Life Without the Selection

Chapter 16

I didn't really talk to anyone for about a week. I was still shocked by what happened at the castle. Aspen. Who was he? He wasn't the boy I fell in love with two years ago. Maxon still hasn't bothered to ask what happened that day. And if he did ask, I don't know what'd I say. I decided to finally leave my house and go see Maxon.
"Hi America," the door opened and I saw Mrs. Schreave smile at me.
"Hi Mrs. Schreave. Is Maxon here?" I asked.
"Yes he is, Maxon!" she turned around and yelled. She left to go see where he was. I waited for a few seconds and saw a handsome face I dearly missed.
"Hello my dear," Maxon said smiling, running his hand through his hair.
"Hey, I missed you," I said quietly looking down.
"Do you want to go somewhere?" Maxon said taking my hand.
"Okay." Maxon went to tell his parents he would be leaving. We walked silently together.

"America."
"Yes, Maxon."
"What happened the other day? In the castle I mean?" I turned around and looked at him. He was looking at me curiously, trying to find a sign on my face.
"Maxon, I told you I knew Aspen from before right? He's a friend of mine," I explained. He nodded.
"Well, I didn't tell you some other things about him though," I said biting my lip.
"Such as?" he asked.
"Well he was my boyfriend, for about two years. He broke up with me when he arrived at the Selection," I said quietly.
"Oh."
There was an odd silence for a few seconds
"But what does that have to do with what happened the other day?" Maxon asked me, "You moved on and he has to, hasn't he?"
I didn't know how to put it in words. I started crying and Maxon hugged me. We didn't say anything.
"America." I nodded into his chest.
"Do you still love him?" he asked me quietly. I could feel pain in his voice and it broke my heart. I looked up at him and rubbed my watery eyes. I put my hands on his cheeks and I brought his face down near mine.
"Maxon, I don't love him. I found out that what I had with him wasn't love, when I met you. Yes he's still my friend -" I stopped, "but I love you."
"What?"
"Maxon Calix Schreave, I love you. I love you," I repeated.
"I love you," he said touching my hands with his. He pulled me into a kiss and I kissed back. He pulled away and looked at me with a serious face again.
"Wait, America. So what happened the other day?" he questioned again.
"Maxon - it doesn't matter anymore," I said trying to avoid the situation.
"No it does. You're unhappy about whatever happened that day and I need to know why. America, please," he said looking at me with pain. I had to tell him. But if I did, what could he do?
"Maxon - Aspen," I said stopping myself. I couldn't say it.
"Yes? What about Aspen?" he said looking into my watery eyes, "please America."
"He t-touched m-me." I said and started sobbing again.
"That son of a -"
"Maxon. It's okay. Nothing happened."
"Nothing happened? America did he -" Maxon asked painfully. I shook my head and he hugged me, petting my head softly.
"America, I won't let anything like this ever happen again, I promise. And oh I will teach him a lesson the next time I see him," Maxon said sweetly but with anger.
"Maxon, it's okay." I said hugging him. I felt him kiss the top of my head.
"Oh America, why didn't you tell me this?" he asked.
"I didn't want you to worry about it."
"Worry about this? America this is something I have to worry about! I love you America and if anything happened, I would blame myself for not protecting you," he said pulling away to look at me.
"I'm sorry Maxon. I should have told you. But nothing happened, so don't worry about it too much," I said kissing him. I touched his face and I smiled.
"I love you."
"I love you."

"America! You have mail!" Mom said when I came back home. I went over to my Mom in the kitchen. I hugged her and took the letter.
"Thanks Mom!"
I went into my bedroom and found May and Jazmine on the bed listening to music and talking to each other
"Hey America," May said. Jazmine waved at me.
"Hey May, hey Jazmine. Is it okay if I just stay in here? Or am I interrupting you guys?"
"No it's fine Ames. Go right ahead," May said and smiled at me. I went to the windowsill and sat down. I tore open the envelope. I quickly recognized the handwriting.

Dear America,
I shouldn't even have to right to be speaking to you after what I've done. I didn't realize my mistake and how awful it was and I don't expect you to forgive me. All I want to say is that I'm sorry and that I hope you accept my apology. However, I'm not worthy to receive your acceptance and that is fine. After what I have done to you, I don't expect you to still be my friend. I'm sorry America. I truly am. If Maxon knows about this, tell him that I said I'm sorry and I deserve to be in hell for what I have done. I hope you can forgive me, and if you don't I understand. I'm sorry America for what I did.
Love,
Aspen

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't forgive him just like that. I know he was truly sorry though.
"Hey America?"
"Yes May," I said as I was interrupted by my daze.
"I don't know if you know, but the Schreaves are coming over for dinner."
"Oh! That's wonderful. When are they coming?" Then the doorbell rang.
May, Jazmine and I walked out of the bedroom.
"Come in!" Mom said to the Schreaves. Thea, May, and Jazmine started squealing when they saw each other. They started talking and talking. Mom, Dad, Mr. Schreave and Mrs. Schreave were talking too. Gerad joined the girls conversation. Maxon walked over to me.
"Hi beautiful," Maxon said with a smirk.
"Hey handsome," I said with a wink. We started laughing.
"Is this your boyfriend?" A voice came in. Kota was watching us flirt and I started blushing.
"Hi, I'm Maxon, you must be Kota. I've heard a lot about you from your beautiful sister," Maxon said.
"Nice to meet you Maxon. Well I'm glad someone finds my ugly sister attractive," Kota said laughing. Maxon laughed along and I was giving them both dirty looks.
"Hello Maxon. It's great to see you again," Kenna joined along.
"Hi, Kenna! It's great to see you again as well," Maxon smiled.
"Children dinner is ready!" I heard Mr. Schreave's voice boom through the house. We ate dinner which my parents and Mr. and Mrs. Schreave cooked together. I sat next to Maxon and Kenna. We talked about lots of things. Kota and Maxon washed the dishes together and Thea and I dried them. Kenna was talking to Mrs. Schreave and Mom. Dad and Mr. Schreave were talking as well. The children were talking and joking around with each other. When we finished everyone was talking and enjoying their time. Maxon and I were in my bedroom. We didn't talk but we just enjoyed the feeling of being next to one another.
"America, I think our families are great friends."
"Yeah I think the same too."
I fell asleep into Maxon's arms and I heard one last thing.
"I love you America," and I felt a faint kiss on my lips.