Ch. 4
As soon as I get to my room I fall into a restless sleep
I eventually do fall asleep but wake up to my maids shaking me awake.
"Lady, wake up" Anne says
"What? What I'm up. What's up?" I say stretching
"The report is going to be at 6 today instead of 8, for the ball" Lucy says
"It's about 4:30, we want to make you stunning for this one." Mary says. Wow I slept that long and no one got me up?
"What? I don't look stunning right now?" I ask laughing while playing with my hair
"Oh my, lets just get started dear" Mary says also laughing and rolling her eyes.
They prepare me a lovely warm bath, but don't let me sit in it for long, to "save time" for me to get ready.
After I'm in my robe they Automatically start my makeup doing a little more than usual. Instead of eyeshadow the apply a shimmery gold eyeliner and dark mascara making my eyes pop. They then apply a light nude shade to my lips.
For my hair I ask to have it kept down, I always preferred it down more.
So they brush my hair out and have it drop down in to nice curls.
Next was my dress, they tied cloth around my face-making sure not to ruin my curls so they can surprise me. As they put me into it, I feel the nice silk lay against my skin.
When their done they un-blindfold me and let me see my dress. I almost faint of how gorgeous it is. It's a beautiful lavender color that fits snugly on my chest, and has cupped sleeves that lightly hang off my shoulders. It then flares out right in the middle of my ribs. (This dress is supposed to be like the purple one taylorswift wears in her "begin again"music video)
"Stunning" I say spinning around the room in it.
"America you should get going, it's 5:30 right now, you may want to check the decorations for the ball. " Lucy says, suddenly breaking me from my daze.
"Oh my gosh! Your right! I'll see you girls tonight" I say while running out the door.
As soon as I get to the ball room i see Marlee pacing back and forth impatiently.
"I'm sorry Marlee, I slept in late again." I say running to her.
"Your lucky they did everything right." She says making arm gestures showing off the room. She was right they did. There were bright red table cloths on each table and white roses In the middle.
"Your right Marlee, it's incredible"
"Yes it is, now lets get to the report." She says before we run down the halls to where the report is filmed.
We are nearly the last ones there and as i enter Josh gives me a warm smile. Maxon than whisper something to him.
We take our seats, Marlee is next to Elise and I'm next to Marlee on the end.
"Ok girls, Celeste you will be going first and then Kriss and so on down the line making America last. Everything you need will be set up for you when your get to the stage, so don't worry." I ignore the rest not really caring what else they had to say.
"Now lets give Lady Celeste a warm welcome as she performs her talent for us" Gravil says
Celeste then walks out and immediately starts performing a play. She speaks so fast I have no idea what she is saying, not only does she speak fast, she's running back and forth doing dramatic moves. It takes everything in me not to chuckle.
The rest of the performances go by fairly quickly. With Kriss and Natalie doing nearly the same thing-dancing. Elise performs poetry and Marlee bakes...I have no idea how they set that kitchen up so fast.
Now it's my turn. Josh is already over there warming up the guitar.
"Now last but not least, lady America performing a duet with None other than Prince Josh!" Gravil cheers. Everyone gives me funny looks but I brush them off and take the seat at the piano. Josh sits next to me on a stool with his guitar.
"Ready?" He Asks with an encouraging smile.
"As ready as I'll ever be" I answer back then start playing the first notes on the piano.
Josh starts on the guitar signaling its time for me to start singing. Which i do.
"Seems the only one who doesn't see your beauty
Is the face in the mirror looking back at you
You walk around here thinking you're not pretty
But that's not true, cause I know you..."
I sing slowly and steadily, I don't why I'm so nervous. I never am nervous while singing.
"Hold on, baby, you're losing it
The water's high, you're jumping into it
And letting go... and no one knows
That you cry, but you don't tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one
And you're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone"
Me and josh sing together like a perfect harmony. It's sounds a lot better than it did while practicing. Now he starts singing himself and god he's good.
"I guess it's true that love was all you wanted
Cause you're giving it away like it's extra change
Hoping it will end up in your pocket" he sings taking my breath away. Now we both join together to finish it out.
"But they leaves you out like a penny in the rain
Oh, cause it's not his price to pay
Not his price to pay..."
"Hold on, baby, you're losing it
The water's high, you're jumping into it
And letting go... and no one knows
That you cry, but you don't tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one
And you're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone
You're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone... oh
Goodbye, baby
With a smile, baby, baby" we finish out together. And then were done.
The crowds go wild. And I'm amazed... But then Josh grabs my hand with his and holds it up it the air,before we take a bow.
"You were lovely" he whispers in my ear
"As were you" I gently whisper back.
He then takes me back to my seat and walks back to his, so we can finish out the report.
