The rebellion didn't happen the way they say it did in the stories. Not saying that Katniss isn't a hero, she's my idol. But there was more in-between it. They kept out things to make the heroine look more hero like and the Capitol, for some odd reason more tamed. Maybe it was to keep a sense of order and respect to the people of power so others wont question it years later. They erased the minds of citizens and changed them to coincide with the story you all know. I am one of the only people alive who knows the real story. I am one of the only people alive who lived the real story. I am Azalea
I watched Katniss hand Peeta the berries. Sweet escape flew out of my mouth before I even knew what I said. My mother turned to me eyes red and puffy glaring at my blaten disregard for the star crossed lovers from our district. Cheers escaped through the streets as they announced them both, Katniss and Peeta, to be the winners of the seventy fourth hunger games. I was fourteen. Our district changed after that, the hungry kids were fed and hope was restored. Now the citizens of district twelve trotted through their miserable existence with a song in their heart. Yippie. Me I just kept living as always. You see I was Katniss' friend you don't remember and there is no record to prove so but I was also interviewed when she was reaped. We bonded over our painfully mirrored lives. Both of our fathers killed in the miners accident. Both Seam girls taking care of our families both mothers to kids we didn't produce. She had Prim and I had Jure. When she figured out how to hunt she came to me and brought me with her. See I was a thief, clever smart and desperate to take care of my mom and my brother. My mom took to whoreing herself after our dad died, not being able to stomach the loneliness she felt, she went and filled her void with other men, even head peacekeeper who she became a regular customer for. She was rather lustful for our current state of living. Always wanted nice things and demanded them from my father while he was living. He adored her, why, I will never know. He built us a house better than any other in the Seam hunted with Katniss' father and worked and did jobs on the side so my Mom could walk in the better part of the city and look like she belonged. So after his death it was left to me to make sure things were ok. Jure who is just three years younger than I was babied, a big mommas boy. I was a culprit as well giving him whatever he liked. I would do anything for him. That is where my story, my half of the rebellion begins.
Two years later after the infamous 74th Hunger Games reaping. I sat in the house of Katniss Everdeen. Her mom was making pancakes for the event and my family was invited. Jure was already dressed up in his nice grey pants suit which where just a little to big for his petite little body, and a grey dress shirt that was completely wrinkled from the fuss he gave me this morning about putting it on. I had to get him ready today because our Mom was off at another suiters house and completely forgot that is was reaping day. Jures hair stuck up at odd places giving him a naturally messy hair due that some guys in the capital would inject tree sap into their hair for. His grey eyes widened at the Pancakes as they where layered on his plate.
'Jure don't drool its not polite' I snapped at him and got up and poured his syrup on his pancakes. 'And please for the love of me DO NOT get syrup on your shirt it already looks bad enough.'
He just smiled at me and stuffed pancakes in his mouth. I sighed a strand of my hair flying up from my breath.
'Thank you Ms. Everdeen for the pancakes. We really appreciate it.' I said not even touching my own Pancakes. She smiled back a sweet bitter smile. The kind a mother can get on a day like this when she still fears for Prims once reaped life, maybe even ours.
Prim had been on watch ever since Katniss overshown the capitol. Everyone in the Everdeen household was terrified of when they would take a chance to show Katniss just who was in charge. Take her sister and make Katniss watch as they did all they could to not only kill her but make it as long and as painful as possible. I told them if they haven't acted now they probably wouldn't, they were probably planning something much worse for the in the future. However they didn't really find that too comforting.
