Chapter 37
Lilac stared at the floor. She didn't want to be here, it wasn't the same. Jack wasn't there because Zack wasn't and Jasper was just watching the completed tree discarded in the corner. "No one will ever use this tree you know. They say it's haunted." Lilac nodded at his mutterings, it was all she could do. They had joined together but now they were apart. Two out of five, the rest weren't going to ever star in the show. "They might. You always need a hanging tree." Lilac whispered, watching as the other children played their parts.
Jasper looked at her wide eyed. "It was you. You made the hanging tree. Lilac you…"
"Shut up! What does it matter? Franklin's dead and no one cares. It's just same old same old, Michael just laughed at me when I told him it was me. Why? Because he said Franklin wasn't hanged so it was stupid. I hate him! I hate Michael! I hate Shannon! I hate that boy named Mackenzie! It's all their fault. But my parents don't care. They think its Franklin's fault for attacking Mackenzie!" She could see Jasper's anger now.
"Then they're stupid." He grumbled.
"And guess what? To make up for the whole thing my parents invited him and his dad to the play. I mean agh!" Jasper nodded a smile on his face. "You know what? I think we should show him just what District 12 kids can do." Lilac frowned but then understanding soon dawned on her face, and she too smiled with malice. "Good idea, Jas,"
The night was cold. The people around him shivered and Mackenzie snickered as Stone rubbed his arms to stay warm. Mackenzie was in the best mood he's been in all night. His dad had promised him a stopover in District 2, 3 and 4 so he could do whatever he wanted. He couldn't wait to hit the game markets. So after all the deals were made Mackenzie had consented to attend the stupid show. Why his dad even wanted to go was beyond Mackenzie, after all just a few days ago he had been yelling about how they were all insane. Mackenzie had agreed, voting to leave as soon as possible. But no. They were still there, at least until tomorrow, because his dad had promised.
They sat down at the back. The hall was small and there were no tiered seatings or anything, the worst performance studio at his school was better than this place. He sat down with a sigh his dad looked at the seat next to the one Mackenzie had picked, a bag was on it. Mackenzie rolled his eyes and shoved the bag three chairs over, could never be too safe. His dad sat. "That was rude, Kenzie." Mackenzie shrugged; his dad didn't seem to mind.
After ten minutes of sitting in silence his dad turned to him. "How are you?" Mackenzie looked at his dad with a slight frown. "Why?" His dad's shoulder's dropped and his eyes rolled. "I want to know how you're doing. We haven't talked for a while." Mackenzie shrugged. "How is what doing? What do you want to know?"
"Anything, just tell me. I'm your father, this is my job."
"Being a father is a job?" His dad nodded. "Course it is."
"Well…I'm fine. Do you like my shoes?" Mackenzie asked showing his new shoes; he liked these ones better than most. He'd stuck his name along the soles. "Wow, where'd you get those?"
"Markets, cool aren't they." He said putting his feet back on the ground. "When's this going to start?" His dad checked his watch – another one after Mackenzie broke the gold one – and sighed. "Ten minutes to go. Where are the others?" Mackenzie didn't answer, he didn't like the 'others' and wished his dad didn't want to show off to them, if he really wanted to impress just invite them to District 2 already, in the house they lived in they'd think they'd ascended into heaven. Then Mackenzie remembered his dad had sold the house.
"What's the new one like?"
"The new what?"
"House. You said we were moving I want to know what it's like." His dad smiled and pulled out a picture. "It's in the middle of the city so it's different from what yoru used to. I think you'll like it though…" Mackenzie took the picture and looked at the graphic illustration of what it was going to look like. I was like his mum's new place, modern, he pushed it back. "Looks like mummy's house." His dad looked sad for moment then smiled. "A lot of places in District 1 look like this. District 2 just copied-"
There was a big sound and Mackenzie almost jumped. The people hurried to their seats. "Welcome! Welcome!" Yelled a fat old woman into a black thing in front of her face, the crowd cringed. She pulled the black object away from her face. "Why is it…? Oh, okay!" he heard over the speakers. Then she pulled the thing back on and talked into it normally. "Welcome everyone to our school annual performance. I'm Mrs Rydes and I'm the drama teacher. This is the story of the Dark Days Revolution, with a twist, I hope you all enjoy!" Then she breezed off the stage with a grin.
Mackenzie didn't think he was going to enjoy this at all.
He leaned into the chair and pulled out his phone. His dad looked at him and sighed. "Mackenzie…" he began reaching over slowly taking the phone out of Mackenzie's hand like it was a bomb ready to explode. Mackenzie watched it go, then glared at his dad. "It's rude." His dad whispered as the first performers went on stage. Mackenzie looked at his dad flatly, "Daddy," His voice was the best whiny one he had, which was very good, "Can I please have it back, no one will notice."
"No, Kenzie," His dad said softly, Mackenzie's fist bunched and he sat back up in his chair. He looked at his dad imploringly, "What? Why are always saying no? I don't like it daddy, go back to how you were before," His dad frowned, "Not right now Mackenzie, later, when we get home." Mackenzie pouted and leaned down it the seat.
There he was, Jasper would recognise the kid anywhere. Jasper moved forward, in his hands a plate of food. That's right; he was food boy for most of the play. He had four lines right at the end which weren't even anything and Mrs Rydes had just said that because she wanted everyone to have a line, even Franklin had had a… Jasper closed his eyes and forced all thoughts of Franklin from his mind. He couldn't think about it. He wasn't like Lilac, she was strong, she could think about Franklin and still smile. He couldn't. Franklin was his best friend. And now he was gone. Never to come back. Jasper blamed Mikael more than he blamed the District 2 kid but it didn't matter. The kid was the one wearing flashy clothes and walking around alone, at least he looked like he had been.
Jasper neared the boy and his dad, "…dad, can have more money, please? I'm almost out on all my cards…" His dad nodded absently, his gaze swept the room, looking for something. Jasper went to the people in front of him and leaned forward. "Hi, Mrs and Mr Campbell do you want some food?" Mrs Campbell looked up and smiled. "Sorry, Jas, I have my own," she shook her handbag for effect. "Dad, I want those." Mackenzie Hawthorne said. Jasper couldn't believe his luck; the boy was asking to be doped.
"Are you sure Mackenzie? You normally complain about food like that. Ifs not made by a chief you know-"
"I know. I don't mind." His dad sighed and leaned forward, "Can I have two of those?" Jasper nodded and pulled out two tubs. "Three credits please." The man passed it over and handed the boy a tub. Jasper moved passed, a smile on his face.
Mackenzie didn't really understand the concept of savouring but that night me practiced it was supreme care. The food was called 'stew', Mackenzie had never had stew before but his dad had so when Mackenzie stuck out his tongue his dad drunk up the stew with a smile on his face. "You said you'd eat it." Mackenzie shook his head. "No I didn't." His dad shook his head. "Eat it before it gets cold."
He slowly sipped it. He waited. He looked down at it. The show was boring. He sipped it again. And then suddenly it was all gone. He realised that the food had entered his mouth. It was going through his body. He felt his stomach stir. He stood and rushed out of the room. He clasped his hand over his mouth and rushed into the toilets. He locked the door and vomited. His body shook with effort and he felt another wave come. He leant forward and vomited again. Then weak he coughed and leant against the cubicle wall.
Glancing at the toilet me grimaced. Standing he flushed it and walked out. Mackenzie walked to the basin and washed his face, then his mouth. He rushed out of the room and ran straight into someone. "Wha…?" The girl named Lilac Mellark scowled at him.