"That was really good." Marlee says to me
"Thank you." I say while looking over at Maxon, who looks absolutely heart broken. I feel horrible.
And it's if he had felt me staring at him, he looks up at me with a sad smile and I slowly tug my ear. I see the finest flicker of hope flash through his eyes, as he hesitantly tugs his back.
It's time to work this mess out.
"I hope you all enjoyed this special event put together just for you! The people of Illea!" Gravil cheers. "But now on more serious note, is a announcement from your King" Gravil says before taking a step back and letting all the attention land on King Clarkson.
"As you all know, for the last few days the Royal Family of England have been visiting us..." He says doing a hand gesture towards them "well, as of last night they've agreed to sign a treaty to form an alliance with us, and has agreed to help us with the war in New Asia!"
What?! Oh my god! That's why they were here! I look over at Josh overjoyed! For years they have refused to help us, why now? He mouths 'your welcome' to me before turning his attention back to the king.
"They've agreed to help us, for you the innocent people of Illea, who's lives are threatened everyday to help save your country" he cheers. "Thank you all, and I believe that's all the time we have here! Have a goodnight!" He cheers again.
"And that's a wrap. We're off" a stage director shouts.
"Thank god" I mumble tired of smiling so hard.
I walk out of the room and run straight into Josh.
"Oh my god!" I cheer " we're no longer totally doomed in this war! Thank you so much! " I squeal while giving him a hug. He's surprised at first but soon embraces me back, his strong arms holding me tight.
" your very welcome dear" he says
I pull away saying "I better go change for your ball see you soon" i say running up the stairs.
No sooner when I get to my door do my maids pull me in and automatically start getting me ready. They freshen up my makeup and re-curl some of my hair. They also place three elegant white roses in my hair- looking like a crown of flowers.
Then I step into my dress. The beautiful ball gown they've made is breathtaking.
"Each girl down there is in a certain color." Anne beams.
"Yes red, silver, white, and green." Lucy says while tying the back of my dress up.
"All those colors were taken, so we decided to give you gold" Mary finishes.
My dress is a brilliant clash of gold and white. The top part is a sparkling gold color that fits snugly against my chest and is strapless. The bottom flares out right below my hips with the gold lightly fading into a white. And to top it all off a white rose is sown right by my hip. It looks astounding and not tacky at all
"Girls I'm breathless" I say dusting off imaginary dust.
"That's great we're all glad you like it." Anne says for them all.
"Well you best get going..." Lucy says shewing me out the door.
I make my way to the ballroom. Most the girls are there already. How do they get ready so damn fast? I think to myself. But sure enough there all in different colors but none in gold.
When I walk through the door it's like as if everything has stopped. Everyone is staring at me and I'm beginning to feel awkward.
I quickly make my way over to Marlee's table.
"That was weird" I say before sitting down.
"No, not really. You look amazing" she says while looking me up and down.
"Thanks so do you" I say back.
We sit there for a while talking and drinking some wine in between, when were cut of by prince Josh.
"Sorry to intrude, but Lady America may I have this dance?" He asks
"Of course, your highness" I say taking his hand. I see Marlee raise her eyebrows up and down and I just roll my eyes at her.
He leads me onto the floor and we begin to dance.
"You look absolutely breathtaking tonight" he says.
"Why thank you, as do you as well." I say back, not lying a bit he did.
"Ouch!" He says. I realize I've stepped on his foot.
"Sorry! I'm not a very good dancer!" I say back sheepishly
"I can tell, but don't worry I can teach you." He says before spinning me around the room quickly, leading us. We both laugh when he slows down
"You know doing that you make me look like a child trying to keep up with a amazing prince" I say between laughs.
"I'm sorry, I can't help that" he says laughing back. We suddenly bump into another couple dancing.
"Oh excuse us, we're sorry" we say in synch.
"It's ok" I hear a beaming Kriss say and quickly look away from Josh to see her dancing along with Maxon. Maxon has a disturbed look on his face. "Ya" is all he mutters out.
Of course he'd be dancing with Kriss, she's his new favorite obviously. Josh must sense I'm getting upset because he pulls me away so I can't see them anymore.
"Sorry about that" he says into my ear.
"It's ok. It doesn't really suprise me." I mutter back not willing to make eye contact.
"Ya, he's stupid to let you slip away. He doesn't deserve someone as great as you" he says spinning me around even though the song has ended. The next song begins.
"Well atleast one person thinks so" I grumble back.
"Now we can't have America sad at a ball, now can we?" He says, than seconds later his doing a million fancy turns and lifts with me.
"Josh, stop I must look so foolish!" I squeal in the middle of a turn. We both can't help but laugh though.
"You know your enjoying it" he says. Chuckling deeply.
