The Beginning 08/27/2013

Well then, thank you for clicking on my lovely story! I do not own the Selection trilogy, it's characters, nor do I claim to. This is the first time that I've written in awhile, so please, reviews are welcome!

A small smile grazed America's face as she looked at her maids, her beautiful, strong, amazing maids. "So, Anne…" America began, the small show of happiness turning into a coy smirk, "Any ideas?" Anne smiled back at America and nodded, gesturing for the trio of girls that she was looking at to take a seat on the bed. Anne pulled up the chair from America's vanity and sat in front of them. Anne looked America dead in the eye before she began to spoke. "First of all, it is not my place, nor is it in my upbringing to speak to someone of a higher caste than me in this manner-" She took a deep breath and snuck a glance at America before continuing, "But perhaps your ideas, although absolutely brilliant in every sense of the word, as well as inspiring to us all, are a bit too big for the Selection."

America looked at Anne, slightly puzzled. Had she misread her maids when she had come back from the report? Were their applause and cheers only to elevate her spirits before she was sent home? America kicked herself in the head slightly, realizing that she was being absurd if she thought that these women would do anything to steer her wrong. America was brought back to attention when Anne cleared her throat, realizing that from the look on Anne's face she had probably frightened her. America simply waved her hand in dismissal of the fear, nodding for Anne to continue. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees, staring at Anne intently. "Please, continue, Anne. I want to hear what you have to say."

Anne nodded , although slightly hesitant. She continued nonetheless after taking a deep breath and swallowing. "Perhaps you should learn to control the rashness of your actions, Lady America. You are still here, obviously, but as you said, Prince Maxon has given you a second chance, and you may not get another." Anne spoke in wisdom, and every word resonated with America down to the bone. She nodded gravely, the memory of Maxon's back in the safe room was only a glimpse of what could actually happen to her if she continued to upset King Clarkson, though she knew that Maxon would have nothing of it. She realized that she could have been considered a traitor and sentenced to death for treason if too much came out of it.

Eyes deep and filled with some worry, America brought her gray eyes into Anne's warm, brown ones. "Anne…" Her voice was but a whisper as she felt her eyes begin to water. "What…what should I do?" Instantly, America felt Lucy and Mary embrace her, rubbing her back and shoulder affectionately. Anne rested took America's hands in her own. "Lady America…you do what you want to do now." A tear slid down America's cheek as she tilted her head to the side. Anne released one of America's hands and wiped away the lone tear from her cheek and leaned in, staring America dead in the eye, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke. "Lady America…You win."

America squeezed Anne's hand and used her free arm to pull Lucy in tighter, releasing Anne's other hand to bring Mary in, as well as gesture Anne in, who couldn't help but mutter about how improper this whole ordeal was. America hushed her quickly and swallowed a lump in her throat, willing the other tears that she could feel building to die down again. "Win." America repeated, laughing a charming laugh that sounded light wind chimes. She stood up entirely too quickly and almost knocked her maids on the floor. She apologized quickly before spinning in a circle laughing. She walked over to the two doors that lead to her balcony and swung them open, her laugh never fading. "All I have to do is win." She repeated once more.

She placed her hands on either side of her on the railing and leaned forward a bit, calling out to the guards. "All I have to do is win! Do you think I can?" She was met with a large cheer and a raising of swords from the guards. She laughed once more and curtsied before returning to her room, closing her doors behind her. Her pale cheeks were flushed, bringing out the orange hues of her fiery hair, calming down from her laughing fit.

Lucy looked over at Mary and Anne, whispering softly, "H-has..she gone mad?" Anne's smoldering eyes met Lucy's fearful blue ones, and Lucy looked away quickly, swallowing hard. America walked over to Lucy and tilted her chin up. "I think that I have, Lucy..I think that I'm made about Maxon, and I plan on doing everything that I can in order to win his trust again." She was met with a puzzled look from her maids, and America nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders. "He doesn't trust me at the moment because of my outburst on 'The Report'."

She placed her hands on her delicate hips, looking towards the clock that hung in her room. It was almost dinner time, and America wondered if she was going to be able to have her dinner with the other girls and the Royal Family, or if she was sentenced to dinner in her chambers. Her maids sensed her tension and smiled shyly at her. "Miss…" Lucy began, casting her eyes up at America cautiously, "Would you like us to prepare you for dinner?" America was met with three pairs of eyes staring at her. Mary had a twinkle in her eye, and America knew that they had a plan. She nodded simply and let a smile graze her lips. "Well, they've already seen my dress. I know that Maxon will be eating with Kriss in her room…and Elise and Celeste are going to be there, along with King Clarkson and Queen Amberly."

