Hi! I really have had so much fun writing this so thanks to everyone who reads it! I hope everyone is staying safe throughout the pandemic! I'm working on making my chapters longer and updating more regularly, so enjoy! :D

"America darling, are you alright?" I raise my head to see Queen Amberly, her head cocked to the side, staring at me.

"Oh, Your Majesty." I wipe the tears away. "Yes, I'm fine." I try to smile but she sees right through me.

"Don't lie to me." She sits down next to me and takes my hand. "Tell me, what's wrong?"

"I don't want to trouble you with my problems."

"America, you are about to be my daughter. That means it is my job to hear you out and worry about you. Plus I've been through this before, I may know exactly how you are feeling."

I smile. I love when she calls me her daughter.

"I suppose you are right. It's just that I met with Kriss today."

"Oh."

"Ya. It didn't go great."

"Tell me about it dear."

"Well it started off great. Smiles and laughs and that sort of thing, but then she started yelling and said she had to fight the urge to hate me. I guess I just always thought we would be there for each other."

Queen Amberly sighs, "It's hard. These girls are some of your best friends now, but sometimes jealousy gets in the way. And I'm not talking about typical teenager drama. I'm talking about the man she loved not loving her back, loving someone else. It hurts. Bad." We stay silent for a moment, holding onto each other. "I'm not going to pretend like I understand your relationship with Maxon. I do know you fight but you always make up. I know you sometimes shut him out, but he always gets you to open up. You two are made for each other. You balance each other out."

"Thank you." I couldn't help but think about all our stupid little fights, but most importantly the way we always come back together, and through it all, love each other.

"I'm not done." She smiles at me. "I know that the day of the rebel attack, Maxon told me he was choosing Kriss. I know that he couldn't even say your name, without his eyes giving him away. He told me he loved her. He told me he just wanted you out of his life." My smile fades, and I look down. She reaches out with her finger to tilt my head up to hers. "But, I know my son. I know when he's lying, or when he's upset. And I think you knew he wasn't going to pick you. I'm very perceptive, I could see the hurt on your face.

"Now I still have no idea what could have happened between you two that could have caused his want to send you home, but that's not the point. I want you to think about how you felt, when he sat there, at the table in front of everyone, talking happily to Kriss, but ignoring you."

"Oh my." Tears start to roll down my cheeks. I remember it so clearly. The hurt I caused him. The hatred seeping out of his eyes when he looked at me. The love in his face when he looked at Kriss. I'd just wanted to die.

"See. That's how Kriss feels everyday. And it's not your fault. You just have to understand that it will take time. And she doesn't hate you as a person, she just hates that you got what she wanted."

"I never thought of it that way. Before Maxon proposed that was one of the worst day of my life. My heart was so broken and I couldn't think straight. It made it worse that it was my fault. I caused him to loath me."

She smiles at me. "Whatever you did, it is in the past. Remember you are soon to be married to him."

"And I can't wait!"

"Love conquers all."

We both laugh.

"America? Mom?"

We look up to see Maxon walking towards us.

"What are you two doing?" He must be happy to see up together because he is practically beaming, but then he sees the tears rolling down my face and rushes to my side. "What wrong? And you okay?"

"I'm okay Maxon, don't worry. Your mother helped me sort some emotions out."

He looks back and forth between me and the Queen.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asks as he bends down to wipe the tears from my face.

"I promise."

He smiles. "Good."

"I'll leave you two to it. I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow honey. America will you be joining us tonight?"

"Actually I have plans with Marlee."

"Alright." She squeezes my hand before standing up, kissing Maxon on the cheek, and heading inside.

"I'm so glad you two talk." Maxon says as he takes a seat next to me.

"Me too. I'm so glad she approves of me. I'm pretty sure she already thinks of me as her daughter."

"She's always wanted one. I'm sure she's more than excited that she gets you."

I lean over and kiss him.

"What was that for?"

"You are just so sweet!"

He kisses me back.

"As you are."

"mmmm"

He pulls back, "So what are you and Marlee doing tomorrow morning?"

"I actually don't know!!! She won't tell me! She just said to wear pants and that concerns me... she loves her dresses."

"Well it sounds like you two will have fun. You will have to tell me all about it tomorrow night."

"I wish I could but I can't!"

"Why is that?"

