Ch. 15

A/n

Hi and this chapter and the last two are dedicated to Taylor Swift since today was her 25th birthday... so happy birthday! ...since I haven't updated in a few days and I feel really bad... Ugh I've been very sick though... I'm better now(ish)! Enjoy!

oh btw also today is the last day the dates will line up sequenced (12-13-14) in our life

AMERICA'S POV.

By the end of this week I'm done recording all the songs for my album. The album is being released in about 2 weeks-which is the day after England's big Christmas party.

"And it's finished" John says.

"Great!" I say now happy it's done but sad it's over.

"Yep, now don't be too sad. When your album releases you'll have alot more things to do." He says

"How do you know that?" I ask sarcastically, knowing its probably true.

"Well" he says back "I know your single 'Last Kiss' is number one on the top charts."

"What?!" I scream not knowing this.

"Surprise" he says laughing

"Oh my god" I say jumping up and down now, tears of happiness in my eyes. I then run over and give him a hug. "No way"

"Yes way" I hear the sweet voice of Josh say. Yea, I've missed Maxon but Josh is just as good, if not better. i mean he isn't dating 34 other girls at the same time!

"Josh!" I squeal "can you believe this?"

"Yes I can, it really doesn't surprise me" he says chuckling and embracing me in a hug.

"Of course " I say smacking his chest playfully

"Come on, lets get out of here" he says grabbing my arm

"Ok" I say voluntarily going with him.

He takes us back to the palace. I've been staying here in my own room since I left Theo's place.

"Hello" the queen says to me as I walk by

"Morning" I say curtsying. She just smiles kindly as me and her son walk down the halls together.

"Anyways." Josh says " I should probably tell you something, before it actually happens."

Oh no.

"What is it?" I ask nervously.

"Well, you know that Christmas Party in 2 weeks?" He asks

"Yes?" I say now confused.

"Well all the powers of the uh world have been invited" he says stuttering and stopping here and there.

"What?" I say realizing that means Illea too.

"Yea, I know I'm sorry you'll have to face them again" he says soothingly and patting my shoulder.

"Oh gosh" I say feeling sick to my stomach knowing I'm going to have to see the man I was in love with just weeks ago and his sick 'fiancé' and face them again.

"Are you okay?" He asks now worried.

"Yea" I say "just nervous"

"Yea I'm sure" he says looking me up and down "you look like your going to be sick"

"I think I am" I say trying to laugh it off, it doesn't help. Feeling my stomach turn even more, I know I'm going to barf.

"Uh jos-" is all I get out before I feel it come up, I bolt down the hall trying to fund a bathroom...and when I do lets just say it isn't pretty.

"America" josh says out of breath form just chasing me down the hall. "What the hell just happened?" He says watching pour my guts out into the toilet.

When I let up a little I answer groaning "I told you I was going to be sick"

He laughs at that and answers. "Yea I can tell, can I help with anything?"

"Not really" I say flushing the toilet.

"Well, will it make you feel better if I said you are invited to perform at it?"

"At what?"

"The Christmas ball, since your going to be releasing your album the next day, I thought it would be a good promotion." He says smiling kindly at me. "Also then the world gets to see how amazing you are"

"Aw thanks" I say "but I don't know if I can, in front of them, in front of him" I say sheepishly looking down at the last part.

"Well" he says walking over and crouching beside me "then he gets to see what he let go of"

I must've blushed madly cause I see him smirk.

"Stop" I groan.

"I can't help your so cute when you blush" he says helping me up.

"I don't know about you" I say laughing

"Well i know about you" he says pulling me out of the bathroom and taking me own the hall. "Now I don't think that bathroom was a very pleasant place"

"Yea," I say "not really"

"Well I'll see you tonight love," josh says reaching my room "I have a few duties to finish" he then kisses my hand and slowly walks away.

"Bye" I whisper as he walks.

After about an hour of doing absolutely nothing in my room, I head down to the Women's room here and find the Queen.

"Your highness" I say doing a sloppy curtesy and then try to recover but fail majorly.

"Dear" she says laughing "how are you?"

"I'm quite fine, besides that little flu that came over me" I answer politely. "How are you?"

"That's good" she says before sighing down at her papers. "I'm quite good myself, besides these papers" she says holding up a thick stack of work.

"Oh my" I say "what is that?"

'Work" she says sighing.

"May I help you?" I ask

"If you really want to" she says chuckling softly.

"Of course" I say grabbing a few papers.

Me and the queen sit there a little while doing work and talking. We get most of the work done and decide to take a break.

I walk down the halls until I find the garden. When I get there I walk quite a far way out into them. I sit there a while thinking about almost anything and everything, until I hear voices. I jump up scared of being seen, and look fir the source of the voices.

"I don't know about this!" I hear What I think the King is.

"What? That some manipulative gold-digging girl may be in charge of that country soon?" I hear what I know is Josh's voice say.

What are they talking about?

"Yes but we can't just cut an alliance like that" the king says.

"Yes we can. And when I become king, and you never cut it, then I will." Josh says.

"That's only if she becomes queen though, correct" the king says.

"Yes and besides they need us more than we need them. We're not looking into any wars and we certainly don't need to be pulled into one" josh says

"True, very true" the king answers

What on earth are they talking about?

"Also' josh says "I don't want any way for any of them to bother her anymore, ok?"

