The One Fanfiction

Chapter 10

        It was barely a second before Aspen clamped a hand over my mouth, but it was enough. My door slammed open and Maxon came storming in. Two guards followed at Maxon's heels.

        "What the hell are you doing?" Maxon yelled at Aspen furiously. The guards ran forward and yanked Aspen off of me. I slid to the floor, sobbing.

        As they dragged him out, he screamed , "I know you love me, America!" I shook my head rapidly, unable to get myself together.

        My wrists ached and were already bruising. My lips were swollen. My heart was ripped to shreds. If Aspen had really loved me, he wouldn't have done that.

        I've never been so afraid. Aspen wasn't the same as he was before the Selection. He used to be gentle and loving. Now, he was the exact opposite. Have I driven him to be so cruel and abusive?

        Maxon appeared at my side. He tried to pull me close, but I flinched away. Half of my heart said his touch would bring comfort. The other, louder, half told me I couldn't be touched right now.

        Maxon frowned and I melted.

        I grabbed his hand and put it on my heart. I whimpered, "I told him it was yours. He wouldn't listen."

        Maxon's gaze softened. He scooped me up and carried me over to my bed. He handed me my pajamas. Maxon turned away respectfully while I changed. When I finished, he placed a kiss on my forehead and went to go sit by the bottom of my bed.

        Maxon closed his eyes. "How long are you going to stay with me?" It was a question with two meanings. I hoped he knew what I meant.

        "Forever." Good answer.

        Maxon and I sat on my bed. I held ice to wrists. Maxon had insisted as soon as he saw them. I was trying to prepare myself for what was coming next. It was time for Maxon to know who Aspen really was.

        "Would you like to tell me what happened last night, America?" He looked at me like I was glass; one wrong move and I would shatter. He was probably right. I nodded. Here goes nothing.

        "Remember how I told you I left someone behind?" Maxon nodded. I started again,"Well- that's him. That's why I was so shocked when he showed up here."

        An incredulous look crossed his face. Maxon's gaze fell to his hands. "Did you two ever-" He cut off. Did you two ever see each other while you were with me?

        I nodded and a wave of his anguish slapped me in the face. Maxon began to speak, but the words didn't seem to want to come out. He tried again, his voice uneven, "He said you loved him. Was he telling the truth? Did you lie to me? Do you care about me at all?"

        That last one stung. But I deserved it. What I'd done was awful. "No, Maxon. I don't love him. I used to think I did, a long time ago. I do love you and I do care about you. So much it hurts. So much it's almost all I think about. It's not my choice to love you. I can't help it. It's a constant ache that I have to live with."

        "If it hurts so much, why don't you just leave me?"

        "Because I need you. It makes my heart beat, makes my head spin, makes me lose my breath. I crave every touch, every moment no matter how fleeting. I dream of our future. Getting married, starting a family, growing old and never regretting a second of it."

        My breathing was heavy. My throat was sore and I could feel a headache coming on. It was worth it. Maxon was looking at me as if I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

        Maxon leaned in, his muscles bulging under his weight. He placed a sweet kiss on my lips. It was different from all the others. It held promise and hope. Love and joy. And everything in between. Most of all, it held us. Everything we stood for, everything we'd ever felt for each other, every moment shared. When he pulled away, his eyes were closed, savoring the moment.

        Maxon opened his chocolate colored eyes. They sparkled with pure bliss. I had to be as close to him as possible. I scooted over and placed myself in his lap.

        Maxon's lips brushed my temple and he inhaled my scent. A content sigh escaped him. My hand rested on his knee, tracing slow circles.

        This was how we let out our feelings. Small touches that conveyed our thoughts. We didn't need to go too far. Not yet.