Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games. Though it wold be awesome if I did...
"Remember today's Everdeen day!"
Oh no. Not Everdeen day. I absolutely hate public speaking. Everdeen day is the day everyone celebrates the end of the rebellion. Since Mom ended the rebellion, it's technically celebrating her and her amazing feat of being the girl on fire. Which includes her kids to talk about her in front of the whole entire school. For a half an hour. And since I'm more of an outcast at school, all that attention makes me sweat bullets.
That thought haunts me on the whole day to school, and during the day. It doesn't help that I also turned tomato-red during my presentation. That thought even helped me ignore Lian Prescott's ice-blue eyes. They flicker to and away from me about every five minutes. Mom and Dad assume it's because he likes me, but I deny it. If it were like that, why did I spend the last 5 years of school sitting with my trusty sketchbook at an abandoned table in the farthest corner of the cafeteria? Why wasn't I surrounded by a swarm of kids, getting interviewed by Darla Fisher, the school's biggest gossip? Not me. So... about that thought… no. At least, I thought so until after school.
After school, I was hurrying to get back to the safety and comfort of my room when Lian stepped into my way. I looked up with an irritated expression, but changed it quickly when I saw the pleading look in his eyes. That changed my look into a curious one. What would Lian Prescott want to do with me?
"Hey, Rose..." He began. Why in the world would he start talking to me? I mean, I'm practically a social outcast. My only friend is my sketchbook and the mockingjays outside the windows. "So this guy asked me to do him a favor..." He's looking down now. Oh god, who is this "guy"? The tension is killing me! Apparently also the rest of the school. My whole grade was crowding around us, soaking up every word. Darla seemed to be in heaven. I wish he would just get to his point! I'm dying here!
"And who is he? And what's the favor?" I asked, cocking my head slightly. I slightly grinned. He was nervous! And it's very rare to see Lian nervous. He looks shyly under his long lashes and says:
"That guy is me. I want to know if you like me back."
Suddenly, I'm paralyzed. He said if I like him back! Oh my god! That means... "…you like me?" I squeak. Then I start to hyperventilate. "Oh, no no. This isn't happening. No."
"Oh really?" He asks me. He cocks one eyebrow up and looks at me as if I were the unbelievable one.
"Yes. This can't be happening. It never happened. This is just a bad dream. It's not real." I say.
"This isn't real?" He asks me. Everyone around me is holding their breaths. Never has anybody seen this. The popular guy falling for the outcast. "Then how do you explain how all my other friends are always shooting looks at you? You just don't pay attention." He murmured.
"What?" So I've been getting good looks from all the populars, but I just don't pay attention? No. No. NO. "This isn't real" I mutter, then turn away.
"Wait! Rose!" Lian shouts out behind me. My grade just stares at me in amazement. As I push my way through the crowd, they all give me funny looks. I even here two girls whispering behind me when they thought I wasn't listening.
"Why did she just put him down? I mean, how?"
"I don't know. She's an idiot for letting him down."
That sentence sent me over the edge. I could feel my eyes welling up, and I let them free. Though crying in front of the whole grade is embarrassing, the rumors that will be released tomorrow will be unbearable. I can't be weak. Even though I'm running home in tears, tomorrow I'll be stronger than I ever was. Anyway, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, I begin to think as I stepped through the front door of my house.
"Mom! I'm going out into the woods!" I shout out into the house as I grab my bow and sheath.
"Come home before curfew!" She shouts back to me.
5 hours until curfew. Just enough time to mull things over.
Thanks for reading this chapter! Thank you Liz for reviewing, and thank you kimbaleena2002 for following my fanfic. Every review helps! So, what's going to happen next? Dun dun dahh!