"Of course" the king says

"So it's settled?" Josh asks

"Yes, if when the Selection is over, Kriss becomes Queen then all ties and alliances will be cut from Illea" the king says.

"Thanks dad" josh says. I don't hear anymore because they must've walked away.

Was this a good or bad thing? My family lives here now so they can't get hurt by there war. But something else is telling me it's not good, while another says it's great.

MAXON'S POV.

~1 week later~

"Come on" she moans "stop being such a grump"

I hated this the most, having to spend time with these emotionless things they call the elite.

"Sorry" I mumble not meaning it.

"Which color do I look better in?' Kriss moans. I want to answer none but find self-control and say instead

"Uh I don't know ask Celeste. Oh look at the time I gotta run, see you around" I finish before bolting out the door.

"MAXON" Kriss says annoyed from behind me.

Once I'm free of the girls I grab a newspaper from England and sit down to read it.

'New love for a new beginning' I read the title if the top story. Oh joy.

'It's been just weeks since Lady America ran away from the selection of Illea, and already she has found love. We caught up with the newest hot couple to see whats really going on.

"Are you and America official?" Reporter Jane Matthews asked the two.

"Well, I guess we should be honest" America had said looking at Prince Josh, as Prince Josh finished

"Yes As of a few weeks."

Shocking I know, but you must admit this is going to be a great pair. We can't wait to tell you the other juicy bits we've learned. According to the pair America is not only dating Prince Josh but is also living in the palace with him.

You think that's adorable wait till you hear this. Prince Josh has made sure he finishes all his duties early so he can head to America's studio with her. Prince Josh is the only other person besides her producers who know what her album is all about.

"It's cute actually" America said "he walks me there everyday, making sure I'm safe and sits through the whole thing, so he can walk me back"

Prince Josh had apparently blushed at that.

"Can you tells us about this picture?" Reporter Jane asked. (See picture on top right)'

I look to the picture and see Josh and America running down the street in the rain-holding hands. How? How could America already be so happy?

' "oh no" America chuckled.

"Well, that would of been when we first reunited, we were running late to her studio appointment." Prince Josh says

"Why didn't you just call a cab?"

"There wasn't one to be found. So we had to run in the rain" America told us.

How cute? England couldn't be happier with the possibility of America being our next queen, and hopefully Prince Josh isn't as foolish as Prince Maxon of Illea and set her free. She's just the type of spark every country needs.

That's all for now on this breathtaking love story, until next time.'

What was this newspaper doing in my room anyways? I never get these. Ugh I can't believe they are together. I hope she knows how hard this is on me.

Annoyed I take the newspaper and a box of matches down to my balcony. When I'm on it I start the paper on fire and throw it off the edge, not really caring if anything caught fire.

Now I'm more determined then ever to get down to England and win America back.

AMERICA'S POV.

~day before the ball~

"Ugh" I say reading some gossip paper about me and Josh.

All day the guest have been arriving and right about now, Illea is pretty much the only one not here yet.

'Now watch they don't come' I think to myself.

About an hour later I hear some commotion. They must be here I think, my heart instantly sinking into a pit in my stomach.

I walk over to my window to look out and see there cars.

'Are you sure you'll be ok?" Josh asks surprising me.

'What?! Oh yes, of course" I say.

"Ok good" he says "because we don't have to great then yet, since they were late"

"Oh thank god" I say sighing In relief.

"Yea" he says "I should go now"

"Bye!" I say too happy.

"Bye" he says,laughing and walking out the door.

The next morning A maid comes into my room and tells me that Kriss has requested to see me. I'm freaked out for two reasons.

1. Kriss wants to see me

the hell is this maid?

I'm a little hesitant at first but eventually follow her out of the room and down the hall and a few flights to the guest rooms. When we get to her's the seal of Illea is on it, along with the letter K after it.

"Well, here goes nothing." I say opening the door and walking in. I see Kriss casually sitting on her bed.

"Ah if it isn't America'

'How can I help you, Kriss?" I ask wanting to get out as quickly as possible.

"Nothing I just want to say a few words" she looks around to make sure no ones there and starts again before I can. "You bitch, you were Maxon's favorite and now you think you have the right to leave?"

"Why do you care if I left?" I ask

"Because now Maxon's all depressed and sad and doesn't worry about anything other than this, not even me!" She says harshly.

"Wow, I'm sorry then" I say taking a step towards the door as she stands and takes a step

Towards me.

"You should be! You ruin everything!" She screams.

"No I don't, and I'm sorry because you can't handle the fact Maxon has no feelings for you" I say.

I'm terrified as she takes a step towards me and I don't know why.

"That's not true" she snickers. "And Im going to make you pay...just wait" she finishes slapping me harshly on my face.

"Ouch" I scream before reaching down, turning the knob on the door and running out.

Well, what did I do wrong there? I did what she wanted I left so Maxon was all hers! What else does she want? Wait she did say Maxon is depressed and sad about me. But wait why would he be sad And she be sad if they are already engaged? And why isn't the competition over?

Before I could finish, my thoughts are broken when I hear someone done the Hall yell

'America!'

I spin to see none other than Maxon running towards me calling after me...can this day get any worse?

DISCLAIMER:all rights go to Kiera Cass for writing and owning the selection trilogy and to Taylor Swift for the songs/quotes I use! Also to Veronica Roth I use a character of hers and some quotes.