Secret: A Selection Story

Secret: Celeste

After the maids had left, I took off my shoes and tip-toed towards Maxon's room on the third floor. I passed several maids, all of which were none of mine. Many gave me strange looks, and another shot me a glare. 

I walked through to Maxon's study, where he was working. 

"Maxon!" I chirped. 

The Selection had already ended months ago. I should stop. But I couldn't. 

I was so consumed in my thoughts that I didn't realize that I had bumped into a guard. it was the same guard who had pretended to faint. He quickly gave me an unnecessary bow. 

"Oh!" I yelled. 

He had the bluest eyes I had ever seen. He was handsome, but not handsome enough. Not even as handsome as Maxon. 

He would never live up to my expectations. He smiled at me, a ghost of a smirk on his face. I giggled, and I gave him a silly curtsy. 

"Lady Celeste!" he realized who I was. 

I flipped my hair, laughing as I did. He snickered. 

"So, nice to bump into you, these days." he rolled his eyes and gave me a funny look before I outright laughed. 

I laughed. Really, truly laughed. No one had ever made me laugh before, except for Father. I hadn't even truly smiled. 

I had begun to look at him in a brand new light, when the Captain of the Guard called for all the guards near Maxon's study. The sound was hollow in my brain. 

I pushed him away. He gave me a sigh, before he tipped his hat towards me. It dropped out f his hands and left it on the floor, the label covered my a patch of extra fabric. 

Officer Davila. Officer Tomas Davila. 

I scurried to my room, and grabbed a piece of paper to practice my calligraphy. I was practicing Maxon's and I's names together, dreamily staring out the window. I stopped to check on my process. My calligraphy was amazing. But the names were not. Maxon's name wasn't even on the paper. I had written my name as: 

Celeste and Tomas Davila. 

Tomas. I quickly realized that it was wrong. Entirely wrong. I blindly through the paper away. It instead just passed back to me. 

I huffed. 

Mer, and two different maids came. I stood up immediately, while Mer looked at me with an uncomfortable look. The two new maids bowed. 

"Lady Celeste!" one said excitedly. 

The other squealed in excitement. 

I grinned, and looked at the new girls. 

"Annelynn and Julia were held back by a guard." one said matter-of-factly. 

I nodded, not entirely listening. 

One had brown hair, with caramel streaks, signaling that she used to be a Two. The other had brilliant, black glossy hair. She used to be a Three, I could tell. The wrinkles on her face made her look older, but her eyes were sparkling with excitement that only teenagers had. 

"My name is Aisling." the one with brown hair said. 

"My name is Jasmin." introduced the one to the right. 

Mer hung back, a little scared. 

I looked at her, "Mer, nice name, is that a nickname?" 

Jasmin and Aisling quickly walked out, giving us privacy.

Mer hesitated.

"You can tell me!" I encouraged her, patting the space next to my bed. 

"Mer isn't my real name," she stopped, "it's America." 

My brain didn't make the connection until after at least 5 minutes. 

I screeched, "What!" 

America flinched. I slapped her. She hit the floor. She whimpered as she went, not even bothering to stand up. 

I heard small gasps, coming from Jasmin and Aisling. I threw my shoe at her. 

"You!" I pointed a sharp fingernail at America. "You just wanted to make me look bad! You probably followed me here!" 

America shook her head slightly, while I gave her another slap on the face. I could tell that Aisling and Jasmin didn't want to believe it, but it was too late. The full impact on what I had done, especially with the guards, hit me. I put my hands over my mouth, and backed into my room. 

I heard a commotion of people, and several knocks on my doors. 

I buried my face in my pillow, and shied away from anyone who would come near. Tomas entered my room several times, consoling me, even when I didn't need it. I was Celeste Newsome. When I was especially sad, I wrote Tomas and I's names together again. 

I was ashamed. Scared. Even Marlee, after all U had done to her friend, she had forgiven me. I couldn't believe her. She was so naive. 

The five days seemed to pass in a blur. America never came back to my room. I really wanted her to, so I could apologize. Aisling and Jasmin often came in, chattering away while preparing my tea. I didn't eat, drink, or even sleep unless I needed to. Tomas came in, day after day. He even kissed my on the cheek after a moment of silence. But I was too ashamed to think on what I had done. No one would forgive me. 

"Celeste?" a voice whispered. 

"Go away." I mumbled into my pillow, then I chucked it at the intruder. I heard a muffled, ow. I looked over near the entrance which held a smiling Maxon. I wasn't in the mood yet. 

"Celeste, I just want you to know that you won't be kicked out." 

"How come you're not supporting her?" I jerked a finger out in the hallway. It didn't sound threatening. It sounded pathetic. 

"Because, I want to make sure that you're okay." 

I looked at him. I wasn't really in the mood.

I heard a clatter of plates, but I ignored it. Maxon did too. 

Then, he kissed me. 

Ok. If I lose any supporters after this, sorry. But I might do a redo if I get enough votes. How many chapters should this story have? Your choice.