The Selection (Not as it seems)

The New Guard

My eyelids got heavy, and as much as I resisted, in a few seconds I drifted off to sleep.

~---~

I was awoken by a sneeze. Marlee? What time was it? I yawn.

I slowly sit up in my bed cot, it took me a second to realize where I was. I calmed a bit, processing that I was back in the palace. I searched for the source of the sneeze. "Oh shoot, I woke you up. I just meant to check on you" I heard a familiar voice. But it wasn't Marlee's.

As I looked around a person's frame caught my eye leaning against the doorway. I debated whether this was a dream. After a few seconds the figure waved a small wave and spoke again.

"Hi." Georgia said.

I jump back on the cot. I hit my head on the top metal frame. That hurt.

"Oh God America, I'm sorry." Georgia rushes over to help me.

"Georgia what are your doing here? I ask. I wasn't mad, though. Actually, I was relieved. And curious. What was she doing here? Didn't she go back to the shack?

"Oh, well I came to check, to see if their taking care of you properly. I got nervous. I also didn't have anything else to do. But," she says slowly," since your awake," she smiles a bit, "I have a question." Though she was smiling, she seemed nervous.

This just confused me even more. A question? I furrowed me brow.

"Well," she continued, "August and I, we set a date for the wedding, and I don't really have any friends. The wedding is in about ten months, but," she pauses, " would yo be my maid of honor?" Despite my hurting head and now throbbing ankle I felt myself smile.

"Of course." I said all giddy. My smile kept growing.

"Whew, that's a relief." I saw the tension in her shoulders melt and a warm smile spread across her face.

"Oh, I should probably get going. Marlee will be back any minute. She just went on her small snack break." she said a bit less happy.

"Oh ok." I say. "Hey I'll right you a letter in the morning ok?"

"Ok" she says, and her features light up a bit. With that she left, and I closed my eyes again to sleep.

~---~

I woke up, this time not by a sneeze, but from light pouring in from the windows. I sit up, yawn, and I try to stretch as much as I could without hurting myself. I adjust my head bandage and look to my left.

"Morning darling." Maxon was in a chair to the left next to the bed cot. I couldn't help but smile. He looked sleepy, his white button down short half untucked, his hair a mess. I giggled and messed his hair up even more with my hand. He laughs, grabs my arm gently, pulling me forward and stealing a kiss.

"What time is it?" I asked when we pulled back.

"Noon." he said.

"What? I slept in? Why didn't you wake me?" I asked, frantically tying to get out of bed, and then tripping due to my ankle. Maxon caught me.

"Calm down darling." he said, laughing, "Your not missing anything. Everyone is still having meals in their room."

"Don't they know I'm back at the palace." I asked.

"Not yet. I figured on your spare time you could go to their room to surprise them. But right now, I need you to come with me." he said, holding out his hand. I take it, trying to balance on my foot, and we head out the door down the hallway.

It was a short walk, and we stopped in front of my door. I missed my room. Living here had become such a habit, I didn't even realize home much of a home it was to me. Well I guess it really is going to be my home now.

"So," he started, clasping and unclasping his hands. "I know that you don't like your maids babysitting you while you sleep, and that your uncomfortable with guards being outside your door, which," he pauses to chuckle, "baffles me. The point of guards is comfort when you feel unsafe. Ahem, anyway I got you a new guard. He will be sleeping in your room. I know it sounds weird," he says, noticing my confused look, "but I'll explain more in a second when you meet him."

I nod at him, confused an he opened the door with one hand, helping me limp steadily into the room. The room was mostly just as I had left it, besides a couple wrinkles in the bedspread as if someone had jumped on it.

"Okay," Maxon said after a second, "here Blue." I was confused about Maxon's introduction. It sounded a bit.....odd. Just then something came at me, and I fell. Something fluffy. When I realized what it was I let out a giggle.

Standing right in front of me, wagging his tail, was a fluffy husky pup, with blue eyes similar to mine. He was light gray, white, an very fluffy. I looked over to Maxon. He seemed pleased that I loved his gift so much. I did love this gift, this fluffy, fluffy gift. I looked at him with a confused smile as he explained.

"Well the palace decided guard dogs would be useful for picking up scents when needed. Blue here was the runt of the litter, and a bit rebellious. I think you'll get along great." he said with a wink, I laughed. I could be a bit rebellious at times, I had my moments. "Anyway," he continues, "He can follow you around, and though they ended his training early I had him fully trained and qualified to guard you." he said. "Secretly."

I actually had water glazing my eyes. I guess after the weeks of chaos, he was my rock. And he is mine, and I am his. "Thank you." I say, wiping away a tear.

"Oh no darling, pleas don't cry. I don't know what to do!" he said with genuine worry and fear. The memories of the first times we met resurfaced and I couldn't help but laugh. When I looked up at him could see the tension melt in his shoulders and I laughed more, him joining in this time.

"I hate to cut this short," he said giving me a pout. "I have work."

I really wished he could stay. I must have shown my disappointment on my face, too.

"Hey I have something that will cheer you up." he said, using his hand to tilt my chin up so he could my eyes.

"Doubt it." I challenge. All I wanted was to spend more time with him.

"Hmm, we'll see." he said with a playful smirk. "How would you like your family come visit?"

His words hung in the air for a moment. After it had time to process in my mind I stood up as fast and balanced as I could. I immediately run into his arms, half tripping on the way, hugging him tight with Blue running up behind me. "Can they really come?" I ask. I haven't seen them in so long. Did they even know I was kidnapped? "When can they come? Did they hear about me being taken."

"As soon as you want, and they don't. It's your choice if you want to tell them. I have to go, love, I'll see you later. We'll plan your family's coming. It has to be a bit secretive, my father knows nothing that has happened since you were taken."

"I'm just happy I get to see them." I said. I missed them so much.

He kissed me, once, slowly, and then left out the door leaving me and Blue alone to play.

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Ahhhhhh I'm so sorry its been six days! I had a bunch of thing I had to do :/ I'm also super tired. This was one of my most busy weekends so I'll try to post three to five times a week. Also sorry that none of the girls were in this chapter like promised. This is one of the more mild chapters I plan to make most other chapters more dramatic (; but also America's fam is coming. Not in the next chapter but maybe the one or other after that. How will they react to her and Maxon being engaged? Sorry if I have any mistakes, I'll proofread tomorrow. I'm going to sleep now. :) Have an amazing day/night/week/month/year/everything! :)

Love and Hugs <3

Mer/woofpaws