America's PoV

I get breakfast in my room today. After last night I didn't feel like going downstairs and possibly seeing Aspen. Around Eleven though, I get bored. I decide to chance it and slip downstairs to the women's room. I silently open the door so no one notices me.

I get inside and see Kriss, Elise and Celeste sitting with their backs to me.

"He told you that?" Celeste's saying.

"Of course!" Kriss exclaims.

"But why would he do that?" Elise cuts in.

"Well I mean it's obvious isn't it? We all know why she's still here. To do exactly what she does. She's a dirty five! The only reason she's still here is to entertain us! Maxon told me himself."

What?

"Really?" Elise says in disbelief.

"Of course! It's actually really funny. Maxon told me that he keeps acting like he loves her just to use her reaction for entertainment. He told me last night he even said he loved her! You should have seen it! We couldn't stop laughing!"

No. No, no no no no.

"I mean it's obvious he actually loves me!" Kriss continues.

"Ha! You must be kidding. He loves me!" Celeste replies.

Elise says something but I stopped listening. I turn and run back to my room. I collapse on the bed and cry for hours.

"Miss, you must get ready for dinner now," Lucy says, coming over to me. Not for the first time I'm glad they don't question my wet cheeks and red eyes.

I nod and they help me dress. They do my hair and makeup, expertly covering up the fact that I've been crying. Once they're done I thank them and slip downstairs to the dinning room.

All the other girls are already there, as well as the king, queen and Maxon. The whole meal I don't even look at Maxon.

About halfway through dinner though, Elise says, "Maxon keeps scratching his ear. I wonder if he's got a bite or something."

I shrug, not looking up from my plate. I don't pull my ear.

Maxon's PoV

All through dinner I tug my ear. America looks really upset and doesn't even look up at me once. I'm not sure what I did. Last night we were having such a great time. What could've happened?

She's the first to leave when dinner is dismissed. I get up to follow her out but am stopped in the hallway by Kriss.

"Hey Maxon!" She says, looking up at me through her eyelashes.

I give her a smile. "Do you know what's wrong with America?"

"No, but she was acting really strange today. Didn't come out of her room until dinner and then ignored everyone the whole meal. Kind of rude really."

I just nod. "I think I'm going to go see her."

"Oh I wouldn't if I were you. She probably wants some time alone. But if you've got some free time..."

"Well thanks for the advice but I really think I should talk to her. If you'll excuse me." I'm trying to be nice but I can see by the look in her eye she's trying to stop me.

I slip past her and head up to America's room. I nod at the guard, Officer Leger, and knock once on the door. After a minute of no reply I open the door slightly and slip in. America is sitting on the bed with her back to me, crying.

"America! What's wrong dear?" I ask, moving towards her. I stop when she turns and I see the fire in her eyes.

"What do you want?" She spits. "More entertainment?"

What? "America, what are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb! I heard Kris talking. I know why I'm really here." Really here? What's going on. "I'm here to do exactly what a dirty five like me is supposed to do right? Entertain. You act like you love my just to have fun seeing my reaction. Then! You go share it with Kriss!"

"America, what-" but she's not done.

"You know I was going to tell you I loved you tonight?" She interrupts me.

"Really?"

"But how do know if you love me now? If you ever did?"

No. Please no. "America, who told you that?"

"Kriss Maxon. But she didn't tell me, she told everyone else. Because that's all I am right? A joke?"

"What! America please! You have to believe me! I didn't- I would never do that!"

She sniffed, "I think you should go."

"No. Please America!"

"Can you please go!" She says loudly.

I know that I can't do anything to change her mind now. But I know I have to soon, or I will have no chance in winning her back.