Define Protection

"I'm breaking up with Brendon," I breathed out as I continued to pace Leather's room. I walked back and forth, in front of my two mentors avoiding their eyes like it was life or death.

"Your...what?" Spark's bright eyes widened in disbelief as the words begun to sink it. I had just confessed what had been on my mind, and it felt so good to let the secret out.

Leather combed back his golden hair in a sigh before taking a sip of the red glass beside him. His blue eyes once full of energy and determination looked dull and beaten down with stress. His hair looked dingy and unkept, as if he hadn't combed it in days. It was so unlike him.

"Breaking up with Brendon," I said really slowly finally meeting their eyes. The words felt unnatural coming out of my mouth, as if I was still convincing myself.

"Lace?" Leather started looking up at me.

"Yes..."I slowly answered, darting my eyes away from him again, not able to take potential disappointment from my brother.

"What...the actual f**k?"

"See Leath I can explain!" I tried meeting his eyes again in a plea for him to listen to me. I had good reasons and good intentions. If he would only listen.

"No. I mean...I can't deal with this right now." He calmly stormed out of the room, if that we're possible. And calmly slammed the door leaving me with Spark.

Spark took a deep breath, "Ok. Explain."

It was more of a command then an allowance, but I took it anyways.

"I can't let him die, Spark. I'm not going to win these games. Even if I have a shot I'm not letting myself win, he has to make it out alive."

Spark breathed in, "But Lace, he volunteered to keep you alive." She clarified.

"I know, and I told him not to."

Spark stood up, walked to me, and gave me an unexpected hug. While laughing.

I hugged her back, joining in the laughter because it was making sense. How crazy messed up our lives we're. And I think she understood the method to my madness. Then I began to cry.

And let me say, it feels good to cry every once in a while. And it feels better to laugh while you cry. Because then all of your emotions have no choice but to flow out and cleanse your body.

Spark let go of me, drying my tears with my hands as I saw her eyes red too.

"Spar, why is Leather mad?" I asked, she would know. Because I was sure she loved him.

"Your brother, has been working so hard to make sure you stay alive. He's been half going insane ensuring you win. And now you come to him and decide your just going to throw it away for your boyfriend. It's like all of his work is for nothing."

I let it sink in, that me dying would leave an affect on my family. I remembered how much time and effort they put into training me, and now I'm throwing it away. "I never asked him to keep me alive."

I never asked Leather, I never asked Brendon, I never asked anyone. They chose to protect me. Now I'm choosing to protect them.

"You didn't have to. Your his baby sister." Spark said simply.

And suddenly things weren't as simple. Things we're way, way more complicated.

That day at the training center was more awkward then not. Gathered around at lunch for the first time was all 6 of us Carrers. Looking around the table we all sat silently waiting for a leader to emerge and someone to break the silence.

"So. Is this it?" Hade spoke up looking at 5 sets of eyes.

"I'm good with just us if everyone else is." Brendon said finally, looking around to the other tributes who were sitting in groups too. I couldn't look at Brendon anymore, after my talk with Spark this morning. I couldn't look at him the same way Leather wouldn't look at me at breakfast.

It was hard protecting something you loved.

"I say its just us six. It's the 100th games we should go to the classic Career pack." Mason spoke up, and I got a good look at her for the first time. She was tall, built nicely with dark hair and a sarcastic smile. She looked to us all with a smirk that said 'I will win these games with or without you so pick a side'

"Fine by me." Ryan spoke up, the boy from 4. I didn't recognize him because I was always busy looking at Sealy to notice him. He had shaggy blonde hair and sea green eyes and was tan with sun kissed skin.

"Then it's settled." I spoke everyone looking to me. There were no need for introductions, we all knew each other. And now we were going to have to find a way to work together.

Lunch ended and I have Hade a look as he followed me to the knots again. I felt Brendons eyes linger on me considering to follow, but I heard Ryan grab him and pull him towards weights. Sealy and Mason we're left at the table, and I figured they went somewhere.

"Hade," I started with a low voice. Back and forth I went in my head considering to tell him if I was using him or not. I wanted him in on the plan, but I wanted him to still think what we had was real. He couldn't know he was being played.

"Lace?" He looked up from his knot.

"I just wanted you to know...Bren and I have been fighting. And I wanted to thank you for being here for me." The half lies poured out of my mouth letting me feel free of some guilt. The plan Spark and I made was going into affect. Now all I needed now was for him to...

Hade planed a quick kiss on my cheek, and made sure no one saw. The kiss felt like betrayal and bittersweet.

But yet, it felt so right.

Hey my Definers. Yeah, I just came up with a name for you Define Me Fans.

I was looking through my stories today and I realized it's been a while since I updated this story. So here is your update. I hope you liked this chapter, the games will be starting soon and things are about to get serious. So hold on tight.

If you liked it, reviews only take 30 seconds! And follow the story so you can keep up to date. And hit that favorite button i know you wanna! Thanks!

~xoxo QueenBee19