The Selection without America?

I Was Wrong

America's POV

I step down from the ladder after Maxon leaves and I'm alone with Aspen again. Marlee left to get changed and then she was going to come back and then I would go.

"I should go and get changed." I say quickly and start to make my way out.

"Wait America." Aspen stops me.

I turn towards him with question in my eyes. "Yes Aspen? What is it?" I honestly didn't know what he wanted to talk about with me.

"I don't want it to be like this between us." He says and sighs.

"Like what?" I ask. I knew the answer I just wanted to make sure I heard him right.

"Like we are just selected and guard. I've missed talking with you America. I want it to be like old times." He explains. I wanted to go and hid in a small hole. I didn't want to be there in that room right then.

"Aspen. I am a selected. You're a guard. If we give anyone to question our relationship and our past we might both be turned into eights." I try to keep my voice calm.

"America-" he starts but I don't let him finish.

"I need to go Aspen. I'll see you later." I said and walked out of the room quickly and slammed the door behind me. After I was out of the ballroom I quick walked to my room. I finally started to build a mental map of the castle in my head and I knew where I was going most of the time.

I opened my room door and closed the door behind me once I was in. I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding. Anne, Mary, and Lucy were quick and came to my side.

"America are you alright?" Anne said and helped me to the bed.

"Yeah just get me some water." I say and lay back on the bed.

My friends get me some water and I drink it all quickly. "Ok you now need to get into your dress! The party starts in less than an hour!" Lucy exclaimed.

The three of them work on my makeup, hair, and dress. The end result was so amazing. My friends worked magic together.

The hanfu was mostly white with nice branch and flower design with red on the hems. The arm sleeves were big and dropped down low and it was hard to move and do normal things with my hands.

They did my makeup like I explained to the royals. Light pink blush and bright red lips. My eyes were quite something. They did a white and light pink eye shadow and extravagant eyeliner. They did a cat eye with some swirls and they even added some pink flowers to the black line.

In the end I thought I looked very nice. Not something I would choose to wear everyday but it fit perfectly for this party.

~•~

I walk down to the ballroom. Marlee was suppose to be there already and wrap up the decorating and picking the music. I open the door and I see Marlee and Cater talking.

"Hey. Sorry if I'm interrupting something." I smile at them.

"Oh no. Really. Cater was just helping me with this ribbon." Marlee smiles back at me.

"Okay..." I say and wink at Marlee which makes her laugh.

Over the past hour people began to come in and try the food and talk within groups. Lastly the lights dimmed and the spotlight was on the grand stair case which was covered with red, black, and gold ribbon and bows. Curtesy of me.

"My I please introduce his royal majesty of Illéa, King Clarkon Scheave and at his side Her majesty Queen Amberly Scheave then lastly of the Illéan family His Highness Prince Maxon Scheave!" The announcer announced. The three of them walked down the stair case gracefully and may I say quite slowly. Was it bad that I wanted one to accidentally trip and fall?

"Then the family of New Asia. His Majesty King Shan YoHa Yang, at his side is her majesty Hu Sha Yang. Their two kids Their Highnesses Prince Christopher  Yang and Princess Kami Yang." The four walked down the staircase just as gracefully as the Scheave family. They must have to take classes of how to walk down grand staircases when they are born.

After the man stopped talking the lights came back to their normal lighting and the music played on. Every other song was Illéan music to mix it up. The New Asian family actually went for the Illéan dishes as I had hoped. After smiling at my work I start to look for his Highness Maxon Scheave. The music now was on a New Asian waltz. On the dance floor I saw Maxon and another selected. The swiftly carried her to the rhythm of the music. She looked overjoyed to be in his arms.

Why would Maxon choose her to be his first dance? Woah America you're thinking is all wrong. Why do you care anyways. I mean it's not like you like Maxon. Right? I had a conversation with myself in my head.

I felt a little ache in my heart. Not cancer or a heart attack just a little jealousy. I wanted to be that girl on the floor in Maxon's arms. The one he helps dance because you have no idea what to do. I just wanted Maxon.

I stopped starring because it felt awkward. I went over to the food area and got a plate of some New Asian food they had.

"Hey. You know we should really talk." Said the voice. I didn't want to talk to him. It was just too weird. He broke my heart.

"I don't think we should. Maybe in a couple of years or so." I suggested but he knew me better than that. He knew I meant never.

"America. I was wrong." He said quietly by my ear.

Aspen never usually admitted when he was wrong. So this was a big surprise to me.

"Are you sure you were wrong?" I asked resting him.

"I'm one hundred percent sure. I promise. If we could just talk I don't want it to be like this between us forever. I can't stand not being and talking with you." He almost whined.

"Fine. I'll let you explain yourself. Let's go out into the hallway." I say and start to leave the room. I sensed Aspen following me. And I didn't know for sure but I might have felt a pair of eyes watch me leave.

Once we are out in the hallway he starts explaining to me about how he was wrong. I wasn't going to be rude so I listened and thought hard about what he was saying.

"America. I made a mistake. I am so so sorry for hurting you that was never my intention. Please just forgive me and give me a second chance. America. I want you back. I want you as my girlfriend and someday I hope we can be happy together. I wasn't sure back in Carolina but now I'm sure. I'm sure that I can give you He life that you deserve and the life that you want. America please just take me back." Aspen begs.

I think for a moment. I want to be with Aspen. I love him and that will never change. But what about this budding thing with Maxon? I am a selected now so I could end up with Maxon if I wanted too.

"Aspen I would need to think about it." I say and look him straight in the eyes.

Aspen looked so sad and lonely. I felt bad for him. I wanted to brush a hair away behind his ear that fell in front of his green eyes. Back to Maxon. He didn't even give me a second glance in there. He didn't ask to dance with me first and he didn't even talk to me. How could I choose someone who has 20 other girls fighting for his attention? Maybe I couldn't.

"I get it. I respect that. Just America promise me that no matter what we will stay friends." He said tears threatening in his eyes.

"I promise." I say and hold out my pinky and he grabs mine with his and we shake on it. I pull him into a tight hug. It was good to be in his embrace again. It felt right.

"So America Singer would you do me the honors of dancing with me?" He asks and bows playfully.

"Yes sir. Leger I would gladly do the honors." I say and laugh and curtsy. I take his hand and we walk back to the ballroom.

Hello! How are you guys enjoying the story? How do you think Maxon will react? Who will America choose? Please comment what your thoughts are!! I love reading and responding to them! Also please vote!

I will be posting 5/12/18

Spoiler: back to Maxon's POV. You get to see how the dances went with Maxon and what he was thinking when America left with Aspen.