The next few days passed by in a dream-like haze.
Every night, whether or not they'd planned it, Eva and Phoenix met in the Meadow.
The high she got, the excitement that came from being with Phoenix was enough to make her forget the lack of sleep that was creeping up on her or the fact that the Reaping was quickly approaching.
As the days flew by Eva found that a new boldness was creeping up on her, so much so that she didn't even care if people saw them together. And as Eva walked briskly towards the Meadow on that bright June morning, she felt fearless. There was nothing that could dislodge the giddy joy she was feeling, not even the Reaping. In just a few hours, she'd be standing in the Square, waiting to hear the names of the tributes chosen for the Second Quarter Quell.
For the first time in her life, Eva wasn't worried, she wasn't afraid of what she might hear – all she could think of was Phoenix and the life she dreamed they might have together.
She needed to see him before then, and so she didn't think – she just did.
He was waiting for her, in the same place he always was, and immediately Eva felt a smile stretching across her face. He was standing with his back to her and he turned when he heard her coming, but the look on his face was one Eva hadn't expected to see.
Phoenix's face was pale and drawn, his brow was furrowed and his lips were pursed tightly together in a frown.
"Phoenix?"
Eva quickly crossed the distance between them, and placing her hand on his taut, muscled arm.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concern written across her face as she looked up into his eyes, trying to read them.
"The Games."
Grabbing his shirt sleeve, Eva pulled him down, so they sat across each other in the grass. Taking Phoenix's hand in her own, she stroked her thumb over his knuckles and she could see the way the hair on his arms stood up on end when she did.
Phoenix's eyes were downcast, and the way his jaw shifted slowly back and forth, she could tell he was struggling to keep his emotion reigned in.
"Look at me Phoenix," Eva said, lifting his chin slightly with her thumb and forefinger.
He did, and it hurt Eva to see the pain locked away in those eyes. She wanted to take that pain away, but there was something haunting in his gaze and Eva felt a chill run down her spine; something in his face made Eva afraid, but she didn't know what it was.
She willed strength into her voice, thinking of how she'd heard her mother speak to her father sometimes when she consoled and encouraged him.
"Everything's going to be fine – the odds are in my favor – they always have been."
There was no haughtiness in her tone, and what she said was not a vent of arrogance, but of plain truth.
Eva was a Town girl; the odds had always been in her favor.
But sometimes even the best of odds could take a turn for the worse.
She simply chose not to think about it, not to let it consume her.
Phoenix broke the silence then, his voice had regained its natural calm, and Eva felt some security return – when Phoenix was strong, she could be too.
"I know it Eva, but even so… being from Town doesn't guarantee your safety."
It was so surreal, just a week ago; Eva never would have believed she'd be sitting in the Meadow with Phoenix – that he'd be concerned for her – that he might love her. Now it was happening, and she didn't know what to say.
Instead of speaking, Eva resorted once again to actions, almost throwing herself into Phoenix's arms.
She'd never been so openly affectionate with a boy before – not even Wade – and as Phoenix's arms enveloped her, she felt like there was nothing on earth that could separate them.
"You're all I have Eva," Said Phoenix, his voice slightly muffed by her hair, but ringing clear to Eva's soul, making her heart sing.
His arms wrapped themselves tighter around her before pulling away; their faces were inches apart as Phoenix tenderly brushed aside of stray lock of Eva's hair.
When he spoke again, his voice was husky with emotion.
"You're all I have, and I can't lose you."
Eva's hand crept up to her face, trapping Phoenix's were it rested against her skin. She wanted more than anything to kiss him – to feel his lips pressed against her own.
Everything was happening so fast; Eva's mind told her to pull back, she'd only known him a few weeks; but her heart told her to lean in. She loved him, and now she knew that he loved her back.
Phoenix pulled her head to his, their foreheads touching, and Eva could feel his warm breath on her closed eyelids.
"I need to make sure you're safe," Phoenix whispered.
He paused a moment.
"I need you to know that I – I love you."
As death and doom loomed above the head of countless children that day, all Eva could think about where those three little words – those words that had changed everything.
"I love you too Phoenix."
The words were so soft, so breathy that Eva herself almost didn't hear them. She knew Phoenix had, because only a few seconds later their lips met.
The kiss was soft and tender – brief, but lingering – full of innocence and love. It was Eva's first kiss, and she was glad she'd saved it.
It lasted only a few seconds, but the sweetness of it remained on her lips long after they parted.
The two of them sat there together, silent, wrapped in each other's arms as the morning shadows grew and noon approached. It was Phoenix who separated them, standing and taking Eva's hand as he helped her to her feet.
