The Elite: Maxon POV

Chapter 25

Natalie POV:

It had been just a few hours since Elise had come into my room to comfort me. I told
her about Sasha, my sister, and the life of joy she led. I also told her about Chloe but left out the details of our love.

"Wow," she said when I had finally finished. "I cannot believe you have been through all that, Natalie. I know this may sound strange to say but I am proud of you. You have been through so much and here you are still standing," she said. She mumbling something at the end that I couldn't hear. Elise never mumbles.

"Thanks, Elise," I replied. She had been my only close friend left in this selection. Kriss was sweet but we didn't have much in common so it was hard to become close with her. America had Marlee before...before everything and Celeste was certainly not someone I wanted to even be friendly with. Conniving bitch.

"Would you like some tea? I'm sure your maids will have some available."

"No, thank you. I think I just need to rest." I couldn't think about Sasha or the tears would start again and the breathing would stop. It did help to talk to Elise about a lot of it, though. I pat the bed beside me.

"Come," I said. "That chair can't be as comfortable as you're trying to make it seem."

She laughed. What a beautiful sound that was. "I suppose you are right." She walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in as gracefully as one could. She perched on the end while I shuffled closer.

"Lay down. It won't kill you, I promise," I said. She smiled and lay down beside me gently.

"Chloe," she began after a few moments, "was she really just your friend?" I gulped.

"How do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, it is just that the way you described her in such detail makes it seem like perhaps you two were closer than that?" She turned to face me, placing her hands under her head like a baby. A lock of her raven black hair fell out of its pin and covered her face. I raised my finger to brush it out of the way and got a flashback of Chloe. I winced at the painful memory and turned on to my back.

"After what I saw with Marlee, I don't think there's anything I can say aloud that may indict me," I said. She nodded, understanding.

"So then, does this mean you fall in love with just one type of person?" Was she asking me if I was a lesbian? I turned to face her.

"I believe and always have that falling in love with someone is not conditional. It doesn't matter who that person is, I fall in love with their heart, not their body. Whatever or whoever they are doesn't bother me. My sister always reminded me of that. I do admit I have a crush on Prince Maxon." Elise's face faltered slightly as that. "But he will never see me in that way so it doesn't matter. I might as well tell him to send me home."

"No!" exclaimed Elise. "Do not do that. You do not know whether or not he sees you in that way." I looked at her quizzically.

"Say, Natalie, do you believe that I have a good heart?" she asked with hopefully eyes. I was stunned in silence. "I know that I seem boring and rigid but I-,"

"Elise," I said placing my hand on her chest. "I fully believe you have a good heart. You went out of your way to come here and comfort me and that's enough proof for me." She delicately placed her hand over mine.

"I...I have something to say, Lady Natalie," she stuttered. Elise never stuttered.

"So say it," I said softly. Instead she leaned forward slowly, looking into my eyes. She looked down at my lips and bent her head. Just as her face came close, an alarm went off. My maids came inside without knocking as I scrambled away from Elise.

"There are rebels in the palace! We must get you both to safety," said Verose. She grabbed my arm whilst Erica grabbed Elise's and took us to the nearest safe room.

"The doors will only open with your key, miss," said Erica handing me the key. I took it with shaky hands. All the dread came rushing back as I thought of Sasha.

"Oh god," I whimpered.

"Shh," said Elise comforting me. My knees buckled yet again but this time she caught me and sat me down with her.

"Do not cry," she begged. I drew in a shaky breath. I let her hold me and we sat together on the carpeted floor. She stroked my hair and held me until I became sleepy.

"What do you think everyone else is doing?" I asked her, yawning.

"I am not sure but my best guess is hiding, perhaps." I looked up and saw a faint smirk on her lips.

"Elise!" I excalimed.

"What?" She asked incredulously. She sat up straighter and her look turned to worry or fear.

"You made a joke! And it was actually funny, too," I said giggling. She smiled and rolled her eyes.

"You are hilarious, Lady Natalie."

"You can call me Nat you know," I said softly.

"Oh," was all she said. Moments passed before she told me to go to sleep.

"Good night, Elise," I whispered as sleep overcame me.

"Good night, Nat," she replied. The last thing I saw before closing my eyes was Elise's smooth, porcelain like face gazing down at me, with a sad smile.

one more chapter after this! woo!