The Selection

Chapter 23

AMY, FIONA, AND TALLULAH were gone within hours. I wasn't sure if the speed was due to the efficiency of Silvia or the nerves of the girls. We dropped to nineteen, and it suddenly felt like this was all moving quickly. Still, I couldn't have predicted how much faster it would become. The Monday after the attacks, we returned to our routine. Breakfast was as delicious as ever, and I wondered if there would come a time when I wouldn't appreciate these amazing meals. "Kriss, isn't this divine?" I asked as I bit into a piece of star-shaped fruit. I'd never seen it before I came to the palace. Kriss's mouth was full, but she nodded in agreement. I felt a warm sense of sisterhood this morning. Now that we had survived a major rebel attack together, it felt like these small bonds had sealed into something unbreakable. Beside Kriss, Emily was passing me honey. Next to me, America was asking about my province. The atmosphere was that of my family dinners a few months ago. I suddenly knew, just as Maxon had said his mother had done, that I would contact these girls down the road. I would want to know who everyone married and send them Christmas cards. And in twenty-some-odd years, if Maxon had a son, I'd call to ask them about their favorite girls in the new Selection. And we'd remember everything we'd gone through and laugh about it as if it had been an adventure, not a competition. Oddly enough, the only person in the room who appeared to be distressed was Maxon. He didn't touch his food but instead gazed up and down the rows of girls with a clear look of concentration on his face. Every once in a while, he paused midthought and seemed to debate with himself over something, and then moved on.

When he came to my row, he caught me looking at him and gave me a weak smile. Maybe I would wait for him after breakfast, see what he has to say. Maxon stood up. The sudden movement made his chair screech in a way that drew our collective attention. As we all turned toward him, he looked like he wished he could sit back down unnoticed. Realizing that wasn't an option, he spoke instead. "Ladies," he said with a bow of his head. He looked genuinely pained. "I'm afraid that after yesterday's attack, I've been forced to seriously reconsider the operation of the Selection. As you know, three ladies asked to leave yesterday, and I obliged. I wouldn't want anyone here against their will. Furthermore, I don't feel comfortable keeping anyone in the palace, facing this constant threat of danger, when I feel confident that we don't have any sort of future together." Around the room, the confusion changed to a clear and unhappy understanding. "He's not...," Tiny whispered. "Yes, he is," I replied. "Though it grieves me to do this, I have discussed the matter with my family and a few close advisers and have decided to go ahead and narrow the Selection down to the Elite. However, instead of ten, I've decided to send all but seven of you home," Maxon stated in a businesslike tone. "Seven?" Kriss gasped. "That's not fair," Tiny breathed, already starting to cry. I looked around the room as the hum of complaints rose and fell. Celeste braced herself, as if she could fight for a spot. Bariel had closed her eyes and crossed her fingers, perhaps hoping that image would garner her some sympathy. Marlee, who had admitted that she didn't care for Maxon, looked incredibly tense. Why did she want to stay so badly? "I don't wish to draw this out unnecessarily, so only the following ladies will be staying. Lady Marlee and Lady Kriss." Marlee breathed out a sigh of relief and put a hand to her chest. Kriss did a happy, fidgety dance in her chair and looked at the girls around her, expecting us to be happy. And I was until I realized that two of the seven spots were already gone. I expected I would be first, did he decide he didn't like me? Did I do something wrong? This whole time, the power had been in my hands as to when I would leave. I was abruptly aware of how important it was to me to stay. "Lady Natalie and Lady Celeste," he continued, looking at them both in turn. He couldn't keep her and not me. I could hardly believe he was keeping her at all, she's my best friend but I'm still suprised about it."Lady Elise, Lady America" he said, and the room inhaled a breath, awaiting the final name. I realized Tiny and I were squeezing each other's hands. America was safe, if it wasn't me, I knew exactly who would be queen.

