Haruhi Maki, 18
District 4 Male

Two months before the Reaping

"So...that's it."

Clare blinked back tears. "I'm so sorry, Haruhi, but...it's just...look at us! It used to be so full of life! I don't know what happened!"

Haruhi wasn't sure what happened either. To him, this felt like a waste. Three years of calling Clare his girlfriend...gone. Over. Just like that.
"I've said it before. There's no spark, Haruhi. I don't want to date a guy I'm not interested in. But...we can still be friends, okay?"

"So this isn't my fault."
"Of course not!"

Clare smiled sadly and blinked back some tears. Haruhi felt entirely calm. He wasn't sure why. He didn't want to lose Clare as his girlfriend and he was going to miss that. At the same time, she was still his friend, right? So he hadn't completely lost her. Maybe friendship was a lot less stressful for the both of them anyways.

"Are you worried?" Clare asked. "Are you worried it's something you did?"
"Maybe I'm a little worried. I've been thinking this over a lot. Is that a bad thing?"
"No...not really..."

Haruhi gave her a hug. "I'll see you around, Clare, alright? I think the whole relationship thing is over. But we're still friends."
"Of course we are!"
"Yes. Friends. I like that."

Clare wiped some more tears out of her eyes. "Yeah, yeah...I think I'm gonna go home...I just feel really tired all of a sudden..."
"Sure thing. See you later."

Haruhi turned around and walked off. He felt an empty feeling in his stomach. After all, they had been dating for three years. It hadn't been until a few weeks ago during a midnight walk, that Clare suddenly burst into tears and screamed at him that they were over. Finally, they got around to talking about it and it seemed they were finally friends. Nothing else. Just very good friends. That seemed a lot better. Now, there was no stress for Haruhi to act like the perfect boyfriend, the romantic figure. Not that Clare would've viewed him any less anyways.

It was still pretty early in the morning. A few people were out and about; many more were probably still inside. Haruhi gave them all a passing glance. He watched as they hurried to open up their shops, put their wares out for show, clean floors, make breakfast, hike up the sails and drag the boats out to sea. They all moved way too quickly to stop and think, to consider their actions. No time to enjoy the day that lay ahead. The only way to enjoy District 4 was to ride the waves without too much worry of where they went.

Rush, rush rush! All everybody ever did was rush!

Personally, Haruhi liked to take things easy.

Perhaps, too easy?

"Haruhi!"
"Huh? Oh, hey Cora." Haruhi gave the girl a polite wave. She was from his spearfishing class right? He wasn't entirely sure. "What are you doing?"
"Not much. Haruhi, I heard you and Clare broke up. Is everything okay? Did she break your heart? Oh, don't tell me she cheated on you!"

"It's not like that," Haruhi insisted. "It was...we just kinda fell out of it, I guess. We're still friends though."
"Oh, thank goodness. I'm so glad she didn't hurt you. You don't deserve that, okay? You deserve a girl who's faithful and loving."

"Thanks Cora." Haruhi sighed. "I don't think I'm ready to have another girlfriend yet."
"Oh...I suppose so..." Cora suddenly bumped Haruhi's arm. "Don't want to rush things, you know?"

Haruhi continued to walk on, Cora trailing beside him. Finally, he glanced over his shoulder at her. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Why?"
"Your face is all red."

Cora gasped and placed her hands on her cheeks. "Oh, I'm fine! It's just...sunburn! It's nice that you care, but don't worry about little old me-"

"Haruhi!" Another girl ran up to him and took his hand, squeezing it firmly. "There you are! I heard about what happened with you and Clare! That must feel awful, you two have been dating for years! Look, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on-"
"Thanks Angela. But I'm fine. Honest."

"That's so brave of you," Angela said with a slight purr. Cora nodded. "But know that I'm here, alright?"
"And me!"

"Thanks girls. I'll see you both in class." Haruhi slid Cora and Angela off him. It felt nice to have a support system, if he was the kind of person to get weepy over the whole situation. but there wasn't anything to cry over. he wasn't stuck in a relationship that felt empty, he didn't lose Clare, he could enjoy being single for as long as he wanted.

He wasn't paying attention to the girls who watched him leave, then turn a bright red as they giggled to each other into their hands.