Peeta walked through the door caring small cupcakes for each of us. I liked Peeta, furthermore I liked Peeta and Katniss no matter how much was real and fake they complimented each other the way peanut butter did jelly. Katniss smiled and kissed Peeta on the cheek. Peeta had gotten stronger since his Hunger Games, and grown more handsome his boyish features sculpting into a chizled mans face. His muscles expanding to a size of a well fed man but his blue eyes always remained the same beautiful entrances to his soul. Gale took up his rear coming in with fresh game from this morning. His grey eyes were the opposite of Peeta's they weren't soft they were hard and unrelenting. Although beautiful and sometimes vulnerable his eyes were cold and looking into them gave me chills, good and bad. He was older than Peeta and by far more handsome and buff. From being well fed by the Everdeen family against his protest and working in the mines. He was by far the most amazingly sexy man my eyes ever laid eyes on. I jumped up and hugged him immediately squiling like a school girl. He spun me around and set me down firmly his hands on my waist, sending electric shocks through my entire body. Like I said I like Katniss and Peeta as a couple.
When I sat down I caught a knowing eye from Katniss the only one I have ever shared my secret crush with.
'Well its time for us to get down there' Katniss announced after we scarfed down the food. The once bright atmosphere at once became imbearable. We all hurried out of the house muttering goodbyes to Ms. Everdeen who was no longer required to go to the reapings and couldn't stomach the idea of seeing other children choosen to do what her baby had to do to survive. The usual crowd waited for us. I kissed Jure's forehead as he walked away into his age group got my finger pricked like normal and basically blocked out the whole speech and video of the reaping, sometimes making silly faces at Katniss sitting up in the stand as she tried her hardest not to laugh and keep a stoic face. It wasn't until his name was called that I was brought back to the terror of the whole thing. Jure Meesda, Effy Trinket called and the usual gasp filled the air as they do when a younger kid is reapead. I remember Katniss telling me how she felt when she heard Prims name called.
'Falling' she said 'Your soul is falling inside of you and soon you know it will disappear forever' That's exactly what it fet like. Falling. Before my brain could even comprehend what I was doing I was in the middle of the isle screaming just as Katniss did two short years ago, 'I voulenter' but this time it was too late the girls have already been reaped. I didn't care I fought my way through the peace keepers kicking and punching, I am very skilled at many aspects of killing. When I reached the stage I snatched the mic not daring to look at Katniss horrified face or Gales hard one and looked at the distant air.
'I Azalea want to bring honor to our district still. Keep 12 on the map and let people know that Katniss and Peeta weren't a fluke, that we are a strong district a proud district and just as good as any other, even better.' No cheers erupted, only silence I stood there embarrassed yet determined. Anyone who knew me knew I didn't mean any of it. I was only up there for one reason to protect my brother throught the Hunger Games and to die for him and let him live on.
There was no closing statements, they dragged me Jure and some seventeen year old girl who I didn't care to learn her name into the building. The mayor peacekeepers even Katniss and Peeta were dragged into an emergency meeting, no doubt with the President of Panem. I sat shaking inside and hard outside. Jure wouldn't stop crying, his tears did nothing but make my insides hurt more. I held his hand shushing him, but soon that wasn't enough his body started to convulse and I incased him in my arms as snot covered my pale pink dress. Pulling his hair back kissing his forehead telling him that it would be ok. I promise, Zela was going to making it all ok. Somewhere inbetween calming Jure down our Mom showed up make up smeared from crying. When I noticed her I sat Jure down in his chair and stood up to face her.
'You stupid girl what have you done' She whispered so no ones ears could hear but mine. Then she slapped me. The echo seemed to hang in the air forever. Anger boiled inside me. Here I was giving my life up for her son, and she has the audacity to call me stupid. My small resolve that i was holding on to quickly vanished and before I even knew what I was doing she was on the ground with a knife to her neck.
'Don't ever touch me again' I snared at her. I could see how dark my blue eyes looked in her terrified ones. So resembled in color in shape our eyes, yet two completely different expressions were worn on them. Hers displayed fear and hatred and in mine was disgust and fury. Jure was pulling on my dress begging me to 'get off mommy' but I held firm until two strong arms grabbed ahold of me a wrenched me off my mother.