"And Lady Florence." Maxon looked over at me, and I felt every muscle in my body relax. Tiny started bawling immediately, and she wasn't alone. Maxon let out a long sigh. "To everyone else, I'm incredibly sorry, but I hope you all trust me when I say that I meant this to be a good thing for you. I don't want to raise anyone's hopes for no reason and risk your life in the process. If anyone who is leaving wants to speak to me, I'll be in the library down the hall, and you may visit me as soon as you've finished eating."
Maxon walked out of the room as quickly as he could without running. Emmica and Tuesday were running after Maxon, no doubt looking for an explanation. Some girls were in tears, obviously heartbroken, and it fell on those of us remaining to comfort them. It was unbearably awkward. Tiny ended up swatting away my hands and running out of the room. I hoped she wouldn't hold any bitter feelings against me. People left within minutes, no longer hungry. I didn't linger myself, unable to handle the outpouring of emotion. I knew I would be saved, why was I so shocked? The rest of the morning was odd . I'd never really had friends that I would miss. All the occupied rooms on the second floor were open, and girls scurried in and out, passing notes and gathering addresses. We cried together and laughed together, and by the afternoon, the palace had turned into a far more serious place than it was when we came. My floor was the only floor still filled. Natalie and Marlee were both in the elite. So was I. It felt weird saying it. I knew I was a selected. But now saying I'm an elite sounded weird.
I decided to paint some more, it's the greatest comfort I have. Suddenly a knock came at the door. Grace rushed to get it, looking at me to make sure I was prepared for a visitor. I gave her a small nod before putting my paintbrush down. When Maxon came into the room, I was shocked. I was expecting Celeste or someone. "Ladies," he said, looking to my maids. "We meet again."They curtsied and giggled. He acknowledged them and turned his eyes to me. I hadn't realized how eager I was to see him. I stood by the table in a daze. "Do forgive me, but I need to speak with Lady Florence. Would you give us a moment?" There was more curtsying and giggling, and Poppy asked-with a tone that implied near worship of the prince-if she could bring him anything. Maxon declined, and they left us. He had his hands in his pockets. We were silent for a while.

"I'm happy you kept me." I say and he smiles at me. Maxon closed the distance between us slowly, choosing his words as he walked. When he finally reached me, he picked up my hands in his and kissed them softly. "I'm happy I kept you too." He says and I smile. "Why did you chose us seven?" I say and his face goes serious again. "Well, you've seen my choices. Marlee is a favorite with the people, and that cannot be overlooked. Celeste is a very powerful young woman, and she comes from an excellent family to align ourselves with. Natalie and Kriss are charming girls, both very agreeable and favorites of some in my family. Elise happens to have relations in New Asia. Since we're trying to end this damn war, that is something to take into consideration. I've been debated down and cornered from every side on this decision. America is the underdog, the one nobody expected to go far. " There was no explanation for me, and I almost didn't ask for it. I knew that I had no political uses at all and I wasn't a favourite. But I was his favourite.I needed to hear the words "And why am I still here?" My voice was a whisper, like I wasn't trying to ruin the moment. "Florence, I thought I'd made myself clear," Maxon said calmly. He let out a patient sigh and used his hand to nudge up my chin. When I was finally looking into his eyes, he confessed. "If this were a simpler matter, I'd have eliminated everyone else by now. I know how I feel about you. Maybe it's impulsive of me to think I could be so sure, but I'm certain I would be happy with you." I blushed. I could feel tears rising, but I blinked them away. The expression on his face was so adoring, I didn't want to miss it."There are moments when I feel like you and I have broken down every last wall, and I adore that about you. Florence you are the person I came in here looking for. The person I didn't think I would find but I did." He says and I lean in for a kiss, he responds. The kiss was deep, passionate. I know I say this every time but it was different. I couldn't help but laugh. Maxon chuckled once, then became suddenly serious. "What's wrong?" I asked. He shook his head. "They were so fast this time." Maxon's voice was full of an aggravated wonder at the talents of the rebels. I suddenly wondered how close to disaster I had come by trying to save my maids. "I'm getting more and more worried, Florence. North or South, they're getting exceptionally determined. It seems they won't stop until they get what they want, and we haven't the faintest clue what it is." Maxon looked confused and sad. "I feel like it's only a matter of time until they destroy someone important to me." He looked into my eyes. "Until they destroy you."

I wrapped my arms around him, resting my head against his chest. Maxon seemed both comforted and surprised by the gesture. It took only a second for him to wrap his arms securely around me. "Nobody will hurt me, you wouldn't let them." I say comfortingly. He let out a sigh. With my head there against his chest, I could faintly make out the sound of his heart beating through his suit coat. It seemed to be rushing. His hand, gentle as ever, reached to cup my cheek. As I looked into his eyes, I felt that unnameable feeling that was growing between us and he bridged the small gap between us, kissing me with unimaginable tenderness. I felt a smile underneath his lips, and it lingered for a long time after.