Seven Years Ago

I hated Alexander. Not only for being a Southern Rebel who wanted to kill us but for also making me stay to see their happiness. I had no clue what he was planning on doing with me but all I knew was that I may never see my family again.

I stood in my room, packing the few things I had to be sent home - as I didn't plan on taking them with me to whatever Hell Alexander called home. I looked to my desk to find the letters that Maxon had given me not so long ago - yet it felt like a lifetime now. A tear fell down my cheek as I read the letters, all the beautiful words he had written meant nothing now. I cursed as I remembered his happiness as he had proposed to Kriss an hour ago - something I had caused. Knowing that the letters would make me depressed, I hid them away in a secret compartment in my desk that I had only found not long ago. My hands shook as I hid the key, even though people would probably use this room after me, I didn't want to give them to Maxon as I knew he would rip them up.

After having a final look around the room that I had called my own for so long, I picked up my bag and made my way towards the door dressed in my jeans and shirt. However, on my way to the door, I was stopped by the four people that I really didn't want to see. The Royals. Focusing on the ground, i tried to ignore them until a smiling Clarkson called.

"Leaving so soon America?"

I slowly turned around, pulling a fake smile onto my face. I knew that I would lose it if I spotted Maxon, so I focused all of my attention onto the King.

I tried to think of a lie to cover up my true intentions. Although I was supposed to have my family here, they had been stuck at the airport so they were not here to console me. Luckily, Alexander had caught up with me when I had left the Great Hall to tell me the plan. I would pretend to leave and then spend the rest of the day downstairs.

"Yes, although my family isn't here I assumed there would be a car to take me back." I replied quickly, trying not to notice the wicked grin Clarkson had on his face to signify his victory.

I tried to keep all of my focus on the king to avoid the stares from the rest of the Royals. I didn't want to look at the happiness that I had created from my own stupidity and sadness. Before Clarkson could reply a call came from behind me. I turned quickly to find Alexander, who was now sporting a black suit instead of the guard uniform. He smiled as he approached me and pulled me in for a hug as he said:

"Follow my lead."

He then kept me in a lose embrace as he turned to the Royals with a fake smile pinned to his face.

"Your Majesties, I am so happy for you! I am sorry to interrupt but America is going to have to stay longer as our car has broken down." he lied smoothly.

It was clear to me that Maxon was shocked by this news - as I had just told him I was leaving alone. He had just been convinced that I was in love with Aspen and now to see me in the arms of yet another man would be confusing to anyone.

"I'm going with you?" I squeaked with excitement to hide my fear.

I hoped that Alexander would make it seem that we weren't lovers as I would be arrested for treason on the spot by a King who would do anything to see me suffer.

"Of course cousin, why would I let you travel alone?" he smiled in return with a wicked glint in his eye.

The King was clearly startled by the news but covered it quickly as he spoke:

"Well, I'm sure you can join the party downstairs until a new car can be delivered."

The knot in my stomach tightened as I watched how unsettled Maxon was with this news. I remained silent as Alexander thanked them and told me to put a dress on. Shaking, I moved back past the Royals into my old room where it was silent. I fell back against the door, breathing rapidly as my brain tried to comprehend what I had just done. I had lied to them with a rebel by my side - what the hell kind of person was I turning into?

I chose a simple blue dress and put simple make up on which made me seem like I was put together while my insides were a mess. I truly detested the idea of going to an event where everyone would only see me as the girl who lost the prince. Taking a deep breath in, I opened my door - to find Maxon standing there, leaning against the door frame. I jumped back in shock as he was the last person I expected to see standing there.

"Don't go with him."

The command took me by surprise - why would he even care?

"America are you even listening to me?" Maxon continued, annoyed at my lack of response.

"Shouldn't you be with your fiance, Your Highness?" I replied, avoiding all eye contact while simultaneously trying to find an escape route.

But it seemed that it wasn't the lack of eye contact that was bothering Maxon, it was the title I called him by. I hadn't said that to him in a long time and now for me, who had proclaimed their love to them not long ago, to be calling him that, I hoped it would send him a sign that I wanted to be left alone. But it seemed my attempt was for nothing as Maxon reached up to cup my cheek, as though he didn't remember the events of this morning. I quickly backed away, like he was poison to me. My heart beat faster as I finally looked up into his eyes that were filled with heart break.

"America, you have never once told me about a cousin! You are putting yourself in danger!" Maxon shouted angrily, which seemed strange to me as he wouldn't care about my fate after what I had done. "If anything happened to you -"

"You made your choice, Your Highness." I said as I tried to hold back the tears. "You didn't want me in your sight two hours ago and now you suddenly care? I'm sorry, but you made this choice. You don't want me, you want Kriss."

As we stood there, I saw Maxon's heart break. It seemed that after all of the anger from this morning, he didn't want to give up on us even though we couldn't be us anymore.

"America, I-" he started as he began to move towards me.

"Stop." I commanded, looking him directly in the eye, "Please, you chose Kriss - not me."

It seemed like repeating his choice to him was to only way to make him see that we were truly over. I went to walk past him but he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me close so that our faces were nearly touching. I could feel his hot breath on my face as I maintained eye contact with him. I tried to remain strong and diffuse the situation as Maxon was clearly confused - why would he want to be near me otherwise?

"It's over Your Highness. You believed our love wasn't real and you hate me-"

Before I could finish that sentence, I found Maxon's lips on mine. I didn't respond at first but my heart soon over took all logic and I returned the kiss. It was unlike any other kiss we had ever shared. This was full of anger and frustration when we had only kissed out of happiness in a time long ago. As we kissed my head took back control over my sense again and I forced myself away from him.

