her legs over, still clutching the railing. She carefully lowered herself, wishing she had at least one pair of flat shoes to wear as she struggled to find footholds. Once the wall met the terrace, she knew she was going to have to jump. Hoping no one was on the terrace, she dropped. It was only about four or five feet, but she still landed on her backside. Her cheeks burned as she heard Colin's quiet chuckle. She quickly stood up, brushing herself off.

"It's rude to laugh at a lady." She pointed out in a heated whisper.

"You're late."

"Sor-ry!" Adele rolled her eyes. "Anyway, how are we getting there?"

"We're walking." Colin whispered. He eyes her shoes. "Might want to take those off. It's almost two miles."

"Are you kidding me?" Adele really wanted to yell, but now was not the time. "I'm out." She threw her hands in the air, and spun around.

"I knew you didn't have it in you." The retort burned. Setting her jaw, Adele turned back around.

"I changed my mind, you jerk. Let's get moving."

Like Colin said, the walk was long. The road was nothing more than a dirt path, probably only used by servants and the like coming to and from the palace. Adele kept to herself, already seething and a little hurt. She would prove that she wasn't weak like he thought. Besides, he probably made this trek every day, and twice at that. Still, she wasn't looking forward to the walk home, and was glad when she saw the murky lights of the town appear ahead on the unpopulated road.

"So where exactly are we going? And what are doing?"

"Hadn't really thought that one through." Colin admitted. He glanced at her. "I thought I told you to dress cheaply."

"I tried. I'm the Selection, smart one. There isn't exactly access to rags for me."
"Whatever." Colin scoffed. Adele rolled her eyes and they continued their approach.

"Is this really where you live?" She asked as they approached.

Colin shrugged. "Not much like Trentworth, huh?" He seemed embarrassed. Adele didn't say anything. As a Five, she hadn't grown up in the lap of luxury. But neither had they been poor. Her parents had both been sought after, and although they had all worked hard, they were never poor. And Adele had been on tour for the last few years, and that was well furnished and gave her a steady stream of income.

It was nothing like this.

Like Trentworth, the town was set close to the ocean. A series of rotting docks housed a fishing boats at the end. The city was essentially composed around an intersection of the dirt road they were walking on, and a once paved road that interested it going toward the beach. It branched off into alleys and it seemed to Adele, that the buildings grew towards the center. It was night, and there weren't many people about. Florescent lights came from some houses, but many were boarded up. The ones closest to the beach were basically just shacks, like a gust of wind could knock them over. Some built further back were on stilts, to protect from the tide. The houses closer in were packed tightly, made of crumbling brick, some windows filled with golden light, others dark and foreboding. Rusted cars were parked on the streets, most looking un-drivable. Weeds spilled over lawns and into the streets. Some places were paved, or at least gravel, the chance increasing as they drew further into the heart of the city.

Here, she began to notice sputtering streetlamps, and laundry drying on lines, as well as apartment buildings and people. A car drove by them slowly, the engine rattling terribly. As they rounded a street corner, they passed a girl, standing just out of reach of the light from a lamppost, a cigarette dangling from her lips. She couldn't have been any older than Adele herself, but she could tell by her short dress and high heels and makeup, she was probably a prostitute. Impulsively, she stepped closer to Colin. The stores they passed were largely empty, except a solitary liquor store, grocery store, and a single bar, all clumped together. Adele saw a few people inside.

Colin turned off the main road, and onto a darkened side street. Most of the houses here were boarded up. One of them appeared to have burned down in the past, leaving only a shell. Many of them had smashed windows and missing front doors. A few cats disappeared just as Adele caught sight of them. Trash was everywhere.

Still, one of the houses seemed occupied. The warm light spilling out of its windows heartened Adele. She felt her spirts lift as they walked across the front lawn, mostly dirt with a few weeds for color.

"Home sweet home." Colin muttered as they climbed the few steps to the screen porch, which was largely devoid of anything.

