Chapter 13

It's finally time! I know this chapter has been long anticipated and it is finally time for America and Maxon to meet again! So far, this chapter has been by far my favorite to write. I know it's been awhile again, but I am going to try to upload at least once a month from now on. I am also trying to rewrite previous chapters that have formatting errors making them hard to read. Feel free to leave a review about what you thought about this chapter and America and Maxon or about anything you'd like to see in upcoming chapters!

Chapter 13 – Reunited

I still can't believe that I'm going to see Maxon again in just a few minutes. We've been on the road for hours now, and we will be at the castle in just twenty minutes. Just imagining his handsome face and perfect smile makes my stomach fill with butterflies. I need to regain my confidence around him. I need to be able to look him in the eyes without my heart breaking, to be able to see him and Kris together without crying. I know that I am not over him, and I need to be. Hopefully I will be by the time I finish this mission, then I can go back to the base ready to become a Northern Rebel for real. When I was packing for the castle, I made sure that I had packed outfits that went well with my new belt. Today I am wearing jeans with the belt, and a nice red shirt. I look out the window to the truck and I can see the castle in front of us. I remember all my happy memories that I had during the selection. Then, I remember the bad ones. The truck stops, and it is time to face Maxon again. I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and walk out. I can do this.

I walk up to the gate, and as soon as the guards see me they stand up, greet me, and take me to the door of the castle. They call for Maxon, and when the door opens I can barely see his worried face before he pulls me into a tight hug. I've missed him so much. He puts me down and we stare into each other's eyes. All I can feel is love for him. I can tell that something is wrong, that he's extremely stressed. But before I can hear his amazing voice, Kriss breaks us up, and hugs me. Even though Kriss's arms are wrapped around me, squeezing me tight, all I can do is stare at Maxon behind her.

"America! You've been gone for weeks," She says.

"Yeah, I know," I reply, still staring at Maxon.

"Please come in. We have so much to catch up on." She says, Maxon still staying silent.

"Yes, of course." I reply as she leads me in. We sit down and talk about where I have been for the past few weeks. I tell them what Georgia told me, the fake story we created, and I feel so awful. For the most part Maxon stays quiet, he says something here and there, but I can tell that he is worried. They get me a room with my old maids, and it is even worse lying to them. But I know what I am here to do, figure what happened between Maxon and the Southern Rebels. I can't stay in my room all day, I must reconnect with Maxon. Dinner is extremely awkward. Maxon doesn't talk much again and it is mostly me, Kriss, and the queen catching up on everything that has happened. The three of us are talking, and I catch Maxon's eye. I tug my ear, hoping that maybe he'll come meet me in my room later. Dinner ends, and I walk back to my room. I dismiss my maids and it is just me, waiting like I have so many times before. No matter where I go in the palace, I am reminded of my mistakes. I can't walk through the gardens without thinking of me and Maxon's walks together. I can't stay in this room without thinking of all that's happened here. My thoughts are interrupted with a knock at the door.

I walk to open it, my heart racing.

"America, you really need to stop scaring me like that." He says, hugging me again.

"You need to stop worrying so much," I say. I've missed talking to him so much. Even these few sentences make my heart fill with pure happiness. Yet, they also make my heart fill with unbridled sorrow.

"You haven't changed a bit."

"Not at all," I say smiling, "How have you been?"

"Awful, been so worried about you. I miss you, America." All I want to say to him is that this was his fault, we could've been together, happy. But I can't blame him, I made the worst mistake of my life, and he deserves someone better.

"I miss you too. How have things been here at the castle. I've been gone for so long." I say, doing my best to sound interested even though I don't really care.

"Things have been really tense. Kriss and I are trying to plan the wedding, and after the rebels attacked we've been increasing security. There are more guards here than ever. Today has been, by far, the best in weeks because of you." They are planning the wedding. For some reason, this hurts more than it should. I knew that they are getting married but hearing him say it makes it way too real.

"Sounds like a lot of work, especially with the wedding and all. Speaking of the wedding, how are things with you and Kriss?" I don't know why I asked this question. I know his answer will just hurt me, but a part of me really wants to know.

"America, why did you ask me here? Why do you care?" He asks.

"We're friends, right?" I say, and it hurts me so much to just refer to us as that, but it's better than not talking at all. I guess I know what Maxon felt throughout our relationship. My heart races because I honestly don't know what he is going to say. I know I hurt him, and he might not want to even be friends.

But then, he smiles, "Right," he says.

I smile, happier than I've been in weeks.