"I want to walk you to the square." He said, and his voice, his face, was back to normal again – Eva could tell he was trying to be strong for her.
Eva wanted him to, more than anything she wanted to walk with Phoenix into town – she wanted to see the astonished faces and hear their whispers of scandal. She couldn't care less.
The face of her father appeared in her mind, and suddenly Eva wasn't so sure anymore – she knew her father would be in the square with the rest of the parents, and although she was fearless when it came to District 12's gossiping wives, she was petrified of what her father might say, or what he might do.
Phoenix must have noticed her hesitation, because he spoke up then, his head down.
"Not yet?" He said, unable to hide his disappointment.
Eva nodded sadly.
"My father." She said, and Phoenix nodded in reply, he needed no further explanation.
Phoenix walked her to the edge of the Meadow, and when they parted, Eva let her fingers linger in his.
"I'll be waiting for you – you'll make it." Phoenix said.
They parted then, and Eva heard the bell in the Justice Building clang at quarter to noon.
Just fifteen minutes.
Eva rushed to the square, tidying her hair and brushing off her skirt as she went.
She found her mother just outside the girl's gate, she'd been waiting for her, but she didn't question Eva's whereabouts, and Eva was grateful. Hugging her mother quickly, Eva hesitantly took her place with the other girls her age.
Scooting along through the crowd, she quickly found both Rosemary and Maysilee; the two of them standing side by side as usual.
Rosemary's face was pensive, and she clutched tightly to Maysilee's arm at her side. Maysilee stood, with her arm around her sister's shoulders protectively. Her face lost some of its frown as Eva greeted them.
"I'm glad you're here Eva, Rosie's not feeling the best today."
Eva came to a stop alongside the twins, squeezing Maysilee's hand before taking her place on Rosemary's opposite side and wrapping her arm around her friend's shaking shoulder. Rosemary's face was pale and snow, and her lips quivered slightly in nervous anticipation and fear.
"Don't worry Rose; it's going to be alright." She said to the shaking girl.
Eva and Maysilee shared a glance; they both knew how much Rosemary feared the Reaping.
Several minutes passed, and before long, the entire square was filled with the children and parents of District 12. Eva found her gaze lingering over the twelve year old section, and remembered the sick knot in her stomach during her first Reaping. She prayed that none of them would be chosen.
Across the way from them, Eva caught Wade's gaze and he smiled at her, holding up crossed fingers. Eva tried to imagine how she would go on if he was reaped.
She couldn't.
The anthem began, and Eva was only half aware during the routine speech about the glory and honor of the Hunger Games, but, like everyone else, listened closely to the announcement of how this year's tributes would be chosen.
This year, the number of deaths were to be doubled – as if twenty three children slaughtered was not enough. Four tributes from each District – double the chances of being selected. Eva felt the icy fist of dread take hold of her body.
As Orpha Windom pulled the first name from the Reaping bowl. The first girl was about to be chosen.
"Mena Holden!"
Eva let out a breath of relief and felt a pang of guilt hit her in the chest as she watched the fourteen year old Seam girl take the stage – even from a distance, Eva could see she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. From behind her, she could hear the girl's parents cry out – it was as if she'd died already.
Her relief was short lived however as Orpha once again reached into the girls' Reaping ball, fishing around slowly – obviously going for dramatic effect – before pulling out the next slip of paper. She unfolded it slowly, before reading aloud for all to hear.
"Maysilee Donner!"
In those next few seconds, it was almost like Eva was underwater – her vision was blurred and her hearing warbled as she felt Maysilee slowly detach herself from her sister.
She felt her friend grab her hand and place it over Rosemary's before walking towards the stage. She could feel Rosemary cling to her, and she could hear the faint sobs that passed through the girl's lips. Her eyes locked straight ahead, silent tears running over her cheeks, Eva watched as Maysilee climbed the stage steps – her face calm and resigned as she looked out over the crowd.
Yes, the odds had been in Eva's favor that day, but they hadn't been in Maysilee's.
Eva was so overwhelmed with sorrow, that she didn't even hear the names of the boy tributes, but focused all her attention into comforting her friend sobbing in her arms.
The anthem rolled on, and slowly those lucky enough to survive the Reaping filled through the ropes and headed home, where they were bound to celebrate their good fortune.
Eva knew no such celebration was in store for her that night.
So it begins, the end of sappy and touchy-feely. Sorry I had to breeze through the beginning of the romance - more will come, it needed to be done. Who's still with me? What do you guys think will happen next, what do you want to happen next? How did you like my lastest chapter? I have a feeling this is going to be a long story; should I break it up into parts or keep it as one whole? Thanks!