Returning Home

Chapter 1

*Maxon POV*

I look to my left at Kriss. She smiles at me. It's a sweet smile and I can tell she truly cares about me. I will be happy with her. I can trust her. I smile back. I do love Kriss, I'm just not in love with her. I turn to my right to look at America one last time. After today, I will never see her again. It's really difficult to make myself okay with that. She's not looking at me. She's looking at him, the guard. 

"Arranging a time to meet later?" I meant the words to come out sarcastically, but they come out closer to menacing. 

"No. Of course not." She seems genuine in her words, and slightly hurt that I would imply otherwise. But it's her who had her arms on someone else minutes after spending the night with me. Hours after agreeing to marry me. 

"It doesn't matter, anyway. Kriss's parents will be here for a short celebration. And yours will be here to take you home." I almost stop there, but the words keep flowing. "They don't like the last loser to be alone. She tends to get dramatic." My words, again, come out harsher than intended. Yet, I can't make myself feel bad. I have every right to be hurt. I look to the front of the room and remember all of the promises of last night. "You can keep the house, it's already paid for. But I would like my letters back." I don't even know why I want them back. Maybe so she has no proof that I ever loved her. I know that's harsh. 

"I read them," she whispers. I snap my head to her. It feels like an invasion of privacy. "I loved them." Of course she did. I confessed every loving feeling to her. I begin wishing I never wrote them. 

"Don't know what I was thinking," I force out. I know exactly what I was, what I am, thinking. I'm in love with her. 

Her eyes begin welling up. "Don't do this. Please. I love you." She sounds genuine, but she also seemed genuine with the guard earlier. A fat tear starts collecting in the corner of her eye.

"Dont. You. Dare." I sound like my father. I hate myself for that. "You put on a smile, and you keep it until the last second." I hate doing this to her. She puts on a fake smile but I can still see the pain in her eyes. "That'll do. Don't let it slip until you leave the room. Do you understand?" She gives a small nod and I look back towards the front. I won't be able to look at her ever again. I know I'll break down. "I'll be glad when you're gone." I don't know why I let those last words slip out. I didn't really mean them. The palace won't be the same without her. All I really want is for her to love me as much as I love her. 

Gavril Fadaye stands up near the front of the room. The cameras must be on. I switch to my prince persona, put on my calm face, and prepare to lose my one true love. 

"Citizens of Ilea, welcome," Gavril begins, a few feet from the raised platform. "Today, Prince Maxon's Selection will come to an end. I won't hold us much longer as I know you are all excited to see the outcome." He steps aside and looks back to me. That's my cue.

I stand up and both girls stand up behind me. I take a step forward and turn to them. I sneak a look at America. A dagger hits my heart. I love her, I can tell she loves me. I wish that was enough. I look toward Kriss and take a step to her. Taking her hands, I begin my speech. "Kriss, we didn't have the best beginning. But over the last few weeks, I've realized just how much I love you." I grab the ring from my pocket. It feels wrong to do it with this one. I had two made, one for America and one for Kriss. It was mainly because I didn't want the jeweler letting information leak. I never thought I would use this one. Kneeling, I finish my speech. "I hope that you will let me continue to love you. Kriss, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" It's barely audible through her tears. She wraps her arms around me as I stand. I pick her up and kiss her. It's not very passionate on my end, but it's not bad. I put her down and put my hand on her cheek. I sneak a glance over where America should be standing. She's being lead out the side door with Celeste. My chest tightens watching her leave. 

As quickly as I glanced over, I glance back at my fiancée and slip the simple ring on her finger. It looks perfect on her, I just shouldn't be the one tied to it. Before anyone can sense anything happening in my mind, I turn to face the cameras, persona back on. I've made my bed, and now I must lie in it.