James Brook's POV (District 12)
I stood in the middle of the crowd. Everyone stands still, not daring to look away from the television. We have no choice, the Capital is forcing everyone to watch the Hunger Games.
Although no one will ever ask me about it, everyone knows that I am not like the rest of them. When I watch the games, I am choking back tears. This year, the games matter to me. The rest of the crowd doesn't care who wins, not really. I am different, because my best friend is a tribute this year. Day four, and Heaven LaFratta is still alive. If Heaven, the person in the world that I really care about, dies... I can't dare to imagine what I would do with myself.
My attention turns back to the screen. It shows the career pack cornering a young boy. He screams as the District Two male kicks him and he collapses to the ground. The District One male walks over, dagger gripped in his pale hand, and stabs him. The first time, he squeals, but the second time he is silent. On the third stab, he goes limp. The two laughed manically and high five each other as a cannon goes off.
The scene changes, and now the screen shows Heaven. My breathing stops for a moment and, cautiously, starts again. Heaven is laughing as she warms her hands up by a campfire. Gradually, the camera zooms out, showing another boy sitting by Heaven's side. It was Freaton. He says something quietly, and she smiles and playfully tosses a twig at him. He dodges, laughing. Then they both go silent. Heaven leans a little closer to Freaton. He reaches out and grips her hand tightly.
In the midst of the moment, Jazmine jumps out from behind a bush. Before Heaven and Freaton could react, Jazmine throws one, fatal spear. The spear spins through the air and pierces straight through Heaven's stomach. She gasps, and frozen by pain, looks down at her wound. A single tear streams down her face. Heaven reaches desperately for Freaton, but he gets up and flees into the woods. She lets out a whimper as Jazmine yanks the spear out of her body. The hole where she had been pierced is now covered in a dark blood red.
"I'll be needing this back," She cackles.
Jazmine turns to the camera and laughs, her maniac grin painted onto her face. Then, slowly, her face begins to shift. It distorts in unimaginable ways, in sync with her rapidly shortening blond hair. When she stops changing, I am no longer staring at Jazmine. I am staring at a mirror image of herself. I killed Heaven.
Heaven begins to slump against a tree.
"James," she whispers. Here eyes lock with mine, like she has a camera watching me. I realize I am the only person left in front of the television. Everyone else, citizens and peacekeepers, have left.
"James," Heaven whispers again, "You could have saved me."
-oOo-
My eyes shoot open. It was a dream, I realize. Heaven is alive. I crawl out of bed, covered in a cold sweat and shaking violently. I try to forget about my nightmare, but they've come every night since Heaven was reaped. Forgetting is next to impossible.
I walk out of my room and towards the kitchen to make breakfast, but I can't concentrate. Scenes from Heaven's imaginary death roll through my head. Maybe I could be able to concentrate better if Heaven was just a friend. The problem is, she's not. I love Heaven LaFratta. I've loved her for years, but I've always been too scared to tell her.
She has always friend zoned me. We are nothing more than book trading buddies. Now, Heaven is in the Hunger Games. I might never see her again, and at the goodbyes, I was too scared to tell her how I felt. The thought of admitting any feelings is terrifying, but the thought of Heaven never knowing is painful.
I'm not sure how, but I will find a way to tell Heaven I love her. She will not die alone.
A/N
I just thought we should take a break from the training and do a filler chapter. Thanks Oceanebreeze13 for writing this chapter! Also thank to my editing group, McKenna, Oceanebreeze13, ijreid, and Kaelin. Here's the trivia
What is Lacey's weapon of choice?
Thanks!
Angelofmusic4ever and Oceanebreeze13
