As America laid on the fluffy duvet the palace provided her, her mind was spinning. She had a decision to make, and she had no idea what to do. A life with Maxon meant that she would live in the palace, and she would have to be a princess. She wasn't sure if she was ready for that life, she didn't think she was meant for it. Aspen on the other hand was familiar, his smile, the way he smelled, the way his hands felt, it was all so familiar. She was in love with both of them, but they came with completely different lifestyles. A life in the palace, being waited on and watched by the public eye, or a life as a servant. Not too different from her life before The Selection, but this time she would be working in the palace, working for Maxon, and Aspen would always be in danger. Her head kept going in circles, once she felt like she decided, her mind would go the opposite way.
A while later, America couldn't be sure how long, she heard a knock at the door. She stood up, took a minute to bring her mind back to the present, and went to open the door. The person standing on the other side surprised her. "Maxon," America said, "I thought you were on a date with Celeste." He was standing there all handsome and tall. He looked very prince-like in his uniform, but his shaggy hair made him look like a normal boy. "I was," Maxon explained, "but I sent her home." "Why would you do that?" America asked. She felt like she should be happy about Celeste going home, but it felt like more pressure than before. "I realized that I didn't feel for her what I feel for you. I have a better and bigger connection with you than I have with anyone else. I want you America, I want to be with you, I want you to say yes," Maxon said while holding America's hand. "Maxon," America said while looking at the floor, "I don't know-" "Don't say no," Maxon said. America stopped, stunned, and looked at the prince. "What are you talking about?" She asked. "Don't say no, I'm not ready to hear it," Maxon said. "I can't say yes," America told him, "I can't say that I want to be with you for sure." Just then something caught her eye. Aspen was standing down the hall, looking like he was going to come to America's room. The two locked eyes for half a second, but Maxon noticed. He whipped around to see what America was distracted by. Maxon saw Aspen standing there, staring at the girl of his dreams. America was caught between the two, trying not to look at either. "America," Maxon said. "I was just going to check on something," Aspen mumbled, quickly walking down the hall past the two in the hallway. America looked back at Maxon when he was gone. "Maxon, I-" "It's ok Mer, I understand," Maxon said, dropping her hands, "I can tell by the way you look at him, you really do love him." "Maxon I'm sorry, I didn't know until you got here just now," America pleaded. "It's ok, go home, go be with him," Maxon said, walking away. He looked so hurt, so sad. America couldn't believe that she had just said that. She stood in stunned silence, but excited by thinking about her future with Aspen. All she had to do was tell him.