Chapter 5 chapter Five

A week later, I purposely arrived at the treehouse earlier than Aspen. It was really difficult to get things to the tree house quietly, but I succeeded.While he was climbing up the treehouse, I adjusted the saucer one last time. "Wow!" He smiled when he saw me.I light new candles I bought on purpose.He came up to me and gave me a kiss, and after a while, I started telling him what had happened over the past week. "I didn't even get a chance to tell you about the day I turned in my application." I was so excited to share the news. "What's the situation? My mother said there were too many people at that time."

"Aspen, that's insane, you'd know what they were wearing if you saw what they were wearing! I think you know, the whole thing wasn't random like they said. So I was right Well, there are so many girls in Carolina who are more interesting than me, and all this fussing won't work." "Anyway, I thank you for submitting your application, it means a lot to me." His eyes were still fixed on me, and he didn't look around at all.As usual, he always looked like he couldn't get enough of me. "Well, the best part is, my mother didn't know that I promised you to hand in the form, and she bribed me." I laughed from ear to ear.Families started throwing celebration parties for their daughters this week, as if they had been chosen.I've been to at least seven parties and sang.Catch two performances every night just to earn extra private money.Mom kept her word and now I have my own money and feel free.

"Bribe? What kind of bribe?" He was also excited. "Of course it's money! Look, I've prepared a feast for you!" I pushed him away and picked up the plate.I purposely made extra food for dinner just to keep some for him, and I've baked some pastries the past few days.Anyway, Xiaomei and I were addicted to sweets, and she was very happy that I chose to spend my own money like this. "What are these?" "Food, I made it myself." I am proud of my efforts, and tonight, Aspen can finally have a full stomach.But as he watched plate after plate of food, his smile disappeared.

"Espen, what's the matter?" "That's not right." He shook his head and stopped looking at the food. "What's the meaning?" "America, I should be the one who guarantees your life, not the other way around, and it's a shame to come here and enjoy what you've done for me." "It's not the first time I've done this..." "Those are your leftovers, do you think I really don't understand? I won't feel bad about taking your leftovers, but if you want to do this specially... I should..." "Espen, you always give me, you support me too, that money..."

"Those pennies? Do you think it's a good idea to bring it up now? Do you know how annoyed I am when I can only give you a penny? I love hearing you sing so much, but I can't deal with you like everyone else Get paid!" "You shouldn't have paid me at all! It was a gift, and everything I have is yours!" I knew we should keep our voices down, but at this moment, I couldn't care less. "I'm not your charity, America. I'm a man, and it's my duty to take care of you." Aspen scratched his hair, and his breathing became short of breath.He has always been like this, always trying to think things through quarrels, but this time his eyes are a little different, instead of slowly becoming serious and focused, they become more confused little by little.Seeing him so lost immediately made my anger go away and I felt guilty instead.My intention was to let him enjoy it, not to humiliate him.

"I love you." I whispered. He shook his head. "I love you too, America." But he still wouldn't look me in the eye.I picked up a piece of bread and put it in his hand, but he was so hungry he took a bite anyway. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I thought you'd be pleased." "No, Ami, I like it very much, I can't even believe that you have done so much for me, but...you don't know how much it bothers me that I can't repay you, you deserve someone to treat you better." He said While eating, I feel a little better. "You can't think like that anymore. When it's just the two of us, I'm not fifth grade, and you're not sixth grade. We're just Aspen and America. There's nothing I want in the world, and I just want you."

"But I can't help but think so." He looked at me, "That's how I was educated. From a young age, they taught me that 'the sixth level exists to serve others' and 'the sixth level cannot be seen'. This All my life, they only taught me how to become invisible." His hands held mine tightly, "If we are together, Ami, you will become invisible too, and I don't want you to become Like that." "Aspen, we've discussed this, and I know it's going to be different, and I'm prepared. I don't know how to say it to make you understand." I put my hand on his heart, "When you prepare When it's time to propose, I will be ready to agree to you."

To speak so clearly, to express my deep affection for him without reserve, disturbed me.But if my showing of weakness can make him brave, I am willing to bear it.He looked me in the eye, and if he was looking for any hesitation, he was wasting his time.Aspen was the only one I was sure I wanted. "No." "what?" "No." The word was like a slap in the face. "Aspen?" "I don't know how I lied to myself all this way, that everything will be resolved." He scratched his hair, as if trying to get all thoughts about me out of his mind. "But you just said you loved me."

"I love you, Ami. That's the point. I can't make you like me. I can't bear to let you starve, freeze, and fear. I can't turn you into a sixth grade." I feel like I'm going to cry.He didn't mean that, it couldn't be.But just when I asked him to take it back, Aspen had already turned around and was about to climb out of the tree house. "You... where are you going?" "I'm leaving. Going home. Sorry to do this to you, America, but we're done." "what?" "It's over. I won't be here again, not like this again."

