Hey everyone! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Alot of stuff happens in it! enjoy and please review!
-iLoveTheMellarks
"She's lying." I say hesitantly. Colby nods.
"Yeah, she's probably just trying to scare us." He says. We walk away in hopes that that was just a lie. Judging by what she did today, that isn't unlikely.
The day of the trial…
It's been a long week. It's the day of the trial and I am not going to school. The anticipation for me to get this day over with is unbearable. My stomach is twisting as I think of the possibilities of what could happen. Alessia was probably just trying to scare me. She knows how close me and Ashley are, and she would be overjoyed if me and Colby broke up.
I also found out that next week, Colby, Alessia and I, are scheduled for an interview with Caesar Flickerman. That should be fun.
"Are you ready?" asks Dad from downstairs.
"Yeah, almost." I reply. I look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a navy blue pencil dress that comes just above my knees. I was told I have to dress nice for the trial. I add a golden necklace and then head down stairs and find my dad in a suit and tie and my mom in a grey dress putting in earrings.
"What time does the trial start again?" I ask.
"10:00 am." She replies. It's 7:00 am now. So that leaves us three hours.
"Okay. I'm ready." I tell them.
"Alright. The cabs here!" says Dad.
I grab my phone and head out the door. We aren't spending the night at the Capitol so I don't need luggage. As soon as I step in the cab, I want to text Colby and Ashley.
Sent to Ashley
Hey, I'm on my way to the train station. Wish me luck. Text you when the trials over.
From Ashley
Omg…good luck! PLEASE TEXT ME WHEN IT'S OVER! See you soon!
Sent to Colby
Hey, I'm going to the train station now. I'd rather be in school :P I'll text you when it's over.
From Colby
Okay, best of luck. Can't wait till you come back and this is all over. Love you.
His words send chills down my spine, but it gives me will power and determination. We arrive at the station and the train pulls in right away. We aren't even going to the Capitol itself, just the court.
I step on and take a seat in between my parents. I take a deep breath and lean on my dad's shoulder.
"It will all be okay." He tells me. I shake my head.
"I just don't get why I'm being punished. It's not like I meant to find it!" I say.
"I know. It won't be as bad as you think." says Dad. I'll ask Dad if what Alessia said was true! He'd know!
"Hey dad? Is it a good chance that they will tell me I can't see friends or relatives ever again?" I ask him. He clears his throat.
"Uh…who- who told you that?" he asks nervously.
"Is it true?" I ask with a shaky voice.
"Um…let's just wait until the trial, okay? We will be there soon enough." He says. That's Dads way of saying 'yes it is true. I don't want to tell you though because then you will cry.' So, I lean back on his shoulder.
We finally arrive and it went pretty quick because I dozed off a bit.
"Honey. We're here." says Dad softly shaking my shoulder. I get up and fix my hair. I have never been this nervous in my life, besides going into the hunger games.
The court house is huge. I've never scene anything so white! Literally every single piece of furniture and wall is white! That's a little boring for the Capitol people, but I guess it looks professional.
Our court room is ready. But I'm not. I'm shaking and I can't stop. What if dad was wrong? What if they torture me? I can plea my case, but I'm going to be guilty no matter what I say because they have it on video. Except I have nothing to be guilty for.
Just as we are about to walk into the court room my mom turns to me. "Ready?"
"No." I reply with a stutter. "I feel like I'm about to puke." Mom comes eye level with me.
"It will be okay." She tells me. No one knows that for sure. She's just trying to make me feel better. I've decided that Alessia was just trying to scare me. That punishment was to too much of her liking, it's almost impossible. But then what will happen? I can't even imagine what could be even worse then not seeing Ashley and Colby again. One more step. Just one more step, and the court begins.
I go to one of the tables in front of the judges. The Judge bangs her gabble. They make me take an oath and put my hand on the bible.
"Court in session." She announces.
"Capri Mellark, please come to the stand." She says. I take a deep gulp and walk over to the chair. " Now, how old are you?"
"thirteen." I tell her in a shaky voice.
"I see." She says. " Capri, would you like to plea innocent?"
"Yes, your honor." I reply.
"Go on ahead then." She says carelessly. We all know I'll be guilty. So I decide, why waste our time.
