Hi! New chapter!

I'm so excited The Siren came out today (it's a standalone book by Kiera Cass) I've heard it's really good, so check it out soon.

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: all Selection rights belong to Kiera Cass

The cafeteria was filled with loud chatter, as people reunited and caught up after the break. I looked over the heads of crowds of people, searching for a familiar tuft of blond hair.

"America!"

A light slap came to my hand and I jumped back in the seat.

"Ow! Marlee!"

Her light brown eyes caught mine and carried a hint of confusion.

"How did that even hurt?"

I shrugged.

"Anyway, I asked you a question."

"Do tell," I said, still looking around for the warm chocolate eyes.

"What else did you do during your winter break?"

"Umm…I don't know. Hung around?" I said, not wanting to mention Maxon with so many people around.

"Hung around? America! Come on, you have to give me more than - hey, what are you looking for?" she asked.

A pair of hands covered my eyes, and its owner spoke, "Were you looking for us?"

Even in the darkness, I could make out Maxon's voice.

"Who's us?" I asked.

"Officers Maxon Schreave and Carter Woodwork reporting to ma'ams America Singer and Marlee Tames," he said.

"Then maybe I was looking for you guys," I hinted.

He removed his hands and took the seat next to me, ruffling my hair when he was settled.

"Maxon, stop!" I pleaded, giggling uncontrollably.

"As you wish, my lady," he said.

I felt the back of my hair and tried to straighten it back to its original state. "I look like a mess now!" I complained.

I brushed all the newfound tangles out of my hair as best as I could.

"A lovely mess," he muttered in my ear.

I widened my eyes and felt my cheeks turn red.

Fighting the blush, I turned to him and reached for his hair, tousling it in between my fingers.

"Okay, okay, America you can stop now!" he said.

"Karma," I coughed out.

He rolled his eyes and I ceased to ruffle his hair. He now looked like he had bed hair, but it was so undeniably attractive.

A kick got to my foot captured my attention, and I saw Marlee smiling giddily at me.

'Bathroom', she mouthed.

I nodded and went to grab my backpack off the floor.

"Wait. Where are you guys going? We just got here," Carter said, looking specifically at Marlee, who had already gotten up from her seat.

"Girl talk," she said, adding a wink at the end. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and strutted away, leaving him bewildered.

"Sorry, bye!" I timidly said, and scurried over to Marlee.

"Spill," Marlee instructed. We were standing in the empty bathroom, and she was about to pry my secrets from me, but I didn't really care because I wanted someone to know.

I put a finger to my lips and said, "Okay, first, you need to hush. And second, if you ever tell anyone this, I swear that I will do something you don't want me to."

"What would it be then?" she retorted.

"I don't know," I answered.

She smirked and I slapped her arm playfully.

"Anyway, tell me everything," she said.

I fiddled with the loose sleeves of my shirt first before I sheepishly said, "We kissed."

She gaped at me with her jaw open.

"How many times?" she managed to utter.

I bit my lip and resisted the urge to flash an accomplished smile. "Twice...and we went on a date."

She gripped my arms with her hands and said, "Aahhh! Why didn't you tell me? Oh my god, this is so good! I knew it! I told you it would happen!"

I gave a nonchalant shrug, even though I was grinning maniacally now.

"Aahhhh!" she whisper screamed.

She engulfed me in a hug.

"Why weren't you like this when I kissed Aspen?" I whispered in her ear.

"I was excited, sure, but I have a feeling you with Maxon will last longer."

She drew back from the embrace and said, "Oooh, this is so exciting! You guys are adorable together! Just watch, you guys are going to go to prom together, get married, and have your own little Maxerica children!"

Wait, what? "I swear that date was a one-time thing, and I'm not even sure if it was a date."

"If you guys kissed, then it was definitely a date," she assured me.

I rolled my eyes and remarked, "And seriously? Maxerica? We might not even go to prom together, so please don't ever say that again."

"What? You guys need a ship name. And besides, he will definitely take you to prom," she said.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Well then, what's your ship name? Carlee? Marter?"

It was her turn to wrinkle her nose and said, "Please. It's just Marlee and Carter, okay?"

I put a hand to my heart and one up in the air. "All right. I solemnly swear that I will not use the names Carlee or Marter again."

She grimaced and slapped my arm.

The warning bell for classes sounded, and she started to walk towards the exit of the bathroom, but was stopped in her tracks.

I cautiously made my way over to her and saw the one person I hoped I wouldn't.

Celeste's smug smile carried a hint of annoyance, but she sashayed to me and whispered darkly, "I heard the whole thing. Let the games begin."

Hope you enjoyed!

What is the ship name for Carter and Marlee? I think it's Marter (I swear it is)

SorryI'mReading: Ahhhh! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was freaking out over your review and I honestly can't thank you enough. I'm so glad you like this story, but I'm really sorry that there will be drama with Aspen and Kriss... I've already planned the rest of the story out... Sorry :(

morethanjustastory : Thanks! Hope you liked them in this chapter

kkhardenstein: Thank you! I'll be sure to have more of those ;)

audreyHepburn5502: Thank you! I LOVE Maxerica too!

Hope for the Selection: Awww, thanks. I'll be sure to write more

Lasting Violet: Thank you! Don't worry. There's so much more to come. I wrote a really cute chapter and I hope you will like it too!

gabriellenatividad: Thank you! Ya, I'm kind of assuming that they would do that, and I was imagining them just talking playfully like that.

Thank you everyone for reviewing and reading my story! Love you bunches!

Bye