This chapter is in Bella's POV and it's a New Year's party with the Elite. I'm sorry I didn't upload this yesterday, but I got a migraine towards the end of the day and I could hardly read or write anything. I hope you enjoy and I wish you all a Happy New Year!
I'm running down the stairs, rushing towards the ballroom I better not be late, I think, hoping that the party hasn't started yet. I see the doors open, and I rush in. The party has started. Dang, it. Way to keep it under the radar. I blush and notice everybody is looking at me.
"Lady Bella," the guard next to me calls out, announcing that I'm late to the party.
Thanks a lot, I think. All of the Elite are staring at me, scrutinizing me. I see emotion show on their face. They're jealous, I think. But why? I see Maxon walking up the stairs towards me. He's wearing a navy tuxedo with a gold tie. His hair is impeccable. Oh, that's why. I curtsy, one of the deepest curtsies I have done. My dress becomes a pool around me, the navy and gold swirling.
"Your Highness," I say, noticing Maxon's hand held out for me to grab. He helps me stand from my cursty. "Thank you," I say, feeling the Elite's eyes on me. Maxon's still holding my hand, and I flush.
Maxon leans close to me and I feel his breath on my skin. Goosebumps appear where his breath kissed my skin. "You look absolutely gorgeous, my dear. You look like the night sky," he says, kissing my hand. I blush and duck my head, hoping my hair will cover my face.
"Thank you," I say, looking at my dress. I'm wearing a navy ballgown with golden swirls. It has off-the-shoulder sleeves, and it is big and poofy. I have heels that match the dress and my hair is down in its curly glory. I have pearls and glitter in my hair, making it shimmer. I look up at Maxon and he's looking at me, concern all over his face. "What's the matter?" I shake my head, smiling at him, but it quickly flees my face. "Are you ok?" he asks, grabbing my arm to escort me down the stairs.
"Yes, why?"
"You seem off. I just want to make sure you're comfortable here," he says, lifting my head to look at him. "Are you comfortable?"
"I am very comfortable here," I say, "and I'm sorry I look uncomfortable. It's just that I'm dealing with a lot right now." Being in a severe stage of depression, I finish silently. I haven't told Maxon yet, and I don't particularly want to unless he chooses me as the One.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks, gently.
"Not really," I say, quietly.
"Ok, love. You can tell me whenever you are ready," he says, squeezing my hand. I give him a small smile. I turn to look at the guests and my legs almost give out. Maxon feels me fall and he grabs me tighter. "Are you sure you're alright?"
Father?! "Maxon, why is my father here?" I ask, starting to shake.
"The Elite's families were invited to this party. It's to celebrate getting so far in the Selection. Are you ok, love?" He looks at me in concern.
I feel all of my blood drain to my toes. "No," I whisper. "No." My whole body starts shaking.
"Darling, what's the matter?" We have reached the bottom of the staircase and I see Father walking towards me.
"Dance with me," I say, pulling him onto the dance floor. A lively tune starts to play and we start dancing. "No," I whisper, still in shock.
"Bella, what's the matter?" he says, pulling us towards a corner with navy and gold drapes.
I notice Father looking for us. "Can we go somewhere else? Please?"
"Of course, Bella. In here," he says, pulling a drape away from the wall. The drape was hiding a secret room. I run in there and pull poor Maxon with me, almost pulling him to the ground. "Bella, what is going on?! Why are you acting like this?!" he says, his anger flaring.
"Maxon, my father didn't want me to enter the Selection. He fought me a lot on it and even harmed me. We came to an agreement, but Father didn't think I would get this far. I know he's going to harm me if he gets to me, especially since he's drunk. I'm scared of him," I say, taking a deep breath, trying not to cry. "How much longer until midnight?"
"My dear, I had no idea. I would never have invited your family here…although I think the only one who's here is your father," he says, hugging me.
My legs give out and I fall to my knees, falling from Maxon's grasp. "No," I say. "No. No! That means…no…"
"Bella, what is it?" he asks, kneeling. I fall into his arms, shaking.
