Thank you for checking out my story.

In THG the main theme is that the people that come before us and their actions play a big part in where we find ourselves in our own life. What we believe or what we are told changes our point of view and how we react. I believe the love story starts with Katniss's mom and Peeta's dad. That is where this story begins, and after that all the other characters fall into place.

All THG characters will play a part in this story, plus some of my own. I do not own The Hunger Games Trilogy or it's characters, but they are fun to play with.

The Soul Waits

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind."

~ A Midsummer Night's Dream ~William Shakespeare

Chapter 1 ~ April 1983

To my Minnie Muffin,

I'm here in English class, wow this is boring! We are watching A Mid Summer Night's Dream for the 2nd day after reading it in class for 3 days. What a confusing love story this is.

Mrs. Sinclair left us with a sub and took off early for her spring break vacation. Half the class is asleep, including Harvey, and Retta wasted no time tying his shoe laces together. She is always trying to prove that she's the smarter twin. He is going to be so pissed when he falls on his face.

Dad gave me Wednesday and Thursday off, so I am all set for the camping trip. Pocahontas Park will be awesome! I know that Miller, Oak, Thomas, Harvey and Retta are coming. Are you riding with Ember and the other girls or do you want me to pick you up?

We can set up our tent right by the lake. It will be a little cold to swim, but I know at least one of my idiot friends will get in anyway. Miller may burn down the forest with the bonfire he has planned. It will be a great day with everybody there, and then we'll have the whole night together. No little sisters, no waking at the crack of dawn to go to work, no worries: just us.

Can you believe in less than 2 months we will be graduating? I am so proud of you for being accepted into the nursing program at VCU. I knew all your hard work would pay off! You will be a wonderful nurse.

After graduation, Dad says he will trade hours with me at the bakery, so that I am working full time and he will take the part time shift. He can't wait to sleep in every morning and I am so excited to start running the bakery! It means a lot to have earned his trust and have this chance. I can start saving up for the wedding; I want you to have everything you have dreamed of. I can even help you with money for books so you have more time to study.

Have you decided whether you will keep working at the hospital during the summer? I hope you get to travel some with your friends before school starts like you wanted. You have been working so much and you deserve a break.

Jasmine, I can't stop thinking about how your blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight last Saturday night. The way your lips feel on mine takes me to another world. Sometimes when I'm working, I start to daydream and completely forget what I am doing. I burned myself 3 times yesterday remembering the taste of your creamy skin on my tongue, the feel of your hips moving in my hands, and the sounds that you make just for me. Everyday I wake with you on my mind. I dream of marring you, of our children playing together, of lying beside you every night and waking with you every morning. I want to hold you in my arms and keep you safe forever. You make me feel like the luckiest man on earth every time you smile. In my heart you are already my beautiful wife.

I love you always,

your M&M

I refold the note that Miche passed me as we changed classes and push it into my satchel. As I lift my hand back to rest on the desk, the rings catch the light. On my thumb is his large class ring with "HOPEWELL HIGH" printed around the blue stone. The ring might as well have my name on it, Miche has never worn it. We traded rings the day they arrived. He wears mine on a gold chain tucked safely inside his shirt, and after I wrapped yarn around the back of the band so it wouldn't slip off, his ring has never been absent from my left thumb.

The other ring is newer and smaller, but its weight seems to grow by the day. The braided gold band reminds me of the Zopf bread that is popular at the bakery, so that just looking at the ring tells you that I will marry the baker's son. A round cut diamond is set in the middle with three smaller diamonds on each side. It is charming and now fits securely on my left ring finger tying me to Miche Mellark for the rest of my life. How can such a sweet token of his love scare me to death?

My world tilted on Valentine's Day, and I've felt off balance ever since. I was blindsided! I had been so stressed filling out and sending off college applications, working hard to keep up my grades, and working at lease 15 hours a week at John Randolph Medical Center as a candy striper. I was doing all of this with the hope that it would be enough to get into the nursing program at my first choice school, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Miche had chosen a beautiful old restaurant in downtown Richmond called The Tobacco Company. The four story building had a wonderfully classic look, with exposed brick inside and out. It was open in the center courtyard so that you could see every level. Shining chandeliers and plants with vines growing anywhere they like hung all around us. A band strummed in the background while the singer's voice flowed about us like a stream. It was simply perfect for a romantic dinner. The food was some of the best I have ever had. We laughed and talked through dinner, as relaxed and easy as we've always been.

