I made this chapter a little longer for you guys. I know I am so generous. Anyways on with the story.

(P.S.- PM or review if I should add Aspen to the story, but don't worry this is a Maxerica story.)R&R

America POV

Time is just moving by so quickly. It seemed like it was just yesterday that I was picked to be on the selection. It is just torture to be in this spotlight that somehow one little piece of paper put me in. Now I am leaving Carolina to go to Angeles to compete, for the prince's heart that I may not even want to have. Not that I don't think this is a bad idea, it's just that I don't want to be played with, for my family's sake I will go and try to enjoy this once in a lifetime event that my mother keeps saying to me over again.

I am waking out the door, when I am blinded by flashes. I keep a smile on my face, just to keep up a good appearance, even though I really hate to be the center of attention. I look around and I see people trying to get a good look at me and others glaring at me, it is really horrid on how people just want to be in the selection for fame and the crown. This is all happening so fast that I almost didn't hear a little girl asking for my autograph, and when I did more people wanted autographs. It kept going on and on. I honestly don't want any of those things, but I do want to at least help out my family for all of the things they helped me out with. Now as I take the last steps onto the platform, the mayor came up to me.

"Would you like to say a few words dear?"

"No thank you, I have a long journey up ahead and this is all so exhausting as it is already."

"Oh you sweet dear, don't worry I will say a few words for you. Please have a nice trip."

My family came up and gave me a hug. I went to my father one last time and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek to wish him farewell. With that I quickly boarded the plane, and looked out the window while we took off. We were going straight to the palace. (I know that they have to pick up other girls, but I want America to be solo for a reason. Plus, like I said this is my story so deal with it). I don't know why I am the only one on this plane, I mean this is enough to fit at least three other people.

-AT THE PALACE-

It was a long flight, but I finally made it. When I looked out the window, I was flabbergasted at how beautiful the architecture of the palace looked. Almost like the castle came straight out of a fairytale that I was told of as a child. When I stepped off the plane everyone looked at me. If was if I was had grown another head. When I registered what was before my eyes, I saw that there were already thirty-four girls and they were grouped together coming off the plane. I was the only one that flew here with only me on the plane. That was when the whispering started. I heard some comments like:
"Why did she get to fly all by herself, is she something special to the prince?"

How come she got a plane to herself? She is only a five."

There were some pretty nasty comments, but then again why should I be surprised? All the girls would be self-centered to win the crown. When we were pushed inside be this lady Silvia, our instructor, it was chaos. We were given a quick tour of the first floor of the palace, then we were automatically pushed into hair and make-up. It was a little awkward with people cleaning me and then poking, rubbing, and cutting things around me. I know it means well, but this is unnatural. Some of the girls are getting their haired dyed just cause the stylists have opinions that the prince will love that color on them. It is absurd. I mean changing everything about you just to impress a person you have never met before. Then my stylist shows up. He is looking me up and down to see what he should change.

"Darling, would you like to emphasize your hair color by letting me do highlights to make it more vibrant?"

"Sure, but don't go to over the top. I just want to be me." When I said that, he looked bewildered.

"That my dear will help you get through the competition. All the other girls want to be little dolls to be dressed as the prince 'likes' , but know that I won't do that to you. I will make you beautiful as yourself."

So, he ordered maids to bring in all natural colored make-up with the occasional light skin-tone color. He was highlighting my hair, when a maid came up to me and asked what I want to do with my nails.

"I don't want anything on my nails," but when I said this she looked so sad," but you can do my toes." At that she brightened up. It was at least a half an hour before all of this was done. Then it was time to put on the dresses. My stylist chose a light blue day dress with a little lace on the neckline. It was beautiful, and it brought out my eyes and complimented my hair so it looked like that there was ice withholding an eternal flame. I couldn't believe that someone could make me as beautiful as this. Now for the shoes, I chose the flats. I never really walk in heels, but I only wear them when I perform.

After the five second look at myself in the mirror, I was ushered to a chair in the middle of the room to shove the microphone down my throat.

"So lady America, could you tell us how your makeover went?"

"Well it was fine. I'm not really used to having people wait on me, but it was a new experience that I can say that I don't like so much. I got highlights and I got an all-natural make-up look. Also there are the new dresses that I must say that are magnificent." At that I smiled and the news lady said thank you and I was off the set. Looking around, I saw a waiting room and went to sit. There already some girls there talking about how the prince is so dreamy. Once they caught the sight of me, they bombarded me with questions like:

"Do you know why you were flying alone?"
"Are you the prince's favorite?"

"How are you able to be in the selection, you are a five?"

I didn't answer any of the questions, I just sat there not speaking and trying to register what was happening. Apparently everyone was jealous that I got the plane to myself, now they want to bump me down to the bottom of the favorites chart.

Then we left the Women's room to settle in our very rooms. We informed that we will brought dinner and we meet the prince tomorrow. All of our rooms are on the second floor, since we are forbidden to go to the third floor without special permission from a royal themselves. I guess it makes sense that the royals themselves need privacy. Especially with thirty –five strangers who fighting over one's heart . I know that it must be hard, since they just started to get back into the throne. Well I got into my room and was surprised when I saw that I was not alone. There were three girls about my age in my room, and they were smiling at me.

"Good afternoon Miss America."

"Oh! Hello. How are you? Also who are you?"

"We are well miss, and I am Anne," the one in the middle pointed to her right," this is Mary," then to her left," and this is Lucy."

"Well hello Anne, Mary, and Lucy. You can just call me America, there is no need to call me miss. Also why are you here? Not to sound rude or anything."

Anne replied," We are your maids, Miss America."

I was shocked to say that I would have maids with me through my stay. Like I said I don't like being waited on hand and foot, it makes me feel useless.

"Well you can be dismissed, you have nothing to do for me. I would like to rest for the night after dinner."

"But miss, one of us has to be in your room while you sleep, just in case you need something."

"No that is quite alright, I don't think that I will be able to sleep with someone watching me, but you girls must have worked hard so you can go rest early."

They were all shocked to say that I don't need them for anything, but as asked they curtsied and bid me goodnight. While they profusely thanked me for dismissing them early. As I watched them leave, I thought about how I could be great friends with them. I then looked around the room thoroughly the first time. I saw a baby grand piano, a violin, and a desk full of parchment for writing and books to read. The walls were painted a pale ivory and the bed had a light blue comforter on it. It was beautiful, like a dream bedroom.

I then went to lay on the bed after changing into a nightdress that my maids had laid out for me. All I could do was stare at the ceiling, missing home. Everything felt so strange. I couldn't take it anymore, I felt like the walls were closing in on me. Got out of bed and ran to the balcony, but it wasn't enough. So I ran out of my room, got to the first level to the doors and sprinted through when the guards were switching posts. I was in the garden and I ran as far as I could, when I arrived at a fountain. That was when I closed my eyes to hear the soft pitter patter of the water droplets.

Suddenly there was footsteps quickly coming in my direction and that was when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find…