"Mother isn't here to control his drinking…or him. He's going to be way more abusive without Mother to control him," I say, starting to cry. Great, I think, this is totally going to help my depression. "How much longer until midnight?"
"About an hour," Maxon says, looking at his watch. "I'll keep an eye on you as much as I can, love. I won't let him get to you."
"Thanks, Maxon. Let's go out there and dance so it seems normal," I say, wiping the tears from my eyes. Maxon stands up and helps me up. I kiss him on the cheek and he blushes slightly. "For luck."
For the next half hour Maxon and I dance and eat like everything is normal. I keep a close eye on Father and Maxon keeps a close eye on me. The song ended and I realized that I was overly warm. I excused myself from my dance partner and I leave the ballroom, heading towards the garden. I hear footsteps behind me and I turn to look. It must be a guard, I think, dismissing the footsteps. I make it to the garden and I step outside. I instantly feel better, the cool air blowing against my flaming cheeks. I stay outside for a few minutes and I look at the night sky before going back inside. It's so pretty, I think. I smile at the beauty of the sky and how Maxon compared me to it. I start walking towards the ballroom.
Halfway towards the ballroom and I hear the footsteps behind me again. That's weird, I think, the guard would have followed me the whole way to the garden, not just halfway. I turn around and I see Father turn the corner. I gasp, starting to walk backward.
"Daughter, how lovely to see you. I haven't seen you since the Selection started. I wish you would have visited us at home, but I came here to visit you myself instead," he says, smiling, knowing I am uncomfortable.
"Stay away from me, Father," I say, backing slowly towards the ballroom. Too slowly.
"But, Daughter, I want to discuss matters with you," he says, getting closer and closer to me.
"Stay away," I warn, pulling my hands into fists. "I'm not scared of hurting you."
"If you hurt me, you will be sorry," he says, now close enough that I can smell the alcohol on his breath. An evil smile crosses his lips and he grabs my arm. "C'mere, Daughter. Let me give you a hug."
"No!" I cry, trying to get out of his grasp. He just tightens it. "I-" I start to say, but hear footsteps behind me.
"Mr. Starr, let go of Bella right now," Maxon says, turning the corner with two guards trailing behind him.
"Hmmm? You think you can tell me what to do?" he asks, a wicked smile on his face. "Well, I guess I could…" Father kisses my hand and pushes me, and I start to fall down the three stairs we walked up. I gasp, trying to regain my balance. Someone catches me before I can fall to the ground.
"I'm right here, my dear," Maxon says, kissing my cheek. He picks me up into his arms and walks towards the ballroom. I see the guards escort Father towards the doors of the palace.
"What are they going to do to Father?" I ask.
"The guards are going to escort him home and make sure he doesn't come back to the palace again. I'm sorry I invited him. If he harmed you…did he harm you, my dear?" Maxon responds, and I know Maxon would do anything to protect me.
"He probably left some bruises on my arm, but other than that he didn't do anything," I say. Maxon puts me down and I smooth out my dress. I brush off the whole encounter with Father, used to him treating me like that. You're lucky you didn't get hurt this time. I hear people counting down in the ballroom and I realize it's almost midnight. "C'mon, Maxon." I pull him into the ballroom and there are twenty seconds left until the new year. A server with a tray of champagne comes up towards us and I grab a glass for each of us off of the tray. Seventeen, sixteen, fifteen. "I love you, Maxon," I say. He looks at me in surprise. I have never told him that I loved him.
His face softens and he says, "I love you, too, Bella." Ten, nine, eight, seven. He looks at me, not noticing anybody else in the room. I smile and we raise our glasses. "One!" we both shout. "Happy New Year!" Music starts playing, confetti releases from the ceiling, and fireworks start going off. I hardly notice any of this, focusing on Maxon instead. I realize that I truly do love him and I don't know what I'd do without him. I raise my eyebrows and we both drink the champagne in one go.
"Happy New Year, Maxon," I say, stepping close to him. He pulls me into his arms and we watch the fireworks together.
"Happy New Year, Bella. I hope we have many more together," he says, and I look up at him and smile.
"I hope so, too," I say. I turn towards the big window and watch the fireworks with Maxon, my love. I have a feeling we will be together forever.