What If The Elite Was Different? A Selection Story

Chapter Five- America POV

Back in America's point of view now, and doing the same scene at the end of the last chapter with a bit more at the end. I can't believe I made Maxerica fight, and I have to redo it as America. Enjoy... 

I sat on my bed, tears streaming down my face. For some reason, my sobs has not yet dried even though I'd been crying since I had arrived in my room fifteen minutes ago. Aspen had passed out on his ninth strike, and Kriss in her eighth. In the end, his backside was a bloody mess and Kriss's hands cut wide open.

Seeing it all inside my head seems worse that the first time, and I sob harder. I should have tried to stop them, but I just sat there. I was sick once, and no one bothered to clean it up. 

I heard footsteps behind me, but didn't turn round until they spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Maxon's voice broke in odd places. I whipped my head around, looking at him in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I was generally muddled. 

It took him two words. "Aspen Leger."

I froze, my eyes widening. I glanced at my jar, the penny testing at the bottom, alone. 

"What about him?" I asked, attempting to throw Maxon off the scent. Sure, there was nothing between Aspen and I now, but what if I was caned? "He was just caned for being with Kriss, you know."   

"He loves you." Maxon winced at those words, like they hurt him to say. Had he heard Aspen's messages before the caning?

"I don't love him," I countered.

"Maybe you don't, but you did once." Oh God. He'd orchestra together the owes of the puzzle. He knew Aspen was my ex-lover.

"Let me explain," I offered. "It could take some time."

He nodded, sitting down next to me on my bed. I began my tale."

"You know when I told you about the boy who broke my heart back home in Carolina?" 

Maxon nodded, hate burning in his eyes, and I continued.

"Well, obviously, that was Aspen. I knew I still loved him when I saw him there in the hallway that day. I didn't tell you because, among other things, I was afraid."

"Of what?" Maxon interrupted.

"That you would hurt him. I mean, you invented a entire support system for the country based off of my story of being hungry. And I was growing feelings for you. I didn't tell you in case you sent him home, and my last chance of getting a friendship with Aspen.

"When we had our first proper fight, that one after Kriss's birthday party over sending Celeste home, he came to my room and asked if I loved you." I swallowed, feeling Maxon's eyes on me. "I said no. Then he kissed me and I kissed him and it was like.... it was like returning after a long trip away. Aspen felt like home, and I wanted home. I needed home."

I glanced at Maxon, who was clenching his hands hard. It was clear he was hurting. Bad. But I carried on, knowing it would make things worse.

"We saw each other a few times after that. I still loved him-"

"Did you ever stop?" Maxon's voice broke, and I saw how much this was killing him, but he deserved the truth.

"No."

He stood suddenly and walked away. Then he span around, and ran toward me. His lips crashed against mine, and I lost myself in the kiss. When he pulled away I spoke again in hushed tones.

"I never stopped, but it changed between different kinds of love. At first it was as a boy, then when I fell for you I just wanted to be his friend. And now... we're family. I realised that as I saw him up there. We fell in love with different people."

Maxon looked at me in amazement, and I remembered what I said.

Ooh! America told Maxon she loved him! I wonder how he will react? Gonna go now since battery low and I'm tired. But three chapters in a day! Impressive, huh?

16AinswE