I should have seen it coming, but I was in complete shock when the waiter brought out the tiny wedding cake with a ring, my ring, sitting perfectly on top. Instantly I recognized his handy work - he must have made special arrangements with the chef, because a vine of his sugary jasmine flowers grew around the little cake. He could make my perfect flowers in his sleep by then, because he knew how I adored them.Then came his beautiful words.

Jasmine Diana Stabler, the first time I saw you, I knew I was a goner. Then, I tried to work up the nerve to talk to you. You were so breathtakingly lovely that it took me a year to work up the courage. Holding you for the first time as we danced at homecoming, I knew I wanted to hold you forever. You have filled my life with meaning. My heart knows only your name. I will love you with all that I am for as long as I live. Please say that you will be my wife.

He had tears in his smoky blue eyes and everyone in the restaurant was watching me, waiting on my answer. When I wrapped my arms around his neck and nodded, whispering "yes" in his ear, he lifted me into his arms and spun us around and everyone cheered. He is the kindest, most caring man I have ever known, and I love him dearly. It should be an easy decision. I shouldn't be this terrified, but I am.

We have been together for 2 ½ years, he is the only boy I have ever loved, the only boyfriend I have ever had, and the only man I have ever slept with. Since he put that ring on my finger, it feels like my life is closing in on me, all of my freedom, all of my choices flying away like dandelion seeds in the wind. I can't eat or sleep. I have been snapping at people, even my sweet Miche, for seemingly no reason at all. It's all just happening so fast. We haven't even set a date for the wedding, and already I feel like a caged bird.

I used to dream of fancy cars and big houses, traveling to far off places, jewels and fine clothes to wear to parties with the rich and famous. But soon I will be the baker's wife, in this small town. We will both have to work to afford a life together. I will love working as a nurse, until we have children, and then what? Will I be a mom, with my hair thrown into never-ending ponytails, wearing sweats and driving a station wagon with wooden panels down the side? Living on day-old bread; cook, clean, grocery shop, sleep, wake, repeat. What decisions are still mine? I'm only 17 years old and my whole life has been decided!

*WAP!* A paper ball to the head wakes me from my panicked thoughts. I look around, but can't tell who threw it; probably one of the boys. This is the third class I have watched a movie in today. The most exciting thing that has happened all day was when the film broke, and the projector started going crazy. Our teacher had no idea how to fix it and had to call Beetee Gates, a super smart AV nerd from the class next door, to get it going. Which was pointless, since no one is watching the 20 year old film anyway. Going to school the day before spring break is a waste of time. Teachers and students alike couldn't care less about being here. Maura and Bristol are braiding each others' hair. At least four kids are asleep. Ember is making out with her new boy toy, Oak (I think). She just broke up with the soccer team captain, Dutch, last week. And all I can do is sit here, spaced-out, panicking about my pitifully boring life.

I just thought someday I would go, I don't know, somewhere. This summer feels like my last chance. I just need to be on my own a bit without my parents or Miche taking care of me. To stand on my own two feet, maybe make a few mistakes. I've always been so safe and careful; I never smoke or get drunk. I live in a cage made of rules. For once I want to do something completely stupid and fix the problems I find, or create, on my own. I want to prove that I am not just some helpless little girl.

Maybe I could go stay with my sister Effie in New York for a little while this summer. There are plenty of mistakes to be made in New York City, right? She does the hair and make-up at some fancy theater on Broadway. The way she talks about everything there, it sounds incredible. It wouldn't matter what I get to see, all of it would be more exciting than Hopewell, Virginia. I don't think I could stand to stay with her for more than a week, she's my big sister and I love her, but that girl could drive anyone crazy.

After graduation I can finally relax. Going to a spa or the beach for a week or two could be the perfect thing. A trip with the girls would be brilliant! We could do and eat and say whatever we want. The girls will all be facing reality soon too, some heading to school just like me and others starting a career from the bottom, hoping to work their way up. This summer might be our last chance to be free. To find out what life is like outside of this measly little town.

Being away from Miche would be hard, but I just don't think clearly when I'm with him. When we're together, all the worries I have seem childish. Looking in to his cornflower blue eyes I forget the world. Being the baker's wife, cooking, cleaning, growing our babies wrapped in his strong arms, even living in this nowhere town doesn't seem so bad when I swim in those eyes. Miche is a drug, and I am just too addicted. So addicted to feeling safe with him that it's hard to remember all the dreams I once had for myself.