"Are we going inside?" Adele was suddenly nervous.

Colin looked at her like she was an idiot. "Unless you have something else in mind, princess."

Her cheeks burned as she followed him into the house.

"I'm home." He called. Adele could hear people talking in the back of the house, and a radio playing, as well as a sink running and someone doing dishes. There wasn't much furniture, and most of the side rooms were dark. Still, it seemed a bit like home. Colin led her to the back of the house, to a brightly lit kitchen. An elderly woman and a girl who seemed to be fifteen or so sat at the small kitchen table, and a young woman, who seemed a couple years older than Colin, was doing dishes at the sink behind them. A little boy, maybe eleven, sat by the radio perched above the stove, a stuffed dog in his hand. He was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, one of his legs sticking out at an awkward angle. He wasn't playing with the dog, just sort of…sitting.

"Colin! What took you so long?" The woman at the sink said, turning off the water, wiping her hands nervously on her skirt. She eyed Adele apprehensively, her eyes surveying her outfit carefully.

"What, no I'm glad to see you?" Colin fired back, in his usual irritating manner. The dark haired girl looked nothing like him, and for a moment, Adele wondered if she was his wife. He bent to kiss the old woman's cheek. "Sorry I'm later than usual, Mom." He said.

"It's no trouble." The woman replied. "Who did you bring with you? She looks too plump to be one of the servants."

Adele bit her tongue. I am not plump! But then she noticed how gaunt the four of them were, and realized that most of the servants at Trentworth looked the same way. No, she wasn't fat compared to the rest of the Selected, but to them, she was…healthy.

"This is Adele." Colin said. "I convinced her to come see what the real world is like."

At this, the younger girl sitting at the table perked up. She had the same mousy brown hair as Colin, although she lacked the irritating disposition. "Are you in the Selection?" She asked, eyes wide.

"Colin told us they've been staying in Trentworth." The older girl said. Adele glanced at him, expecting him to tell them, but he just looked at her.

"Oh, uh yes. Yes, I'm part of the Selection. It's lovely to meet you." She didn't know how to act around these people. And she didn't think anyone was supposed to know where they were staying. She offered a hesitant smile.

"I didn't think anyone would want to come to see this dump." The older girl said. "Or the people that live here."

"Oh. Well, uh, he convinced me to." Adele knew it sounded lame, but she didn't know what else to say. I decided to prove him wrong and show him I care even if I didn't before now?

"Are you supposed to be here?" The little girl asked.

"Not…officially?" Adele struggled for the right words. She snuck a glance at Colin, who just smirked at her in the most annoying manner.

"Stop peppering her with questions and let the poor girl sit for a moment." Colin's mother said. "She must have walked here. And in those shoes."

Blushing, Adele took the offered seat, sitting right on the edge.

"I'm Colin's mother, dear." The old woman reminded Adele of nothing like her own mother. She seemed much older, maybe old enough to be a grandmother, and had seen so many more hardships. "Mrs. Evans."

"So how'd you meet a servant like him?" The older girl said, a tone of bitterness in her voice.

"Adele, this is Viola." Colin spoke up, motioning to her. She tipped her chin in the air slightly. "She was married to my brother. Before he died."

"Drafted by the army and never came home again." Viola shrugged, trying to seem indifferent about the whole thing. "King Jackson sends them off without any regard. He cares nothing for us."

"Viola, enough." Mrs. Evans cautioned. For a moment, Adele thought she might be in a household of rebels.

"Why? Your husband was killed there too. Aren't you angry?" Viola shot back. "Just so girls like her can come to be pampered in the palace as a wife for the prince? And when did the expendable princes stop serving their country? This whole monarchy is corrupt!" Viola's face was tinged with red now. She balled up her fists.

Adele wanted to be anywhere but here, anyone but one of the Selected.