I cried, "Aspen, please, let's talk, you're just having a bad day." "I'm much more unhappy than you think, but not because of you. I just really can't do this anymore, Ami, I can't." "Aspen, please..." He pulled me close, leaned against him, and kissed me, hard one last time, before turning and disappearing into the night.And because of the curfew, we had to hide, and now I can't even call his name aloud.I can't tell him again, I love him. In the next few days, my family could tell that something was wrong with me, but they probably thought I was nervous about choosing Fei.I wanted to cry a thousand times or ten thousand times, but I held back and persisted until Friday, hoping that after the "Capital Report" announced the shortlist, everything would return to normal.

I kept imagining how disappointed Mum would be when they announced the name Celia or Campbell, but at least it wasn't a stranger who was chosen without being disappointed.Our two families have such a good relationship, Dad and Xiaomei will be happy for them in no time.I know Aspen must be thinking of me, as I miss him.I bet he'll come to me before the show's over, beg me to forgive him, and propose.Although it is too early to draw conclusions whether his sisters can become Faye Wong, but he will definitely take advantage of the festive atmosphere to come and reconcile, and many things will no longer be a problem. In my imagination, everything is so perfect.In my imagination, everyone is happy... Ten minutes before the broadcast of "Report", our whole family has already taken their seats. I believe everyone doesn't want to miss a second today. "I remember when Queen Amberley was chosen! Oh, I knew from the beginning that she was going to be chosen." Mom was making popcorn and she was watching The Report like it was a movie. "Mum, have you ever applied for the contest?" Gerald asked. "No, my dear, my mother was not old enough, she was two years younger. But I was lucky to marry your father." She smiled and winked at him. Wow, she must be in a good mood today.I can't even remember the last time she expressed her love for Dad. "Queen Amberley is the best queen, beautiful and smart. Every time I see her on TV, I really want to be like her." Xiaomei sighed yearningly. "She's a good queen," I whispered. Finally, it was eight o'clock, and the national emblem was lit up on the TV screen, and the national anthem was played at the same time.Am I really shaking?I'm ready and hope this goes away as soon as possible. The king came up to briefly introduce the latest battle, and other reports were also very short, and everyone was very excited. It seemed that this matter was also very interesting to them. Finally, the Secretary of State for Affairs invited Gavriel to the stage.He went straight up to the royals. "Good evening, Your Majesty," he said to the king. "Gavriel, it's always a pleasure to see you." The king looked a little smug. "Want list announced?" "Oh, of course. I was there for a while yesterday when they drew lots, and the girls they drew were lovely." "So, you already know who it is?" Gavriel exclaimed. "Just a few, just a few." "Did he share this information with you, Your Highness?" Gavriel turned to Maxson. "Not at all, I can only wait to hear the results with everyone." Maxson replied, obviously hiding his nervousness. Then I noticed my palms were sweating. "Your Majesty," Gavriel walked up to the queen, "do you have any advice for the chosen ladies?" She smiled gracefully as always.I don't know what other candidates in her election were like, but I really can't imagine anyone as elegant and beautiful as her. "Enjoy your last night as a normal girl. Your life will change forever starting tomorrow. And, clichéd advice that really works: just be yourself." "Words of truth, dear queen. Well, now, let us announce the list of thirty-five ladies selected. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating these daughters of the kingdom of Ilia!" The screen switched to the national emblem of Ilya, and Maxson's face could be seen on a small screen on the upper right, so that everyone could see his expression when each candidate was announced.First impressions are inevitable, and he will have a preliminary judgment on all the selected girls later. With a stack of reminder cards in hand, Gavriel was ready to announce the names of the inductees, and according to the queen, their world would soon be completely changed. "Ms. Elena Stow of Hanspole Province, the third rank." A picture of a petite girl with shattered skin appeared on the screen, she looked very ladylike, and Maxson was refreshed. "Ms. Dusty Cope of Waverley, Class 4." The screen was replaced by a photo of a freckled girl who looked a little older and more mature.At this moment, Maxson whispered to the king. "Ms. Fiona Castelli of Palomar, Third Class." A beautiful brunette with electric eyes, maybe my age, but she looks a lot more...sophisticated than I am. I turned to my mother and Xiaomei who were sitting on the sofa: "Does this one look very..." "Ms. America Singer of Carolina, Fifth Class." I immediately turned to look at the screen, and there was my picture, taken the moment I found out Aspen was saving up to marry me.At that time, I was so radiant, full of hope, so beautiful.I had an expression of being immersed in love, and some fools actually thought it was love for Prince Maxson. Mom screamed into my ear, and everyone jumped up, spilling popcorn everywhere.Gerald danced in excitement too.And Dad...it's hard to say, but I think he's smiling behind a book. I couldn't see Maxson's expression. The phone rang. It rang for several days.