Wow guys! Thank you so much for all of your amazing comments! I'm sorry I couldn't get this chapter out earlier, I had some writers block.

Once I had finished working on some new songs I had gotten on the piano, I had to leave for my first private lesson since my Caste rant. I was ever so enthralled.

She was sure to have some sort of cruel and unusual punishment for my wickedness. Maybe she would make me wash the entire corridor. Or rake on hour long oral history test. Or do more reports on military statistics! Just the thought of it made me groan and slouch over. I made sure to straighten up by the time I opened the doors to Silvia's room, though. No need to anger her more.

"America!" She exclaimed. Here it comes. She walked as quickly as she could towards me.

"How could you have said those things on television?" She asked tersely.

"I'm sorry Silvia, I didn't think it was going to be that big-"

"Of course it was big! How could something like that not be big?"

"Really, Silvia, I'm so sorry and I'll do whatever you want-"

"Oh, I'm not going to punish you." She said. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"You... You aren't mad?" I asked tentatively.

"Well besides the rather brash delivery, it was a well given speech."

"So you're okay with taking the Caste system away." I said, doubtful.

"Oh, no, no." She said waving the idea away with her hand. "Of course not. Taking the whole thing away would be ludicrous."

Of course not.

"I'm not going to condemn you just because you have poor judgement on a few things." She scoffed. "I'm not heartless."

I couldn't decide if I should be offended or glad.

"Anyways, let's get on with our lesson, shall we?

Bu the time my lesson was over, it was time for dinner. Maxon and Kriss were gone, probably having dinner in her room. I tried not to be effected by it. Celeste, on the other hand, seethed silently in her chair. Elise just pushed her food around on her plate.

I felt slightly sorry for her. Out of everyone, Elise seemed to get the least affection. I had been Maxon's favorite, Kriss was quickly moving in, and Celeste stole late night kisses. What did she have? Connections in New East Asia? How long was that going to keep her here? Certainly Macon didn't think about choosing her. Could those flimsy ties be strong enough to ensnare Maxon?

I didn't think so, but how much of Illéa's politics did I really know about? Only what I saw on TV and what Maxon told me. If the New Asia problem gets worse, will that better or worsen Elise's chances?

Why was I even thinking about this? I didn't have to worry about it. If Maxon chooses someone else, though it pains me to think about it, I don't have a say either way. And I couldn't strategize against them like Celeste, so it couldn't matter less.

Somehow, I didn't feel any better about the situation.

"America?" Came a sickly sweet voice from my side.

"Yes, Celeste?" I asked warily, not in the mood for dealing with her.

"Could you pass the peas?" She asked. I mentally pinched myself. Of course she wouldn't try anything, the queen was four feet away from us. I grabbed the plate of peas from my right, and held it out for her. She took it from me and poured what she needed on her plate, then placed it back on the table.

No accidentally spilling it on me, or biting remarks on how it was so fit that I was serving her or anything. She had to be up to something. Maybe she was just trying to psych me out?

I politely excused myself and curtsied to the Queen before exiting the dining room. I just needed to clear my head, I guess. Get a goodnight's sleep.

I didn't realize until a moment ago how tired I actually was. Had I been this exhausted all day? I had hardly done anything, what was up with me? Maybe the stress of the Selection was finally hitting me physically.

I trudged up to my room, now feeling a million times heavier that I had been a couple second ago. The guard held the door open for me, and I nodded to him in thanks before slipping inside and passing out on my bed.

I awoke to a loud tapping on the window and sat up straight in bed. What was that? I pear across the room to where my window was. It was raining cats and dogs out side. The tree outside my window must have made the noise.

Well, since I was awake I might as well walk around a little. I slipped on my robe and tied the little tie around my waste, then ventured outside.

The hallway was dark except for a few candles, and the only other person I could see was the guard about five feet away.

I tip-toed out while his back was turned, then made a run for it.