How It All Goes Down
- America can feel the other girls' hostility during dinner. Luckily, the food is amazing, so that helps make the shade sting less. Plus, dessert is even better.
- The girls will be meeting Prince Maxon tomorrow morning, so Silvia sends everyone off to bed as soon as they finish eating.
- America returns to her room and is helped into her pajamas by her maids. Although they're supposed to stay with her throughout the night in case she needs anything, America convinces them to go back to their own room and chill.
- After they leave, America unpacks her stuff and puts family photos on her walls.
- As she empties the bag, America comes across the jar with Aspen's penny. She doesn't know why she brought it, but she knows that it's making her feel awful to see it right now.
- America feels her anxiety build as she ruminates over Aspen. She goes out on her balcony to get some air, but it's not enough.
- Desperate, America rushes out of her room and heads toward the front door. She's stopped by two guards.
- As she begs them to let her pass, America hears a loud voice behind her telling the guards to let her go. And who is it? None other than the hunky Prince Maxon.
- Maxon tells the guards to open the door, and they do it. America sprints outside without a second thought but collapses before she reaches the edge of the garden.
- Prince Maxon approaches and tries to comfort her. He even calls her "my dear," which she loudly and violently protests (10.86).
- Maxon's trying to help, but America is frazzled. She yells at him, calling him "shallow" and putting the whole Selection into question (10.101). Sick burns.
- To America's surprise, Maxon responds with a great deal of kindness and sympathy. Guess she pegged this dude wrong, huh?
- Perhaps bolstered by this kindness, America says that she's only in the Selection by mistake. Shockingly, Maxon is unperturbed by this and tells her that he will give her permission to go into the garden whenever she wants.
- With that, Maxon kisses America's hand and says good night.