Have you ever felt like half of you was missing?
That part of your being, just got up and left one day, leaving an empty hallow in your heart?
Ok, that was maybe being a little bit dramatic, but Chasity still hurt none the less.
She had tried for so long to deny the feelings that she had for Drew, knowing that the admittance of those feelings would only complicate and potentially destroy the relationship that they had spent years building up. It took Drew ignoring her phone calls and texts for all of that denial to shatter into a thousand pieces.
She couldn't handle it any more. She needed her best friend back.

Ever since they had gotten back from the funeral the day before, Gale had locked himself down in their basement, refusing to come upstairs while the kids were awake. Chasity had come down to the kitchen late one night and happened to catch her parents talking. When Gale saw her, he quickly blushed and looked away, a look of shame on his face.
He hated what he was becoming just as much as they were.

"Chas, is something wrong?" Glory asked, causing Chasity to come out of her thoughts. It was Saturday and normally she'd be hanging out with Everly, Charles and Drew. She sat up on the couch and met her sisters curious gaze. "I'm fine, Glory. Just…processing some stuff." Emerson scoffed from across the room. "She's just pissed because her boyfriend yelled at her or something." Chasity glared at him. "Drew is not my boyfriend!" Emerson smirked and peeked his eyes around his laptop. "I never said anything about Drew, now did I?" Chasity held her gaze. "You added that part yourself." Just as Chasity started to get up, Glory grabbed her arm. "Look, I can help."

Chasity was sure she could. Glory was one of the popular girls at their school. She was constantly texting her friends and having "problems" with them. It got annoying.

"It's just….yes, I did have a fight with Drew the other day. I said some stupid things and he got upset. I don't blame him, though. I should have kept my mouth shut." Glory locked her phone and turned in her chair to face Chasity, her gray eyes shining. "Have you tried apologizing?" Chasity ran her hands through her hair. "Yeah, multiple times." Glory shrugged. "Then Drew's just being stubborn. Leave him alone and wait for him to come crawling back to you." That made almost made her laugh. Drew would never come crawling back to her. Or to anyone, for that matter.

"If you ask me," Emerson looked up from his laptop. "Drew's waiting for you to talk to him in person. That way, he knows you're genuinely sorry. He'll want to explain his side as well." Chasity slumped in the armchair. "But I've been trying to get in touch with him for the past week and a half. Won't it be over-kill if I show up on his doorstep spilling out an apology?" Emerson shrugged. "It's worth a shot, Chas." She sighed, knowing he was right.

Why was it so hard for her to apologize? Was it genetics, or was she just a bitch? Either way, Chasity knew she'd have to suck it up and go talk to Drew. She couldn't deal with him being upset with her. It wasn't like them to not talk. It didn't feel right.

Chasity pulled Everly out into the hallway. "Ev," she whispered harshly, "What were you thinking? I don't need this right now!" Everly blinked.

Chasity had gotten a text from her earlier, saying how she needed to come over because Everly had a surprise for her. When Chasity arrived, she saw that the surprise was in fact Drew. Sitting in Everly's room. Waiting for her.

"I thought you wanted to make things right with Drew. You were practically crying on the phone with me last night." She meant so well sometimes, she really did. Chasity pinched her temple. "I do, but not the day after my Aunt's funeral! At which, if you don't remember, my dad had a psychotic breakdown in front of a church full of people." Everly raised her hands. "Alright, I screwed up. But Drew's here so you might as well talk to him." Everly took hold of Chasity's arm and before she could wriggle free, shoved her into her room. "I'm not letting you out until you two get this fixed!" Chasity jumped as Everly slammed her door. She could be so stubborn sometimes.
Feeling Drew's eyes on the back of her head, Chasity turned around and smiled awkwardly at him. "Uh, hey." Drew was sitting on Everly's window seat. Chasity's eyes drifted from his gaze down to his hands that were draped over his knees. "Hey."
Even though bright sunlight poured over him from the window, Drew looked…not himself. There was a slouch in his shoulders that didn't used to be there. Dark bags seemed to hang under his green eyes as well, which had lost their sparkle. When he turned his head up, there was also bruising that was clearly visible on his jaw line, although it looked like he had tried to use make-up to cover the purpling spot.
"I know I look like crap but you don't need to stare, Chas." Drew sighed and she met his eyes again. She knew not to ask about the bruise. It was something that no one mentioned, although she knew where they came from. Her throat got tight and she cleared it away before speaking. "Sorry." Drew cut his eyes away. "For more than just the staring." Chasity added quickly. She felt heat flush to her cheeks as Drew slowly slid his eyes to her. "I shouldn't have insulted your father like that," She went on. "It wasn't right. I can't keep my damn mouth quiet sometimes. So, I'm sorry."
Chasity held her breath as Drew stared evenly at her. She couldn't tell if he was mad at her, or just thinking up a response. Either way, it was driving her insane. She was about to say something when Drew cleared his throat and stood up.
"Let's take a walk. I want to tell you something."

