The Elite (Selection)

away. “Anyway, after that he started visiting me during pretty much every free moment he had.” She shook her head. “It happened kind of fast.”
    I sighed. “He basically told me,” I confessed. “He made a little comment about needing us both here.”
    “So …” She bit her lip. “You’re pretty sure he still likes you?”
    Hadn’t she already suspected that? Did she simply need me to confirm it? “Kriss, do you really want to hear all this?”
    “Yes! I want to know where I stand. And I’ll tell you anything you want to know, too. We aren’t running this thing, but that doesn’t mean we have to be lost in it.”
    I walked in a short circle, trying to make sense of everything. I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to ask Maxon about Kriss. I could barely talk honestly with him about me. But I kept feeling like I was missing pieces of the truth about where I stood. Maybe this was my only hope of really knowing.
    “I’m pretty sure he wants me to stay around for a while. But I think he wants you here, too.”
    She nodded. “I figured.”
    “Has he kissed you?” I blurted out.
    She smiled bashfully. “No, but I think that he would have if I hadn’t asked him not to. In my family, we sort of have this tradition where we don’t kiss until we’re engaged. Sometimes we have a party when people announce their wedding date, and everyone gets to see the first kiss. I want that for me.”
    “But he tried to?”
    “No, I explained before we got that far. He kisses my hands a lot, though, or sometimes my cheek. I think it’s kind of sweet,” she gushed.
    I nodded, looking at the grass.
    “Wait,” she said, hesitating. “Did he kiss you?”
    Part of me wanted to brag that I was his first kiss ever. That when we kissed, it felt like time stopped.
    “Sort of. It’s kind of hard to explain,” I hedged.
    She made a face. “No, it’s not. Has he or hasn’t he?”
    “It’s complicated.”
    “America, if you’re not going to be honest, then this is a waste of time. I came here wanting to be open with you. I thought it would benefit us both to be friendly.”
    I stood there, wringing my hands, trying to think of a way to explain myself. It wasn’t that I disliked Kriss. If I went home, I’d want her to win.
    “I do want to be friends with you, Kriss. I kind of thought we already were.”
    “Me, too,” she said gently.
    “It’s just hard for me to share private things. And I appreciate your honesty, but I’m not sure I want to know everything. Even though I asked,” I said quickly, seeing the words coming to her lips. “I already knew he had feelings for you. I could see it. I think I need things to be vague for the time being.”
    She smiled. “I can respect that. Would you do me a favor though?”
    “Sure, if I can.”
    She bit her lip and turned her eyes away for a minute. When she looked back, I could see the hint of tears in her eyes. “If you’re certain that he doesn’t want me, could you maybe warn me? I don’t know how you feel, but I love him. And I’d appreciate being told. If you know for sure anyway.”
    She loved him. She said it out loud, fearlessly. Kriss loved Maxon.
    “If he ever told me for sure, I would tell you.”
    She nodded. “And maybe we could make another promise? Not to purposely get in each other’s way? I don’t want to win that way, and I don’t think you do either.”
    “I’m no Celeste,” I said with disgust, and she laughed. “I promise to be fair.”
    “Okay then.” She dabbed at her eyes and straightened her dress. I could see it so easily, how elegant she would look with the crown on her head.
    “I need to go,” I lied. “Thanks for talking to me.”
    “Thanks for coming. I’m sorry if I was too intrusive.”
    “It’s fine.” I stepped away. “I’ll see you later.”
    “Okay.”
    I turned as quickly as I could without being rude and made my way to the palace. Once inside, I quickened my pace and bolted up the stairs, aching to hide.
    I made my way to the second floor and headed toward my room. I noticed a piece of paper on the floor, which was unusual for the typically immaculate palace. It was by the corner leading to my door, so I guessed it might be for me. To be sure, I flipped it over and read.
    Another rebel attack this morning, this time in Paloma. Current count is over three hundred dead, at least one hundred more wounded. Again, the main demand appears to be terminating the Selection, calling for an end to the