*BR-R-R-R-R-Ring!* The school's high pitched bell rings, telling us it's our lunch time. Finally.

At Hopewell High there are about 850 students. Lunch is part of our 85-minute-long 4th period class. Each class is assigned either A lunch (before class starts), B lunch (in the middle of 4th period), or C lunch (at the end of class before 5th period). Our class has last the lunch, while Miche has first lunch this semester, so I just eat with a big group of girl friends.

About seven of us are always there. Sometimes others sit with us, it changes a little each semester. We aren't picky or stuck-up about it since all of us are a little different, I guess what we have in common is that we aren't really part of any typical group. It's great to have a little girl-time each day. I think I might miss lunch time most of all after graduation.

"Cute braids," I tell Maura as she sits down in our usual spot in the courtyard. Her two french braids shine like gold in the sun.

"Thanks, Bristol is better at it then I am. Her hair is so curly I just can't get it to stay in," Maura says with a giggle.

"You do just fine Mo," Bristol says, sitting down and putting the banana clip back in her hair before pulling out her sandwich. "And besides, nobody can braid my hair unless it is soaking wet. Mama used to curse every one of my strawberry curls each time I had a dance performance. She was so happy I finally lost interest and quit, just so she didn't have to spend an hour pulling my hair before every show," she finishes, laughing at the memory.

"Miche's mom pays me to help backstage at recital time," I tell them between bites of blueberry yogurt. "Some of those moms are in tears by the time they finish covering their 4-year-olds in make-up and sequins, and doing their hair is just the last straw, I guess. Hazelle helped last year too." I nod toward our dark-haired friend as she sits down.

"Yeah, I do my little sister's hair almost everyday, since mama is normally at work. At least Lacey pays me for helping out," Hazelle says, shrugging.

There are 6 kids in the Irving family, and Hazelle is the oldest girl. Her two older brothers work in the Richmond train yard with their dad and the three of them are always filthy. Between housework and working part-time at a laundromat, her mom always has something to clean up. Hazelle is like a second mom to her 8-year-old sister, Sage, and 10-year-old brother, Blue. They are both so sweet. But her 15 year old sister, Lavender is always getting into trouble. Hazelle said she was brought home by Sheriff Cray again last week for God knows what.

I hear the steady beat of a basketball and know that Teak is coming our way. "Didn't you get enough practice during class, Teak?" Virginia says with an annoyed tone, not even looking up from the latest book she is reading. She sits down, pulls out her pasta salad, and takes a bite, all without taking her eyes off the words on the page. Impressive. I'm not sure why Teak's bouncing ball bothers her, I don't think she could find us without following the sound all the way from the gym.

Teak makes a face at Virginia that she'll never see and says, "You can never get too much practice, Ginie."

That gets her. She lays the book upside down to save her page and glares at Teak, "Don't call me Ginie, my brother Coal only gets away with that 'cause he's a foot taller than me." She takes another bite of pasta, chewing harder than necessary.

"Oh, Virginia calm down, it's cute. It makes you sound almost cuddly," Bristol tells her sweetly. "Did you see Ember in the cafeteria?"

"I saw her, but I don't think she's too worried about eating lunch," Hazelle says with a smirk. "I think she had a mouth full of Oak Mason, under the stairs in the science building."

"Oh my goodness, didn't she just break up with Dutch Stevens, like two days ago?" asks Maura.

I laugh. "Well, you know what she says-," I start, but I'm cut off.

"Men are just accessories, not necessities, but I just love shopping for new ones," Ember says, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder.

"Damn it Ember, why are you messing with my cousin?" Teak groans.

"Have you seen your cousin?" Bristol asks. "He is tall and cut, and ooh those green eyes! Yum!"

"Teak, it's not like you don't mess around with guys too," I laugh as she turns so red, steam might just come out of her ears.

"Whatever, I don't mess with nearly as many guys as she does; she has a new one like every other day," Teak snaps back. "And at school I have more important things to do than get on my knees for some guy. Why does my cousin have to be your new flavor of the day?"

"I just had a craving for some good dark chocolate, and he is just mmmm-," Ember starts, but Teak cuts her off by throwing the basketball at her, which she catches easily.

"Gross Ember, shut up! New subject please!" The other girls laugh as Teak fumes.

"Oh, did you see Flint's new baseball card?" Ember asks, reaching to pull the card out of her purse.

