Waking up to the birds singing always makes me smile so after I ate I headed to school a little early. When I and my brother got to school he ran to his friends and I just walked around writing poetry in my journal. Not paying any attention I bumped into someone as we both drop our stuff. Looking up to say sorry Riley was already bent over picking up my journal and his book. He handed me my journal as we both apologized. "Grace I'm sorry about the other day when I just ran out of the room like that I just couldn't believe how fast you were," I giggled and blushed a little, when the hell did I start giggling, which made him smile again with his perfect lips. As Riley and I walk to Computer class we made every girl gasp and give me dirty looks as we both laugh at something funny. Once we got into class there was a different teacher sitting at the desk. I looked up at the board to see the teachers name "Mr. Beetee". I never thought I'd ever like one of my teachers but this one was nice. He liked hacking computers like me but was way better and only let us has simple assignments on the boring stuff and more computer time before class ends. Mr. Beetee seemed so happy until a student walked in and handed him blue flyers. I already know what it's for and so does the whole class it's just a notice about the Hunger Games prep team on if you want to join it or not. But Mr. Beetee seemed bothered by it. After handing us the paper and the bell ringing I asked my friend what happened with the teacher and she told me that our teacher Mr. Beetee was in the Hunger Games and won and I knew he must of been having a nightmare in class as he stared at the paper that said in bold print "Hunger Games: May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor" sadly the odds were not in he's favor that year.
Today was Friday and my only day off so I couldn't wait to just go home. I know that sounds weird it's your day off why do you just want to go home but I'm just not that type of person who plays outside or any of the dumb sports kids around here do it's just a waste of energy. Before I started to walk home Riley came up to me and asked if he could walk me home. I said yes trying not to blush which didn't work because I giggled making me blush even more, I mean I felt my cheeks turn red. Riley just smiled at me then changed the subject so we could start walking. Riley is so interesting to talk to when he isn't so focused on the computer, but I don't mind just looking at him on the computer he looks even more adorable when he's concentrated on something. My bombs were sweating as we talked. I found out so much about him on our walk, he hates school assignments on hacking computers and how he wants to be a newspaper writer for District 3 newspaper. All so interesting but got fascinating once he brought up the Capitol. I have never said my thoughts about the Capitol out loud but with Riley I felt safe to say them in a low whisper. Riley on the other hand was very proud of what he was saying, I never said anything really bad about the capitol only little things but he talks about how he hates the Capitol and how he hates the Games. My low whisper is nothing compared to his loud voice that's heard from all over District 3 but when I tried to get him to lower his voice it was too late because the new Peacekeeper (Darwen Resh) was already on his way toward us. Oh my heart is sinking to my stomach as he walks toward us with anger written on his face. Riley so calm talking to the Peacekeeper, never stuttered and even though he was no longer saying things about the Capitol he was still in his high yelling voice trying to impress those who stared and those who walked by us. Before I knew it I was shaking Keeper Resh hand as he walked away. Still shaking with fear I stared at Riley with shock that nothing happened as he read my mind and said, "It's like hacking a computer you have to stay calm and never give up till you know you're safe." As we walked toward my house we laughed at the way Keeper Resh was so confused on what to do about Riley's outburst about the Capitol. When we got to my house he said goodbye with a delicate kiss on the cheek. When he walked away I couldn't help but stare wondering if he'd look back which he did.
Saturday was just full of my happiness and everyone noticed I mean everyone even my little brother. Breakfast was quick and delicious, but work was slow. I don't mind how slow work is because I'm so happy but come on now please having one person walk in. I really need to stop wishing for things like this because the Mayor once again has walked into my Aunt's bakery. "Hello Grace I thought today you would be outside with the other kids," does the Mayor not want me to see him in my Aunt's bakery? "Oh no, I work almost every day of the week except Fridays," I really don't want him here. "I'll have to remember that." What, why is he going to remember when I'm off work? Probably so he can come to the bakery without anyone being here. I swear something is going on and I need to find out soon I mean really soon! "Sorry Mayor my Aunt went to... um... the grocery store to get more flour you'll have to come in tomorrow or maybe Friday," I'm totally going to get in trouble if the Mayor finds out I'm lying to him. My Aunt is really in the back making a wedding cake and my comment really made the Mayor mad cause now his white skinny face has turned almost red, bright red to be exact.
