Chapter 3
Recess is the one time of the day where I get even a moments rest at work. My class of elementary children run wild outside while my co-workers are left to monitor them so they don't get into too much trouble.
I try eating leftovers from last night, some sort of casserole that Jasper had brought over. It's been two weeks since his arrival back in Celeste's life and she was glowing. He came over for a few hours most nights, claiming the guest bed is so awful he would never think of staying the night again. I like him well enough. He's charming and funny and, as I've discovered, quite the chef. I shovel the meal into my mouth, looking over a few of the worksheets I'd set my students before they left for recess when a knock sounds on the door.
I quickly wipe my mouth before looking up. Professor Elliot Piaria stands at the door, smiling at me. I motion for him to come in while trying to quickly swallow the casserole left in my mouth.
Professor Piaria visits the school only occasionally. He's meant to be at the University of Columbia collecting plant samples or doing whatever a botanist does but he whenever he found himself in Angeles, which seemed to be often, he liked to visit the school or more likely the Principal whom everyone suspected was having a secret affair with the Professor.
I met him not too long ago and he was kind enough, but he liked my class much more, teaching them about different plants and seeds. They loved him endlessly which was unsurprising.
"How are you, my Lady?" he greets as he makes his way into my classroom. I roll my eyes at the use of the title.
"I lost that title the second I stepped out of the palace," I remind him. He raises his eyebrows behind his thick framed glasses. He's relatively handsome in a quiet, shy way.
His eyes graze over the worksheets, probably hoping it has something to do with plant life. "I heard Gavril Fadaye refer to you as Lady America just recently," he informs me with a slight smirk on his lips. I look at him with confusion plain and clear on my face. I run a hand through my auburn hair which I'd cut just above my breast as soon as the Selection finished.
I stand up from my chair. Elliot looks as if he is about to burst into laughter. Since our first meeting, we'd been playful with each other, teasing each other with only the kindest intentions but I'm sure this is not one of those times.
"What are you talking about, Elliot?" I question. Why was Gavril Fadaye mentioning my name. It's been six months since the selection ended, I've become irrelevant. Elliot just smiles wider, his shining white teeth flashing. I'm about to ask him again when the elderly administrator knocks on the door extending a handheld phone. I look to Elliot, positive he knows something. It must be a stupid prank he's pulling.
I take the phone from the administrator's hand, lifting it to my ear. "America speaking," I greet the other side. A voice I recognise instantly blares through the phone.
"America!" Kriss gasps. "I thought you weren't going to pick up." I can hear the obvious relief in her tone but terror courses through me. Why is Kriss calling? Has something happened to Maxon? How does she know where I work?
I try to steady my breathing as I look over at Elliot who's smile has slightly faded but still present on his face. What did he know about this phone call?
"Is everything alright, Kriss?" I ask, my heart racing faster. Elliot wouldn't be smiling if something had happened to Kriss or Maxon so it can't be terrible news.
I could hear Kriss' soft breaths on the other side of the phone. "Everything is fine, America. I'm just so relieved you answered the phone." She sighs. "All of the other girls are being contacted by Silvia but I wanted to tell you myself, so you didn't brush it off as some sort of default call," she explains. I slide my eyes over to Elliot who is now shuffling through my desk probably to find something proving I actually teach the students about plants or whatever.
"My birthday party is next week, and I would love it if you could come, even if you don't stay for the week as the other girls are, just coming would be really great."
Elliot glances back over to me, checking to see if I finally know what he wasn't telling me. I want to throw the phone.
I bite my lip. Kriss was- is- my friend and the fact that I lost shouldn't affect that but the thought of seeing Maxon there makes my stomach churn.
I suck in a deep breath.
"I'd love to come."