America was thinking out loud at this point and had unconsciously begun walking around her room. "I believe that I will be taking dinner in my room tonight, ladies." She spoke with a soft determination, noting the small frown on their faces all too quickly. "But I do need your help." Large, eager smiles lit up the faces of her maids as they clasped their hands. "Ladies..I need to make it clear that I am regal, smart, and capable of ruling this country. I also need it to be clear that I am a lady, and that I am not mediocre at best in appearance." She quickly explained herself to her maids that had a sad look in their eyes. "You ladies have always made me look gorgeous, there is no doubt about that. I just need to prove to some people that I am not just 'average'." She quoted the king with a bit of acidity in her voice.

"Ladies, I need you to redo my makeup, as well as do something new with my hair. I know that there is not much time, but I need you ladies to hurry." They all nodded and immediately set to work. America's hair was removed from its elegant up-do, and soft curls floated around her shoulder. Lucy took a few diamond encrusted bobby pins and skillfully pulled a few pieces back, leaving soft strands of fiery red hair and diamonds to frame her face. America's lips were now a soft pink, and her eye makeup was a dark brown smoky eye. Her cheekbones stood out more than usual thanks to a little bit of bronzer, and she nodded happily in approval. She looked at the clock. There were only about ten minutes before dinnertime, and she had to act quickly.

"Thank you ladies. Would one of you please bring me dinner in about fifteen minutes, more than what I would usually eat, but not enough to make it seem as though I'm planning something." Her maids nodded in understanding and curtsied before they left. America kept her door open and sat at her piano, her fingers skillfully dancing over the keys in a warm up. She closed her eyes as her fingers continued to dance along the black and white keys. America became so immerged into her music that she began to sing. It was a soft that she had often performed at weddings, one that spoke to the women in particular. She would introduce this song by saying that no matter what happens, guys do not see what we see, and to listen to your heart before you make any decisions, and for him to do the same.

"Listen to your heart, when he's calling for you…Listen to your heart, there's nothing else you can do. I don't know where you're going, and I don't know why…But listen to your heart, before…you tell him goodbye.."

America let her voice flow freely and powerfully, completely unaware of her surroundings. She inhaled deeply, her chest rising heavily. It was a beautiful song, but it took a lot of energy and breath out of her. She jumped quickly from her piano bench, managing to fall backwards and onto her floor when she heard someone clap. "Ow.." She said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head. She felt strong arms lift her up into a sitting position.

"America…I am so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Maxon's familiar voice made her open her eyes a little bit and she felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. She shook her head and supported herself on her arms. "It's not a problem, Maxon." Her gray eyes met his beautiful brown ones, and she felt a warmth all over her body. "How long were you standing there?" She asked curiously, bringing her legs to her as she wrapped her arms around her shins, placing her head on her knees.

"You look…so beautiful…" Maxon whispered, his eyes gazing into hers. A blush crossed his features and America giggled at him cutely, her eyes shimmering with hope. "Since you first started to play…It's beautiful, the music. The palace is so quiet and you just breathe a beautiful melody into it." It was America's turn to blush now, and she averted her eyes shyly. He scooted closer next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. With his free arm, he lifted her head up gently so that she was staring into his eyes.

"America.." Maxon whispered softly. America was about to speak when his warm lips met hers, and she let out a soft moan in delight. He placed a hand on the back of her head securely and nibbled her bottom lip. She opened her mouth eagerly and let his tongue dance with hers. Her heart was fluttering at a million miles a minute. She felt as though they had been kissing for hours when he pulled away. Maxon stared into America's eyes warmly, his lips curling into a smile to match the one on America's face. He glanced at the clock and sighed. "I'm late for dinner with Kriss." He did not seem to be too sad about it though, more annoyed that he had to go through with it.

America nodded sadly, her gray eyes cast up at him as he stood up. He took her hands and lifted her to her feet, smiling down at her. He kissed the back of both of her hands before releasing them. America felt butterflies in her stomach, but was saddened that he let her hands go. Maxon tugged on his ear and gently tugged on America's ear with his free hand before letting his hand caress her face. "So it's settled. I'll be here tonight after my dinner with Kriss." He had the smile of a schoolboy on his face, and America could not help but bring herself to giggle. She nodded and grinned, her hands wrapped in his. He tugged her closely to him and kissed her forehead and her nose. "I'll see you tonight." He whispered. America nodded, the smile never fading her face as he walked away. It was perfect.

Everything was going according to plan.