"Nevermind." I say. Everyone looks at me shocked.
"Capri, what are you doing?" whispers dad over to me.
"Saving time." I tell him.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Ms. Mellark?" asks the judge.
"Your honor, I don't mean to offend you or the Capitol in any way, but we all know I'm guilty. No matter what I say to you right now, I will be guilty. You have a video of my 'finding the passage way'. But I don't understand, how does that make me guilty?" I ask. She looks baffled.
"Ms. Mellark. Are you pleading innocence or not?" she asks. I ponder this.
"No I'm not. It's not worth it. But I'm just curious to know why I'm being punished." I tell her.
"You're being punished because the law states 'Any being that shall break the duty of the purpose of the Hunger Games shall suffer through the banishing of their dear ones. Parental guides do not have to be counted. If the being refuses to do so, harm will come to that dear one.'" My heart sinks. Alessia was right. She wasn't lying. In fact, those were her exact words. My skin has gone pale and my lips gone dry. I can barely breathe.
"Would you like to plea your innocence?" she asks one more time. I don't eye contact and shake my head.
"No thank you, your honor." I say shakily.
"Therefore, Capri Mellark you are proven guilty. Would you like to see the evidence that shows?" she asks. I shake my head.
"No thank you, your honor." I don't want to be reminded of the games.
"You are punished with the law that again states-" she begins.
"I know what it states, your honor." I bud in. She looks at me.
"One more thing. You have today to be your last day with them. You may see them physically, but make no interaction with them. Consequences will vary for different people you interact with. People will be watching you from now on, until you are released. I sentence you to 4 years of this. Cased closed." She bangs her gabble once more and leaves the court room.
I walk out holding my mothers hand for the first time in years. I begin to cry and the salty tears stream down my face. I wish I could see all my relatives and friends in one day. I didn't say hello to my other friends in school, because I feel like a stranger to them now. But I would never feel like a stranger to Ashley. Until now.
The thought of Colby being gone, makes me want to scream. I can't tell him. I don't know how. At least I won't tell him over text message. But tonight, I will suffer through the worst pain of a teenage girl. A break up. But I know this is much more then a break up. It is taking away another part of me.
My mom and dad embrace. They both don't say anything. When I go back on the train I know I have to text Colby and Ashley. I don't know what I will say to Ashley. They both have lunch right now, so they have there phones.
To Ashley
Hey…um, I feel I should tell you the punishment in person.
How bad is it? Capri tell me now, or I'll freak out!
When I get home, I promise.
What I tell to Colby is completely different.
To Colby
Hey, they just let me off with a warning this time! But If I 'step out of line' again, I get an actual punishment. Thank goodness this is over!
It kills me inside to lie to him.
That's great! I knew Alessia was lying. Let's celebrate over dinner tonight :)
Sounds great! Where?
How about that restaurant 'Pharos'?
Okay awesome. See you then :)
I don't feel too bad that he's buying dinner for me if we go to Pharos because that place isn't too expensive, but it is fancy. Tonight at dinner I'm not going to talk to him about the trial. I just want to talk to him, and be care-free. But I don't see how that is possible. I'll hang out with Ashley until I have to go out with Colby. How do I tell Ashley? 'I'm sorry I can't be your friend anymore.'? No that sounds really mean. I guess I'll just explain the trial and punishment. I wish I didn't lie to Colby. But there's no way I would break up with him over text message.
"When we get home, can I hang out with Ashley?" I ask with a sniffle.
"Absolutely sweetie." Mom replies. I try to go back to sleep, but I can't. So I just stare at the seat in front of me the whole ride.
"Okay we're here." says Dad. It's my last day with my best friend and my boy friend. I basically have to become a social reject.
We get in a cab and drive off to our home in victors village. The cab ride is silent.
"Tonight, me and Colby are going to Pharos." I tell my parents. Mom nods. She knows what I have to do. We arrive at our house and Dad pays the driver.
"Thank you." I hear him say. We walk in and I run up to my room slamming the door behind me. I break down in tears on my bed, but before I could cry any harder I hear the door bell ring.
"Capri it's for you!" shouts mom. I wipe my tears and go down stairs. There stands Ashley.
"CAPRI! Tell me what happened! Now!" she shouts. I step outside and close the door behind me.