"Ember, we're girls. We don't go out looking for new baseball cards," Hazelle says, rolling her eyes. "Does he still play for that bird team, ah the Eagles or the Hawks, right?"

"Hazelle, the Eagles are a football team and the Hawks are a basketball team," Teak explains.

"But it's a bird team, right?" Hazelle asks, frustrated.

"Yes, it's a bird team, Hazelle. He plays for the Orioles, in Baltimore. I know I show you guys lots of new cards, but this picture is a close-up. Doesn't he look just like Rick Springfield? He is such a hunk!" Ember says, fanning herself with the card.

"Eww, gag! Ember, that's like your brother, you can't call him a hunk! Let me see," Bristol says, reaching for the picture. She studies it for a moment before she smiles and says, "Okay, I can say it, he is totally hot!"

"Let me see," Teak snatches the card. "Ahh he's okay I guess, not really my thing." She passes the picture on around the circle. Hazelle nods and smiles her approval to Ember.

"Nice," Maura tells her.

"It's bizarre; he looks exactly like my older brother. So I agree with Teak, which is also bizarre," Virginia laughs as she hands the picture to me.

I don't have to look at the picture to know how handsome Ember's older brother is. I've known him for 8 years now.

In 4th grade at Patrick Copeland Elementary School, I met a completely different Ember, very unlike the girl she is now. Back then she was quiet and mostly kept to herself. Her family was poor; they lived in a very old house close to the river. There were only two bedrooms until her dad walled up part of the screen porch, so Ember didn't have to share a room with her 13-year-old brother. She had old, shabby clothes and was very skinny so everything she wore was too big for her. To Romulus Thread and his mindless followers, Ember was the perfect target.

One day after chasing her around the playground, one of them caught her and threw her to the ground. She slid hard across the gravel, scraping her face, her knees, and both her hands very badly. Then the creeps ran off before the teacher could see what happened. When she tried to walk to the teacher, the blood started running down her leg, staining her socks. At the time I was pretty shy too, but when I saw another little girl in pain, in need of help, I had to do something. I felt so bad for her that I asked if I could help her walk to the nurse. She was so scared, I walked her home that afternoon too.

That was the first time I met her brother. He was in 7th grade, and he got furious when he found out what had happened to Ember. He patted me on the head and thanked me for bringing her home, then he called up three of his friends and left. Rom showed up the next day with a busted lip and a black eye, and he never messed with Ember again.

It was amazing, the way Flint loved and cared for her. She has always idolized him, the way she talks about him; anyone would think he was incredible. After awhile he treated me like I was his little sister too. I would always sit with his family at his baseball games. He hit a home run almost every time I was there, so he started calling me his lucky charm, just to make me blush. He was the first boy that ever paid any attention to me, so of course I had a bit of a crush on him.

Flint was gorgeous then, and he is even more gorgeous now. He's charming and talented and the press just loves him. He's a star baseball player, signed straight out of high school, and was named Baltimore Orioles "Rookie of the Year" for 1982. Everyone knows what Flint Everdeen looks like.

"Really Ember, Rick Springfield? I always thought your brother looked more like that guy in The Outsiders." I tell her, handing the baseball card back.

"Ooh which one," she looks hard at the picture, turning it this way and that trying to see it, "Patrick Swayze or Matt Dillon?"

"Well, all of them I guess, but I was thinking that Rob Lowe guy. See the eyes?" I point at Flint's gray eyes in the picture and Ember smiles. "He has those eyes that can see right through you."

"And he is taller of course," she smiles, and I nod. "Is that why you have that poster of Rob in your room, the one where he is sitting on that red car?"

"Oh shut up, like you don't have a million posters all over your walls," I tell her with a playful shove, trying to hide my blush.

"Ahh-hum, I don't think that card will be worth much if you two drool all over it," Teak teases while the others giggle. "Should we give you some privacy? Or maybe I should ask Miche-"

"Oh, I almost forgot," I jump in before Teak goes any further. "Miche wanted me to ask you all, who's going to the senior camp out next week?"

"I am visiting GW University," Virginia says proudly. "My parents and I will be in Washington DC all week, so no bugs or wild animals for me, thanks."

"Wow, a whole week with your parents. Fun," Teak says mockingly. "Our tour at Virginia Tech is next week too, but my dad is only staying for the 2 hour parent orientation, and then I'm bunking with one of the other basketball players. I get to do a few practices with the team and sit in on some freshman classes. But I am really looking forward to the parties. It will be AAAAWWWESOMMMME!" She finished, singing the last word.

