New chapter, yay! I'm sorry I haven't updated in a few days (school), but this is nothing compared to my other stories... :l

I'll try to update them soon. I just don't feel like writing them right now, so please don't hate me.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: all Selection rights belong to Kiera Cass

"School is really killing me right now," I said. I swirled the carbonara up in my fork and held the metal lightly in my hands. I watched his eyes smile, radiating something alluring.

"How many assignments do you have?" he asked, a challenging hint to his voice.

"A recording for vocals, two English essays, that big instrumental summative, and the molecular genetics unit test I have yet to study for. It is literally the definition of torture," I complained. I scooped the pasta into my mouth. The corners of Maxon's lips twitched up into a smirk.

"You think that's torture? Well, think about dealing with - ahem - a 50 minute long English presentation, a 12 page essay, an optics paper, a chemical systems and equilibrium test, and an international business summative. And, to top it all off, the English, chem, and physics are all AP." He raised his eyebrows like he had won a battle. I smiled and put my hands up in the air, surrendering.

"All right, you won, but it's just beginner's luck. I would get scared if I were you," I said. He pretended not to hear the last part and sighed happily.

"I know I always win. You don't have to tell me," he said playfully.

I looked down at my plate and turned the fork absentmindedly. "Hey, but what about Celeste? I think that's worth mentioning." His smile immediately dropped and his gaze hardened.

"Don't talk about her here. We can talk about her some other day, but not tonight."

I blushed and cowered back, wanting to disappear.

"Sorry," I mumbled. I silently swallowed the mouthful of carbonara and dared to look back up at Maxon.

He sighed and said, "I'm sorry. It's just that that girl has been nothing but trouble for you and I both."

I nodded in understanding. Sometimes, she made me sick to the bone.

"Here. Let's think of something happier," he said. "How about the time when Marlee was walking the halls with a cup of coffee and Mr. Fadaye took the cup right out of her hands and said, 'Young lady, if I catch you one more time walking the halls with something other than water, I will put you in detention'," he impersonated the teacher.

I laughed at his horrible interpretation of him and recalled the memory. "I think she must have been so thankful it was the last day before winter break. Gives time for him to forget. And that was pretty funny. Marlee's so scared of him now. I think I should be, too, but he seemed to like me well enough when I had a drink in my hand." I took a sip of water.

"It's probably either because Marlee's done something wrong, or because you're so brilliant he doesn't pick on you."

I nearly spit my water out at the mention of the last one. I forced my lips to stay closed as I struggled to swallow the liquid. "Me? Brilliant? And if Mr. Fadaye said that, it would be a dream come true. If I was ever in his class, he would probably kick me out the first day because I would get so bored I would start tapping my foot like crazy, and he would get so annoyed. I've heard that man doesn't have a lot of patience."

He shrugged as if the idea could be possible.

"Oh! Do you remember the time when Aspen accidentally left his backpack in the closed library, and that annoyed janitor had to open the door to let him get it?" I asked.

I smiled at that memory. The janitor had threatened Aspen to help her clean if it happened once more.

Confusion hit Maxon as he knit his brows together. "Who's Aspen?"

I widened my eyes. "Oh...he's a friend. I guess you've never met him then."

He shook his head.

"Is he just a friend?" he asked, concern lacing into his voice.

I bit my lip. Should I tell him Aspen was once something more? I still love Aspen, but it's different now.

"Yeah. He's just a friend."

The snow was beautiful as it floated around us, onto my hair, onto Maxon's jacket. The trees were frosted with a thin layer of white, and through the branches, I could see the restaurant's lights. I hugged my arms around myself, trying to keep heat in. I watched my breath come out in little puffy clouds as we walked along the park's path.

"You're cold," Maxon said.

I tried to shake my head, but the shivers and chattering teeth gave it away. "Yeah."

He sighed and playfully said, "I told you to bring your jacket." He slid his coat off of himself and wrapped it around me, leaving him in a simple button up. My heart fluttered.

"Thanks," I muttered.

He put his arm around my shoulder and held me close to him. "One day, you'll be the death of me," he said jokingly, laughing his adorably wheezy chuckle.

I gave a devious grin. Despite his non-serious tone, his eyes displayed confidence. I started to wonder what extent he would go to in order to help and protect me.

"Won't you be cold?" I asked him.

He brushed that off with a wave of his hand. "It's alright."

We walked in silence and approached a small frozen pond. He sat me down on the nearby bench and said, "Do you still want to watch that movie? We have time to make it to the theater."

"No. I'd rather stay here. I mean, if you want to, we could go."

"Nah, like you said, I'd rather stay here."

I smiled and looked at his warm eyes. He looked at me with an expression that spoke, 'What?'. I leaned up and brushed my lips against his cheek. "Thank you," I murmured.

He looked bewildered yet satisfied. "For what?" he asked.

I shrugged and said, "For doing so much for me."

He beamed and replied, "You're welcome, I guess."

We took in the serene quietness until he said, "There's something I really want to tell you."

"What is it?"

He shook his head. "But I'm not sure if I can tell you now."

"Can you give me a hint?" I asked.

He looked up and thought. "All right. The charm bracelet from kindergarten."

"The charm bracelet? What does that have to do with anything?"

"It has everything to do with it. Let's just say that I indirectly told you something."

"I'll never figure it out. Another hint, please?" I asked.

"I guess you'll never know then." His lips tugged into an impish smirk.

He studied me for a moment and said to himself, "I wasn't lying."

"What do you mean?"

"When I said you were pretty."

I blushed and tried to ignore it as I said, "Well, you have to believe me when I say that you…"

I shrugged the coat off my shoulders and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I what?" he asked as he leaned his head down to mine.

"That you are the most wonderful person I have ever met."

He grinned and tickled my lips with his. I melted into his kiss and tasted the warm sweetness. I was undeniably scared of this feeling, but I wanted us to happen. Our kiss made me feel like I was in dreamland. I felt his necklace press into my skin and I smiled.

He pulled away and breathed out, "And princess, you have to believe me when I say that this is better than any movie I've ever watched."

Aaahhh! I honestly don't know how to write these. I'm just assuming.

Well, I hope you enjoyed.

Please tell me what your favourite part of this was!

Maxerica15: Thank you! Hope you liked their kiss!

Kadybug: Thx so much!

Hsmfan: Awww. Thank you! I'll make really big chapters in Maxon's pov maybe.

Lasting Violet: Thank you! Hope you liked the little moments in this chap.

MTJAStory: Thx!

gabriellanatividad: Thank you so much!

Someone the World Forgot: Thank you!

SorryI'mReading: Haha! Thank you! And I've already written the thing with Maxon and America's parents being so close.

Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing my story! I love you guys so much!

Bye!