Chapter 6 Rewrite

If I thought the parties during the Selection were grand, Kriss' party was cosmical.

Lights hang from the doorway and follow us into the room, leading us to miniature waterfalls that are surrounded by little gardens almost like a fairy paradise. Tables line the sides of the Great Hall where guests sit patiently for the waiters who float around with various kinds of entrees. A stage stands on the far wall where musicians play various of classical tunes, some more recognisable than others.

I stand in awe in the entryway, blocking an older couple who pointedly clear their throats for me to move. Bashfully, I move to the side, feeling my cheeks heat from embarrassment.

I look around the room, searching for any familiar faces. I wonder briefly if they plan on having the guards step in as dance partners for anyone but quickly remember that was purely for the sake of the Selection. Most of these girls were spoken for now and no doubt they've invited their partners along. When we arrived, we were given a person each to invite as a 'date' to the party. Panicked, I scribbled down Elliot's name and prayed he would never even find the letter of invitation or have some sort of science convention to attend.

"America!" a shrill voice calls and I try to hide the disappointment from my face as I turn to see Ashley. I try not to think of her comments from the first day. I'd been avoiding her which she obviously had not noticed.

"Ashley, how are you?" I ask, making my voice sound high and pleasant. Her escort stands beside her, his peach-coloured tie matching the peach tulle of her own dress. He stands awkwardly beside her, his limbs too long for his body and his glasses ever so slightly crooked. He reminds me of an even more awkward version of Elliot, if that's even possible.

She smiles wide, her made up face stretching with her lips. "Fantastic! The party is beautiful is it not?" she talks a million miles a minute, so fast my ears strain to catch up with her. "This is my fiancé, Brennon Parks. He's so charming isn't he. Too bad you don't have a date tonight. I'm sure Brennon would be so happy to share a few dances. A girl can only dance so much you know-"

"Thank you, Ashley, for the offer," I interrupt her. "I should be fine in the dancing department. I think I left my ballroom dancing skills behind when I left the Selection, to be completely honest with you." She laughs at my joke, her giggle shrill just like the rest of her. I silently wonder what happened to the quiet Ashley who'd sat beside me on the plane. She was so much like the other girls now, it was almost scary.

She opened her mouth to say more but I quickly made an excuse about finding something to drink before she could utter a word. Bidding her goodbye, I lifted my skirt and walked towards the bar. My stand-in maids had really outdone themselves. I'd never met any of them before tonight, but they were lovely and made me look almost as good as my own maids did.

My hair was left down but half of it was braided into a flower crown which matched the flowers that ran along the tulle sleeves of my white dress. My face sparkled, courtesy of the so-called fairy dust that the girls sprinkled over my body. I looked ethereal.

I looked around, noticing most of the girls were dressed in various fairy-like dresses.

At the bar I was handed a glass of champagne. I took a quick sniff of it before sipping it. I tried not to make a face at the tart taste. I'm about to put my glass down and strategically run away from it when the music drops out and swaps for a single violin playing. The doors to the great room open with purpose and gasps fill the room.

Kriss stands in the doorway dressed in a deep blue dress that shimmers at every movement. Her hair is piled upon her head, held together by the biggest crown I've ever seen. She looks like she stepped right out of the night sky. For the second time tonight, I have to force my jaw to stay shut.

Kriss smiles wide as she walks in. Everyone is so distracted by Kriss that they fail to notice Maxon who walks behind her, a light smile on his face. He looks happy.

I'm about to look away from him when his eyes latch onto mine. His smile falters and his eyes widen ever so slightly. His eyes travel over my body, taking in every detail of my dress. I want to look away but his stare has me frozen in place. When his eyes meet mine again, it's with an intensity that I barely remember. Somehow, I shake out of my stupor and give him a small smile and a shrug. He shakes his head lightly, ripping his eyes away from me as quickly as one would rip off a band-aid.

I look back at Kriss who is being helped onto the stage by one of the guards. She laughs as she walks up. Maxon follows her onto the stage, giving her a light kiss on the cheek before approaching the microphone.

"Hello all," he starts, his voice shaking slightly, nothing like his usual presentation. "First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate my lovely fiancé's birthday with us. I think I can speak for both of us when I say it has been incredible having you all stay at the palace again." Kriss nods enthusiastically behind him to which everyone laughs.

Maxon clears his throat, looking around the crowd. "Kriss, like we all know, is one of the most bright and friendly people around which makes me the luckiest man in the world to be marrying her. Last year we had a similar party for her. Back then I didn't she would be standing beside me right now but let me tell you, I have never been happier that she is." He looks back and smiles at her. Her eyes have begun to water, she fans her face to dry her eyes forcefully, causing yet another laugh from the audience.

"Now," Maxon continues, reaching for Kriss' hand, "I know this is a birthday party but, what better time than now to answer the question you've all be asking." It's now that Maxon looks directly at me, his eyes holding a different kind of intent.

"After much deliberation, we have decided the royal wedding will be held in November."