The next chapter is here! I hope you like it.

America POV:

The school was abuzz the next morning. Celeste had quickly come to my rescue. Grabbing my arm with a tight grip and staring down those who whispered. I couldn't say I wasn't thankful, though her grip was bordering on painful. Once we had passed the hallway she turned to me with excited eyes "So," her eyes were gleaming with mischief. I was a little worried. "How'd it go with Maxon?"

"How do you know about that?"

" I may or may not have answered when he asked if you liked him?"

"Celeste! What about Kriss."

"He broke up with her! That's what everyone's talking about. And you can't deny that he's cute." I blush.

"Well, he's not bad, but…"

"But you love him," she finishes. I chuckle.

"But I barely know him." She sighs exaggeratedly.

"Whatever you say. But he's a softy on the inside. Trust me one day, you'll have twins running around and you'll thank me." The bell rings and I shake my head grinning.

"If the day ever happens, I'll buy you a cake." I say as we start to part ways for 1st Period. She turns around laughing.

"I'm holding you to that America." I laugh again as the she immerses herself into the flow of students. Marlee bombards me the minute I step into the classroom. It seemed as if Celeste had told her too based on the questions. And it seemed Marlee wasn't the only one who knew Maxon and I had hung out. All through class I could feel Kriss and her friends giving me the stink eye the entire time.

I didn't care or give notice. They could stare all they wanted. I wasn't changing. I shuffled to my locker and someone was already waiting for me. Grinning cheekily, leaning at my lockers. I smiled a little then hid it, walking to my locker my expression stolid.

"Hey."

"Hello, my dear," Maxon grins. I flip open my locker a little too forcefully and it swings and slams against Maxon's leg. He winces, groaning a little. I gasp covering my mouth.

"Oh my god, Maxon, I'm so sorry. I didn't…"

"It's okay," he breathes out through gritted teeth. I cross my arms staring him down.

"I told you not to call me dear."

"Trust me, I will not be calling you that anytime soon." He takes a deep breath and rights himself. I shove my folder into my bag and throw it over my shoulder. Carefully closing the locker, I turn back to him. His cheeky grin tells me he's fine.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I've had worse, America."

"May I walk you to Psychology."

"Such a gentleman," I chuckle.

"I try."

Maxon POV:

We walked in silence, much to my disappointment. I think she warming up to me. Hough she had slammed a locker into my thigh. I glanced at her. She was truly beautiful. A natural, sort of hidden beauty that you couldn't draw your eyes away from. And her hair, her personality was just as fiery as her red hair. I had never met someone so determined.

As they walked into class he caught the eyes of two people. One was Celeste who winked and me, to which I smiled back. The other was Kriss, who glared at me, to which I became suddenly interested in the floor. I had broken up with her. But it wasn't because of America. I had wanted to after she had gotten possessive with me. She was nice, but maybe not my type.

I slipped into my seat beside America as the teacher walks in. Ms. Silvia was a young teacher who had been friends with my father for years, Maybe that's why she expected so much of me. But it wasn't always fun. Especially when she reported even the slightest drops in my grade to my father.

"Alright class," she began, her authoritative voice commanding the attention of the class. We all turned to her. " The next thing we will be working on is a project that will be worth half your grade." The class erupted into nervous whispers. "Quiet, class. You will work on this project in groups. You will all make a presentation on the common behaviors, coping methods, studies, and conscious and unconscious phenomena for different occurrences. They will be vague and in your group you should split up to work on different tasks."

The class again been whispering and she slammed her ruler onto the desk impatiently. "I have already assigned groups…." she rambled on with names and topics until finally…

"Maxon, America, Marlee, and Celeste, you four will be observing dating." I turned and saw America smiling at me. I smiled back, excitement bubbling in my chest. When she was done reading the groups Marlee and Celeste came to join us. I could feel Kriss's gaze at the back of my head. I ignored her and instead focused on the group in front of me. Celeste immediately began talking, taking charge.

" So how about we split up and observe phenomenons in women and men."

"I think that's fine," America says and Marlee and I nod our agreement. I raise my hand quickly.

"I'll take guys."

