Hi guys! Another chapter, as (pinkie) promised. Sorry about the cliffhanger, I just wanted to give you a taste. Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! I love y'all so much! Anyways, enjoy!

"We both want the same thing. And we both know there is only one thing getting in our way." I know what she is going to say.

"Kriss."

"That doesn't explain why you're coming to me. I can't do anything about her." I say.

"Yes you can." Celeste whines. "We both can, if we work together." Work together with Celeste? Yeah right.

"We could convince Maxon that Kriss is not the right one for him." she continues.

"So you're saying you want to sabotage their relationship." I confirm.

"Well, when you put it like that..." she smiles a sweet, meek isn't right. Celeste would never act like this, and I can't sabotage Maxon's relationship with Kriss! It's against the rules, and besides...he loves her.

But he loves you more, and you love him, a voice inside my head speaks. You're the one for him, not her. If Maxon marries Kriss, he wouldn't be happy. And it would be all your fault. Maxon hurt because of me? I can't let that happen, not another time. Yet, what if Maxon really loves Kriss?

He doesn't.
He does.
He wants to marry you.
He wants to marry Kriss.
You'd only be helping him.
You'd only be harming him.

The voices inside my head argue, and I can't decide. Celeste gets impatient, and starts acting like...well...Celeste.

"Are you done thinking yet?" she asks harshly, tapping her heels on the ground.

I am jerked back to reality. This is what Celeste is like: cruel, harmful, and selfish. Once we get rid of Kriss, she'd find a way to get rid of me too. I can't let that happen, I can't let Celeste become queen.

But you want to get rid of Kriss. You want to marry Maxon.

I'd rather Kriss be queen over Celeste. My decision is made. Kriss is still in the running.

"No Celeste, I will not help you sabotage Maxon and Kriss's relationship. It's not right." I tell her.

She smiles, a dangerous evil one. "Fine, have it your way." she hisses. "But know this. I am going to do everything in my power to get you out of this competition, and you will be out of it before you can say "I do". You should have accepted my offer. I would be careful, America." she saunters out my door, and slams it shut behind her.

This can't be good. Celeste, even more of an enemy? Maxon will keep me here, right? Wait. I told him I wanted to leave! What if he took me seriously! Am I going to be out of here by morning?!

I lay down on my bed, and let the tears flow. How have I messed things up so badly? Maybe I should of taken Celeste's offer. Then I might actually have a chance. But now, I have none.

I fall asleep with my hair matted to my face and my dress twisted around me, too tired to go to lunch. It doesn't matter. No one wants me there anyways. Maxon was my only solace, and now he hates me. I am alone.

Maxon's POV

Should I visit America? She wasn't at breakfast, nor lunch. I am worried about her. Deciding to at least check to see if she is ok, I walk to her room and knock gently on the door. No answer. I push the door open a crack, and peer in. America is on her bed, fast asleep. I slowly push the door open, and tread lightly to her bedside.

America is so beautiful when sleeping. Her hair spreads about her like a bright red flame, and she looks so relaxed, so young. I see that she has been crying. There are dried tears on her face. I am the cause of those tears. Feeling weak, I have to sit in an armchair by her bedside.

I made her cry, me. I hurt her mentally. She probably thinks I am sending her home now. Oh America, how could I do this to you? I feel cruel, like my father. Am I becoming like him?

As I sit there, the rebel alarms go off. Now, of all times. I scoop America up into my arms, and sprint for the nearest safe room. She is light, like a feather. Yet so tangible, so...real.

The guard outside her door bursts in and starts shouting, "America, America! It's me, Aspen! We have to get you safe!"

Aspen?! As in the boy America used to love? How dare he come in here, how dare he be in the same room as my America.

"Get out!" I yell at him. "Get out of here! I don't need your help keeping her safe! Get out!" He backs up slowly while stuttering, "Your majesty, I...I was only trying to help. She's my friend."

"I don't care if she is your friend or your foe, you will not get near her. Understood?" He nods his head vigorously.

"Now, go guard the door." I command. I know I was being a bit too mean, but I guess my territorial instincts took over. He won't get near my America, not again.

I remember that I'm supposed to be escaping the rebels, so I run to the wall and push the panel with my foot. America has still not waken up yet, even over all this commotion. Strange.

I sprint down the passageway, careful not to let America hit the wall. We are almost to the safe room when I see a rebel walking swiftly from the other way. Can I make it before he shoots? I think so. Using up the last of my energy, I push myself as never before and frantically kick the door. "Open up! Its Prince Maxon! Hurry!" I yell, desperate. The rebel has spotted me and pulls out his gun, aiming to shoot. The door swings open, and a guard is in the doorway. I shove America into his arms and command him to get inside. Then I dive in after him.

A gun fires, and I feel white hot pain in my leg. The rebel got me. I fall to the floor and barely register people swarming about, closing the door, dragging me inside, telling me it is going to be all right, that I am going to be fine. Then I hear America's sweet clear voice begging me to come back to her. That is the last thing I hear before I see pitch black.

Oohhh, another cliffy. But you know Maxon is not going to die, right? Or is he. Duh duh duh duh...