"Yes I am, but I doubt the people around us are" I squeal. We both break into huge fits of laughter
Maxon's POV
(A little bit of a throwback to the report)
Out of the corner of my eye I see Josh get up and walk over to the stage. What on earth is he doing?
"Thank you lady Marlee, that was wonderful. Now last but not least is Lady America, singing a duet with The one and only Prince Josh" Gravil cheers.
What on earth? Then I hear America start on the piano as josh starts on the guitar.
I'm so mad I barley here any of the song, but I do here her and josh sing
"You cry, but you don't tell anyone
That you might not be the golden one.
And your tied together with a smile but it's coming undone."
What does that mean? Is that meant towards me? I do have to admit they sound quite amazing together.
I barley listen to rest of it, I don't even notice they both are seated again.
I feel as if a pair of eyes are on me. I look up to see America's piercing blue eyes looking at me. We stare at each other for a little bit, when I see her slowly reach up and tug her ear. I'm shocked, I don't know why but whatever happened between us I want to fix. I don't want to end up marrying someone I have no feelings for.
I look up and see her face has turned sad and realize I haven't tugged my ear back. I quickly reach up and tug my ear. Hope flooding my body.
The rest of the report flies by. I literally run off set when it's over.
Im about to run up the stairs to her room when I realize we have to go to a ball. Joy.
Just as I'm rounding the corner I hear voices
"Thank you so much" a familiar female voice says
"Your welcome dear" a very familiar male voice says. I cunningly look around the corner to see America and Josh hugging. Really? Go figure.
"I better go get changed for the ball" America says floating up the stairs.
I make my way down to the ball room praying to god nothing is going in between them.
When I get there half the selected are already there. How the hell did they change so fast? I think to myself.
I walk around the ballroom greeting some of the guests. I then decide to start dancing with some of the girls so I can spend the rest of the time dancing with America, if she'll let me.
I take Natalie for a quick spin around the floor. I think I'm going to eliminate her next, I feel nothing with her.
Next I take Elise around the room a few times. Not feeling much there either. In the middle of one of the dances America walks in, looking stunning. I stopped dead in my tracks staring at her. A few people noticed and spun around to see what I was staring at. Suddenly everyone is staring at her amazed, Elise walked away annoyed eventually. Then i see the look on her face, I almost laugh. She has a look of horror and discomfort on her face, but she's trying her best to cover it up.
She takes a seat near Marlee and I walk away to talk to a few guest before I decide to go ask her to dance
A while later I see her in the Same spot and decide I should go ask her to dance. As I'm walking over I see Josh walking towards her. Oh no! He's not asking her to Dance! As quickly and gracefully as I can I try to beat him there, but he's two steps ahead of me and beats me there. Damn it I think running into someone. I look down to see a little to happy Kriss. Ugh she's the one that started this mess between us two.
"I'm sorry" I say looking over to see the two already on the floor dancing. "Would you like to dance?" I ask hoping for her to say no but I knew she wouldn't
"Oh, of course Maxon!" She nearly squeals
I lead her onto the floor and uncomfortably begin to dance with her. My eyes can't help but wander over to America and Josh who look like there having the time of their lives.
This will be over with soon and I'll ask her to dance then.
"Maxon are you ok? Have you heard a thing I've said?" I hear Kriss ask. And no, I haven't heard a thing she said.
"Oh uh yea I'm fine" I say not paying attention to where we were going and we hit another couple.
"Oh excuse us, we're sorry" I hear none other than Josh and America say at the exact same time.
"It's ok!" Kriss says way too cheery. Then I see the look of hurt on America's face it wasn't there for long but I still saw it.
"Ya" is all I manage out. Really Maxon?
Suddenly before I could say another word I see Josh pull her away in a fancy spin. Since when was she such a good dancer? I thought
The song soon ended and I quickly bowed and ran away from Kriss. Looking for America.
I find her laughing with Josh as they do fancy twist and turns around the floor, making the people around them laugh. "Stop Josh, I must look so foolish" she squeals.
I don't know If I should intrude or not and decide its probably best not to.
I'll just talk to her after I thought.
I walk over to a near table sit down and drink some wine. How on earth am I going to get through this night?
I must have sat there for a long time, because a lot of people have left and there are about 10 empty wine glasses around me. I then see America approaching me.
"Think you've had enough to drink yet?" She says sitting next to me.
A/n
i hope you all enjoy this chapter! I spent a long time on it!
Sorry it's so long to! I hope you guys don't mind! I really enjoyed writing in Maxon's pov for a little bit so I might do it more here and there! Anyways, thanks for the suggestions some of you gave me! I appreciate it! I'll try to have chapter 5 up soon
Bye!
~Brooke~
DISCLAIMER: all rights go to Keira Cass for writing and owning the selection.
also to Taylor Swift for owning and writing the songs I've used in this story.