Attention, readers:

I will not be reading The One until after I finish with school.

Please, no spoilers!

Thank you! 3

I lay in my bed the next morning for a bit. It was still early- I could tell by the dim sunlight coming in thought my windows- but for some reason, I wasn't tired. I was a bit lonely, though. My bed felt empty after having Maxon lying beside me last night. I didn't really want to move, just lay there in bed, remembering Maxon's arms around me, and how comforting it had been.

From across the room, somebody whispered, "She's awake!" Lazily, I opened my eyes to find Anne, Mary, and Lucy peering at me. Their expressions were grim.

I frowned at them. "Are you all right?"

Anne snorted. "Of course, you would ask about us. We'll be all right, Lady America. Right now, our concern is you. You have an incredibly busy day today." She stepped aside, revealing a breakfast tray. "You're to take breakfast in here today, and at ten you need to be in the Women's Room." Behind her, Mary and Lucy were sitting somberly. I hadn't seen them that distressed since Marlee's caning. It took a moment for the night before to catch up with me. Oh. Their expressions probably had something to do with that.

Mary carried my breakfast tray over, while Anne readjusted my pillows for me to sit up better. "The city of Angeles burned to the ground last night," said Anne softly. "The entire nation is in mourning."

"Other things happened, too," piped Lucy. "They won't tell us exactly what, though. There are only rumors."

"What kind of rumors?" I asked, curiously. This could be the answer to what was bothering Maxon last night.

"More fires and deaths," said Mary, setting a cup of tea on my night table. "A lot of soldiers have been sent out to investigate. The king had to send some of the castle guards, from what we've heard. We're running out of people. You're not permitted to travel by yourself today, understood?" I could see the look she was giving me, silently asking me not to wander off to see Maxon. I gave her my best reassuring smile. Today probably wasn't the best day to visit Maxon, anyways. He had seemed pretty stressed when he had been here.

I picked at my breakfast. I wasn't really that hungry- just antsy. My maids hardly spoke as they dressed me in a very simple dress. Lucy pulled my hair back in a braid. Elegance clearly wasn't the theme today. It was like the Selection wasn't happening

As though she had read my mind, Anne patted my shoulder and spoke up. "Today is going to be about a different impression, America. Remember everything you've been studying these past few weeks, all right?" I nodded, mutely, but it was not all right. The thought scared me more than anything.

My maids finished getting me ready, and finally left me in peace. True to their word about not leaving me alone, they left Lucy with me. To her credit, she seemed to sense that I was anxious about the day to come. She settled herself by the door with some knitting. When she caught me looking, she held up the pink concoction.

"We were talking about your darling sister this morning," she explained. "Do you think she'd like this scarf when it's finished?"

"I don't think she'll ever take it off," I chuckled. "Especially since you made it. She adored you." I felt a momentary pang of regret, remembering

Lucy's grin was huge. "Your sister is such a sweet-heart. I miss having her around." She set down her knitting for a moment. "You know, every time we were alone, she wanted to know all about you and how you acted around here. I think she wanted to be just like you." There was a tone to Lucy's voice, very subtle so I almost missed it- longing. I wondered if Lucy wanted a sister of her own.

Lucy was staring at me. I smiled at her. "I wish she were here, too. I worry about her all the time."

Lucy patted my hand. "You know, Maxon will look after her. I know that after last night, he sent extra guards to the families of the Selected. Just to be safe."

"He did?" Relief flooded through my body. "I'm so glad."

"Maxon will take care of you," nodded Lucy. "Hey, would you like me to make you a scarf as well? Or anything?"

"I don't think I need a scarf in the Palace, but I'm sure May would love it if we matched." I winked at Lucy. "Maybe you should make one for yourself, too."

This caused Lucy to blush. "Maybe," she stammered. "We'll see." She returned to her knitting, leaving me in silence.

I sat on my bed, twitching my foot nervously. Lucy telling me about Maxon sending out more guards had reassured me, but I still couldn't help feeling anxious. I was envious of Lucy- she looked pretty absorbed in her knitting. I needed a distraction. I needed to get out of the palace for a few minutes, just to walk around and breathe- but that wasn't happening. I was pretty sure the air outside would still smell of smoke. Wandering around inside was out of the question as well, with all the increased security.

If I were at home, I knew exactly what I would do to relax. I crossed the room to find the violin I had been using during my stay. We hadn't been rich as Fives, but I had loved what I did. Music always made me feel better. I drew the bow across the strings, enjoying the sound it made. And then, I began to play.

I started with a few familiar songs- the song my father used to hum as he worked, the first song I had ever performed by myself. Next I launched into one of May's favorite, stealing a glance at Lucy as I played. I could see her bobbing her head in time, a small smile on her face. Seeing her like that made me feel better.

After the final notes of the song faded, I sat on the piano bench to think. I had really liked Marlee's idea of writing a song for Maxon. I had written songs before- for special occasions, some of our wealthier clients would pay a decent price for personalized songs. But this would be different. I had never written something this- well, special. It had to come from the heart, not a client's specifications.

I played a few experimental notes, closing my eyes to absorb the sound. The result was too bright. I frowned internally. It wasn't what I wanted. It was too- well, cheerful. Not that Maxon didn't make me happy; I just didn't want to express that feeling. Maxon already knew that I was happy with him. I needed to express much more.

