Lila's POV
I watched as Ameena swam toward ships. As they were getting closer I saw that they were actually pretty big. It was hard to tell exactly how many people were on it.
Should I go after her? It's my fault in the first place that she's in this mess. I should've tried to get off this island myself instead of bringing her with me. I couldn't just-
"Ameena!" I yelled. Let's hope the people on the ship didn't hear that. I saw her turn towards me.
I continued while she was still looking at me, "Stop. We can both escape."
"No, we can't. They already saw me," she yelled back. "They won't let me escape the island no matter what."
"But-," I started to object.
"Hopefully they didn't notice you yet. Just go while you can! Please," she pleaded.
I looked at her skeptically and then, "Fine. But I'm coming back to the island later to make sure you're alive. If you're placed in confinement, then I break you out."
The ships were getting closer. We had to end this conversation soon.
"There will be no use of that. What if I was executed before you came back?" she asked.
"Simple. I avenge your death. I will overthrow the government if that happens," I said, immediately.
She smiled a sad smile. "Go before it's too late," she said softly.
"I will... Bye, Ameena. I'll see you soon. Be positive. You won't die," I said sternly.
"Okay, see you," she said. I waved a good-bye and then I swam off.
"Wait!" I heard her call me after I swam several feet. I turned back.
"Here you forgot this," she said, grabbing something that I thought was wood from the canoe. She threw it towards me. I caught the object and found that it was my bag that I always brought along when I went out traveling.
I smiled at her. "Thanks!"
She nodded and then turned and swam towards the boats. I did the same, swimming away from the island and the ships.
I have to make it home and tell them about this.
Ethan's POV
I woke up early the next morning with an intention of talking with my sister. I usually don't even know where she is in the morning because she leaves the house way before I even wake up. So, as a result,I woke up extra early.
I ate my breakfast quickly so that I could catch up with my sister. I needed to talk to her. I just did.
I watched as Jasmine passed by me, not making any eye contact with anyone, as usual. I stood up and followed her out the door.
When we a fair distance from our house, I called, "Jasmine!"
She turned around and said, "What do you want?" I walked closer to her.
"For yesterday, I wanted to apologize. I know it was none of my business and all, but seriously I just got overprotective, Jasmine."
"Since when have you ever even cared about me?" Jasmine asked.
"Since forever!" I said incredulously. "Believe it or not, I've always been watching you. I'm the one who made sure people stayed away from you. I didn't want you to get hurt. Sure, I wanted you to have some friends. But you push everyone away, even your family."
"... And Ivy? You know what she does to me."
"... well, she's been my crush since forever. I can't... One wrong move and I miss my chance with her," I said. I didn't want to admit this, but I did.
She raised her eyebrows, "She's older than you." A blush spread across my cheeks.
"Yeah, but you know. She's pretty."
There was a hint of a smile on her face but she quickly hid it. "Listen, Ethan. I can't just forget all those years that you just ignored me. Pretended that I didn't even exist-,"
"Do you want to know something?" I interrupted, my temper rising. I didn't forget completely what happened. I tried to erase her end of the mess which left me guilty. "You're the one that started it, don't forget! I was mad. I was mad at you! Because of what you did. That's why I did it!"
"That wasn't even that bad! I was just teasing-,"
" Teasing? I was little. I didn't know you were teasing-,"
"Well, that's your fault! Besides, just because I was teasing, doesn't mean you had to-" she started. But that was it.
"You know what? Never mind! I'm leaving!" I said, angrily. I pushed past her and stormed towards the school building.
I think I just made the tension between us worse than before. I have to do something. I miss her. I miss her teasing, I miss how she always made fun of me, I missed her smile, her laughter, I missed how she always used to be so caring, but most of all I missed how she loved us.
Right now, after 10 years, why I'm saying this, you ask? Simple. I have a really bad feeling that something terrible is going to come soon. The lack of communication from the other districts and the Capitol... I just have a feeling that lots of people are going to die... including someone from our family.
Jasmine's POV
I sighed as Ethan stormed away. Why did anger always get the best of us?
I walked to Uncle Haymitch's house and walked in.
"That was entertaining," he said satisfied taking a drink of some wine.
He said he was going to quit trying to drink, but each time he said that it didn't exactly work out.
I roll my eyes and say, "What was entertaining?"
He puts his empty glass of wine down on the table and looks at me with a bemused expression. "Why, that fight with your brother, of course. Hadn't seen family drama like that in a long time." I rolled my eyes, yet again, as I walked towards the wooden table and sat down.
"Where's Eddie?" I asked changing the subject.
He pours himself more of the drink and then glances at me, "Care for a drink?"
"No, thanks. You know I've never got drunk before," I said.
