My darlings (I'm sounding like Maxon now lol) thank you so much for your reviews for the last chapter! theselection-divergent-thehost thank you for the review, I really wanted to incorporate it because it fits right in during this part and also I did notice now that you mention it! He actually stretches his own back as if he felt the pain! Gilmoregirls1197 I know it was sad but it worked with the story and thanks for the review! Panda-Crazy-19 please don't cry! I didn't mean for you to cry! I just needed the part in my story! But thank you for the review and also for favoriting my story! ninjacracker (cool name) thanks for following my story and I hope you keep reading!

Please enjoy this dramatic chapter(s) and keep checking for updates!

Love, Smashleigh

Chapter 14:

Breakfast went by rather slowly. Everyone didn't come together until quarter of nine and by then some of the food is already cold. I didn't finish until maybe half past nine and by then I was already missing my lesson with Silvia in the Women's Room. She needed to see us three for some important lesson that was exclusive for our eyes only. So she just basically was saying you need to be there.

So Marlee, Elise, and I waited until we were dismissed by the King. He took his good old happy time finishing every last morsel and then stood. "Thank you for being patient ladies!" he said. "Tell Silvia it was my fault you were late."

We all stood and curtsied. He was purposely doing this now. I could just tell by his icy glare at me that I was no longer going to have an easy time here. Once out of the Dining Room we walked across the Great Hall to the Women's Room.

"Lady America." someone said behind me. I turned to see Prince Fredrick coming out of the Dining Room. "Might I have a word?"

I glanced at the Women's Room but nodded. "Of course, Your Grace." I said.

He glanced around quickly before coming closer to me. "How are you?" he asked. "I heard you suffered quite a trauma the other night."

I wasn't expecting that. The Prince of Spain asking me if I felt alright? That truly caught me off guard. "Oh I'm better actually." I told him. "I woke up a little late but other than that I'm fine."

He smiled. "That's good. I was worried." he sighed.

I looked into his black eyes and for a moment was lost in their deep pools. The Spanish are famous for their dark, mysterious looks. To be honest I couldn't blame them. His black hair was a perfect mess and his tan, smiling face radiated. America snap out of it! Don't let a pretty face deceive you!

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Oh right!" he said as if the thought just hit him. "I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner tonight, away from all the hustle and bustle of the cameras."

"Oh sir it would be an honor!" I said. "But I don't think I can accept."

He frowned for a second. Wow did I just refuse a prince? Me? America Singer?

"Why not?" he grumbled, stepping closer.

I felt myself backed against the wall. But he kept getting closer. So someone was use to getting his way huh? Not with me he wouldn't.

"Prince Fredrick if you'll excuse me." I apologized trying to step around him.

He placed a hand on my hip and pushed me back against the wall. His eyes blazed with anger at my refusal. But when I tried breaking away he wouldn't let me. Where do these princes get their strength? Maxon was well built too but was there some secret gym I didn't know about?

"Are you refusing me?" he asked sharply.

I nodded confidently. "I'm sorry Your Grace. But I cannot have dinner with you." I told him. "Just think of what Daphne would say."

I almost snorted at my last sentence. What did I care what Daphne thought? Her fiancé was a flirt and she was a tramp who couldn't see Maxon happier with anyone else but her. But right now she was a good excuse.

"Damn what Daphne thinks." he said leaning in closer so our noses were touching. I tried pulling away but now he pinned me against the wall with his body. "Unless she finds out of course."

I felt like screaming and probably would have if he hadn't kissed me then. It tasted like venom and I couldn't even pull away. Both hands held my face against his and his body crushed mine to the wall. I'm pretty sure he timed this because no sooner did Maxon walk into the hall.

All I could see was her mass of red hair and Fredrick's back. What the hell were they doing? Surely America wouldn't do this right?

"America!" I exclaimed.

Immediately Fredrick backed away from her and America fell to the floor. She looked about ready to weep. But as soon as she got to her feet she turned to Fredrick and slapped him hard across the face.

"How dare you!" she said in a low whisper. "I am not for your amusement! Go kiss your own damn fiancée if that's how you want to treat her!"

Fredrick had a smug smile on his face. "You're a prize to be won darling." he said softly. "Hopefully I don't lose." With that he walked away.

America turned to me and came over. She placed a hand on my arm but I shifted away. "Maxon please don't believe it." she pleaded. "Just give me a second to explain."

"Explain?" I tried keeping my voice low but it sounded like a grumble. "Explain why you were kissing him? I'm pretty sure I can figure it out!"

Tears came into her eyes again and I felt that familiar hurtful feeling. "No Maxon, no, no, no you don't know what happened." she pleaded.

