Maxon's POV:

I smiled back at her. "Why wouldn't I be?" The sun looked gorgeous today, making the whole photo shoot spring to life. We took twice as many as I did with the other girls - and these ones would probably turn out twice as good too. It just felt more real out here in the gardens... with America. My photos with the other candidates just felt more stiff, more poised, more put together. I guess that should be the way though really. At the stage of the process I shouldn't be best friends with any of these girls. Yet with America, I already kind of feel as if I am.

***

As the photographer took her last photo I relaxed. It had been a fun experience but an exhausting one none the less. "It's been great out here." I said to America. "I wish we didn't have to go inside now." I sighed, hoping she got the underlying meaning to my comment I have smile invading my face, no matter how hard I tried to stop it.

"Well who says that we do?" She whispers.

"All of these official people in suits around us" I say, gesturing to them all. She smiles wickedly. The fire in her eyes danced with excitement.

"Stuff them, who says they have to know." And with that she took my hand, turned and ran. That was my favourite thing about hanging out with America. The spontaneous nature of it all. For a boy who's spent the last lifetime being told what to do and when to do, hanging out with a girl who oozes freedom and adventure was a dream come true. So I ran with her. Forgetting for a second about almost being a grown man and all my responsibilities and the couple dozen other girls who would kill for my company. Because at this particular moment in time, none of that mattered. All that mattered was me, and America, and what was going to happen next.

***

The two of us collapsed on the grass - breathless. America laughing gently, me panting for air. "That was fun" She said to me, smiling. I nodded, still not quite able to talk. She came to lie next to me. I felt my heart beat quicken.

"You know I don't usually do this kind of thing" I confess "I'm really quite boring." She took my hand.

"Nobody's boring if thrown into the right situation." . I smiled gently at her, cupping her chin in my hands. The feel of her smooth pearly skin was smooth but the sharpness of her bone reminding me of her defiant nature. This girl was so strong.

"To bad for me I don't find myself in many of those situations." I say, my heart beating faster by the second. She wrapped her arm around my neck.

"You just need to spend more time with me then - I can't seem to get away from them" she says grinning up at me. "I hate to say it, but I may be your bad influence." I grin back at her, teeth and all.

"I feel like a bad influence wouldn't be so bad if she brought me out of my shell." She rested her nose gently against my forehead. I could feel her breath against my skin. It was cold, yet warm at the same time. It felt as if we had been sitting there for an eternity. Finally, she whispered.

"I'll see what I can do."

***
America's POV:

My feelings for Maxon frighten me. I wish I didn't feel this way about him. I've got someone back home who is a much safer bet. The second I get kicked out of this process he'll be waiting - arms open and then we'll get married and live a safe, predictable life. It would be a lot easier to have these feelings for him. Not Maxon. But for some reason my hearts seems to want to scream one name up at me at the moment; and it's not the one I wish to hear. Ignoring it should be the easiest thing, But trying to ignore something which makes you hope each morning you are going to see, is easier said then done.

***

Every single lady seemed to be on a mission to get the princes attention this morning at breakfast.  I arrived late so was forced to sit a few seats away, which already didn't get me off to the best start. When I did eventually get myself sat down with a plateful of food in front of me, he was already deep in conversation with Kriss, Tiny and Hannah. Three. That's three girls! I really thought we'd moved forward in a relationship the other day and honestly I was quite hurt to see him with others. God, I'm acting so stupid. Those girls probably feel the same way about me. As if I'm cutting in on their precious Maxon time. But it hurt me, none the less. So every time him and I made eye contact I acted pre occupied in my pastries.