"That's why I'm suggesting it now. It really helps you know. When you're helpless and angry and hurt."
"Where's Eddie?" I demanded again.
"I'm right here," Eddie said walking into the room.
"Finally," I grumbled. "Let's get out of here."
"You don't like my company?" Haymitch asked, laughing.
"No, I don't."
Eddie interrupted before we could go further into the conversation.
"Where are we going?"
"School," I said, in disbelief. Where else?
"What?"
"School," I repeated. "We'll have to admit you in at the office, I guess."
"Yeah, fine," Eddie said.
"See ya, Haymitch," I said, getting up and walking to the door.
"Mmm, bye," he said, a little slurred.
We walked out of Haymitch's house and to the school.
While we were walking there, I finally asked what had been bothering me for quite a while now. "So, about the missions, why... why were they trying to kill me?"
Eddie looked down. "I don't really know. They don't really confide in the reasons. But I do know that they're planning some kind of revolt. A war, maybe. Some districts... some districts want the old Panem back. With a dictator and... The Hunger Games- but worse."
"They want the Hunger Games back?" I asked as if it was no surprise. Eddie looked at me with bewilderment.
"Yeah. Why do you act like it's not much of a big deal?" he asked.
I laughed with disgust. "Becuase we're humans."
"Huh?"
"We're humans," I said, looking at him in the eye. "That's what we do. We can't stand a peaceful life. Us humans, we like chaos," I spoke with utmost disgust. "We like other people's pain."
"You're right."
" 'We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction'", I said, quoting Plutarch. My mother told me this when I was younger. And it's true. My obsession with the old times before Panem told me that much. With the three World Wars (I think that's what it was called) and the Holocaust... We do have a gift for self-destruction.
"Ah, Plutarch, huh?" he said. I looked at him confused.
"How did you know? He only said that to my mother," I said.
"Nah, I knew Plutarch when I was younger. He thought this might happen," he said.
"Well, I'm glad you're not on their side," I said.
"I don't want to be on any side... I don't want war at all," he said. "They've been planning this for awhile, actually. Revenge, they said it was."
"Why are some of the districts on their side, then?" I asked in disbelief.
"Because they were the Capitol's favorites. They like fighting, they like war, you know? That's why I never fit in District two."
"You act like you hate life so much," I observed. "Why is that?"
He scoffed. "I could say the same about you... Well, when you don't fit in anywhere, when you have a father who does absolutely cruel things to people, a step-dad that hates everyone in the world, a step-brother and step-sister who despise you, and a mother who is dead... that's when you know how much you hate your life and the world around you."
Huh, I guess people do have it worse than me.
"You have a step-family?"
"Yeah... Finnick, he's my step-brother," he said.
"Oh... that's how you know him."
He smiled at me. "Yup, he despises me."
I laugh a little. "Yeah, I could tell by that brief exchange yesterday."
We ended our conversation there because we finally reached the school. Eddie said he would handle it at the office so he let me do my usual routine.
I first went to my locker. When, I was about to open it a hand slammed it shut and a voice whispered in my ear, "Hey, Jasmine."
I turned around to tell Finnick to go away and was caught off guard by how close my face was to his.
When I finally regained my ability to speak, "What?"
"Oh, come on, no hello?" he asked.
"...Hello. What do you want now?" I asked, quite rudely.
He sighed. "Come on Jasmine. I said I'm sorry," he said.
"Finnick, I wanna forgive you. I really do. I can't- I just... I'm afraid to get hurt again," I said. "You know how many times I got hurt. But the people I love most. My little brother, Ivy...I think I'm better off being like I was before I met you."
"And Eddie?"
"Who? Your step-brother?" I asked. A look of bewilderment settled on his face. "He told me," I mumbled. "Why do you hate him so much anyway?" I asked.
He crossed his arms. "What side of the story did he give you?"
"What... what do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"What did he tell you?" he asked.
"Well... just that how you hate him and always made his life miserable and what not," I said.
"Right," he said, looking down.
Well, that was awkward. "Well, um, I'm gonna go now," I said. I started walking away.
"Wait," he said.
"Yeah?" I asked without turning around.
"Did he say anything to you about his- our mom," he asked. Oh...
I turned around. "She, uh, died."
He looked up at me, shock written across his face, but sadness covering his eyes.
"...I'm sorry," I said, feeling awfully bad for him. "You never knew?"
"No," his voice cracking. "She left with Eddie a few years before."
"Oh," was my smart response.
He walks closer to me and puts his hand on my cheek. "Please, Jasmine. I really need to you to forgive me…"
Oh, so we're back to that now.
I swallowed. "Finnick..."
