Rye's story.
Chapter One: Rye Everdeen Mellark.
The house is quiet. It's like someone died. God, I really shouldn't say that...
I mean, of course, Willow will come back, I just- I can't help but feeling like everything is getting worse. I miss her, a lot actually. I blame myself though. I should have protected her, but
It was that stupid book, it was a curse.
This whole family is a curse. Nothing good ever happens here.
You know what? I'm known as the freak around here. I don't talk to many people because I can't be bothered with them. I think I get that from Mom. I'm quiet, but I'm not boring, I swear. I just... Well, I hate people.
But... I digress.
I walk through the cold air, suitcase dragging along behind me. I've already said goodbye to Mom and Dad. Well, Dad at least. Mom wouldn't say anything, she would lay there in bed, staring up and the ceiling, just repeating "Willow" every ten minutes, and then she would start crying her eyes out. That's when I gave up. I left a cheese bun by her bed, very much doubting that she'd eat it, and walked away from her.
Today, I'm leaving. Not forever, and in some ways I wish I wasn't, especially since Willow is... Anyway, I'm leaving. I don't really belong here. This is why the trip is beneficial, I can find somewhere I do belong, and when I am of age, I could go anywhere I wanted. I must sound as if I don't love my family, but I do. I love them more than anything, especially Dad. You see, at school, I am also known as the boy with bread's son, which I don't mind at all. I love everything my Dad does, and he is the only one who really understands me, so they can call me what they like.
The school is doing a district exchange, since you don't really leave your district once you've chosen to live there at the age of 21, they're giving us a chance to see what the others are like. In this case, we're going to District 4. I feel guilty, because I am so excited. I guess we try to forget the bad things, and move on with the ones we feel make everything better.
At least that's what I'll do for now.
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The view is beautiful from the train window, but it moves too fast. I realised after about 5 minutes that this was the reason my head was spinning.
As we leave district twelve's station, I notice that my favourite colour, green, is getting scarcer by the second, and orange floods the sky, like the sunsets I remember as a kid. I wonder if Willow is watching the same sky. I will not think of anything but that. She's fine. I know that.
I walk out of my room, leaving my suitcase sprawled across the bed. I then realise I have left at the wrong time, because I see them all gathering in the train lounge, warming their cold, jack ass hearts by the fire. I try to turn back quickly but they already notice.
"Ahhh, look who we have here... Baker boy! Hey, Rye, why don't you come and sit with us?" I can feel the smirks on their faces, even when turned from them. Especially on Knute's face. God, does he have nothing better to do?
"I alright thanks, Knute. I'll leave you and the minions to it. Thanks for the offer though, it was truly hard to turn down." I go to walk back to my room, but he already has me by the throat, slamming me up against the cool metal wall.
I roll my eyes at him, his jet black hair a mess over his face. Even though the air in my lungs grows thinner, I find all the strength I have a shove him off me, throwing a punch directly into his face, and then hearing the satisfactory cracking sound of his nose. His minions come to his aid, all of the yelling "freak" at me.
"Just you wait, Mellark. I'll drown you in the ocean when we get there. Watch out for yourself."
I walk away, whistling quietly. I finish the tune and a grin forms on my face.
"Whatever you say!" I yell back. Still walking along the hall.
Jack ass.