'Azalea look at me. LOOK AT ME' I turned and was two inches away from the softest cold grey eyes I ever seen his breath gracing my lips. This calmed me for a second and I just stared, dived into his eyes hoping they could take me to a place far from where I stood. They didn't, so I turned back to my mom and tried escaping but it was no use. His hold was firm on me and though I inched closer I was never released. The debaters filed out of the room Katniss with a solemn look on her face. He long dark hair covering most of her expression. She placed a finger under my chin and gave me a look only a person who can understand the horror your going through can and I calmed down. Gale brought me to my seat and kept his hand tight on mine. Katniss sent a suspicious eye at his hand but let it go and stood behind me her hands working through my mangled jet black hair. She took it out of its usual high looped ponytail and let it fall to the floor, then began to braid it gingerly like her mother does for her. Tension began to build in the room, as the silence lingered. Gales strong hand and Katniss' calming ones were keeping me to my chair. What could it have possibly been the Capitols decision? Was I too go with my brother and defend him or was I stay home and endure the torture of watching him die, because he was just not the type to kill or know anything about killing. The worse they could do would be to kill me, but I don't think that is the Capitols mentality, the most painful thing would be to control me, make me a pawn for as long as they could. The room itself felt still. Katniss worked gently on my hair. My mother stayed on the other side of the room digging her nails into Jure's shoulders as he fidgeted wanting to get closer to me. Effy was the first to speak.
'Well this by far is the most unexpected and delightful turn of events' She said in a cheerful voice. I wanted to spit on her. 'We have talked to President Snow and he is delighted at how the events unveiled. Saying this will give us the best show yet. He is also in awe of Azaleas determination to represent her district though he says her courage would be more acknowledged if she did it at the proper time.' She paused and looked at me with reprimanding eyes. 'Manners.' She said. 'He will allow you to take the place of Ms. Stead.' Whoever that silly haired frail girl was ran out of the building as soon as she heard that, probably thanking who ever she worshiped for the stupidity of one sixteen year old girl. Effy eyed her for a second, no doubt wanting to articulate how rude it was for the girl to dismiss herself but decided not to. The Mayor then stepped in saying 'All will continue as usual'. I was then hauled off by the Peacekeepers, giving one last squeeze to Gales hand, to a empty room where my visitors would show up to say goodbye. I sat for thirty minutes with no one to see me off. I mean really all the people who usually filled the spots were already here and there was no way my mother was going to say goodbye to me. When the door finally opened I was balancing my chair on its hind legs and staring up at the ceiling the door closing nearly throwing me on the floor, but strong hands stabled the chair and set it down gently and I was looking into the soft cold grey eyes again. He hugged me so tight I lost my breath but I didn't want him to let me go either, so I began to sob just a little, just to let it all out with one of the only persons I trusted, with one of my hunting partners. I was brought back to a sunny day in the woods Katniss with her bow and arrow Gale with his cleverness and traps and me with my unexplainable fighting ability and throwing knives accuracy. A happier time. I abruptly stopped my tears and Gale slowly pulled his arms out so that his hands were still firm around my arms but I could see all of his handsome features now.
'Katniss will help you' is all he could say and silence filled us for a second.
'I know' I whispered back, but the hard fact, that we both knew, was that Katniss could only help me for so long until I would give my life so that my brother could live.
'You are a brave little kid you know' he said trying to lightened the mood, but instead the words slammed into me like fist to my heart. Then he was gone the Peacekeepers pulling him away with a curious look left on his face. Katniss came in the room next telling me it was time to go and walked me out. Jure came running to me from the room where he was kept crying again. I knelt down to his level and gave him a cold gaze.