The song had to tell him everything. I switched into a minor key, giving the song a sad, yet hopeful sound. That was an important feeling. Hope that this would end well. Hope that even if it didn't, everything would still be okay. (And even though he would never know it, hope that Celeste wouldn't win.)

I worked on the song for the better part of an hour, stopping every so often to close my eyes and focus on Maxon and how I felt when he was around. The sound of hope soon grew into elation. The notes that had started so seriously, grew quick and playful, the sound of pure joy. I lost myself in the sound, letting the notes form an image in my mind. Maxon. Everything was about Maxon.

I had forgotten about Lucy guarding the door until I stopped playing. As I tenderly dusted the rosin off the wood of the violin, she sighed loudly. "That was beautiful."

I turned, trying not to found blush. I found Lucy wiping a tear off her cheek. "Are you all right?" I asked softly, trying not to spook her.

Lucy nodded. "Don't worry about me, miss," she responded with a slight hiccup. "Your song just made me remember things."

I felt a pang of sadness. Lucy had been in love once. It probably still stung. I knew what it felt like- I had been in her position of heartbreak once.

Well, almost.

I crossed the room, picking up a handkerchief from my vanity table. I handed it to Lucy as I sat on the floor beside her.

"You'll wrinkle your dress," Lucy mumbled as she dabbed at her eyes.

"I think it will live," I said firmly. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Lucy nodded. "I just… I know I can't have what I had before. I just hope I can feel that way about someone else again someday. The way you feel about Maxon."

I wordlessly put my arm around her, and she leaned on my shoulder, much like May used to after a bad dream. We didn't move or speak. We didn't need to. We just sat there in silence until Anne returned and scolded me for mussing up my dress.

Celeste and I arrived at the Women's Room at the same time. She pretended not to see me, knocking me sideways as she pushed her way in. Kriss came up behind me and straightened me up.

"It's too early for this," she muttered.

"No kidding." I wondered if Kriss knew where Maxon had gone after he had walked her to her room last night. I think that if she had, she wouldn't have been as friendly towards me. We entered the Women's Room together, and seated ourselves as far away from Celeste as possible. Our distance didn't seem to make a difference to her, for as soon as she settled down, she started to whine.

"I feel so dried out today from that smoke. I think I should request a different room. These are unsuitable living conditions. I expected a lot better from the palace. And that smell? I can't breathe!"

"If only that were true," Kriss whispered to me. "Then we'd be rid of her." I couldn't fight the giggle, and Kriss joined in. From across the room, Celeste glowered at us.

"Ladies." A sharp voice caused us to immediately sit up. Sylvia entered, carrying a messy stack of papers. She looked absolutely frazzled, like she hadn't gotten much sleep. I could see the makeup around her eyes was ever so slightly off, and a few hairs were falling out of her bun.

"Good morning," she said shortly.

"Good morning," we chorused. Sylvia dropped a few of her papers.

"Tonight is a Report. I need you ladies to listen closely to what I am about to say." She looked at us sternly.

"There is nothing you have to do to prepare for the Report tonight. You will not be asked any questions. However, everything you do will be heavily scrutinized, so there are some things to remember. " She launched into a lecture about behavior. I tried my best to hang on to her every word, but movement from across the room caught my eye. Celeste wasn't paying attention at all. She was busy playing with her hair and looking out the window. I glanced over at Kriss, and found her staring at Celeste as well.

Sylvia's voice interrupted my train of thought. "The most important thing about this evening is appearances, and I'm not talking about behavior. I'm talking about how you look. Tonight will not be about standing out from everyone else, or trying to grab attention. This is not the time for silly power plays." She stressed the word 'not'. "You need to dress tastefully. We are facing a national tragedy. Dress respectfully." Sylvia paused to smile in my direction. "Lady America is a good example. You ladies may look down on her for her conservative dressing, but a princess always knows what is appropriate attire."
I blushed under Sylvia's praise. From across the room, I heard Celeste whisper "Or maybe she just has no fashion sense. She's a Five."

"She's not a Five any longer," said Sylvia sharply. "It has nothing to do with fashion sense, either. Its about common sense. Now, dress appropriately, or you won't be appearing on the Report. Does anyone have any question?" Her voice was beginning to lose its usual strictness.

After a moment of silence, Kriss raised her hand timidly. "Where's Elise?"

I frowned. Elise had been so quiet lately; I hadn't even noticed her absence. It was surprising- considering how close we were to the end of the Selection, missing a meeting like this didn't seem like a very good idea. I glanced over at the other girls- first at Kriss, who seemed concerned for her friend; and then over at Celeste, who looked smug. Something wasn't right.

Sylvia clucked her tongue. "She's indisposed. Don't you worry about her. Focus on poise tonight." She nodded, waving her hand to dismiss us.

"Come over to my room," Kriss whispered. "I need to talk to you."

I gave a quick nod to let her know I heard her. She sounded like she didn't want Celeste to hear. Celeste swept past us, her nose in the air. I began to follow her out, thinking about returning to my room for a bit to play violin, when Sylvia stopped me. "America, dear. You are dining with the royal family this evening."

I stopped short. Part of me was pleased that I would get to see Maxon today…but that also came with seeing the King. The last few times I had seen him had not gone over well.

Sylvia patted my arm sympathetically. "Don't worry, dear. You'll be all right. It's just dinner."

I headed to my room, thinking that somehow, it was much more.

A/N Hey friends. Aiming to have the next chapter up in two weeks. I really would like to get on a two-week update schedule! Thanks for sticking with me!