Chapter 2
"So…What's with the face?"
Xander blinked and turned to his left to find his best friend smirking at him. Jaycee Kildren, or most commonly known as Jay, was Xander's childhood friend. His family had been…taken care of by the mayor when he was five along with Xander's mother. Jay only had his older sister left who had turned eighteen last month. Jay was sixteen years old now like Xander.
Jay had the usual Seam look: dark hair and gray eyes. That's why Xander looked a bit out of place at the Seam because he had dirty blonde hair but had the Seam gray eyes. Jay always had that crooked smile that makes you feel like he knows something you don't.
"What face?" Xander said quietly, hoping their teacher wouldn't notice them talking.
"The face you have on right now." Jay made a quick glance at the teacher before quickly whispering. "The face that says something good happened today. In fact, I can see a small blush."
That only made Xander blush harder. "I-It's nothing Jay..." He looked away from his childhood friend.
"It doesn't look like nothing." Jay stated. "I'll find out sooner or later Xander. You might as well tell me now- Oh wait let me guess!"
"Fine, then guess..." Xander mumbled.
"Is it about that girl? What's her name...?" Jay scratched his head before his eyes widened. "Oh right, Kiara! Is this about Kiara?"
His shoulders relaxed. Jay was good at reading people's emotions, but when it came to what they were about...he was a bit off. "Why would you think it's about Kiara?" Xander looked over at his friend.
Jay shrugged. "Well you kind of spend time with her than most people except for your sister and me."
"Kiara's father is one of my best 'customers', we just talk, there's really nothing between us."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Okay then, I can tell you're not lying. Let's see. How about...Skye then?" He asked jokingly.
That's when Xander fell silent. If he spoke, Jay would surely see through it, if he didn't...well either way Jay was figuring it out.
Jay's mouth fell open after a few moments. "You're kidding. The mayor's daughter?"
Xander filled his thumbs, looking down at the ground. "That's bad...isn't it?"
"Bad? Heck yeah! Do you know what that girl's father did to our families?" Jay hissed, his eyes narrowed.
"Of course I know!" It was hard for Xander to keep his voice low as he returned the glare. That was odd for him, to turn like that, but the look turned sad after a moment. "You think I could ever forget that? Really Jay, I don't want to feel that way but I can't help it..."
"Yeah well the reaping's tomorrow. Personally I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Skye to get reaped. Just so the mayor knows what it feels like to lose their family." Jay muttered harshly.
Xander gaped at Jay. Sure he agreed, but Skye was overall harmless. "Jaycee, I know how you feel but wishing that kind of fate upon someone is downright wrong. No one wants to be put into the reaping!"
Jay just stayed quiet for the rest of the class but glared at the floor. Soon the bell rang signalling the end of another day. Usually the students would practically run over others just to get out but today was sullen. And everyone knew why. Today was the day before the reaping. Before two kids were chosen as tributes for the annual slaughter.
Xander wished for the old days. His father used to tell him and his sister stories about the era of Katniss and Peeta Mellark. While they were alive, it was peace. There were no Hunger Games. But every good thing had to end. When the couple died, the Capitol re-instated the Games a few years after. There was a rule change though. It stated that if the tributes from the same District remain as the last ones standing, they win the Games for their District.
Xander avoided Jay after class, instead he went looking for his sister and possibly even Skye. He would have to make sure his father was home to take care of Eliza. Just until the reaping was over.
"Xander!" Eliza pushed through the crowd and walked up to her big brother. "Are we going home now?"
"Yeah." Xander took her hand. "Then I have to go hunting again, stay near the house until I get back though alright?"
"Alright big brother. Dad's probably home now." She said as they walked out of the building. Xander took a quick sweep of his surroundings for any possible danger. His gray eyes spotted a small figure sitting against one of the trees. It was Skye and she had her floppy gray hat covering most of her face. Xander's eyebrows furrowed. Everyone knew that Skye always immediately went home after school so what was she still doing here at school?
"Hmm..." Xander looked down at Eliza. "Come on." He led her through the crowd. Hopefully Skye would be there when he got back.
They arrived at their shack of a house just as their father opened the door. He smiled at them. Andrew Jonston was a tall man with graying hair and the Seam gray eyes. He worked at one of the research facilities but as a cleaner. "Hello kids. Welcome home."
"Hey Dad." Xander gave him a smile and let Eliza walk in without him. "I may be home a little later today. Someone at the Hob wanted me to go out and catch some rabbits for them." He hoped his father would buy the lie of it being just someone from the Hob.