Adella "Dell" Kerrick, 16
District 4 Female

One month before the Reaping

Her father had spent almost an hour polishing that damn teapot.

He loved his trinkets, Dell knew that. Sometimes, she thought his treasures were pretty cool. At the same time, they were a distraction. An excuse for him not to answer all of her questions. Again, she asked the same questions every time. She always got the same response. He pretended to be too busy admiring his latest shiny toy or relic.

Curiosity killed the cat, people would tell her, pretending to know any better.

They often neglected to mention how satisfaction brought it back.

"Do you need any help, Dad?" Dell asked, trying to open up a conversation.
"You need to get ready for school."
"I don't have to leave yet!"

Her father sighed and Dell giggled. "Where did you get the teapot from?"
"I believe it belonged to someone from the Capitol. Although, I found it on the beach so they probably lost it at some point."
"Do you think you'll find the owner someday?"

Faraday Kerrick put down the trinket. "I know exactly where this conversation is heading."
"Come on, Dad! I'm not a little girl anymore! I can handle what you have to say!"

Faraday sighed. "She had her reasons, Dell."
"That's not enough for me."

"Well, it is for me," Faraday said. He pointed his finger at his daughter. "I understand you're not a little girl, but this conversation is not for you."
"She's my family too!"
"And?"

Dell folded her arms. "Cam you blame me? She leaves one day without a word to anyone. I get I was young when it happened, but I'm not anymore. I'm sixteen! Practically an adult!"
"Almost an adult."

"Okay...fine..." Dell huffed. "But I'm a mature teenager! I can handle a little bit of truth."
"I can't."
"What?"

Faraday didn't even look up, pretending to be too mesmerized by his stupid little teapot. A teapot! A teapot was getting more attention than his daughter!

"This is a hard topic for me, Dell. I don't feel like speaking about it now and I certainly don't appreciate you bringing it up. Like I said, she had her reasons. Do I know every single one? No, probably not. I keep repeating this because it's all I can tell you at this time. You're still a child and I don't want you living life with a burden on your shoulders."

"But..." Dell unfolded her arms. "But it burdens me not to know."
"I know, I know."

Just like that, the conversation was over. Dell felt a little bit guilty treading on personal territory with her father like that. She knew he didn't like it whenever she brought up the subject. But perhaps, it would benefit them both in the long run to just spill. She'd know the truth, and he could finally open up to her.

Grabbing a slice of toast, Dell slipped her backpack onto her shoulders. It was time for school. She could pester her father later. He'd be home all day, fussing over those shiny little artifacts he liked to collect and place on display. Like that teapot.

It didn't take too long to get to school, so Dell wasn't bothered with hurrying up. She arrived with plenty of time to spare.

"Dell Kerrick!" Dell jumped as her best friend Theseus wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Hey! Get off me!"

"What are we doing today Dell? Hey, some guy I know got me some old cigarette box. Wonder how much your dad could pawn it off for?"
"Ew, you smoke, Theseus? That's dirty!"
"No, not me! This body is too perfect to ruin."

Dell nodded, only half-listening to her friend. She was still playing the morning's conversation over and over in her head, as well as many identical ones in the mornings before.

"Dell? Dell! Helloooo? Earth to Dell!"
"Sorry. I just kinda..."
"Zoned out?"

Dell nodded. Theseus shrugged. "Whatever. Hey, you'll find her eventually. Once you're an adult, he can't stop you. You can go find her yourself!"
"That is true. I just I wish I didn't have to wait so long."

"Will anything happen if you wait? You think she's going to die?"

"Theseus!" Dell slapped her friend's arm. "Don't speak about my mother like that! And no, she's not dead! She can't be!"
"It was just a suggestion...jeez!"
"Don't suggest something like that!" Dell huffed. "Honestly. I'm never going to you for advice again."

Theseus cackled. He slapped her arm in return. "Bold of you so assume I have good advice."
"I guess that was my own fault, then. Desperate times calls for desperate measures."
"That's right you ought to...HEY!"

Dell cackled.

Finally! It's out!

Over halfway done with the Reapings, which is great because we all know how tiring they can be.

BTW, new story out! It's called Rainbows and Storms and it's a SYOT with a twist! I'd really appreciate it if you gave it a read!

-Vr