'No more crying you hear me' I yelled lounder, harsher than I needed to. 'Where we are going there are no room for tears so you cut that out' my voice caught at the end but my words were still firm. I grabbed his hand and we walked side by side with Katniss and Peeta taking up our rear and Effie Trinket walking swiftly in front of us singing something about us having to be on schedule. The car ride to the train was slow as a crowd stood around the car. People hopping over people pushing people aside to get a look at me. I'm sure more than a few people were trampled in this act. This was bigger than the Katniss scandal. A girl going in with her brother, not for him, to protect him, kill for him, and then die for him. This was better than anything, any Gamemaker could have ever dreamed up. When we finally reached the train I was near my wits end, impatiently tapping my foot on the floor rapping my hand on the window. These people are what made the game sick. I have never in my years of living seen people gather this hungrily to see tributes. Maybe in the better districts, ones with dignity and pride, but here in poor District 12 we normally kept our heads down and kept to ourselves. You give these people some excitement and they transform into the very people the claim to hate. They become on in the same with the citizens of the Capitol, who bet and jeer as children they have never met fight fot their entertainment. Safety I assume they must feel, safety in the fact that the were lucky to be born in a better part of Paenem. My thoughts disgusted me, and the fury was building up so i decided to just focus on what I saw. Broken down buildings, children too skinny for comfort, parents with clothes too old and to worn to even be called clothes anymore. And then we reached the train station, the vehicle that will deliver me to my fate. Grey and blue eyes alike followed my every move as I got out and held Jures hand as tight as I could not wanting to let him go even an inch away from me. I was just about to board the train when my name was screamed with desperation. 'AZALEA, AZALEA' I turned and saw Gale running to me. I looked at him and then back at my brother torn between them when Katniss put her hand on my shoulder and grabbed Jure's other hand and led him on the Train. Peeta stayed behind to watch over me. He had began taking an older brother role over me like Gale when they came back from the games. Anything important to Katniss was important to me he said when I asked him very bluntly why he cared so much about my life.
I stood still and Gale forced through the crowd closer to me. No Peacekeeper even trying to get inbwtween the sceen, maybe they figured that since I was going to die this is the best they can show me, pitty. I took a few steps in his direction and like an invitation he ran to me.
`I'm so stupid, I'm a fool' He said when he was dead in my face. I stared back at him with cold eyes remembering that im a kid to him. 'How do I let you go' he said again. I couldn't do this, not here, not in front of all these people, watching, pushing people aside to get a better view of what was going on. Somewhere cameras zoomed into my face to see my reaction. I could not do this in public, this is something for the meadows, just me and him the way it was for a while, the way I desperately want it to be.
'What about Katniss' I said. Not caring that the world thought of them as cousins and I would be ruining it if they decided to air this.
'When she left I loved her, I loved her because I was losing her. You can't understand what that is like. But you, I'm in love with you, but how can I your years youner than me, and there is only room for one man in your life. Jure takes up that spot and I would never want to replace him. I never thought you could fill for me too, but that look in your eyes when I called you a kid, the way you looked at me earlier, you love me too.' He said and a rare moment of softness filled his eyes. I stared at him, my head pounding, not here, not here, not here. I couldn't say it back so I just looked at him eyes softening in his glaze. Then I was flying, his lips tightened on mine, hard soft lips. Desperate lips, desiring lips, and I responded heartedly, feeding into my hunger for him my desire for him. His arms wrapped around me pulled me closer than I ever thought two human bodies could be my breast pressed against his chest. His hands slowing brushing down my back. This is the way it should be, I thought, heaven, but it was over too soon, his hands slowing sliding up my back grabbing my hair and then placing them on my face. He kissed me one last time, a soft peck and pulled his face from mine. No one existed but he and I , in my heart we were in the meadows where this moment would be perfect. But the jeers of the crowd came crashing into me and I was shaken into reality. Gale kept his hands down on my face and whispered. 'None of it matters any more' and then walked away. I turned too before I could let calm break and head to the train where Peeta waited. I climbed the steps slowly and drawing strength from the earth with every step. Then in a moment of complete spontaneity I turned around and yelled 'I love you too Gale' and then ran on the train not even seeing if the words reached him.
A/N: Thank you so much for reading my story it is my baby. I would really appreciate feedback or reviews. Also if you love the story spread the word. I may never be a published writer but having people read and love my stories is a dream and I would love for many thousands of people to read my story. Thank you for checking it out and I try to put a new chapter out every week on Sunday so look for them. Thank you again, -Tifa