Once the Mayor left I ran start to the back and demanded my Aunt tell me what was going on with her and the Mayor. "What are you talking about Grace maybe you should sit down drink some water or something," my Aunt says. "Please, don't treat me like a child I know something is up I don't know what exactly but you can't hide it from me!" my voice came out more like a scream then calm, collected conversational voice, "Huh, the Mayor has come in here twice asking for you not bread or cookies no the sweet baker who just happens to know the Mayor. How many times does he come in here, because it seems more than twice? And don't lie to me because you suck at it!" Clearly this conversation is not going to get me any closer in to seeing what my Aunt is doing with the Mayor so I take a deep breath and wait for her to speak. As my Aunt knows she has to tell me the truth she as well takes a deep breath to start talking, "Oh Grace you always are so snoopy, OK, so I can't get into details but the Mayor is trying to come up with a plan for something that your too young, sorry, innocent to learn about." So far I still have no idea what is happening. "OK, so you're telling me that you and the Mayor are coming up with some crazy top secret plan that no one knows about?" "Yes, and you are in much danger to learn so please Grace do not get in this for you and your families sake. Now when did the Mayor come in the second time?" Crap! I forgot I lied about where my Aunt was. "Oh umm well... you see... oh was that the bell at the door better go check the front desk." as I run out the back doors to the front i hear my Aunts voice, that barely makes it through the cracks of the doors, scream, "Grace this conversation is not over." But what I didn't know is that our conversation does end without being finished because after leaving the bakery I start to walk home, smiling at the thought of my Aunt so conflicted on me which always makes me laugh, when I see several Peacekeepers run into my Aunt's bakery the Mayor screaming at them to turn back, then I hear the scream of my Aunt, then a gunshot which ends her screams as my smile turns into a frown I start to run home turning to look to see if they are after me.
I hardly make if home before I collapse down crying into my knees with my arms holding me in an awkward position. My family runs to me and helps me up but I just slide back down now having difficulty breathing. My mother begins to whisper something into my ears but just the sound of her voice so calm, so safe calms me down enough to stop breathing weirdly and able to stand without falling. I'm leaded to the couch where my brother sits on my lap brushing my long brown hair with his fingers. "Sissy are you ok?" his voice so calm even after seeing his older sister come home and collapse on the floor in a pool of her own tears. "I'm fine I just need to talk to mommy and daddy why don't you see if you can play with some of the neighbor kids," I really don't need to give my brother any nightmares. Trey hugs me then runs out the door. My parents hit me with a look and I know I should start talking, "I was in the bakery when the Mayor came in asking for Auntie I told him she was gone but I lied she wasn't," I paused thinking of her death but continued, "I talked to her about it she said it was too dangerous for me to know any information and that it was just a plan for something so I just left cause I was mad but then outside.." I start to burst in tears my mother holds me in her arms as I try to finish, "The Peacekeepers so many... they... they shot her... they just busted in and... Oh mom I heard her scream and the Mayor he was yelling at them to stop but they didn't... Why, why her," my tears staining my mother's soft blue blouse as she brushes my hair the same way my brother did. "Honey this must have been so shocking I have to get..," my mother pauses because who is there to get the Mayor was there and the Peacekeepers caused this so there is no one left to get, "I'll just get you to bed with some tea and we will handle this tomorrow." I looked at my father since it was his sister and he just looks at the wall with tears in his eyes trying to hold them back so I hugged him tightly whispering to him that it's OK to cry I mean I lost like 5 gallons of water in the past 5 minutes he just chuckles then hugs me back. To think how a day can change so quickly it was only a couple of hours ago when I was still day dreaming about Riley feeling the spot on my cheek were he kissed me and now I'm hugging my father crying over my Aunt which I just heard her last scream.