New chapter! Woot woot! Wrote it all today :)

Special announcement: There will be a Valentine's Day Special. I have some of it planned, but if you want to see something in it, please put it down

Also, please vote in my poll on my profile. I need to know the results in order to see the direction of the story :l

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: all Selection rights belong to Kiera Cass

It was 4:15 am and I was still awake. The small cries from the new baby, Astra Orders, daughter of James and Kenna, had kept me up the whole night. My sister and her little family had taken up my room, so I was left to toss and turn on the living room couch. Despite the fact that I was not in the same room as Astra, I felt like I was, because of the paper thin walls.

Sometime in the early morning, around 2 am, when I was finally starting to fall asleep, Astra's whimpers evolved into obnoxious bawls. I could tell Kenna was also up the whole night, because I heard intense yet quiet hushing, occasionally diminishing the cries. However, when I would finally almost be asleep again, her wails would augment and make me want to shed tears of my own.

How could a one-week old baby possibly howl so loud, screaming her lungs out? If only I had been in May's room - the farthest from mine - but she didn't have a particularly large bed.

An extremely loud cry escaped from Astra and I decided that was it. I couldn't take it anymore. I pushed the blankets off me and groggily trudged to my room and pushed the already ajar door open more.

Kenna, sitting on the edge of the bed, opened her eyes when she heard the door creak, even though Astra's cries didn't cease. James was standing and rocking the baby from side to side, trying to calm his daughter.

"Shh, baby bird, it's all right," he silenced.

I eased the door closed and sat next to my sister.

Astra's cries had now turned into a small quiet hiccuping sound.

"You need any help?" I asked Kenna.

She gave me a tired smile and shook her head.

"We've got it," she said.

There were a few quiet moments and James looked at me, heavy eyebags from the nights he had been up.

"Hey, America. We've really got it under control," he tried to assure me.

At that moment, Astra roared a loud bawl. James continued to rock her, trying to calm the situation.

"America, really. We'll be able to do it," my sister told me.

"Really, Ken?" I cocked an eyebrow at her.

She patted my hand and said, "We want to try this out ourselves, if it's okay with you."

I felt a little disappointed that she had turned down my offer, but I understood her intentions. I nodded. "Okay. But if you need me any time, just call me up. I'll be happy to help."

Kenna took in my words and hugged me. "Thank you."

"No problem," I replied. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and stood up, playing with Astra's fingers for a while and bidding James a good night, to which he replied something unintelligible, before leaving the room.

I wandered aimlessly around the house, finding no point in sleeping now. Good thing tomorrow would be a Saturday. Nothing. Absolutely nothing to do. No homework, no tests to study for ever since the end of the first semester, no books to read, no movies to watch. Finally giving up, I scribbled a note on a sheet of paper and put it on the kitchen counter. If Kenna was to know of my rebellious acts, she would not let me go.

I listened for the peak of Astra's screams, and when they made an appearance, I quickly slipped through the front door and locked the door with the key in my pocket as quietly as I could. I just needed an escape from the crying.

I didn't know what to do, so in the stairwell, I called Marlee, Maxon, Carter, Kriss. None of them picked up. Of course. Who in their right mind would want to go to the coffee shop at four in the morning? I scrolled through my list of contacts, seeing who else to call up. And somehow, the person I stopped at was one of the best and unexpected choices.

I clicked on the name and put the phone to my ear.

One ring.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Two rings.

Still no answer.

Three rings.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Aspen."

"So, what you're telling me is that you wanted to wander around town in the middle of the morning because your niece was crying?" Aspen asked.

"Hey, you're twisting my words," I said. I took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee. Funny how they make a new batch before dawn. But then again, it was open twenty-four hours.

Aspen's green eyes glazed over mine as he said, "You just told me that's what happened."

I replayed the night in my head. "Wait. Never mind. I'm wrong."

He scoffed. "Did you just say you're wrong?"

I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, why were you up?" I asked him.

"Ah, the mysterious case of Aspen Leger. Remember a few years back when I couldn't sleep? It's come back." He grinned.

"Insomnia?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Oh, does Jemmy still have it?" I asked him. Jemmy Leger. One of Aspen's many siblings.

"Not for now," he said.

There was a quiet silence as I took in his words. Jemmy hadn't had it well for a long time. The insomnia hit him hard the same time Aspen had his.

Aspen's brows suddenly knit together with concern.

"Does your family even know that you're out?" he asked me.

"Well...I told them I was going somewhere. Never specified," I said, trying to avoid his question.

His smile faded. "Mer. That's so dangerous. What if they filed a missing person's report?"

I rolled my eyes again, even though it wasn't funny anymore. "They wouldn't," I said.

He gave me a pointed look. "Mer, your family loves you so much. They will go crazy when they find out."

All the teasing tone had completely disappeared.

"That's such a stupid thing to do. Even I would go crazy if something happened to you," he said.

I bit the insides of my cheek.

He eyed me suspiciously, his gaze piercing into mine so much that it hurt.

"I'm taking you back to your home now," he said.

I gripped the cup tight in my hand, wanting to disagree, but afraid to.

"Fine," I huffed.

What had gotten into me?

He raised his brows threateningly, as if asking me if I was really giving him attitude.

"Come on, now," he said.

He stood up and helped me put on my coat like I was five again.

"I'm not a little kid," I grumped.

"Well, you sure are acting like one," he retaliated.

I blew a hair out of my face angrily.

Aspen grabbed my wrists, hard at first, then noticing his grip, loosened it. "America. Tell me what's wrong."

He looked genuinely concerned.

"Astra is just annoying the living daylights out of me." It wasn't that, though. It was more than just my niece's wails.

He studied me, eyes locking on mine, deep intentions on figuring out the cause. I looked anywhere that wasn't him, but he already figured it out.

"Celeste," he muttered. Fury flamed in his eyes.

I let out a defeated sigh. "Aspen, it's okay. I can handle her. I don't need anybody wrapped up around my problems. They're mine, and I don't want to burden you with them."

He was interrupted from continuing the pep talk when a new member of the staff came into the kitchen to start her new shift.

Oh my lord. It was Bariel Pratt, Celeste's minion, and she just so happened to go to our school and know every little bit of gossip that travelled around. That meant that she knew that I was dating Maxon Schreave, the boy everyone, including Celeste, wanted.

She pulled her phone out and before either Aspen or I could do anything, she took a picture. She flashed us an accomplished, maniacal sneer.

I knew it. That was the photo that could ruin my chances with my prince. And now everyone would see it and get the wrong idea. Including Maxon.

Hope you enjoyed that!

Review replies

Hsmfan: Aww thank you! That honestly made my day! Dw, you'll get some drama and fluff

SorryI'mReading: Thank you! :) (I honestly LOVE reading your reviews) And I'm sorry, but I want most of this story to stay canon, so I'll have to stick canon with the names. :l And I got the second script by searching up 'the selection cw script 2'. Kk. Bye!

Lasting Violet: Aww that's okay! And yep, definitely (or will you?) ;)

kkhardenstein: Aww thank you! And the poll's on my profile :)

Maxerica15: Thank you! You're the sweetest! And I'll try to get the 5th wave as soon as possible, but I think I'll have to wait a bit before my next book haul. (probably in the summer lol)

Someone the World Forgot: Ahh! Lol, I basically just read the Asperica moments in The Guard. Anyway, it's okay if it's a long way from home. I guess just go to a uni that you're sure you'll love. :)

I love all of you guys! You're wonderful people and thank you so much! It honestly makes my day!

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Bye!