Ever After . . .

Chapter 30

~America~

Tear rolled down my cheeks and collected into puddles next to the box. What was in the box was something I couldn't explain.

It was a book. On it was written: Maxon & America. There was also one of the rare photos of us kissing.

I pick the book up. The texture is smooth, and leathery. I begin to look through it. Th first page was my original Selection application. The one I have must be a copy. The next page was just full of pictures, so was the next, and the next until the back few pages.

The last filled page was the photo of Maxon and I in our wedding attire for a photo shoot we had to partake in. The next page was writing.

I'm with you forever. Through thick and thin. You've seen so much of me that no one has ever seen, and I have seen new things through you. I can't wait to continue our journey.

At the bottom of the page was a ring. I reached into the protective layer and pulled out the ring. It was simple. Gold, with two gems. A green, for Maxon's birthstone, and my birthstone. They were even. Perfect. I put on the ring. It was a perfect fit.

I began to break down. I was sobbing now. I was able to flip the page to find the first letter Maxon and I ever exchanged. I had sloppily wrote tugging my ear whenever on a scratch sheet of paper. He had kept it.

I slammed the book closed. It was all overwhelming. I didn't know if I was sobbing because I was happy, or if I was sad. It was hard to tell now.

May walked into my room to find me a sobbing wreck. She walked over to the bed and saw what I had found. She climbed onto the bed next to me. I leaned into her, and she comforted me.

"It's okay America," she said softly. I pulled my hand away to show the ring that was still on my finger. "Where did you get that?"

"M-Maxon g-gave it to-o me," I began to stutter out between heaves. "It w-was s-supposed to-o be m-y engagement r-ring."

I had had it. I sobbed. I didn't care if the girls down the hall heard me. I was in pain for so long, and now I was finally about to be free from it.

My mother had come it sometime during the night, cleaned off the bed, and tucked me in. Because when I woke the next morning May was still holding me, and we were both under the blankets. I stirred and woke May.

"Sorry," I say.

"No you're fine. I need to get going anyway. I'll see you later Mer. I love you," she said as she got up to leave. She turned and kissed my head. I hugged her tight.

Then she left, and I was alone again. But the ring that was still on my finger kept me company until I had to get ready.