Apparently he did. He nodded and ruffled Xander's hair. "Take care okay son? I'll see you later. Try and be home by nine."
"Sure Dad." He watched his father walk off before jogging back to the school. Hopefully, the mayor's daughter would still be there, that is if he was lucky.
As he walked up the school gates, he saw that Skye was indeed still under the tree's shadows. If he didn't have sharp eyes, he wouldn't have noticed her. Xander tilted his head slightly. Skye seemed to be...curled up into herself.
He cautiously started to walk up to her, butterflies flapping around in his stomach. "S-Skye?"
Skye jumped and looked around in panic. Her eyes were slightly red and Xander could see some faint tear stains on her cheeks.
Xander surprised himself when he knelt down beside her. "Are you okay...?"
Skye's eyes widened and she hastily wiped her face with her hat. "Yeah I'm f-fine."
"Y-You were crying, weren't you?" His eyes locked with hers.
Slightly bloodshot blue eyes stared into grey ones before Skye looked away. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, its okay."
Xander blushed faintly. "Um, do you...Do you want to go with me to catch those rabbits?"
Skye shook her head. "I'll probably just get you caught. I'll just wait by the Hob okay?"
His shoulders slumped sadly. "Oh...Okay..." He stood up and started to walk towards the fence. Xander glanced back at her once before continuing on. He crawled under the fence after checking that it was off then went to trap two rabbits for Skye. He took out his bow and quiver of arrows that he had hidden in one of the trees.
Xander slipped the quiver on and went to go check his snares. Hopefully the hunt would be quick so that he could get back soon. Someone must have been looking out for him because he saw that three of the snares he set up had two rabbits and a squirrel trapped in them. He quickly untangled the rodents' heads from the trap and reset them. After cleaning those in the river nearby, he saw that it was already getting dark.
Must be almost nine by now, I have to hurry back! Xander hurried back to the fence, nearly forgetting to drop off his quiver and bow in the trunk of a rotting tree first. He quickly slipped under the fence and ran towards the Hob, avoiding the few Peacekeepers that were roaming the streets.
The peacemakers made him sick. They stayed out all night so no time was safe for those who lived in the Seam. Xander slowed to a walk once he reached the Hob, most of the shops were closed except a few at the far end. He looked around and quickly spotted Skye hiding near one of the closed shops. She was twitching and looked around as if something was looking for her.
He walked over to her. "I got your rabbits." Xander gave a weak smile.
Skye jumped and turned to him. Her blue eyes shone with panic until she saw that it was only Xander. She weakly smiled at him and took the rabbits from him. When their hands touched, a small shock made them jump away slightly in surprise. The shock wasn't painful, just surprising. Skye smiled up at him again. "Thanks Xander."
"I-It was nothing." He looked down at his feet. He knew he was blushing as he kicked a small stone aside.
"No really, thanks. It really me-" She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and paled. A small noise could be heard in the otherwise silent streets of the Hob. It was the clicking of leather shoes. Skye quickly looked at Xander in panic and pushed him roughly into a hidden alley. Who knew the small girl was so strong? Xander fell on his backside in the darkness.
Xander scrambled into the darker shadows. He watched curiously, and frightened, Skye had looked so freaked out when she had heard the sound.
"Well well well. What do we have here?" A cold voice sounded from the darkness of the Hob streets. Skye paled and took a small step back. "So this is where you get those rabbits."
Xander paled as his eyes widened. Mayor Hallows... He felt himself start shaking. District 12's mayor scared him to death.
"H-hello dad." Skye stuttered out, fear lacing her voice. Xander was surprised. Why would Skye be afraid? This was her father.
Then a dreadful thought came to his mind. What if Skye's father was abusive? That might explain his ruthless behavior towards the citizens of District 12. Xander shook his head. That can't be. This was Mayor Hallows' own daughter. Xander had heard that Skye's mother had died giving birth so Skye was the only family Mayor Hallows had left. Maybe she was just scared that he caught her out so late. Yes, that must be the reason.
Because of his musing, he missed most of their conversation. He looked at Skye and saw that she had an expressionless face and she was looking at her feet.
"House. Now." Mayor Hallows said coldly.
"Y-yes da- Mayor Hallows." Skye replied quietly and followed her father out of the Hob.
When they were out of earshot, Xander came from his hiding place solemnly. Skye most likely was being mistreated at home by some means. That little bit of their conversation had said enough.