"I have so much to do tomorrow! Whatever Marlee is planning and more wedding plans! The wedding is so soon and I still have so much more planning to do. Who would've thought getting married would be this much work!?!"

"Ha, well don't worry my darling. I've cleared your schedule and am having others take care of it."

"You did?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Marlee is not the only one who can plan a surprise."

"What! You've got to tell me! What are we gonna do! What's the surprise!?!"

"I guess you'll find out tomorrow!"

"Ugh! I hate not knowing things!"

"I know! That's what makes it so fun!"

He leans over and kisses me again.

"I better let you go get ready. Have fun, I love you."

"I love you too!"

I watch him with a smile as he walks back inside. Shortly after I follow suit and head to my rooms where I find a note on my bed.

Dear America,

We are going to have so much fun tomorrow! I can't wait! You have been working so hard and been so stressed lately, you just need a break to relax and have fun. As your best friend, I'm here to help you do just that! Wear a red short sleeve shirt, comfortable pants, and shoes that are easy to run in. Meet me at the back doors of the palace at 9am. The ones that lead to the fields of grass! See you in a bit!

Marlee Woodwork

Shoes to run in? What is she going to make me do? But I am still excited, relaxing and not worrying about Queen and wedding stuff sounds amazing.

The next morning I call Mary and my new maid Azalea to my room and have them pick out everything that Marlee said. They also fix my hair into a nice french braid and do my makeup on the more natural side.

When I'm all ready, I feel great! No big dresses, heavy jewelry, or fancy makeup. I feel just like when I lived in Carolina, just a little more glammed up.

"Wow, I really love this look on you."

"Thank you Azalea, I love it too. It reminds me of home."

"I think it suits you perfectly, My Lady."

"As much as I love all the dresses we make and put you in, I do agree with Azalea. The simplicity of this makes your features pop." Mary chimes in.

"Wow, you guys really flatter me. It's just a shirt and pants!"

"Maybe, but you can still look great in it."

"Oh! My Lady! You need to get going. You don't want to keep Lady Marlee waiting!"

"I must have lost track of time! I'll get going now." I walk towards the door but turn back, "Oh and Azalea…"

"Yes ma'am?"

"You can drop the formalities. I'm just America."

"Of course...America."

"Great. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

"Have fun!" Exclaims Mary.

I shut the door and find my way to the stairwell. As I descend I look around. Wow, this is really my new home. It's so beautiful I can't even describe it.

When I reach the back doors Marlee is already there, also wearing pants and a red shirt.

"America!!! Great, let's go!"

I laugh as she grabs my arm and pulls me out the door.

"Marlee! What are we doing? Where are you taking me?"

"Just wait!"

We practically run across the stone path, to a huge grass field where I see a group of girls standing. Some wearing red, some wearing purple.

"What's going on?" Marlee just giggles. As we get closer I discover that the group of girls are the Selected. When they see me they all stop talking and start to cheer.

"What are you all doing out here?"

"We are here to have fun!" Emmica calls out, wearing a purple shirt.

"Come on over, I'll explain it." Olivia says. She's the only one wearing a black shirt.

Me and Marlee join the group and we all stand in a big circle.

"It's pretty simple." Olivia continues. "We are just playing soccer!"

"I love soccer!" Zoe says.

"Good! Does everyone know how to play?"

"I think I do, but I've never actually played before." Tiny says "Can you give me the basics just in case?"

"Ya, sure. So basically," Olivia picks up a soccer ball, that I didn't see, laying on the ground, "the point is to get this ball between the stacks of books that we stacked up over there. Those are our goals. You can kick it into the goal, pass it to a teammate, or just dribble it. The main rule is no touching the ball with your hands!"

"Okay, thank you."

"Oh!" Tuesday exclaims, "And no dirty playing. No hitting, or elbowing, or pushing."

A few people look over at Celeste.

She puts her hands up. "I'll be good. I promise."

I can't help but laugh, and others join.

"Okay ready to play?" Hannah calls out.

"Ya!"

"Let's go!"

"My teams gonna kick butt!"

"Okay, red on the right! Purple on the left! We will start in five minutes! Talk to your teammates! Come up with a plan! Choose team captains! Since there's not an even number of us, I'm going to be the referee!" Olivia moves to the middle of the field and drops the ball.

I head over to the right and join my team huddle.

This is going to be fun.