"They have such ideas these days, these two." Mrs. Evans sighed, nodding to Colin and Viola. "These are my youngest. Eleanor-" She motioned to the girl. "and Jack." She nodded to the boy, who had yet to say anything, and just sat gawking at Adele. She wanted to ask what happened to him, but that seemed rude.

"Polio." Colin seemed to have read her mind. Adele felt something in her heart crack. This little boy was too weak to even play with his stuffed dog. All he could do was sit there.

"Speaking of them, it's time you were off to bed." Mrs. Evans said. Eleanor stuck out her lower lip in a pout, but didn't say anything. Viola followed her, wordlessly. Colin went to Jack, and said something too quiet for Adele to hear. The little boy smiled rather listlessly. She watched Colin pick him up, and then settled with the little boy on his lap so he could untie his worn-out boots for him. Colin kept up a mostly one sided monologue, and Jack smiled from time to time. Finally, he laughed a little. Colin grinned, and ruffled the little boy's hair, before carrying him out of the room. Adele watched them go.

"He does that every night." Mrs. Evans remarked, startling Adele out of her reverie.

"I've never seen him act like that." She admitted.

"You spend a lot of time with him?"

"Well, no…not really. I've run into him a lot."

"He's trying to change the world. He had all these ideas, and he wears himself out trying to make things better. Here, at Trentworth, at home. He can't stand to watch anyone suffer."

Just then, Colin, reappeared. He leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen. "So, Adele. Ready to see what a real party is?"

"What do you mean? I thought-"

"That I dragged you all the way here to meet my family? No, c'mon." He grabbed her hand, and tugged her out of her chair, and through the kitchen.

"You could go a little slower!" Adele exclaimed when she tripped over the front steps.

"Sorry, princess." He bowed sarcastically. He seemed bothered. He kept walking.

"Where are we going, anyway?" She asked, struggling to keep up. "And why did you seem in such a hurry to get out of there."

"One of Viola's friends just got engaged. She told me so. They're celebrating in the square."

"And? You didn't answer my other question."

Colin stopped walking. "I don't like being there, okay? It's hard to see it and know I can't do anything about it. Happy?" He scowled, and kept walking.

"You don't have to get so mad, you know. You're the one who made me come." Adele called to his retreating figure.

"You're the one who agreed to."

"You don't have carry the whole world on your shoulders either."

"And if I don't, who will?" Colin spun around, walking backwards. "You? The king? Prince Ethan? Viola's right. The king doesn't do anything to help us. We live two miles from his seaside resort, and my brother and my dad both died in his little battles, and he doesn't care to do crap to help us." Colin threw his hands into the air. "Well he ain't gonna do that to me." Colin stopped walking, and glared off into the dark alleyway.

"But you work in Trentworth. Everyone wants to work there."

"Not me. I'm only doing it for the money. Get me far away, where the air is clean, and there are no castes, and no one to send us off to war. Somewhere where my little brother isn't too sick to laugh, and can play and breathe clean air, and doesn't have to limp around. Where my brother is still alive, and Viola can be happy, and Eleanor doesn't have to work so hard because Jack can't and we need money…"

Colin trailed off, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "You see, Adele? I have to try to do something, because no one else will. Even if I know nothing will make much of a difference." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "The palace is back that way. I'll see you tomorrow." He stalked off down the street.

"Hey! Colin, wait! Wait!" Adele scurried after him. "Will you slow down?"

"What do you want?" Colin tossed over his shoulder.

"I need to tell you something. I know you think that no matter how hard you work, that nothing will change, but with all I've seen tonight, I see there's a whole new world out there I didn't even know about. And I believe you can change it. You've given me something to believe in."

Colin paused in his flight, and turned slowly. "Something to believe in…" he repeated. A hint of a smile appeared on his face. "For sure?"

"Yeah. For sure." Adele nodded. "Now are you going to show me how to really party, or are you going to make me walk home by myself?"

Colin smirked, in that grating, irksome manner. "Let's go. I hope you know how to drink."

…

-Shades