"Please," he begged. "I've never met anyone who was suffering as much as me. Who I could understand so well. Really. I told you I only have my sister, who actually cares..."
He stares into my eyes, pleading. "It hurts me...it hurts me how you've been mad at me. I hate it."
He let go of his hand, still looking at me waiting for a response, a reaction of some sort.
Honestly speaking, I didn't know what to do. My heart told me to forgive him, but my brain told me not to. I guess...
"Okay, fine," I sighed.
He grinned such a joyful, boyish grin, that I began thinking, 'why the hell didn't forgive him yesterday'.
"Hey, um, I'll see you later okay?" I said, unsurely.
"Where you going?" he asked.
I hesitated and then,"Music room."
"Oh..." he trailed off. I knew he wanted to ask if he could come too but I had a feeling he didn't want to push his luck.
I smiled as I turned away in the direction of the music room. "You can come if you want," I said.
He followed me to the music room. While I was walking there I started to wonder how Eddie was doing. I should check. But I have a sudden urge to get my hands on a guitar.
Halo by Beyonce
"Remember those walls I built?
Well, baby, they're tumbling down
They didn't even put up a fight,
They didn't even make a sound.
I found a way to let you in
But, I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now…
It's like I've been awakened.
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out!
Everywhere I'm looking now,
I'm surrounded by your embrace.
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby, I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo
I can see your halo
I can feel you halo
I can see your halo"
After I finish I look up to find Finnick sitting right next to me, staring at me with a smile on his face.
He tucked some hair behind my ear. "Did I ever tell how extraordinarily amazing you sing?" I blushed causing a chuckle from the complimenter.
"Nope, you never did," I said.
"Well, you're amazing. Better than even your mom, I could say," he said. I smiled brightly at him.
"Thanks!" I said.
"So... anything happen lately?" he asked.
"Lila...she's, uh, still gone," I said. "My mom's even worse today because my aunt's death anniversary is getting near."
"Your aunt?" he asked.
"Primrose," I said, in a small voice. "Primrose Everdeen."
"When is it?" he asked.
"Next week," I told him. "She's always saying how she wants to see someone who knew her before. I mean like before the 74th Hunger Games changed her life. Her dad, her mom... Gale."
"Gale?"
"But that's not possible, is it? Her dad's dead. Grandma won't come to District 12. When we visit, we go to District 4, she never comes here. And Gale... they haven't seen each other since the end of the rebellion. She only really has Greasy Sae to talk to," I said.
The bell rang before I could say more, so I abruptly told him that I'll see him later and then left.
Rose's POV
I was walking in the hallway, when I felt someone tug on my two braids. I turned around to see Ethan there.
"Hey!" I said. "Don't do that.
He cocked his head to the side and said, "What did I do?"
"Pull my braids! Ugh that hurts!" I complained. He smirked and then took my hair and observed it. "What are you doing?"
"It's just your one of the few people with blonde hair and bright blue eyes," he said.
"Yeah, uh, my mom was from the merchant side of District 12," I said.
"Your dad?" he asked.
"He- From the Seam," I said simply.
"That explains why your brother looks nothing like you," he said.
"Mhm," was my reply.
"Hey, uh, my mom wanted you to stay for dinner today. You know after the apothecary closes," he said. I usually go home and eat, rather than bother Ethan's mom and eat at his house.
"Um, well, I'll have to tell my brother," I said.
He smiled brightly. "Well, I'll see you afterschool!"
I smiled and nodded, then went to my next class.
***
I walked into the cafeteria and sat down at my usual table, away from everyone as usual. Suddenly a looming figure appeared over me.
"Lunch?" a voice asked. Ugh, this had become such a usual routine that everyday for lunch I barely have anything to eat.
I gave Bruce my lunch and grumbled, "Do you want me to starve to death?"
He gave me a lopsided grin. "You won't starve. You eat breakfast and dinner, don't you?"
"Besides, your food is so good. You can share some of it, can't you?"
"I gave you all of it," I said. I don't get him. I just don't.
He was going to say something, but then he turned his attention to Ivy who was right now walking in the direction of her table. I watched as Jasmine accidentally bumped into Ivy. Well, not exactly bumped into, more like brushed past. But that's not what Ivy made it seem like. Ivy followed Jasmine to her table. When Jasmine sat down and noticed Ivy for the first time, she looked at Ivy with a hard look.
"What?" she asked, defiantly.
"You bumped into me," Ivy said, with such hatred.
"Yeah, so?" Jasmine asked, as if it wasn't a big deal. By this time, it was all eyes on them two. I noticed Ivy, Finnick, and Ethan were the only ones standing. Both Ethan and Finnick, with food in his hand, were making their way over to Jasmine and Ivy.