"Shouldn't you be in school?" I ask her.
"I ditched last period, because I couldn't wait for you to tell me any longer! Wait, you've been crying. Please, tell me what happened."
"Okay, if I tell you…you promise to just act like it's not going to happen, and just spend the day with me, like just any other ordinary day?" I ask. She nods. "They said I can't…I can't see friends or relatives anymore after today. I can't hangout or interact with them in anyway." I tell her with a shaky voice and not making eye contact.
"What?" she asks in a soft voice.
"And If I don't obey this…they will hurt you or whoever else." I tell her.
"So we…we can't talk or text or be friends anymore?" she asks. I nod and begin to cry again.
"But we have today. So let's just hang out and savor it." I tell her. She doesn't respond for a while.
"Let's walk into the square." She says in a sad voice. Shes trying not to cry, I can tell.
"Okay. Where to?" I ask.
"How about the mall?" she asks. District 12 built a mall a few years ago. It's not the biggest mall…but it's got a bunch a stores that me and Ashley love.
"Sure let me just change really quick and grab my phone and wallet." I tell her. I run up stairs and change into jeans and a pink blouse. I grab my phone and wallet and take one look in the mirror. I wipe my eyes again, making sure they aren't red and puffy anymore.
"Alright. Let's go." I say and force out a smile. We walk to the mall and I notice I haven't eaten anything all day, so I ask Ashley if we can go to the food court.
I get a piece of pizza and a water bottle.
"Are you getting anything?" I ask Ashley.
"No, I'm good." She says quietly. She's acting different! I told her I didn't want her too, but I can't blame her. My life is going to change completely. Who am I kidding? It already has.
"Are you sure? I can pay for-"
"Really, I'm fine. I'm not hungry." She tells me. I sigh and finish my pizza. " I um…I actually think I should go." She says.
"What? But it's our last day!" I tell her.
"I know, but I have…I have to go…help my mom with something." She says. I look at her shocked. I can't believe her. She's obviously lying. Why doesn't she want to hang out with me?
"You're sure you have to go?' I ask her.
"Yeah, I'm sure." She says picking up her bag and walking away. She didn't even say goodbye! This is really hard for me too but I would at least have the decency to say good-bye to my best friend that I can't talk to ever again.
"Bye, Ashley." I say in a whisper. I don't even bother to cry anymore. I'm all cried out.
I walk home by myself, and then I see Colby walking home from school. He is still limping from his cast, because he refused to use crutches. Then he notices me and walks over.
"Hey!" he says and he comes up to hug me. I hug him back.
"Hey." I say a little too sadly.
"Are you okay?" he asks.
"Yeah, Ashley and I just…had a fight." I wish it was just a fight.
"Okay, sorry. Hope everything works out. But I just wanted to tell you, I'll come by your house at 7:00 okay?" he asks. I nod. He kisses me on the cheek.
"Awesome. See you then." He says with a smile. I smile back and wave goodbye.
I groan to myself. I don't have the heart to break up with him. I don't think the words can come out of my mouth. Could this feeling be…love?
I walk home with mixed emotions floating around me. It's 3:30, so I decide to back to my house and get my homework done. Colby, Alessia and I have caught up in school with all the work. It took a while, but we did it.
"I'm home!" I call to mom and dad and then walk up stairs. I pull out my books and sit at my desk. I have math, science, and history homework, tonight and a geometry test tomorrow.
When finally finish my homework and studying, it's 6:00! Where does time go? I start to get ready for my tragic night with Colby. He has no idea what's coming. Neither do I.
I take a shower and wash my hair and lather myself in soap. I then blow dry and straighten my hair. I haven't straightened my hair in a while. Then I put on a strapless coral colored sundress that comes above my knees. Then I put on a white light cardigan over it. By the time I'm ready, the doorbell rings and I go down stairs to answer it. It's Colby standing there with his amazing smile.
"You look beautiful." He tells me. I blush and smile back.
"Thank you. And you look very handsome." I tell him. He does that thing with his hair again when he gets nervous. It's like Colby's way of blushing.
"Thanks. Ready to go?" he asks. I nod.
"Let me just tell my parents I'm going." I say. I run into the kitchen and see mom making coffee.