"And Celeste and I will take women. America will work with you." I turned my head little to see America glaring at her two friends. I grinned sheepishly, and then turned to America as Marlee and Celeste began making plans for their part. America turned to me, scratching something on the corner of her paper.

"I'm sorry that…" she looked up suddenly.

"No, no it's fine really. I just didn't like how they didn't discuss this with me...before." She glared quickly at Marlee then turned back to me. " Do you want to come over to my house tomorrow afternoon."

I smiled. "Yes."

America POV:

I rush downstairs as the doorbell rings. "Coming." I throw open the door the minute my feet hit the ground. Maxon's smiling face greets me.

"Ready?"

"No."

We get to work immediately. At least that's what I wish we would have done. Instead, Gerad's soccer ball comes barreling out of the living room and hits Maxon in the shin. He winces a little but then laughs. Gerad runs into the room after it, apologizes quickly then leaves. I smile a little sheepishly. Should I have warned him about this? That my house was a zoo sometimes. With five children, how could it not be?

I close the door behind Maxon and lead him into the living room. My face burns a little as he takes in the mess of the room. Games and toys lay scattered around the room, an unfolded blanket on the couch. Instead he grins and sits back, taking out his books with a smile on his face. I gaze curiously at him.

He catches my look, "What?"

I blush a little. "I'm sorry. I just didn't expect...I didn't expect that you would like my house. It's kinda small and...loud."

He chuckles. "I like it. I'm a only child, remember. Sometimes my house feels too big. And sometimes the silence is...lonely." There's a sadness again. The same kind I had seen at the playground. I sat down next to him. And the smile was back as I pulled open my computer.

"Well, we better get to researching." He laughed.

"Yeah."

I have to say that we worked well. Within two hours we had accumulated enough research for our part of the project. I sighed as we closed our laptops and textbooks. He chuckled at me.

"Yes," I smiled, "We finish the research." He nodded a bit sadly and stood, starting to pack his stuff up.

" I should go."

"You can stay for dinner if you want," I offered. And if I had been honest, maybe I would have realized that I didn't want him to leave. At least not yet. He shook his head and gave me a small smile.

"I should get back." I relented and led him to the door.

"Bye." He stepped out of the door. I watched as he got into his car and his engine roared to life. I watched the shadow of his car recede down the street. My heart seemed to have started to forget about my vow.

Maxon POV:

2 DAYS LATER

I chewed slowly. Father was supposed to be at lunch today. I had to ask him if America could come to our home that day. I would have her come without asking, but that would result in him finding out. And getting angry.

The door opens suddenly and Father and Mother step into threshold. Mother is smiling as she sits down, Father is not. They sit down, our maids bringing out their dishes. We eat is silence before the question pushes at my mouth.

"Father," I announce. I raise my head. Sometimes I think if I appear strong enough, maybe I'll be strong enough.

He raises his face, grimacing. I take it as his way of telling me he is listening. " I need to have a girl over for a project."

"A girl?" My mother grins knowingly. I blush a little, I hadn't realized that was my first mistake.

"What is her name," my father's voice echoes around the hall.

"America Singer."

"America Singer? Singer. Her father is a painter. They are much too poor for the like of you. Her father speaks against me you know. You are not allowed to associate with this useless girl."

My jaw tightens. Who is he to tell me who to see? I can feel anger festering in my gut. The grip on my fork tightens. I know what speaking out would do, but I couldn't hold it in.

"She's not useless father." His eyes darken as he looks up at me. My back aches as if his glare is reminder enough. He stands, his chair skidding loudly.

"Son, I must see you in my office." Fear settled into my stomach as I rose silently from my chair. My mother stared at us wide eyed. My father gave her a small smile.

" Excuse us, Amberly. We will be back in a moment." I wanted to jump into her arms and beg her to not let him take me away. Instead, I composed myself and strode after my father. I would not give up. Not now. Because America might not love me but I did care for her. And I would not give that up. I could handle this. Or else he'd take her.

Hey guys! I hope you liked it! Don't forget to comment if you did. I'll try to update as soon as possible. And check out my other story What Could Have Been. Love you all!

-Fae