Even though District Four was a fishing community, there were many street and buildings in the center of town. That's where Drew had lead Chasity in silence. They now enjoyed the smell of the bakery and the restaurants that lined the street.
"I never told you about the boyfriend my mom had when I was twelve until I was fourteen," Drew shoved his hands in his pockets. "His name was Michael. He was employed by the Capitol at the time of the Rebellion and even worked under President Snow, I think. I'm not sure how my mom ended up with the guy." Chasity stayed silent as Drew took a deep breath before continuing.
"Even though this guy was only in my life for two years, he did a hell of a job as acting 'head of our house.' I'm not sure why this guy had it out for me, but he hated me, Chas." Drew looked at her sideways She saw him suppress a shudder.
"Apparently, he had this fascination with tracker jacker venom. You know, like they taught us in history class."

Chasity remembered all too well the videos and books they were shown. The descriptions they gave of the venoms effects left your skin crawling. Esp the video of Peeta Mellark's own downward spiral. It was recovered after the Rebellion and preserved for future lessons. That was the hardest to watch.

"Well, one day, Michael decided he wanted to try a little experiment with some venom. So, he shot me up, giving me just enough to not kill me. He wanted to see if he could twist my memories like Snow had done to Peeta during the Rebellion." Chasity's eyes widened and Drew rubbed the back of his neck.
"He would spend days, beating me. And claiming the whole time to be my father. He would shout out things about my father and I believed him, because of the venom. It was hell." Chasity reached out and grabbed his arm, surprised by the tension in his muscles. "You don't have to tell me anymore." Drew shook his head.
"My point of all this is, the image I had of my father began to shift and I got to the point that I wasn't sure what was true and what stuff my brain had made up." He reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers in hers. "That's why whenever you said what you did about my dad, I started to freak out. Any mention of him now just brings back everything that happened in those two years that my mom dated Michael." Drew looked down at her, his sea-green eyes dark. "The reason I got so passionate about defending him is because I don't know what's real anymore. So, I'm really just reassuring myself as much as I am you." Chasity's face flushed again as Drew ran a hand through her hair. "So, your apology is accepted and I guess I'm sorry too. For avoiding you this last week, that is. It's taken me awhile to get back on track." He flicked his eyes away. "Plus, my moms been having a bad week, so that hasn't helped."
Chasity's mind spun. She had known Drew during that time, and she never noticed anything different with him. How? Was she that bad at reading people, or did he just hide it really well? She squeezed his hand and he locked on her gaze again.
"It's ok," she whispered. Standing on her toes, she reached up and kissed Drew's jaw, right on the bruise. His eyes widened with surprise as she smiled at him. "You made it out. That's all that matters."
Drew smiled sadly. "I guess so."

After they had walked around town for a few hours, Drew walked Chasity home, knowing it was going to be dark soon. Drew rubbed the back of is neck as they reached her porch. "So, um, I've been wanting to ask you something." He said. Chasity smiled at his nervousness. "What is it?"
Drew reached out and ran his hand over her hair, letting it flow through his fingers. "Will you go on a date with me?" Instantly, heat flushed her face and she laughed nervously. "Yeah, I guess." Drew mocked hurt. "You GUESS? Well, I didn't realize that I was that unfavorable to you." Chasity reached out and shoved his shoulder. "You knew what I meant." He smirked. "Will tomorrow work?" "Sure will," she replied.
Drew nodded and headed down the steps. "Night, Chas." She smiled and crossed her arms. "Night."
She saw him turn to walk down the sidewalk, almost wishing he had kissed her goodnight. But, that was a little silly considering they weren't even dating yet. As she turned back to her door, she heard Drew say something.
"No, wait." She turned back around in time to see him running back up to her. Before she could ask what he was doing, Drew laid a hand gently on her shoulder and kissed her cheek. She could feel herself blush as he pulled away. Without another word, Drew turned and went home, leaving her standing on the porch with the stupidest of grins on her face.