A/N - Sorry this chapter took awhile. As always - any thoughts or comments you have are always welcome in fact they are appreciated - PM or reviews xx
Rachel lifted her tired body up off her bed, looking down at her down at her pillow and the tear stained patches that remained. Her tears had dried up earlier in the night however the emotions that she had been holding back all day escaped in the solitude of her new abode. There was no clock in her room, but she knew it would be early hours of the morning and that she would be the only one awake at such an hour. She had refused to leave her room for dinner, she could tell that Ms. Pillsbury was getting annoyed, the small demure knocks turned into banging fists at one point. She was in no mood for company instead opting to wallow in her self pity. After she boarded the train she headed for what would constitute as her room for the duration of the journey to the Capitol. She locked the door, her back up against the timber her legs giving way as she slid down the door crumpling into a ball. The tears had begun, she had managed to hold it all together up until that moment - the moment she found herself alone and knew from here on out that is exactly what she was - alone and being sent to what was almost a certainty her death.
She headed into the bathroom to survey her face, the reflection looking back at her almost startled her. Her eyes were still red and bloodshot, her cheeks flushed as red as her eyes and the small trace of make up she had applied earlier in the day it seemed was washed away with her tears. She ran the cold water, splashing it up on her face the coolness felt refreshing against her hot skin. As she headed back into the room, she felt her stomach growl in protest to it's lack of food. She toyed with the idea of sneaking out, she knew where the dining cart was located, she walked through it to get to her room the thought of running into anyone the only thing stopping her from leaving.
She slowly opened her door, her head peaking out the door surveying the corridor - relieved it was empty. She left her door ajar afraid the noise would wake someone, she walked on her tip toes past the other sleeping passenger quarters and onwards to where food was awaiting her. She entered the cart and the smell of the food over whelmed her. She was surprised there was still food out, it seemed the Capitol Trains catered for anyone to eat at anytime of the day. She began stacking a plate full of food, some familiar to her, some that looked and smelled delicious but she had no idea what it was. With her plate in hand she headed for the dining table and began to eat in silence. After finishing off her second plate of food, she was about to push for a third plate when the door swung open and Finn walked through.
"Oh" he stammered, pulling up realizing he wasn't alone.
"What are you doing awake at this hour?" she asked, hoping she hadn't awoken anyone else aboard the train.
"Can't sleep. Been a long day, a lot to think about you know? I just thought I would get something to eat. I didn't see you at dinner earlier. I knocked on your door, but you didn't answer."
"I wasn't ready to come out. I just needed to be alone; I guess we need to get used to being alone now, because that's what we are now aren't we?"
"No, we don't have to be. I mean you're here, Mr. Schuster our mentor is here, and then there is Ms. Pillsbury. She was very worried about you when you wouldn't come out, she even had the train conductor in here asking for a key to your room to check on you."
"That wasn't necessary, i'm fine. Like i said i just needed to be alone."
"Do you want to be alone now?" Rachel shifted uncomfortably, while she thought she wanted to be alone, just standing here now talking to Finn there was something settling about it, for the first time since boarding the train she felt like a normal girl again.
"No."
"Well while we are both here and awake do you want to watch the rest of the District's reaping ceremony? Ms. Pillsbury organized a copy for us. We were going to watch it together after dinner, but we decided to wait until you were with us."
"I guess so, it's not as if i'm going to fall asleep anytime soon, might as well do something productive."
Finn grabbed a bread roll as he passed the buffet, following Rachel into the next cart on the train. Once again the train did not fail to impress with its opulence, the room was covered in wall paper from the floor to the roof with multiple plush couches and a large screen TV mounted to the wall. Finn sat down on the couch directly facing the TV, it was only a two seater couch which made Rachel hesitate, she was conflicted. She scolded herself for being so silly and despite the rise in her heart rate she sat down next to Finn.
"You ready to watch? I think this is the whole reaping ceremony, so it is going to have us in it. I don't know how to quite use this thing." he held up the remote control, still studying the buttons.
"Here give it to me" she took the remote out of his hands, it wasn't too different to the one she had at home. She pressed the play button and the Capitol national anthem begun playing, just the same as it had every year she had watched the Capitol programing.
"Here we go" Finn looked over at Rachel as the District 12 introduction began, he grabbed her hand, intertwining his fingers in hers, all of a sudden Rachel didn't feel so alone. The program had unfolded with out much ado - the outside districts never garnered much attention. They typically were always the first to die in the arena, last year however a boy from district 11 had made it to the final two, there were many who believed he would win, however a timely fire ball during the final showdown made sure that would not be the case. None of the children reaped made much of an impression on Rachel, that was until they reached district 2. For the first time since watching the evening procession she felt threatened - there was something about the girl when her name was called, sure she was a career and they were always a threat, but there was something else about this girl. Santana Lopez had a look about her, her demeanor was strong and threatening, Rachel could almost swear she was glad her name had been called.
"Well, that was interesting. I'm not sure if i actually got anything from watching it, but i guess that's why we have Mr. Schuster - he is our mentor after all, i'm sure he'll have plenty to say after watching it." Finn grabbed the remote turning off the television, turing to face Rachel.
"I hope so. I mean i have no idea what we are supposed to be doing. All I know is that given the chance I want to be as far away from that District 2 girl as possible."
"So what should we do now?" he asked sheepishly, running his hand through his hair.
"I don't know. I'm pretty sleepy actually, i'm about ready to fall asleep, but I don't want to go back to my room."
"You want to stay here a bit longer?"
"Do you mind if i just lie here, next to you. It's good to not feel so alone." Rachel looked up at him from below her lashes.
"No. I don't want to be alone either." she removed her fingers from within his, instead closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder, tucking her legs underneath her.
"You know i wish we got to know each other under different circumstances. I mean you didn't even notice me until today." it must have been the lack of sleep that allowed her the courage to speak those words, her eyes didn't even flutter open, she was falling off to sleep and her sentence must not have registered with her that she spoke it aloud for him to hear.
"Me too. I've noticed you for a long time Rachel, a very long time." he whispered into her hair, unaware if she was still awake to her his words.
