Ever After . . .

Chapter 14

~Maxon~

"What?" I ask my mother.

"Maxon. I know what's going on in your head. Maxon you can't hide everything from me. I'm your mother," she says.

"Oh?"

"I'm just saying don't let your father find out that you were with America all day."

I give her a wide eye stare. She smiles and says, "Like I said. You can't hide everything from me. I'm your mother."

We sit in our seats and watch more of the events on the stage. Sometime Kriss and the kids come and sit with us. Then my father follows a few minutes behind.

Not much happens on the stage for the next few hours. America did come back with a group of girls. The girls sang, and America played the piano for them. Out of the corner of my eye I see a scowl on both Kriss and my father's faces.

Kriss can't really hold a grudge on America for that long can she? What exactly is she holding a grudge on America for. America almost winning the Selection?

I take a breath and continue to watch. I try not to have any emotion cross my face. It's seeming to work.

The events on the stage end and everyone goes their own ways. Some go to booths, others go home. We make our way to the limousine and go back to the inn.

Kriss goes to a different room, and I'm left alone. A soft knock comes at the door. I answer it, and there stands Alison.

"Alison? Do you need something?" I ask her.

"Yes. Can I come it?" She asks me.

"Yeah. Yes of course." I open the door wider and she comes in. "What do you need?"

She sits down on my bed and unfurls her hand that I didn't know was closed. In her hand is a small silver necklace. I can't tell what's on it until she lifts it. It's a North Star.

"That's pretty Alison," I say.

"Yes it is. It's mom's. I didn't think anything of it until today. When I was out at the festival today I met a friend. There we took a wrong turn and ended up in an ally. There on the wall was a North Star. This North Star. Underneath it said 'We will follow the North Star home and we won't stop until we have what we want. Northern Rebels.' Dad, is mom a Northern Rebel?"

I'm taken aback. Kriss couldn't be a Northern Rebel. We would've found out by now.

"Alison why would you think that?" I ask her.

"Because I see that she wears this necklace almost everyday. And after seeing that paint on the wall has me sort of concerned," she says.

"I know. Don't worry about it. I'll talk to your mother about it later. Take the necklace back to her, and enjoy the rest of the trip. I won't let anything happen to you Alison. I promise."

"Alright. I love you dad," she says.

I smile. "I love you too." I kiss the top of her head, and leaves the room.

I change out of my nice clothes, and into something more comfortable. I lay down on the bed and wait for Kriss.

She comes in sometime, and I try to look asleep. I hear her change. Then the blankets rustle as she climbs under them. She kisses the side of my cheek, and lays down the other way. I hear her soft light snore indicating she's asleep.

I see the light under the door go out. I check the time. It's nearly midnight. I quietly climb out of bed, and pull on a dark hoodie, and shoes. I creep out of the room and slip down the hall. I'm just at the door when a voice comes from behind.

"Maxon what are you doing?"

I turn and face my mother. I give a small sigh. My father isn't there, and it isn't Kriss.

I take a breath and begin, "Do I really have to explain?"

"No. But what will Kriss think? She'll find out eventually."

"I know. This is my last chance to talk to America forever. I just need to talk to her one last time. Please don't tell father, or Kriss."

She walks up to me. I can now see the small wrinkles near her eyes, and the ones by her mouth when she smiles. Her hair has a little grey growing in. These are things that aren't noticeable from a distance. She places a hand on my cheek before sighing. "Go make her understand Maxon. Just know you two can't be together. But go give it a try. I'll be here for you when you come back."

"Thank you." I move her hand from my cheek, turn and leave the inn. This was the last given time I would see her.