My mind was racing. First Celeste, and now Kriss. I knew Kris's wasn't exactly an ally, but at the very least I had expected her trust me. Did everyone in the palace assume something had happened between Maxon and me? My face was flaming. So much for being composed.
"Kriss, nothing happened," I finally managed. "Why would you think that?"
"You were a goner, America." Kriss' eyes were filled with hatred. I suddenly realized how serious the Selection had become since Maxon kept me. I had never seen Kriss-gentle Kriss- look so furious.
"After your stunt with the Report, there was no way you were going to stay," Kriss was saying. "Really, America, it was like you were trying to get yourself executed! You tore apart our nation on television. There was no way Maxon could let you stay after that! I thought-" She broke off, and started to cry. Instinctively, I reached out a hand to comfort her, but she swatted it away. I reached into the pocket of my dress, and found a handkerchief. Kriss accepted it after a moment, wiping away her tears. Her crying didn't stop.
"I thought I had a chance," she said weakly between sobs. "For one shining moment, I knew I could be the Queen. Maxon's wife." Kriss looked so fragile in that moment, I almost couldn't blame her or being so worried about Maxon.
Her sobs quieted after a moment. Kriss sat up straighter, suddenly serious. For one brief moment, I wondered if the crying had been an act. My stomach twisted slightly with concern.
"So of course, what was I to think? There really is nothing you could have said to him to fix this.
"You've been talking to Celeste, haven't you?" This wasn't what I needed at this point. Celeste was determined to take me out no matter what. Having Kriss side with her was dangerous at this point in the game.
"We all had a meeting after the incident, America. We're very upset over this. We want to go to Maxon and protest, but we don't want him to send us home instead. We remember what happened with Janelle," she added bitterly.
I needed to get Kriss to calm down, and fast. I wasn't worried as much about what Celeste and Elise thought, but I needed Kriss to believe me.
"Kriss," I finally said, "do you love Maxon?" I knew the answer, but she needed to realize it.
She looked at me, her face full of astonishment; perhaps a little angry I dared to question her. "I do, America. I really, really do."
"So...do you trust him?"
Kriss pondered my words silently. I could see the realization crossing her face. Not believing me would mean not believing Maxon. Nervously, she played with her skirt again. She looked up at me, sizing me up. "Tell me everything," she demanded.
I settled onto the bench, and tried to look comfortable. "I was sure I was done for," I said softly. It hurt to remember that moment- that stretch of time where I had realized the magnitude of my actions. I had been so foolish. "I returned to my room to pack. Maxon came to see me." My words were rehearsed, but Kriss had no way of knowing that.
"He asked me to come to the gardens with him- he was angry, I think. He took me the long way so nobody would see me. On our way, received word of the Rebel attack, but by then, it was too late- they were right there. Maxon...got hit by some rubble. His back. He was injured and bleeding." I was oh so dangerously close to the truth, but Maxon's pain had been noticeable. The Rebels had been his cover story. Kriss had the appropriate action: horror. I heard her gasp. It probably hadn't been the first time she had heard it, but it brought fresh pain.
"I couldn't leave him," I continued. "I had remembered guards checking out a hide away after the last attack, and it was close. I helped Maxon get in there, and figured out how to get in there. We shut the door before any Rebels saw where we had gone."
"Thank goodness," breathed Kriss.
"We were lucky- there was a medical kit in there. I helped Maxon patch up his back. "Kriss hissed in displeasure. "I had to, Kriss, he asked me to! We didn't know how long we would be there, and they could have been infected." This calmed her, more from worry about Maxon.
"And then...Maxon gave me a piece of his mind."
Kriss' eyes widened. "I've never seen him angry," she whispered.
Kriss was buying my story. Relief flooded through my body. "Never get on his bad side, Kriss. It's scary."
"What happened next?" I could hear the suspicion return to her voice.
"We talked."
"You do that a lot, don't you." Kriss sounded irritated, as though she had been expecting a confession from me.
"We had a lot to say, Kriss."
Kriss gave a little laugh. "You really expect me to believe that's all that happened?"
I straightened up and glared at her. "No. I expect you to believe the man you're trying to marry."
Again, I could see Kriss was at a loss for words. She must have known I was right.