"So?" Ivy, asked in disbelief. "I don't want someone like you to even touch me."
"Someone like me? Who am I exactly to you? Because I could prove to you damn well that my parents are indeed Katniss and Peeta Mellark," Jasmine said. Ivy laughed, mustering all the disbelief she could. But there was something in her laugh, her eyes, that made me question whether her hatred for her was real. And then-
"Even if your parents are them, not saying I believe you, I could very well prove to you that my class is way higher than even hobnockers like them," she whispered, nastily. I don't know why she whispered this, because everyone could already hear.
Jasmine stood up. "Did you call my parents hobnockers?"
Ivy's lips twisted into a nasty smile. "They're not your parents, honey. Stop being delusional. And yes, I called Katniss and Peeta hobnockers."
Jasmine scoffed. "Hobnockers? I haven't heard that word in about, hmmm, 2 decades!"
"Don't try to act better than me. I told you already. Even if they were your parents, my class is on a whole different level than theirs," Ivy said. I didn't think there was a hidden meaning to that (neither did anyone else in the cafeteria), but for some reason, Jasmine's face turned into an expression of bewilderment. She was confuzzled.
"What do you mean," Jasmine, whispered softly, so softly, that you could barely hear. Ivy smiled, cruelly. But I could tell, it was a mask. Her eyes... her eyes... were apologetic and filled with sadness, pain even. It made it seem like... she was doing this against her will and it took every ounce of her body to act like this.
Jasmine must've seen this because her eyes went to the floor.
"N-n-nothing," Ivy stuttered. It must've been the first time she actually stuttered, because every single person in the room gasped.
Jasmine looked up and analyzed her face. And then her eyes widened.
"No... no..." she whispered. Ivy looked down.
"Whatever you're thinking. Don't believe it. Please," she begged quietly.
"What are you doing?" Finnick asked. Jasmine turned to look at Finnick, who said the comment. Ivy, turned too, but didn't look at Finnick, instead at Ethan, who was standing right next to Finnick.
Ivy looked sad, weary. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, opened them, and then she looked normal again. Her eyes cold and calculating, her face back in a complete mask.
Ivy took her own lunch and dumped it on Jasmine's head, the food seeping into her shirt and ruining her hair. That would take forever to get off. Jasmine gasped. The food consisted of stew, soup, and some kind of sloppy meat.
"Have fun cleaning that," Ivy said, smiling evilly.
"Ivy!" Finnick exclaimed. Finnick raised his tray of food, as if going to dump it on Ivy's head.
I heard gasps, throughout the lunch room. I waited for the food to shower over her head. But that never came. It scattered all over the floor. Ivy had blocked it.
Ethan stepped forward in front of Finnick and slapped Ivy. Across the face. And hard. It immediately started turning a deep red color.
"Holy shit," Ethan hissed. "What the hell was that, V?"
Jasmine, who was helping Finnick wipe food off herself, turned her head shocked at the nickname Ethan used.
"How could you say that. Do that," he said gesturing to Jasmine. "To my sister... your own ~~~~~," he asked. I didn't quite hear the last part. But it sounded like best friend. But that couldn't be what he said... could it?
Ivy looked at him, her facade completely breaking. Her eyes filled with regret and fear.
"I need to talk to you," he said, through clenched teeth. He grabbed Ivy's wrist and started dragging her to the door leading to the outdoors.
"Wait," she said, quietly. Ethan turned back at her and looked at her questioningly.
She let go of his grasp and walked to Jasmine. She whispered something in Jasmine's ear and left with Ethan, her beautiful blonde- nearly white- hair flying behind her.
Jasmine, quickly grabbed her belongings and ran to the door, the opposite door, leading to the classroom hallways. Finnick, of course, ran after her. As soon as they all left the lunchroom, the room broke out in hushed whispers. I started to get up, to follow my brother and Jasmine, before Bruce pulled me back down.
"Don't," he whispered. "If anyone finds out that you're included in that drama over there, they'll be pestering you. Keep a low profile and go talk to them later."
I decided to listen to him. Because, even if I followed them, I wouldn't be able to do anything, anyway.
So, that left one thought lingering around in my brain. What's the with Ethan and Ivy?
A/n: Okay, so I was like really unhappy with this story so I kinda just stopped typing and then after awhile I tried to write this chapter but each time it didn't come out right... So yeah, sorry for the reaaaaally late chapter.
Can I ask a favor of you? I really hate my crappy summary, so if you guys have a better one can you write a summary for me? Pretty please? Please PM message me the summary. :)
Sooo... anyway review! :D
BTW, I DO NOT own the song or lyrics of Halo. That's all Beyonce ;)
