(I don't own the characters, Kiera Cass made them! :)

America's pov:

Maxon's been distant lately, and I intend to figure out what. I walk over to his study, and open

the door softly, he's on the phone, and i just walked in while he was saying goodbye. "Well

Laura, it's always a pleasure talking to you, and i'll see you next time!" I hear a giggle on the

other end of the line. "Bye Maxon!" says the shy voice. And it's definitely a girl. Why is he talking

to a girl? I close the door silently, open it, and close it so he can hear i act like i just came in. I

walk over to him.

"Who's Laura?" I say perching on the chair arm.

"It's the queen of New Asia! I think we might end this war soon!" he says excitedly.

"Yay! Congrats!" I say quickly. " I just wanted to check on you, and i need to make a phone call

with Celeste!" (Celeste never died)

"Well, okay then, I'll see you at lunch!" I smile and nod. I walk out the door skipping. As soon as

the door shut, I walk. He was definitely hiding something. He wasn't using his business tone.

He was talking to a girl, and it sounded like he was seeing someone, behind my back. Cheating

on me. I run to the maid's quarters, even though I have a phone in my room. I go to Mary's

room,

"America! Are you okay?" I want to thank her for checking on me, but the leftover rage

consumes me, even then, i don't have the heart to be anything but nice to her. Still.

"Can I use the phone? You can stay, I don't really care." I say in a flat, cold tone.

"Ye-yeah. Sure."

I step towards the phone and quickly dial Elise's number. She is the only one I can count on.

The phone rings for a while, then she picks up. I sigh as relief washes over me.

"Hello?"

"Hi Elise, it's America! i haven't seen you in so long!" i say, temporarily forgetting what i came to

ask. She was like a sister to me now.

"America! I missed you so much, and i want to talk with you, but there is something laced in

your voice. Something is bothering you. Tell me, and i'll listen." Tears threatened to come, but

i'm so angry at the same time.

"In New Asia, is there a queen named Laura?" I close my eyes and focus on breathing.

"No… There are no queens here remember? It's run by the government. But there is a girl I

now named Laura, she keeps telling me that she met someone special though.

I choke on a sob into the phone, without meaning it.

"America?" Elise asks with concern laced in her voice.

"I knew it." I say softly, almost to myself. "He's cheating on me! Maxon!" I sob into the phone.

"Elise, I have to go to a meeting, but don't tell anyone about this. Please, i'll talk to you later,

but if anyone asks, i'm having a mental breakdown, because think i'm such a bad queen" i say,

and She agrees. I hang up quickly, and Mary, who's in the room, agrees to tell anyone that who

as I'm drying my tears. And because my life is so hard, Maxon comes in.