"I will never hate you America." he said quietly with a tear forming in his eye.

"Then you will never be able to move on." I replied sadly.

I knew that he would try to check in on me while he still had these feelings towards me. But this put him in danger and I knew that the Southern Rebels would use this to their advantage. Knowing what I had to to I walked towards my door, opened it slowly and looked back towards the man I loved.

"I hate you Maxon Schreave. I always will."

With that I left the room, never to return.

Present Day

It was hot and noisy in the Great Hall. I had forgotten just how hectic these things could be! Even though the ball was themed around the stars, I felt like I was drowning. I never would be able to understand how I had enjoyed these during my stay. Annoyingly, I hadn't been given an attendance list and had sent Andrew to get one - who clearly had wanted to get out of the hall.

As I looked around, I vaguely recognised some of the girls who had attended but I couldn't remember their names. Some seemed so familiar but my memory of the other contestants had faded during my time away. It seemed that I could remember events but not always the people's faces. I sipped my drink as I skirted the hall, avoiding all eye contact and checking that guards were in position. The chandelier glittered above me and shone like the moon. I couldn't fault the designers, it was beautiful.

Suddenly Andrew sprung up behind me, holding a brown folder. Without saying anything, he gave me the folder and backed away into the corner to work on keeping the area secure. I was thankful that I had the lists now, I may have been able to work out why they were holding the ball in the first place. Spotting a vacant seat, I walked towards it - crashing into a girl on my path.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologized as I backed away from the girl, without looking up.

"Just watch where your going." The girl snapped - though her voice sounded familiar.

I snuck a look up and was horrified at who I saw - Celeste. It seemed that she had become more rebellious and styled a pixie cut. But this was not what annoyed me, it was her attitude. She looked at me like I was dirt and it hurt to see that she had become the person I hated again. I chose not to respond and continued on my path towards my savior - the chair.

Just before I could sink down into the soft cushions a voice called out for all to stand. The Royals had finally decided to make their entrance after I had been there for over an hour already. They all seemed so elegant in their gowns and suits – even young Madeline looked lovely in an age appropriate dress. I smiled as I watched her take a chair next to her mother – who still seemed very pale under her makeup. On the other hand, Maxon looked like he hadn't slept in days. I cursed myself for telling him that piece of information earlier – all that had happened on that fateful day must have fallen into place for him.

I kept quiet as the King stood to make a speech. Everyone looked at him as he cleared his throat and scanned the room. We made eye contact for only a minute before he moved away.

"Welcome all to this reunion today. I would like to thank all of the former Selection participants for travelling to join us to mark the 7th anniversary of the Prince and Princess' marriage!"

That was today? Brilliant time to make Maxon depressed America! I thought to myself as I listened on.

But it also occurred to me who the guests were and why the King had wanted to throw the party – meaning I had no use for the lists and no reason to sit alone during the celebration which had now become extremely awkward for me.

"But unfortunately, this day of happiness has been tainted with distressing news."

Crap. Please don't let this be about the rebels! Worriedly, I tried to signal to the King to stop talking, but it was no use.

"We received news a few days ago which I feel we must share with you all. The former Lady America died five years ago. We as a family were shocked by her sudden departure and hope you will join us in wishing her family well."

I stood in shock as I recounted what had just happened. The King had announced my death publicly without consulting me – the one who had told him of my fake death! All around me, I heard the gasps and cries from many of the girls around me. I looked towards Celeste to see her crying. Behind me I heard a sob that sounded all too familiar. Turning quickly, I turned to find Marlee standing with a tray. I stood still in shock - she was till living at the palace? It hadn't occurred to me that she had never been told as I assumed that Aspen would have informed her- but clearly Aspen had changed more than I realised. I wanted to hug her but I would have been a stranger so I refrained from doing it. Looking back towards the Royals, it was very clear that none of them had expected this either. I could not describe how much effort it took for me not to run to the stage and strangle Clarkson at that Clarkson continued on, it was obvious that no one was in a partying mood. The King must have sensed the sombre tone because he invited Amberly to join him in a dance. As they twirled around the floor, many couples joined them and soon the audience's interest had turned away from my death – thankfully.

My keen eye soon noticed that Maxon was not on the dance floor and was instead going towards the door behind me. Nervously. I followed him as I was unaware of his intentions. But he moved to quickly and I soon lost track of him in the never-ending maze of corridors. I stopped to fix my dress, which I kept stepping on, and heard sobs coming from around the corridor. I approached quietly, to find Maxon curled up against the wall sobbing.

Without thinking, I sat down next to him and put my arm around him. He froze under my touch until we made eye contact. I didn't know why he was crying: but all I knew was that the Prince didn't just cry over anything. We sat on the floor together until Maxon's breathing slowed and I moved away to give him some room. We had seemed to reach an understanding that we were friends that had joined together over the loss of my former self.

I couldn't comprehend why he was crying but he seemed to sense that I wanted to ask.

"I should have chosen her." he gulped, "Maybe she wouldn't be dead now if I had ignored my pride."

"I don't blame you for choosing Kriss, you thought your relationship was fake." I replied, looking at him sadly. "But she chose to go to protect you."

Maxon looked at me with a confused look. It seemed that he truly believed that "America" hated him and to hear me say that I had chose to protect him after saying this was bound to be a shock.

"Tell me what happened to her."