Hello again! Thank you for all the amazing reviews and thank you to everyone who is still reading this crazy story! As a writer, it feels great to know that your readers are enjoying your story.
Disclaimer: The Selection belongs to Kiera Cass.
Enjoy!
I stare out into the dark, star-speckled sky. The air is a perfect temperature, crisp and cool. It's late and the others are already asleep.
Breathe in. Breathe out. As I work on my yoga sequence, I begin to mull over this evening's conversation.
"There's an agent in the Academy. A rebel agent."
Lucy's words echo in my head. I shift into a bridge position.
"You know the organization S.R? Southern Rebels?"
Of course. The Southern Rebels are ruthless, killing machines.
"They're out to get Maxon."
Why the heck would they want him? Out of all the people in the world. They want him. Why? I move into a chair twist.
"He may be the next king of Illea."
Apparently, Clarkson Schreave is King Spencer Illea's cousin. Because Spencer's sister; Katherine Illea, had been married off to the king of Swendway, Clarkson was next in line.
"But Clarkson is too old, you see. Which means that..."
Maxon would be the next King.
"And if the rebels were to eliminate him..."
Illea would be in big trouble. Like. BIG. Trouble.
I heard a noise behind me, "Can't sleep?"
Looking behind me, I meet a pair of rich brown eyes, "Nah, you?"
"Too warm," Maxon grunts, sitting next to my yoga mat, "I didn't know you did yoga."
"Yeah well, not many people do. It's a big difference from taekwondo." I sigh, pushing myself into a crow position.
"Sure is. You were amazing out there by the way," he smiles. This is the most civil conversation we've had since I've arrived. Mind blowing.
"Why did you move here?" He asks, leaning back into the soft sand.
I copy him, "My father got a new job." Maxon doesn't ask why.
"What about you? How's school?"
"Ok...I mean, you can't exactly say that much about school."
"Sure you can! Fine. How are your grades?"
"They're ok, mostly A's or B's." That was surprising, I never pegged Maxon as smart.
Out of nowhere, Maxon sits up and asks, "Wanna play catch?"
"It's too dark."
"What. Are you too chicken?" He teases, flashing a crooked grin.
"Game on," I snap. There was no way, NO WAY, he was going to get away with calling me chicken.
"I'll be in first," Hoisting myself up, I watch Maxon make a run towards the water. Sprinting towards him, I let out a little gasp as cold water hits my bare legs.
"Can't catch me!" He laughs, flicking water at me. I push my arms forward, watching as the little wave of icy cold water hits his bare chest. HOLD ON. When did his shirt come off?
Maxon tries to run past me. Bad move. Sticking my arm out, I manage to tap his shoulder. Now it was my turn to run. I make a run towards the cabin, Maxon hot on my heels. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun.
"Woah!" I exclaim, his fingers nearly touching my waist. That was a close call. We weave in and out of palm trees, duck under hammocks and jump over driftwood. Finally, after tripping on a mound of sand, Maxon tackles me. His arms wrap around me and we land on the soft sand, our faces only inches apart.
"I win," I tease, trying to catch my breath. If he lowered his head, we would have been kissing.
"No way! I caught you!" He chuckles, his brown eyes alight with amusement.
"Yeah, but I survived the longest!" My tongue pokes out and Maxon frowns.
"Yeah well..."
"Can you get off me? You're not exactly light, you know?" He stands up, helping me get up as well.
"Fine. You won!" He grumbles. I pick up my yoga mat and we walk towards the cabin. I fail to notice a pair of curious blue eyes watching us.
...
The next morning, I wake up early; wanting to watch the sunrise. By the time I get changed, the sky is beginning to lighten.
"What were you doing with Maxon last night?" Lucy's voice snaps.
"That's none of your business," I retaliate, stepping onto the porch.
She comes out as well, sitting down on the rocking chair.
"It is. I may be a first year, but I'm an experienced one. I was sent here to help you."
"How dare you try to boss me around! You may be experienced, but you're still a first year. Do not forget your ranking. And as for help, I never needed it. I was doing just fine before you came along."
"Oh really!? And what was that I saw last night? You and Maxon getting cozy," Lucy hissed.
"The nerve of you! Remember this; with just ONE call, I can send you back to HQ. Your reputation will be stripped. No agent has ever sent back an assistant. You'll be infamous."
"As if."
"Watch me."
The smell of bacon wafts out the door, alerting us that the others were awake. "We'll finish this conversation later."
Tugging my robe together, I silence Lucy with a cold glare before stalking inside.
How dare she. How dare she. How dare...
"Hey, America!" Marlee exclaims, her mouth full of eggs.
"Hiya!" I smile, walking towards her. I notice that the boys still aren't awake, "Hmmm! This smells delicious!"
Eadlyn grins, handing me a plate of food, "Thank you very much!"
Sipping my cup of coffee, I sit down at the large table, "The guys still sleeping?"
"Yes," Marlee rolls her eyes, "hey Lucy!"
Lucy ignores her, stomping into the bathroom.
"I don't like her," Eadlyn whispered, sending an icy glare towards the bathroom door.
"Hmmhmm," I hum. Amen. "What's the plan for today?"
"Well, Aspen thought it would be a good idea to check out the local town. And by town, we mean the little mini huts just there," Eadlyn points the spatula over her shoulder, bits of egg falling onto the floor.
"Sounds good!" I nod, finishing the rest of breakfast.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder rumbles through the house and we rush towards the window. EW. Rain. There went my good day.
"Damn it!" Eadlyn groans, burying her head in her hands.
Marlee begins to wail, "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!"
"Guys! Chill! It's just rain."
"It's not that! Now we're stuck in the house with the boys!"
"Big deal!" I roll my eyes, what's so bad about that?
"You don't get it! Obviously, haven't been stuck in the same building as THESE boys! With the rain," Eadlyn mutters, banging her head against the window.
It can't be that bad...can it?
Aren't cliffhangers the best thing in the world? ;) Hope you enjoyed! Please Please please please please please review!