Okay, everyone. I promise this chapter will be longer. We'll start with a flashback, and go from there.

*FLASHBACK*

I got to the baby in the nick of time. Upon closer inspection, I find it's a baby boy. He has deep brown hair and sea green eyes that you could get lost in. I take my focus from his eyes back to the task at hand. I remove the debris from off of his leg and wipe off a bit of blood. The rubble was pretty sharp; even I got a few cuts trying to remove it. I cradle the baby in my arms and force my legs to carry the baby and me away from the wave at top speed.

Right then, Gatem shows up. As if that weren't enough, he picks me up quickly and, using some of my momentum, speeds the the baby and me from the oncoming wave.

Gatem, being so in sync with me, gets to high ground. He sets me down and takes the baby from me. He knows pretty much everyone, so finding the baby's family should be a breeze.

He gets back with some bread and fish. This reminds me of when Jesus fed everyone with just a boy's small amount of fish and bread. It gives me hope-hope that everyone can escape this. Hope that District Four doesn't become the natural disaster version of District Thirteen.

We eat in silence as more waves crash against the shore. Soon, the waves are high enough that I can feel the spray whenever they hit. Gatem must feel it, too (a/n: lol, I didn't mean for it to come out that way), because he gets up exactly when I do. We take the bread with us abd search for higher ground. It turns out that we don't need to because the waves start to lower.

"Datsus O'Myla," Gatem whispers.

Like I said, we are way in sync.

(a/n: hmm...who is Datsus O'Myla? ;D)

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Gatem leads me to his basement. He doesn't need to; I know his house inside and out. But I let him guide me because I don't want to let go of his hand. I don't think he does, either. Want to let go, I mean.

Gatem's basement is my favorite part of his house. He has so many targets down there. We always train together. Give us any weapon and, I assure you, one of us can use it. Usual both of us can.

I grab Gatem's trident. Might as well try my hand at that. Gatem takes my bow. He's used one before, but, to put it nicely, he sucks. He uses a full-body archery target, and I use a plain circular target.

"Better not kill me with that, Stingray," Gatem jokes.

"Look who's talking," I remark, gesturing to the bow he held.

"I'll be able to work this in two hours, tops," he challenges.

"Give me the same amount of time for this," I say, raising my trident.

"You're on, Stingray."

"Okay," I agree, "on my count. One...two...three...be-"

"Begin!" Gatem yells. Thankfully this idiot isn't loud enough to wake anyone.

I take the trident, hold it like it's a regular spear, and launch it. This works well enough, but I keep falling short. I adjust the power behind the throw, and the trident hits much closer to where I aim. That won't do. I need to hit the bullseye, or else Gatem might win this little competition. I aim for the bullseye and tilt the trident up. My grandma always said to "aim higher in case you fall short". This takes some effort because the trident has a bit of weight to it. It's somehow different than a spear. With the trident at an angle, I throw with just the right amount of power. The trident hits the bullseye perfectly. The end isn't crooked, but totally straight coming off the target.

"Look at that, G," I taunt, doing my signature (and somewhat bird-like) bow.

Gatem looks stunned that I got his trident to work so well. He notices that I've noticed the look on his face, so he wipes it off.

"Thirty minutes," he claps three times, "a bullseye in thirty minutes. Technically thirty-two minutes, but still impressive. If we don't have to volunteer, I'll teach you a thing or two. You'll be more lethal than usual in no time." he adds, hitting a bullseye with the bow as he finishes speaking.

"That would be thirty-four minutes for me," he smirks.

"Wow," I say genuinely, "I have to say, I never thought you'd get the hang of this."

"Hey!"

"Do you want the truth or a lie?"

"A lie," Gatem answers.

"You suck. I knew you wouldn't be able to do it."

"Nevermind. I'm good with just the truth."

I put Gatem's trident away and he puts my bow and quiver in my pack. We start to head back to his room. He unexpectedly snatches me up and carries me bridal-style to his room. I resist the urge to laugh and ask him why he's carrying me.

He sets me down on his bed and sits next to me. I lie down on my vack, staring at the ceiling.

"We need talk," he says, "again."

"About?"

"Stingray, I think I like you."

"Of course you do, idiot. We're best friends," I say, but Gatem knows I'm trying to avoid this conversation.

"I'm serious, Sea," he says, starting to blush.

Pause. I need to say something. I've like liked him for years. I know, so stereotypical. But I'm good at hiding it. Obviously, I hid it from you...kind of. I guess this conversation was inevitable. Play.

"Since when, G?"

"Since we were ten."

(?)

"Okay," he says after a long pause, "I just ruined everything. You can leave if you want."

"Of all the things you've ever said," I sit up and grab his hand, "that was the dumbest. Why would I want to leave?"

"Why wouldn't you?" Gatem asks, emotionless.

"Because," I focus my vision on our intertwined hands, "I care about you." My eyes rise to interlock with his.

Suddenly, I can feel his lips on mine. He pulls away after a second or two, not embarrassed, but not wanting me to be angry. I pull him back towards me. He kisses me again, more forceful this time, but still slightly gentle.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I can't even.

(a/n: I wanted to end here, but...)

(a/n: y'know what? I will)

R&R! I really want to continue this story, but if no one's reading... Bye!