The Elite (Where the King is Nice)

Chapter 14

(Maxon's POV)
I heard from my mom that America just high-tailed it out of the Report room. She said something like America was super embarrassed or something like that. I assume that she's in her room, so that's where I head. I knock on her door. I hear thumping and then the door opens.
"Maxon," she says in a hushed voice.
"Hi, can I come in?" She just nods and then plops down on the bed.
"Why do you want to see me? I screwed up so bad!" She says and I give her a look.
"It doesn't matter what happened on the Report, I still love you." She blushes and drops her head.
"But it-it was stupid. I'm not cut out to be queen. Someone like Kriss would be-" But I cut her off instantly.
"America, you messed up once. Once! Do you know how many times my parents have messed up on TV?" She shrugs.
"They know what they are doing. I'm just a plain-old, stupid five." Tears form at the corners of her eyes and I reach up to wipe them away.
"America, I think you are going to be the most influential person this country has ever had." America just shakes her head.
"Look, I have to go, my parents are probably wondering where I am, but I'll talk to you later, ok?" She just nods slightly and I walk out of the room. I know she is upset, but still..
"Maxon! There you are! I've been looking for you!" My dads says to me.
"Hi," I say back to him. He chuckles lightly.
"Well, we are having lunch soon, so shall we get ready?" He asks.
"Yes." We walk up to our rooms together and then part.
"Wear something nice Maxon." My father says. When do I not wear something nice? Really, that's all I wear nowadays.
Suddenly, my stomach clenches at the thought of lunch. I have to eliminate 2 girls today. That's going to leave a lot of tension in between the 3 girls that are left. I know I'm going to eliminate Natalie, but who else should I eliminate?
Not America.
Not Kriss.
So Elise? Or Marlee?
I know America is really close with Marlee, but Elise has connections with Asia and can possibly help with the situation with the war.
So really, it all comes down to whether I'm feeling selfish or not. I don't know. I'll decide later. I go into my closet and grab a nice tuxedo and put it on. Then, I run a comb through my hair. When I walk out the door, I see my father waiting for me.
"Ready?" He asks.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I mumble back to him. We get to the dining hall and the 5 girls are there. I notice that America cleaned herself up considerably and has had a complete change in attitude. Now, she's chipper and happy, in contrast to how gloomy and sad she was earlier. Everyone then sits down at the table and eats. It's silent as we eat, and it's got a tense feeling to it.
I shove more steak in my mouth as I think again, am I selfish or am I not?
My mother keeps giving me looks as if to say,
When are you going to make the announcement?
Soon, I mouth back to her. She nods her head in response. I'm so nervous. What if I make the wrong decision? And what will America think if I eliminate Marlee?
Yup, definitely feeling selfish today.
I stand up to make the announcement and immediately every girl stops eating and tenses up. Even America. But why would she be nervous? She knows I'm going to be with her until the end. Maybe she's nervous for Marlee.
"To keep this brief, I'm just going to say that the girls that are staying are Kriss, America, and Marlee."
Elise and Natalie start sobbing but Natalie gives me a knowing look. It's as if she's trying to say, I knew it. Of course, this makes me feel really bad but I know I can't go back now. In contrast, Marlee and Kriss are now relaxed. However, America still looks slightly stressed and is trying to calm down Elise. Then again, America was stressed at every elimination and was almost always trying to calm someone down.
I hope I made the right decision. Sure, I'm expected to find the girl I'm going to marry and love in this Selection, but I know my parents want me to choose someone who will also be a great queen. Lately, my father has been pressuring me to 'dig deeper' and find out who the girls 'really are.' I know he means well, but it's so annoying sometimes.
Anyway, I stand up to help Natalie and Elise pack up and leave, but my mom stops me.
"Leave them be, Maxon. They need some time to themselves," she whispers in my ear. I know when I'm upset I just want to be left alone, but I thought that girls were the opposite. I guess I was wrong. At least with America, I can usually understand how she's feeling. Just I'm about to leave to go to my room, a loud BANG is heard throughout the room..