The One Fanfiction

Chapter 8

        We walked up the palace steps. Maxon stopped at the doors. "Are you ready?" I took a breath and nodded. The guards pulled open the large doors.

        I heard a delighted shriek as Kriss approaches me. "Oh my God, America! Are you okay? They told us you were sick, but they didn't give us any details. We were all worried sick. There was even a discussion about it on the Report." She said all of this in about two seconds tops. Kriss squealed again and pulled me into a hug.

        Celeste and Elise were snickering a little ways away. Feeling particularly cheeky, I went over to them. I wrapped them in a bear hug. "I think I missed you two the most," I exclaimed with as much enthusiasm as possible. Maxon and Kriss chuckled loudly.The girls squirmed in my grasp until I let them go. I did my best attempt at an innocent smile. Celeste scoffed in disgust.

        Queen Amberly made her way forward, a dazzling and sincere smile on her face. She held out her arms and I quickened my pace. Queen Amberly embraced me as if I was her own daughter. She spoke softly into my ear. "I'm so glad you're better, America."

        She pulled back, glanced at Celeste and then leaned back in. "Good for you, putting her back in her place. She has been a pain the whole time you were gone."

        I blushed and replied, "Anytime, Your Majesty."

        We giggled quietly and she stepped away.

        The only person left to greet was the King. I took a few steps forward before giving an awkward curtsy. The King motioned me forward. He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his mouth. He was squeezing so tightly it took all I had not to scream in agony. When his lips touched my hand, I wanted to retch.

        The King released me and I fell a step backwards. I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. He uttered his next words so quietly, only I could hear. "Welcome back, little girl. I hope you don't plan on staying for much longer. I don't want your little spirit getting crushed when my son sends you back home." That shows how much you know.

        I smile sweetly. "Don't worry, Your Highness. It is very likely my dreams will come true. Remember how you said I was too young to know about men? Ask your son if that's true." I curtsied and sauntered back to Maxon's side.

        I looked up at him . Maxon's eyes twinkled with pride. Apparently, he'd guessed about what had happened with his father.

        Maxon cleared his throat and began speaking. "We have had enough excitement for today, so we should all go to our rooms and prepare for dinner. Lady America, I'm sure there are some people in your room who would like to see you."

        I grinned ear-to-ear. I was eager to see Lucy, Mary, and Anne.

        I rushed through the halls, almost running. My door was open and I peaked in to see if my friends were there. Lucy was jumping up and down, Mary was fixing her hair in the mirror, and Anne was sitting on the bed calmly. I couldn't wait another second. "Girls!" I cried.

        They all jumped in surprise. Mary squealed with happiness. Lucy was the first to pull me into a hug. Anne lost her composure and sprinted across the room yelling, "America! You're back!"

        I pulled them close, enjoying the coddling. "I missed you guys so much. I don't know how I got through it without you."

        We plopped on to the bed, all giggles and smiles. The girls and I chatted nonstop for an hour.

It was good to be back.