"Me and Colby are going to Pharos." I tell her sadly. She looks at me with a subtle smile.
"Good luck." She says and then kisses my forehead.
I walk outside and close the door behind me. We head towards Pharos and he holds my hand.
"Hey, I got a question for ya." I tell him.
"What's that?" he asks.
"You know Hallie Greenday, right?" I ask him. He nods. "I think she has a crush on you." I say with a laugh.
"Haha, yeah I know. She's liked me since 4th grade." He says. "Did she tell you that?"
"Not exactly, but she was pretty bummed we are going out." I say. I decide to change the subject since in about 2 hours…we won't be going out. "Oh, we're here!"
We walk in and there's a man at the counter. "Table for two." says Colby.
"Of course, come with me." says the waiter. We walk to the table and sit down. "Hello! My name is Raquel! I will be your server tonight. Can I start you off with a drink?" she asks.
"I'll just have water, please." I tell her. She nods and writes it down, even though theres already water in front of me. I'm trying not to have Colby spend too much on me.
"And you?" she asks nodding towards Colby.
"Uh, I'll have a coke, please." He says. She nods and writes it down.
"Sure! Do you know what you would like to order for dinner?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'm ready." I say looking at Colby.
"Me too, so yeah we can order."
"Okay, I'll have the ravioli's." I say with a smile. Raviolis are my favorite food here.
"Can I please have the steak?" He asks. She smiles and nods.
"Of course. Your orders will be out soon." She says taking our menu's.
Colby and I talk about random things. But one conversation stood out. We talk about Ashley a little bit, which clearly made me upset, so we stopped. Then after about 15 minutes, our food came.
"Thank you." I say to Raquel. She smiles and walks away. I take a bite, and it's delicious as usual.
"This is really good." says Colby.
"I know right!" I say. We eat and talk about nothing in particular. The conversation constantly changes. One minute we'd be talking about sports, the next about a new movie.
"That was great. Thank you, so much." I say to Colby when we both finish our meals. He smiles.
"No problem." He says. "Should we go?" I nod. We talked about everything there is to talk about. This is the last time I will go out with Colby. I tired to make the best of it and not think about that the whole night. But now I have to. "I'll walk you home." He says.
"Okay, thanks." I reply. Colby leaves the tip on the table and we leave. The wind is picking up and it's dark out, so I need to get home soon.
We walk up to my front porch and the lights turn on automatically. This is it. This is the time.
"Colby, I..I have to tell you something." I say with a shaky voice.
"What is it? Are you okay?" he asks. I begin to nod but then I stop and shake my head.
"No. No I'm not. I lied to you, Colby."
"About what?"
"They didn't just let me off with a warning. They did the total opposite." I tell him. He doesn't respond for a while. We stand there in silence.
"Did they hurt you?" he asks with a shaky voice. I shake my head.
"No. Well yes, but not physically. They told me…they told me exactly what Alessia said." I tell him. He loses eye contact with me.
"Capri, just tell me right now. Are you breaking up with me?" he asks.
"I'm only trying to protect you." I say almost crying.
"Well don't. Since when did you start giving a crap what the capitol wants?" he asks. I remember this from the arena. That's what I asked him. I don't respond. He kisses me before I can even think about what's happening. Then he breaks apart, hoping that changed my mind.
"I'm sorry, I have to." I whisper now crying. He shakes his head.
"No you don't. I don't care what they do to me, I just want to be with you." He says. This kills me inside.
"But I care! I care what will happen to you." I say.
"Capri, I love you."
"Colby, stop." I say.
"No! It's true."
"I…I feel the same way." I tell him. Of course I decide to tell him I love him when we break up.
"Then say it. Tell me that you love me." He says. I don't respond. I can't. I do love him, but I can't say it. He nods.
"Goodnight." He says then walks down my porch steps.
"Wait! Tell me you love me, one more time." I say. He turns around.
"Capri, I'll tell you it one million times. But that won't change your mind, will it?" he asks. I shake my head. He continues walking.
"Colby. I love you." I say softly. He turns around again and looks at me. The expression on his face says he doesn't believe me. "I love you." I say it again but he doesn't believe me still.
"Have a good night, Ms. Mellark." He says then he walks away for good. Those were the last words I will ever say to Colby Anderson. 'I love you.'