Break My Heart a Thousand Times (The Selection Series Story)

Chapter XIV: "Fated to Love... You?!"

Author's note: As you have noticed, this story is in the point of view, or POV, of America. For most of the following chapter, it will still be from her perspective, but near the end, it will switch to no one's Point of View. In these last few chapters, as we near the end, a few side characters will be focused on more thoroughly, so not all parts of the story are from America's perspective. When it isn't from her perspective.

Chapter Fourteen

"Aren't they wonderful!" Veronikka said gleefully, smiling proudly. Her naturally pink lips were even darker than usual, and blush on her cheeks combined with her short brown hair made her look very pretty.

I nodded, speechless."Which one..." I cleared my throat. "Which one is mine?"

Lady Veronikka smiled slyly. "You're not going to find out until it's time to put them on," she told me. She hurried over to the dresses, struggling to pick them all up.

Valleree stood up suddenly, saying, "I'll help you!" It was clear she was getting rather tired of all this makeup attention.

She rushed over to Veronikka, picking up a couple of the dresses, and then looked at me. "Go ahead," she told me, referring to the maid who had been doing her hair and makeup. "I'm done for now." Despite her very light makeup, she looked quite pretty with her hair curled and her lips darker, but I could tell she was done. I watched as she and Veronikka left into her main room, then looked over to the maid who had been doing Valleree's makeover. It was Anne.

"Hi, America," she told me as I sat down. "Is there anything specific you want?"

I frowned. Did I? I wasn't really sure. I wanted to be pretty, sure, but all of those dresses were beautiful enough to make me stunning, anyway. I turned my head slightly, looking back at Anne. "Light makeup, please," I asked, "And my hair... just not too... big, y'know?"

She nodded, smiling slightly, and grabbed a brush. "Okay, so I'm gonna start with hair... I'll just make it a simple bun, with some hair twirled out... that alright?" I nodded, though I had no idea what she was talking about, and closed my eyes. As Keahna and Chelsey continued to chat, I just tried to relax. I was becoming slightly anxious for the party. What would Maxon think if I went to the party? Would he get angry? Upset? Confused? I honestly didn't know, which was weird because I seemed to always know what he would think, do, or say.

I jolted slightly. I had just admitted it. I started to sweat. I had just admitted that I could read Maxon like an open book. Did that mean I love him? No, I took a deep breath. We're just really good friends. It doesn't have to be love. I tried to tell myself.

But what about those butterflies that explode in my stomach every time I think of him? A part of me asked, Or the sickening worry every time I think he may be in danger?

I sighed quietly, trying to clear my mind.

---

"Chelsey, Keahna?" My eyes flashed open, and Anne gave a slight yelp. She had been doing makeup, having already finished my hair, and my sudden movement had probably startled her.

Lady Veronikka stuck her head into the bathroom. "America, you stay here while Anne finishes your makeup," she commanded. Motioning her hand for the other two women to come over, she said excitedly, "Let's get you dressed, now." With identical grins, Chelsey and Keahna headed over to Veronikka, and all three of them disappeared into Veronikka's room.

I heard a couple of giggles, a Valleree's stifled laughter, and a couple of shushes from Veronikka. I felt a knot of curiousness in my stomach, but I knew I had to wait.