"Don't believe me. I don't care, Kriss." I didn't. I wasn't going to argue with someone who would never listen to me. Maxon and I knew what happened. That was all that mattered. "But if you want to stand a chance against me, you need to learn to trust Maxon." She didn't realize how true those words were. For one moment, I wanted to tell her everything, but deep down I knew she would use anything like that against me at this point.
"I don't know what to believe, America." Kriss stared off towards the edge of the garden. "I want to trust you. It seems like Maxon does, anyways. I just don't understand how you saving Maxon is enough to keep you in the palace."
"I didn't make that decision. I don't know what made Maxon change his mind."
"I'm sure," muttered Kriss.
I rose, feeling annoyed. I couldn't believe I had just tried to help Kriss, only to have her continue her accusations against me.
"Wait!" Kriss grabbed my arm. "Don't go yet."
"What is it, Kriss?" I snapped.
"I still need you. As a friend."
I was momentarily speechless. "You drag me out here and make accusations about me, despite the fact I tried to help you, and you want me to be friendly towards you?"
"America," pleaded Kriss. "I don't know what to believe. It's so odd, but at the same time, I don't think Maxon would do that. And I don't know you. I don't know what you're like. Have you had a boyfriend before?"
"Once," I admitted. "But he broke my heart. I could never do that to someone, Kriss" I pulled away, ready to leave.
"I need to be friends with you. For Maxon. He likes you."
"Really? I thought he kept me here for entertainment." I was angry. Kriss was being incredibly two- faced. I had had enough.
"America." Her voice was desperate. "Maxon would be happy if we could get along."
"Maxon would be happy if you didn't accuse us of illegal things."
"Something happened, America, that's given you some kind of advantage!"
"Would you stop thinking of everything as an advantage!" My voice was loud and powerful, and echoed across the gardens. Anne would have been proud. Kriss was shocked to hear me raise my voice.
"Neither of us got to be here by having special advantages, Kriss." My voice was softer as I continued. "We've been ourselves this entire time. Maxon loves us for who we are, not because we fight dirty. Something did happen that night, but not the scandal you keep expecting." The words were tumbling out of my mouth at this point. "We talked about how we really felt about each other. We talked about everyone here and what made us work, and we talked about trust. Something you need to learn about. If you love that man, you trust him. And if you want to make secret pacts with me, you trust me. I will be civil to you until you learn that, but certainly not your friend. Good day," I added.
Because it was lady-like.
I stormed back into the palace, daring anyone to say anything to me. My mind was racing and my blood was boiling. I felt like an idiot for trying to help Kriss, and at the same time I was so furious with her for not listening to me. I could have ripped Celeste to shreds if I had seen her for planting this idea. Instead, the person I saw was the person I really needed to see.
Maxon.
He was speaking intently to the palace guards. He looked so serious and mildly frustrated, running his fingers through his hair as he talked to them. He turned slightly, and caught sight of me.
It was like an entirely different Maxon. Instantly, the frown lines on his forehead melted away, and a small smile played at his lips. His entire posture relaxed. He continued to talk to the soldiers, but I could see him glance in my direction every so often.
Despite my anger, I felt myself smile. I waited for him to glance my way again. Gently, I tugged on my ear.
Maxon didn't tug back. Instead, he shook hands with the soldiers he had been speaking to, and headed over to me. His arms reached out, as if to hug me, but he stopped short, remembering people could see him.
"Is everything all right?" he asked quietly, frowning slightly at me. Gently, he rubbed his hand across my forehead. "You look upset." He let his hand rest on my cheek, and I enjoyed its comforting feeling for a moment.
"I have something to ask you," I responded quietly. "But not here."
Maxon smiled at me. "Right this way, my dear."
I opened my mouth to scold him, but stopped short when I saw the mocking grin on his face. I couldn't help but grin back.
Maxon led me through a hallway and stopped in a little alcove. He put his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. "How's your day going?"
I didn't want to move from his arms. The hug was needed. "I'm okay," I mumbled in to his shirt.
"What did you need to ask me?"
I looked up at him seriously.
"I need to see Marlee."
A/N Hello from my new apartment! This is so weird. I have an apartment. And my own room for the first time in five years.
I start animation school on Monday! But the good news is, I've started the next chapter. Thank you for all the reviews and follows…I hope you're enjoying this. What did you think of this chapter? It has purpose, but I wasn't sure about the flow... LOVE YOU ALL.