Chapter 24

The next week passed slowly. We had a ton of homework and no time to talk or goof off. It was a relief, however, that we didn't have to work this Friday. I raise my eyebrows at Prim excitedly at the empty locker, "We just turned in all our essays, took all our major tests, and now we don't have to work. I don't think I've ever had this much free time!"

Prim laughs at my excitement but seems a little detached, "Yeah, I know what you mean," she looks down at her feet worriedly.

I grab her chin in my hand and gently guide her eyes up to mine, "Delicious, what's wrong?"

She shrugs her shoulders, "There's so much time I don't know what to do with it." It sounds more like a question.

"Prim, what's really wrong? Why are you so worried?"

She chews at her lip nervously, "We had the week before last off too."

I throw my arms around me motioning to life in general, "I know, isn't it great!"

"Nick, I was just thinking that, I don't know, what if Haymitch was right? What if the Capitol was planning something big and the only reason we're not working is because they need to focus their attention on this big project and not so much on us."

I try to imagine it but cannot, "It's just a free day Prim."

"But what are the odds! We've never had a free day, not one, until last week and it just so happens that we get it on the same day. Then we get another free day, on the same day, today. That kind of thing doesn't happen unless it was planned."

I try to imagine it again, this time it seems more possible, "Well, what do you think they're planning?"

She shrugs her shoulders helplessly, "I have no idea."

We walk across the street to get Thresh. We start the short walk back to my house, "Thresh, we're going camping this weekend." I think we could all use a little vacation.

He rolls his eyes at me, "You already told me the truth, you don't have to lie about camping anymore."

I smile, "No, this time we're really going camping and you're coming with us."

He looks confused, "We're really going camping?"

I smile and nod. Prim holds onto my arm, "I've always wondered what camping would be like, it won't be like when we ran away will it because, no offense, but that fish was gross."

I chuckle, "No, this time we'll have a tent and blankets and we'll pack food."

She smiles, "Will it just be us or should we invite the rest of the group?"

"I think we should invite them, it'll be nice for Thresh to meet them."

We reach the house I tell Thresh to go start packing because we're leaving tonight then Prim and I start making the phone calls. Everybody is in; we decide to meet right outside of District 7 since it is pretty much in the middle of where everyone lives. It'll be about a two hour walk so we pack all of our stuff into backpacks and head off.

It was a refreshing experience to go backpacking. I think Prim and Thresh enjoyed it too. It was about half an hour before the sunset that we got there. We were the first ones there besides Kenyan and Jess. Kenyan seemed happy for once, he smiled and introduced him and Jess to Thresh.

About ten minutes later, Lily and Lilac show up. "Oh my goodness!" Lily exclaims.

"He's adorable!" Lilac finishes. They walk up to Thresh and pinch his cheeks. He swats at them harmlessly.

"Com'n guys, don't treat him like he's a baby," Kenyan speaks up, "He's like only a year younger than me."

They laugh, "You know what? You're completely right." They walk up to Kenyan and pinch his cheeks, "Awwww, he's so cute." They laugh and return to Thresh to introduce themselves.

"I'm Lilac."

"And I'm Lily. You can tell us apart because I'm just a little bit taller."

Lilac looks about her, "Where's Sanders, I thought he'd be here by now since he only lives in 6."

Everybody shrugs their shoulders. Lily, then Kenyan, then I try desperately to start a fire. Once again, it's Lilac to get it started, "Aha, looks like I've still got it!"

We all huddle around the fire for warmth and watch as the sun dies down.

"Did you hear that?"

We all look at Jess. "Hear what?" I ask.

"There's something in the bushes." There's a loud rustling in the bushes followed by a deep, hollow growling.

Lily clutches onto her sisters arm, "I heard it! I heard it!"

"What do you think it is?" Prim asks.

"I don't know," Thresh begins. It's silent for a while, "Sounds like it left though so we should be s-"

Two large creatures leap from the darkness into view. Lily screams loudly, Prim digs her nails into my arm, and Jess is hidden in Kenyan's arms. The two creatures start laughing wildly. Now in the fire light, I can see that it's Thereasa and Sanders. Sanders laugh is deep while Thereasa's resembles more of a hyena's. They high five and sit around the fire with the rest of us.

"Well it took you long enough," Lily says.

Thereasa gets defensive, as always, "Hey, I live all the way out in 11. I had to walk farther than all of you."

Lilac tries to hold back her smile but fails horribly, "Doesn't explain why Sander's is late."

Thereasa doesn't bother hiding her blush or beaming smile, "He came out and met up with me so we could walk together."

He puts his arm around Thereasa's shoulders in a casual way, "Yup, and seeing the look on all of your faces when we scared you was worth the extra time walking."

Prim laughs, "Oh yes, I'm sure it was scaring us that made it so worth while," she says sarcastically and smiles at both Sanders and Thereasa together.

"When are you guys going to suck up your pride and start dating?"

Sanders only pulls Thereasa closer at my comment, "Probably never." Thereasa frowns.

We cook dinner but hardly eat any of it. We fill ourselves up mostly on roasted marshmallows. We spend the rest of the night telling ghost stories. When that gets boring, we start telling jokes.

It's Thresh's turn to tell one, "How many A.D.D kids does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

We all shrug, "How many?"

"Want to go ride bikes?"

We all laugh except Lilac, "Wait, I don't get it."

We just laugh harder at her obliviousness. In my hysterics I punch Thresh across the shoulder. He stops mid laugh and tackles me to the ground. I am so taken by surprise I don't fight back. He throws a couple of punches before Prim is able to pull him off of me. He struggles against her grip desperately, "Thresh, what has gotten into you?"

"Did you not see that? He threw the first punch."

I take off my shirt and hold it to my face to stop the bleeding from my nose, "I was only kidding Thresh, I didn't mean in any way to hurt you."

"I didn't say it hurt, just that you threw the first punch. I don't like having people punching at me."

I assume that he feels this way because of him being bullied. Must have messed him up pretty bad, "I'm sorry Thresh, I should be more sensitive about that sort of thing."

He finally calms down and Prim lets go of him. He leaves to go to the tent.

We all sit around the fire in silence. "I'm so sorry," Prim begins, "I've never seen him act like that."

We all mumble words of forgiveness. It stays really quiet for a long time. Suddenly Lilac busts up laughing, "I get it! Let's ride bikes! Because they have A.D.D!" We all start laughing again.

Thresh pov:

I sit in the dark tent all alone. Prim's right, what has gotten into me? I didn't mind Nick punching me, but I still used it as an excuse to start fighting again. Anything to fight! I look down at my fist. I clean the blood off my knuckles with my tongue. I let the salty goodness fill my mouth. Blood has always tasted good to me, but there was something extra good about it when it was some one else's.

Thresh is a freak! Give me reviews on what you think!