"My brother and sister are out of school, and Mama and Daddy have to work. So I can't come," Hazelle finishes, looking bummed out, taking a bite of what looks like a peanut butter and Doritos sandwich.

I feel bad that she is always stuck as the 'free babysitter,' so I tell her, "Miche asked me to set up the tents in my backyard to air them out, maybe you can bring the kids over on Monday, and we can roast marshmallows and I'll make a picnic. They can play in the tents and we can talk or whatever."

"That would be great Jasmine; I can never think of enough stuff to keep them busy. They would really love that," Hazelle tells me gratefully.

"I'm in for the camp out, what day is it?" Bristol asks, "And who will be there?"

"We are going up Wednesday afternoon and coming back Thursday whenever. Pocahontas State Park is great. You can rent boats, swim, or just relax. I think there is a horse stable close by that does trail rides." I know this will get Maura's attention; she loves animals so much that she's starting school to become a veterinarian in the fall.

"That sounds like a lot of fun, if you and Bristol are going too! Maybe I can even bring one of my dogs!" Maura says excitedly. "Except, don't we need tents and sleeping bags and other stuff too? I don't think my parents have any camping equipment."

"It's okay Mo, my brothers have all that stuff, and I can barrow anything you need. We can bunk together," Bristle says, smiling at her shy friend before turning back to me. "And who else will be there?"

"Don't you mean will HE be there?" Bristol Cartwright, you haven't made a move on that boy yet?" Ember asks with a laugh.

"Ember, just because you make a move on everyone and their COUSIN, doesn't mean Bristol has to slut it up too," Teak sneers, obviously not over the whole Oak thing yet.

"Who is she supposed to make a move on?" Virginia asks, frustrated that she has no clue what we are talking about.

"Virginia, you never pay attention. Bristol has only had a crush on the same boy for like a year." Maura tells her. "Harvey Abernathy just doesn't seem to see that she likes him yet."

"Well, have you even talked to him?" Virginia asks plainly.

"Oh sure, he was at the shop getting new shoes last month and I asked him "what size do you need?" And on Monday I bumped into him in the hall on the way to English and said "sorry" to him," Bristol explains blushing slightly.

"You said all that and he didn't just rip your clothes off on the spot?" Teak asks sarcastically. "He must be gay or something if he didn't pick up on those smooth lines."

"Oh stop, Teak," I tell her, "what she means, Bristol, is maybe Harvey needs you to be a little more direct. Harvey is really sweet; he's a lot nicer than his twin sister, but I think she got all the brains in the womb. Maybe you have to do something big to show him you like him."

"I know," Hazelle says brightly. "Skinny dipping!" We all look at her blankly. "What? Naked is the way to go, he will definitely notice that."

"I completely agree," Ember says around a bite of chicken salad. "Count me in too."

"Jasmine, is he going to be there or not!?" Bristol asks in exasperation.

"Yes, Bristol, Miche said Harvey is definitely in," I tell her, "and we will find…some way to get his attention. Ember, do you need to borrow a sleeping bag? I'm sure I have an extra one at the house, it might get a little cold by the lake."

"Don't worry about me, I'm sure I can find some place warm to sleep." She gives me a knowing smile, "your baker's not the only boy with hot buns."

Thank you for getting this far, I am so excited to get this story out there. I feel like it is a new twist on the typical HG FF. I am a big fan of many different book series and over the summer I read tons of HG FF while reading 39 clues with my kids. The two ideas sort of merged in my mind and this story was born.

This fic is rated M for sexual content later on. There will also be drugs, rape, trickery, murder, and accidental death. ~ Put it this way, I let my daughter read HG, but I am not letting her read this. But have no fear; there is a lot of good between all the naughty bits. Also plenty of K&P cuteness to come.

This is my first fanfiction, so I am super excited/nervous to hear what you have to say. I have written quite a few chapters ahead, so I plan to post each Friday. The point of view will change between Miche and Jasmine mostly, and every few chapters I will throw in a "memory story" that will be from a variety of characters. Please Review, Favorite, and look for me on tumblr ~ (flip-fantasia) I will put up random pictures for the story and we can chat .

Big thank you to ghtlovesthg for her editorial super powers ~ grammar is my kryptonite. Posted with her edits June2014