I raised my eyebrows at her and crossed my arms. "Fine then." I said sharply. "Explain."

And so she did. To be honest I should've expected it. Fredrick was always a flirt and you'd find him kissing any girl around a corner. But that didn't explain why she let it happen.

"Why didn't you yell? Or scream?" I asked her.

"I tried." she said. "But he had me pinned to the wall and I couldn't say a word."

She seemed to be telling the truth. But I had a sense of doubt for some reason. She must've noticed the shift in my eyes because she grabbed my hands. "Don't you dare!" she cried. "Don't you dare think that! Maxon I've told you I loved you and you have to believe me! Please tell me you do!"

I looked down at her hands grasping mine and her tear filled blue eyes. She hadn't lied to me yet right? I mean she could be telling the truth.

He looked down on me and didn't say anything. I just stood there, searching his eyes for something, anything! But he just stood still. So I dropped his hands and rushed off. I didn't feel like going to my lesson so I rushed outside to the garden. I kept running and running until I reached the wooded area of the palace grounds. The beautiful trees stood towering over me and I breathed in the smell of wood and flowers. It was amazing and refreshing to be out here, but ruined when I heard footsteps behind me.

"America." Maxon said trying to catch his breath. "Damn girl you can run."

I smiled to myself. Well that's one thing I know I can do. But I stood where I was and let him come to me. He did once he caught his breath. But he didn't take me in his arms as usual. I felt a sense that he didn't trust me.

"What?" I snapped. "Chase me all the way out here to scold me? Hmm?"

He glared at me for a moment. I don't care let him stare because he's in the wrong here. What the hell could I do? Fredrick was stronger than me and I couldn't do anything to stop him! When Maxon didn't answer I turned away from him and was tempted to run into the wooded area when I felt his presence behind me.

"America, look at me." he said. But I didn't budge. "America I said look at me." Still I didn't move. He let out a sigh. "Fine, be mad. Do you think I care?"

Oh I knew he cared. Why'd he chase me out here if he didn't? But I wasn't moving without a proper apology. But instead he did something else. Something I didn't think he would do.

He roughly turned me around to look at him. Both my shoulders were in his strong grip and he had me against one of the trees. "America listen!" he began, trying to hold his rising temper. "I'm not saying I'm sorry because would you blame me? This is similar to the time you found me with Daphne no? But if you tell me, honestly, that there's nothing between you and him, say it now."

I sighed. "How could you ever think I could pick him? I've been through too much for you to give up. But if you can't trust me on something as small as this?" I turned my head away trying to fight back tears. "How can I make sure you can trust me at all?"

He let out a frustrated moan. "It's not that I don't trust you. I just find this situation very difficult to believe." he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Face it Maxon." I said. "You don't trust me. You think that because you see a different prince kissing me it's my fault! How long do you think it took me to start trusting you? How do I know you don't kiss Elise and Marlee?" I covered my mouth when I said the last bit. But I also felt my knees go weak and I dropped to the ground. Did I really just say that?

I looked up to see Maxon rubbing a hand over his face in frustration. "God America." he said. "I never even thought you'd think of that! I thought you would just forget about the others!"

"Maxon I practically live with them every day! They aren't easy to forget when I see them for every meal and every lesson." I told him.

I brought my knees up to my chest and buried my face in the material of my dress. God why did I have to bring this up? It'll only pull us apart even more!

His hand rested on my knee and I brought my head up. He was squatting next to me and I saw the concerned look in his eyes. I just looked at him and waited. Finally he pulled me over to him and sat on the ground cradling me in his arms.

"Can we forget this? Please?" he asked. "I really don't like where this is heading."

I nodded and looked up at him. He was staring off into the distance and was quite distracted. From this view I noticed the beautiful profile of his face. His blonde hair that sat just below his ears, his chiseled face which was so beautifully defined, and his sharp brown eyes which told you everything. Finally he sensed that I was watching him and looked down at me. A sad smile crossed his lips. "You have that look in your eyes again." he said.

"What look?" I asked partially confused.

"Your eyes sparkle when I know you love me. It's a tiny twinkle that you get when you know everything is perfect." he told me.

"Oh." I said feeling a blush spread across my cheeks. "I never knew that."

He kissed my forehead and hugged me. "That's because only I can see it." he said. "It's something I notice and always look forward to when I'm around you."

I smile. Is there anything about him I always notice? "You know I do the same thing." I told him. He turns to look at my face. Without blinking or looking away I say, "Whenever you smile that one brilliant, dazzling smile I melt. But it's only when you are completely happy and have nothing else on your mind."

"That's because all I think about is you." he said.

I lean up and kiss him. "Well then let's keep it that way."

"Well if that's the case…" he said fumbling in his pocket.