CHAPTER 13 - Training
I woke up and reported to Lauren. It was time for my training to begin. It started with exercise. I was in pretty good shape from being a Five, so Lauren had me do some push-ups and other strengthening exercises. Then it was time to train in physical combat. We started with a sword, and Lauren showed me the proper ways to fight. Then she brought out an assortment of guns. I did some target practice, and it turns out I was really good in combat. We took a break for lunch, and I shoveled in eggs and ham, our meal. Zach told me that the meal was usually a healthy salad, but when they got new recruits, they always celebrated. After lunch I got back ti training, working in hand to hand combat. Lauren found a few people for me to practice fighting against, and, surprisingly, I won every time. At the end of the day, Lauren approached me.
"You are a very skilled fighter, which is surprising considering your lack of training. From now on, your status is Valley." She walked away, leaving me with my jaw hanging open. I was surprised I could fight at all. I walked back to my room slowly. Zach was waiting at the door and I told him about the day's events.
MAXON POV
Since America was obviously not going to come back anytime soon, I dedicated all my time to Kriss. Kriss was loyal, I tried to tell myself. I was walking down the hall alone, when Celeste came out of the shadows and grabbed my arm, then pulled me back into her room and slammed the door.
"What happened to America? She's gone for a minute and you latch onto Kriss? What's wrong with you?" She was whisper screaming this in my face.
"Actually Celeste, America's been using me. She thinks she can wrap me around her finger, disappear, then expect me to come and find her? Not gonna happen." She looked shocked as I stormed out the door.
"This is all King Clarkson's fault," she muttered under her breath.
"What did you just say?" I whirled around to face her.
"This is all your father's fault. He caught America up in one of his dirty schemes, and now you're doing exactly what he wants to happen." I was shocked into silence.
"Is that really true? That my father did this?" I was ready to run into his office and hurt him should Celeste say it was true.
"Yes, but don't tell your father you know." I didn't want to ask what he had threatened.
"I've got to go find America." I ran out of the room.
"Yes you do." I heard her yell after me.
AMERICA POV
I became friends with some of the other Valley status rebels. My closest friends were Christie and Summer. Zach was also a friend, although he was a status above us. We trained every day. I was always exhausted by the time we went to bed. We had moved away from combat training and had started agility training. This meant going through dark courses and laser mazes. I loved this part of my training. I did wonder though, if Maxon had gotten my note and was looking for me. I hoped so.
MAXON POV
I needed to find America. Kriss was acting weird lately and I didn't like it. She was getting a little too... seductive. Last night to dinner, her dress was very low around the neckline and there was a slit going from her upper thigh to the ground. Her entire right leg was exposed! I was not used to Kriss like this, nor did I appreciate it. It was like she and Celeste had switched places. Now Kriss was the one trying to be sexy while Celeste was dressed in a simple, light pink gown. I looked at the letter from America again. I felt like her location was just beyond my reach, like if I stretched my arm and tried to grab it, my fingers could touch the edge, but never pull it to me.