Maxon never visited me after the Report, I guess he didn't want to repeat our last few encounters, I can't blame him but even though I took pride in keeping my distance I found the palace even more lonely than ever before. The few times I saw him during meals and in the halls, he looked miserable, but our bad moods didn't seem to affect the others that much. As the time came to prepare for the trip the atmosphere became hectic and everyone tried to make the loose ties come together. More often than not I found myself wandering around in the garden trying to decide if the palace could ever be my home, it all seemed so cold and fake, and even though the small house in Carolina wasn't much appearance-wise, it had so much emotion-wise.

It was the day before our departure, and the last time I saw the palace in this chaos, was after the first rebel attack, then everyone was running around in a mess that no one seemed to understand. Today it was all about finding out which guards should go with each girl. I got Aspen and one of his friends officer Markson. I didn't look forward to going with Aspen, but I knew my family would be pleased to see him, so I didn't protest against it.

When Anne came to me for the third time of the day asking about what dresses I wanted to bring I decided I needed a break and walked down towards the garden.

Walking around outside always has a calming effect on me. I walk down the small pond and sit down in the long grass. From here I can see the birds in the three and the butterflies flying in between each other. I always sit with my back turned towards the palace, it gives me the illusion of being free and alone.

I turn around when I hear a voice being cleared behind me.

"America, I was looking for you. Do you have time to talk?" Maxon doesn't look like the confident prince I used to see on TV, he looks so much more human.

"I wanted to talk to you after the Report two weeks ago, but you seemed so distant, but I can't let you go without saying goodbye." He sits down beside me, and when I don't answer he continues.

"America, I see that you are not happy right now and I wish I could change that, but I hope you will cheer up because I don't know what to do without you. I will come to Carolina on the fifth day and we can go home together."

"Maxon, never tell a girl to cheer up, and the palace is absolutely not my home, and right now I definitely don't fancy it to ever be my home." The anger in my voice is growing with my every word.

"America I didn't mean it like that, and I truly hope that you will be able to see this as more than just a cage, but for now I need to ask you to find your manners because your attitude is unacceptable and you act like a spoiled child." He turns around and leave me in the grass, how dare he call me spoiled, he is the one who grew up in a palace with everything served on a silver plate, he is the one who gets 35 beautiful women who are throwing themselves at him, he is the one who can get what and who whenever and wherever he wants. And he is calling me spoiled?

I end up crying myself to sleep, the maids wisely decide to let me be, and before I know it I am awakened by Anne. In the corner, there are three suitcases, and a beautiful red dress is already hanging on the dresser. I look around the room and notice a tray with breakfast.

"It has been decided that everyone eats in their rooms today, miss." Ahh, okay so they don't want more chaos or maybe the king is just tired of the talks about which dresses and what makeup should be brought along for the trip. The thought of the king's face when he had to sit by Amberly and the other girls in the fabric room bring a smile to my face.

I finish my strawberry tart and get into the bath they have prepared. I don't think I could ever get used to being washed, but my girls are the best and I wouldn't trade my time with them for any other activity you might be able to do in the palace.

Elise, Maxon, and Natalie are already at the entrance when I arrive. Maxon is starting with Celeste, I assume he wants to get it over as soon as possible, but she definitely sees it as an honor and Kriss went on about it for an entire week. Kriss is the next one to arrive, she comes down with five big suitcases, I guess one suitcase per day is the right amount for a dress-up doll as her. No one says anything we just stand there on a line looking at the staircase like Celeste's arrival will save us all from the awkwardness. She doesn't disappoint. When Celeste arrives just a half-hour too late, she doesn't stop speaking for a minute.

"Oh Prince Maxon, it's sooo good to see you, have you been waiting for me, I'm sooo sorry, my servants aren't very good at their jobs, they packed one of my shoes in bag number five instead of number eight because there wasn't enough space, can you believe that? So, I, of course, let them know that it was completely unacceptable and made sure that they found a new bag. You really need to educate the servants a little better, I know they are sixs or sevens or whatever but some of us have class and like to travel in a manner worthy for us." I can't wait to get away from her, she really needs to experience some real-life problems.

We get into a limousine, and in contrary to the first time, this time the banners are all about me, and I can see the other girls tense up. I feel bad that I'm going to let all my fans down, but they will get over it I'm sure.

In the airport we separate, Elise and Kriss take the same plane, Natalie gets her own and Celeste, Maxon and I board the same plane. Because of Maxon, the security in our plane is really tight, there are guards all over the plane, and our maids are scrunched up in the back.

As the plane starts, I realize this is my second time on an airplane and as soon as we take off my body tenses up. I try to calm down, but the motion is so terrible I feel all the blood drain from my face.

I feel a soft hand on my shoulder, I don't turn around, but by the warm feeling I get, I know that it is Maxon.

"It's okay, it's just a little bumpy in the start." I want to make a comeback, but I feel so bad that I just shake my head softly. He gives my shoulder a soft pat and returns to his seat beside Celeste.

When I look at the sky, I decide to distract myself by drawing it, I plan on giving it to May, I know she will appreciate it.

As soon as we land, we are met with a horde of people. Many of them are screaming my name but I simply wave, I don't want to give them fake hope when I already know it will not work out.

Because I know that the paparazzi is right around the corner, I give Maxon my curtsey and Celeste a quick hug before I hurry into a waiting limousine. The ride takes about an hour, but the realization of soon seeing my family kicks in and the ride feels like it takes several days.

I'm close to bursting with excitement as I step out of the car to see a bunch of redheads waiting for me.