How It All Goes Down
- After the Report finishes, America returns to her room and tells her maids to make themselves scarce. They immediately realize that Maxon is coming over tonight.
- As she thinks about Maxon, America's mind wanders to Aspen. She's as confused about her feelings towards him as ever.
- Maxon arrives. Seeing that America's maids aren't there (which is against the rules), he says that he's going to post a guard to her door for protection.
- America and Maxon walk to the garden, passing a group of girls as they do. They talk about the girls' reaction to the attack: several had wanted to leave afterwards, though they've since changed their minds.
- This sets Maxon off, for some reason—this whole process has been hugely stressful, especially given that he has no experience with romance.
- America tells Maxon that she's sure he will find his "soul mate" here, and she talks up Marlee (15.45). Maxon doesn't seem all that enthusiastic about her.
- Finally, Maxon asks America to explain her romantic situation back home. Got a few days, buddy?
- Basically, the Singers are Aspen's family's patrons: they always hire the Legers when they need odd jobs done. That's how America and Aspen know each other.
- America's older brother Kota is a sculptor who hit it big a while back. This is actually a sore spot for America: he's since ditched the family and focused his energies on buying his way into the upper castes.
- America had helped Kota move to his new, swanky apartment back then, which was when she saw Aspen for the first time since they were kids. You can figure the rest out from there.
- America also tells Maxon about seeing Aspen canoodling with Breanna at her ceremony, which infuriates the prince to no end. He comforts her and they hug.
- What's more, Maxon promises to keep America at the palace until the very end, or at least until she wants to go. America is surprised how much "genuine comfort" she feels right now (15.133).