The Rebel: The Selection Fanfiction

Bit 1: The Plan

I stood in my room. The maids -no, my maids- had just left. I was nervous even though they had assured me I'd do just fine. I had to go out in front of a camera tonight and tell the world why I, America Singer, a five, ought to be Queen. Why I, of all people, deserved the title. But I didn't know any good ones. I hadn't written anything down that I hadn't crossed out viciously. Im a good musician but do I have what it takes to be Queen? I was last in the polls. I don't have any connections. The King hates me. What do I have that would make me better than Celeste or Kriss or anyone for that matter! Because I'm not. I'm just not! My heart started to beat faster, if that was even possible. I rushed out to the balcony and gripped the slick railing. I gulped down the sweet, moist air. It had just rained but there was no rainbow, as far as I could tell. It was shadowy and the clouds looked dangerous. Then I looked down and saw something even more ugly. Celeste..with Maxon. Maxon looked calm but I could see a slight downward curve of his mouth, the only thing showing his irritation. His stress. Suddenly, I felt terrible. He's been in the middle of a web, tangled beyond repair. And here I'd only been worried about myself, doubting him, doubting me. I looked carefully and saw Celeste's angry, pissed off look. Red blotches started to form on her face and neck.

I wondered why they were so upset. Suddenly, though, Maxon glanced up, meeting my eyes. I froze in place. Celeste seemed to be whispering violently to him, not wanting to attract attention but wanting to get her point across. He tugged his ear and I tugged mine. Even though I tried to contain it, their argument made my heart feel a bit lighter. Stop it, I told myself angrily. Stop it now. Was Maxon finally seeing the girl I'd seen since the beginning? Even if he hasn't, I know he will. You can only hide your true self for so long. I just hoped it would be before, if he was ignorant enough to choose her, he said ''I do''. No, I told myself. He wouldn't choose her. He told me to trust him. And I will. I will..But I'm not going to only have his word for it. I left the balcony and shut the doors behind me. Then I went over to the jar with the pennies inside...and a piece of paper.

***

I felt better. Kind of. I had just called Nicoletta. The last time I had talked to her was when we threw that party and she had given me that number. It was pretty tricky but with Aspen's help it was doable. We had chatted for a bit before we had gotten down to business. The reason I had called. I wanted to see what her country could tell me about Illéa's past. Because of that stunt I had pulled on the Capital Report, they stationed a guard there 24/7. There was no way past him and I didn't want to put Aspen at that much risk so I...used my resources. She told me that there wasn't much to tell but she'd find anything she could. But I wasn't finished. Even though I regretted that, and lost a lot of people's respect, I still believed in what I did. I wanted to know how their country got rid of the castes.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but I can't give away that information. Not over the phone." She didn't say the words, but I knew. We had to meet. Somehow...And then I remembered the Report and how they always had an audience. I told her my idea.

        "Perfect," she replied. "I'll be there, America."