Chapter 2
Some of the credit of this chapter goes to my sister who gave me some ideas and helped me edit. Even now as I'm writing this she's correcting me, even though I didn't write anything wrong. -_-
America POV
When I went home after the engagement party, I thought everything would go back to normal. I was wrong. Almost every day, reporters came to my house for an interview. Oh, and many men showed up, asking me to marry them, but how could I? As much as I was ashamed to admit it, I still loved Maxon. Sometimes I wrote letters to him, knowing he would never see them. Today was no different. As I was closing the door, to yet another proposal, I decided to write another letter to Maxon. I went upstairs to my room, grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, and sat down. For some reason, writing to him made me feel as if I was talking to him in the flesh.
Dear Maxon,
I will start this letter by saying that I still love you,
No, this is too mushy, not like me at all. I sighed and crumpled the paper, and leaned back into my chair. Is this how it's going to be for the rest of my life? Heartbroken, watching him and Kriss grow old together, having children? No. I can't allow myself to think of that. "America?" came a call from downstairs. "Yeah?" I called back to my mom. "Come down here! Help me with dinner." I sighed and made my way downstairs. I started making tea. Then I suddenly stopped. "What's wrong?" asked Mom, bustling around. I kept going. "Nothing," I said, pouring the tea into cups. But I had just realized it was Friday, and my mom would want me to watch the Report tonight. I certainly didn't want to see Maxon and Kriss making goo-goo eyes at each other the whole show. It would be the first Report after the engagement party and I knew the highlight of the show would be about Maxon and Kriss.
Dinner was silent. Through the meal I sat picking at my food, but still, I ate it. I knew what we were all thinking about: Dad. He isn't here and he never will be again. It is always dinner when we missed Dad the most, because he would never let silence take over the meal. He would always say something funny, or at least something to break it. I let my thoughts wander to Maxon and thought of the wonderful food we would have back at the palace. Is he having fun with Kriss? Does he do the same things we did with her? These thoughts consume me through dinner, through the clean-up, until it was time to watch the Report. "America, come sit,"said Mom, just as I was trying to sneak away. I inwardly groaned. Doesn't she see how hard this is for me? My heart is broken, and I need some time to heal before I see the man I love with another woman.
I thumped down next to May, and felt her hand cover mine. I looked at her. With tears in her eyes, May whispered, "Don't worry, I don't want to see this either." I felt new confidence course through me. At least I wasn't in this alone. Mom flipped on the TV and the Illea national anthem played. Maxon's face appeared, and I cringed, remembering that Maxon was the king now. And Kriss will be the queen... He gave updates on budget cuts and the levels that have gone up in poverty. He asked us to donate the most money we can for charities. Then Gavril showed up, and wiggled his eyebrows. "And now for the part you've all been waiting for, the exclusive of King Maxon's and our soon-to-be queen, Lady Kriss's engagement." He made his way to the lovely couple and sat down right next to them. "So I will start with Kriss," said Gavril facing her. "How is it, being Maxon's Chosen?" Kriss blushed, though I didn't see any reason for that. "Well, I had tough competition, but in my heart I knew everything would turn out okay." I snorted. Tough competition indeed. "Oh, that's what it was then?" asked Gavril. "A competition?" Ha. See how she likes being put in the spotlight. Kriss shook her head wildly. "No, not really, Gavril, you know what I mean." Kriss giggled and wrapped her arm around Maxon's. The sight made me want to vomit. Gavril turned to Maxon. "What about you, King Maxon?" Maxon, the picture of ease, asked "What about me, Gavril?" Gavril laughed. "What made you choose this lovely lady?" he asked, nodding towards Kriss. She stopped smiling and looked up at Maxon. She really wants to know. Maxon thought for a moment. "I think it's because of her personality, and of course her beauty. She has this quality about her that not many people have. It makes you want always be around her." Kriss laughed, satisfied with that answer and turned to Gavril. But I knew the truth. Maxon hated me and his only other choice was Kriss."And are you? Always around her I mean?" he asked. Maxon shook his head. "If I could, I would, but work is always in the way," he responded, smiling at Kriss. Again, I wanted to vomit. When the Report was finally over, I trudged upstairs and started writing another letter.
Dear Maxon,
It's a bit too late for this but, I'm sorry.
TIME SKIP: A FEW HOURS LATER
After I finished the small errand that Mom sent me on, I went back upstairs to my room. As I was about to open the door, I heard something rustling inside. What? I opened the door to reveal May with a piece of paper in her hand and tears in her eyes. "May?" I asked, confused at why she was in my room. She looked up at me. "You should send this," she whispered, her voice about to crack. I grabbed the paper and read it. It was the letter I had written earlier. "This letter? No way!" May grabbed my arms. "He loves you America!" she said, her voice rising on every word. "Can't you see!" I shook my head violently. "No, he doesn't May!" I said, tears streaming down my face. "You don't know what love is!" And with that, I pushed her out and slammed the door. I slid down and cried on the floor, reality finally catching up to me. "Oh, Maxon," I whispered, smoothing out the wrinkled paper. "I love you."