The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 1

A:N: So I was re-reading yabookaddiction 's Another Selection series and thought: What if Maxon actually chose Kriss? Anyways this will start from the rebel attack at the end of The One. This is in Maxon's POV.

I watched in confusion as a guard with a bright, blood red bandana walked up to Celeste and put a bullet through her head. I gaped for a second before everything exploded into complete chaos. I heard bodies thudding into the ground, screams of terror and pain, the clacking of heels as women (and men) tried to escape as fast as possible. I turned to Kriss,

"Get on the floor. We're going to be fine." I tried to calm her. When I looked up, all I could see was the shadow of a man, a rebel, pointing a gun to my face. I looked at America, standing right next to me, she looked at me. An odd look passed on the rebel's face and he smirked. In a second, his gun was pointing at America. No. Before I could move, Aspen Leger, the guard America had... cheated on me with, had jumped in front of her in a flash of brown, red and gold, taking the bullet straight in the chest. I knew at that moment, he couldn't be saved. I grabbed America, who was sobbing hysterically, and Kriss, who looked on the verge of breaking into tears. Oh God , two crying women. I hauled them, gently but firmly to the closest safe room. I fumbled for a key in my suit pocket before retrieving it. I slid it into the lock and pushed them both in before slipping inside myself.
Inside, America continued to sob.

"Aspen." Is all she would say. I sighed and turned to Kriss, pulling her into a comforting embrace. She finally let go and sobbed quietly but freely into my shoulder, soaking the fabric. But I didn't mind. Maybe a little. But if that was America crying into my shoulder, I knew I wouldn't mind, so I let Kriss do the same. Centuries seemed to pass. The room was very tense, especially after America stopped crying. Kriss had fallen asleep from her exhaustion. I looked at America. She looked... broken. Her normally bright hair was matted and dull, her blue eyes no longer sparkled with life. She looked at me, for a second, I saw hope flash in her eyes but that dissolved when I looked away. Kriss was the one I wanted. America had lied to me countless times. She had broken my heart far too many times. I would be happy with Kriss. I sat in the corner and stretched, wincing slightly. Father had whipped me again when he heard I had chosen America but he would be happy now that I had chosen Kriss. Father. Was he in a safe room? What about Mom? I pushed my nails into my palms, drawing blood.

"Maxon. Don't." America's soft voice rang out through the small, enclosed room. How could she still care for me?

"Sorry." I muttered and stretched again, face contorted.

"Does she know?" America asked.

"No." I knew she was talking about my scars.

"Are you going to tell her?" She pressed on.

"When the time comes." Is all I said before she stopped talking. I couldn't eat or do anything except pace during the dreadfully long hours that we waited inside the dark and cramped safe room. Finally, finally, a guard let us out. What we saw when we walked out was something I never wanted to see again. Dead bodies lay strewn on the ground, broken shards of glass all over the floor, threatened to cut bare feet, blood splattered on the walls... It was disgusting and revolting. How a group of people could do that was beyond my imagination. I walked through the glass and bodies carefully, America trailing behind me and Kriss gripping onto my arm, eyes wide and face pale as snow. The guard that had let us out led us to a room, filled with about 50 people. Was that all that had survived?

"I'm very sorry for your loss, your highness." The guard suddenly said gruffly. My heart stopped.

"What loss?" I asked, as calmly as I could manage.

"Your parents. The king and queen have passed on." He replied. That's when I heard my heart shatter. I stumbled and stepped on a shard of glass which pierced through my shoe. I hissed in pain. The guard held my arm.

"Are you all right?" He asked.

"I'm bleeding and my parents are dead!" I shouted.

"I'm sorry, your highness." He bowed.

"Just get me something to clean this out. Please." I muttered. Kriss helped me into a chair and removed my shoe. She paled even further, blood wasn't her thing. I waved her away,

"Don't look, I'll be fine." I told her. America was nowhere in sight. The guard came back with gauze and bandages. A maid cleaned my wound and bandaged it up nicely, which reminded me of that night in the safe room with America. No. I had to stop thinking about her. I was going to propose to Kriss. Kriss not America. Kriss. After I was all bandaged, Kriss came back to me. She sat next to me and talked. Just talked, about anything. That was the thing I liked about her, she always had something to talk about. So did America. I had to remind myself. Kriss, not America. I ran a hand through Kriss' soft, long, thick brown hair. She smiled a little at me and I smiled back. I was always, ALWAYS happy with Kriss. We never fought but she didn't agree with everything I said either. That's when I hobbled out of the chair and got down on one knee. She gasped and everyone turned to look at me. I saw America's blue eyes fill with tears and she ran off.

"Kriss, my darling, my princess, would you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honour of becoming my wife?" I asked, smiling at her. Time seemed to freeze as I waited for her response. I could only see her. I was in love with her. I loved her.

"Yes." She finally said. Whoops echoed in the room along with claps and whistles, I stood up gingerly, balancing on my good foot and kiss her sweetly. It wasn't as passionate as the ones with America. America's kisses were fiery and full of passion, like her while Kriss' were sweet and soft, just like her as well. Her hands ran through my hair, fingers tickling my scalp. I felt tingly all over. This is what happiness truly felt like.

A/N: So how was this chapter? I know it's not excellent but I hope you like it anyway. Please check out my other selection fanfic, Learn to Love!