Hi guys! Merry Christmas Eve! Sorry this is a day late, I was on the car with no wifi. Anyways, I love y'all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I will update tomorrow!

America's POV:

On my way out of the infirmary, I bump into Kriss. We apologize at the same time, and she smiles. There is a short pause before she asks me worriedly, "Is Maxon alright?" Her concern for him is touching. She really loves him. "He's fine. But the doctor says he must rest now, so no one is allowed to visit him." I inform her. I can't help but feel triumphant at her crushed expression. She is in fact my toughest competition.

"Oh. Ok, well I guess I'll just see him later." Kriss replies, trying to cheer herself up. She walks away calmly, able to collect herself in a manner of seconds. Impressive.

Uncertain on what to do next, I stroll through the palace and find myself in the gardens. Figures. My dress is heavy enough that it keeps me warm, so I walk through the gardens comfortably. I take this time to ponder everything that has happened between the time I was "eliminated" to now. So far, the king hasn't really interfered in mine and Maxon's relationship. Hopefully, he won't anytime soon. But I am not foolish enough to believe that. Celeste also wants to get back at me for not helping her. I sigh. When will I not be in danger?

My mind wanders back to the time I ran away from the rebels and hid in a tree. The rebel girl saw me, yet didn't do anything. I still wonder why. I also wonder why she was carrying so many books. What do the Northerners intend to do with them? Are they looking for a specific book? Gregory Illéa's dairy? What happens if they find it? I do not know.

I wonder about the Southern rebels' intent. It seems as if they are sent to kill, and that is what they do. If I became queen and eliminate the caste systems, would they stop? I hope. That brings my mind to the matter of becoming queen. I have a good chance, better than Celeste, yet the same as Kriss. I do want to become queen, not only for Maxon, but because I believe I can change this country for the better. What would it be like without the caste system? I cannot imagine it.

My thoughts are interrupted by Silvia's calls for me to join her and the Elite in the Woman's Room. I walk slowly, savoring the time before I see the others. When I enter the room, a warm fire greets me, along with cups of cocoa. The site is welcoming, and I rush to the fire, not noticing how cold I was. Celeste snickers, and whispers "She's such a Five." to Kriss. I pretend not to hear. If that is part of her plan to get me out of this competition, I will not let it get to me. No one can make me feel inferior without my consent. And I will not consent to Celeste's bullying.

Silvia clears her throat, and addresses us. "Ladies, as you know, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We will be hosting a ball on Christmas Day, and you will be in charge of planning it." We sit in shock until what she said registers. "What?!" Celeste screeches. "One day?! How could you only give us one day?!"

Silvia smiles calmly. "A queen sometimes has only a day to plan large events, and I am preparing you to become queen. So you will only have one day." Kriss looks as worried as I feel. One day? "But Maxon was just shot. Don't we get time to recover?" Kriss asks innocently.

"A queen has to deal with tragedies and still plan, so no, you will not be given time to recover. I am sorry ladies, but this is the role you will be taking on if you do in fact marry the Prince. I suggest you get started tonight, and if you need help, I will be available. You will be required to work together, if that helps any." She smiles sweetly, and walks out of the room, leaving us dumbfounded.

Celeste groans and falls back on the couch. "We are going to fail. Being queen doesn't include all this...this work!" Yes it does I want to contradict, but refrain.

"At least we get to work together." Kriss says optimistically.

"I don't want to work with her." Celeste points a perfectly manicured nail at me. "You think I want to work with you?" I spit back. Kriss just sighs in frustration. "This is going to be a long night." she says.

Four hours and eleven arguments later, we finally have an outline. I tiredly head up to my room and fall asleep as soon as I am in a nightgown. I have a nightmare of Maxon being shot and bleeding to death, and me being helpless to do anything. It is terrible. I wake up coated in a cold sweat screaming for Maxon. The guard outside my door rushes in and inquires if anything is wrong. I shake my head, embarrassed, and go back to sleep.

The next morning, my first stop is the infirmary. Maxon is just hobbling out on a crutch. I rush to him. "Can I help?" I ask. "Yes please." he replies. I take the arm that is free and put it around my neck, supporting his weight. "Thanks." he breathes. "Anytime." I reply. "Where are we headed?" I ask. "Actually, I wanted to go get breakfast. Is that alright?" Maxon says.

"Couldn't you have had breakfast in the infirmary?" I ask. "Well, I could have, but I need to look strong in front of my father. That's our relationship." he informs me. Yes, he whips you, and you are afraid of him. A lovely father-son relationship, I think. We walk in silence for a little while longer, until we arrive at the dining hall. "Thanks America." He smiles, and looks lovingly into my eyes. I smile back. We lean in and are about to kiss, when the door opens. The maid who opened the door curtsies quickly and backs up, leaving us visible to everyone else. Our lips are only centimeters apart. I blush deeply, but Maxon just puts on that blank face. We straighten and walk into the room. Celeste is staring evilly at me, Kriss is shocked, Queen Amberly looks happy, and the king...oh the king. He is livid, isn't good.

Breakfast, as always, is a somber affair. Kriss, Celeste, and I agree to meet in the Woman's Room to work on our project. We work on it for the majority of the day, planning the decorations, music, food, guests, and all the other little details. Our maids are instructed to make the dresses we design. Last minute arrangements are made, and finally we finish. At dinner, Maxon tugs his ear, and I tug mine back. We meet in the hall, and continue to walk from there.

"How's your leg?" I ask him worriedly. "Not bad, don't worry." he replies with a crooked smile. "Good." I smile back. We end up in front of his bedroom. How did that happen? He opens the door, and we walk in. I never really got a chance to study his room. There are guns hanging on one wall, a desk in the corner, a huge bed in the middle of the room, and pictures hanging. Lots of pictures. I walk over to the wall covered with them, and lean in. Most are of nature, some of family, others of...me. I'm here! There is a picture of me smiling, and another of me looking annoyed. I remember when he took those. Not too long before I was "eliminated". "Do you like them?" Maxon asks.

"I love them. They're so clear and...perfect." I reply warmly. I turn, and he is standing closer to me than I realized. Very close, actually. "I brought you up here to give this to you." he says, handing me a beautifully wrapped package. "Merry Christmas Eve." I thank him and open it. Lying in the packaging is a beautiful pearl necklace. "Oh thank you Maxon! It's perfect!" I cry, hugging him. He chuckles and says, "I'm glad you like it. My grandfather actually gave it to my grandmother." I suck in a breath. "You would give me something this valuable?" I ask, tears in my eyes. He smiles. "Nothing is valuable enough for you, America." It is at times like this my heart melts a little more for Maxon Shreave. A tear rolls down my cheek, and he tenderly wipes it away. "I love you." he whispers. "I love you too." I say. He leans in and gently places his lips on mine. I wish that we could freeze this moment and stay happy forever. I wish that this Selection was over, that I was Maxon's princess. I wish for so many things in that moment, but then remember as long as I have Maxon with me, I'll be fine. "Don't leave me." Maxon murmurs into my cheek. "Never." I whisper. I don't intend to anytime soon.

Love y'all! And again, Merry Christmas Eve!