Hey guys! Hope you all enjoyed your fireworks! This chapter feels like I rushed it, but it is here by popular demand! Also, the content in the chapter seems random, but it gives me a timeline to work with and adds another element for me to write! Hope you all enjoy :D
TheWomanWhoCodesAndWrites: I wanted to add a pure cute fluffy chapter for the 4th of July here in America :) I don't think it will ever completely go away, but she may just think of it less and less. I don't know American law either, I'm using my imagination... The social worker visit will be coming up soon though! I am glad you liked it :D
MiaBelles: They are so cute! That is my dream date :3
Catching Fireflies: I'm glad you liked it! That was fun to write :D
Addicted2-Your-Story: Aww yay! I'm glad you liked it so much :) They are so adorable
TARDISRose: Makes a lot of sense... I like that. Happy late Reaping Day! This was a fun chapter to write :3
TurtleThompson: I know... :/ maybe one day *ahem, if you are my future boyfriend and reading this, go back a chapter. If you a Turtle's lover, do the same thing* We're all set! ;)
UntilTheCannonSounds: I'm glad! That makes me happy to hear
axes tridents and snares: If I can find a place to add that scene, I will :) Thanks for the idea and I'm glad you liked it.
Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades: From West Texas, know the feeling (actually, I'm writing this at my lakehouse, so I don't at the moment, but at home, I do. I hope y'all had a good date! No, currently single. My last boyfriend was a cheater, a liar and a player and had sex with another girl while we were talking (a week before we actually started dating), didn't tell me, and tried to get me to send naked pics, and had the nerve to take my first kiss... grr... Oh well! I hope you're day was great! (sorry for the little rant...)
MeaganOneDirection: Aww thank you so much :) That's really nice of you to say
hungergamesgirl999: Glad you liked it :D
MewWinx96: Thanks! Sorry it was all fluff... I wanted to put that in... :)
SparksFly'SkyHigh: I'll get them in trouble soon, I just didn't know how I could fit that in with their boardwalk date, and I wanted Annie to stay looking pretty. :3 I'm using another, twisted up version of one of your ideas (sorry to change it...) Also, I am thinking about making a blog with all of the characters and their real life inspiration. I can show you the outfit there, because it is based off a dress I have :)
Chapter 14- The Cast List *this chapter (and the last one) are dedicated to SparksFly'SkyHigh foe their ideas!*
Katniss
In English today, Coin is looking at Peeta and I with untrusting eyes, like we did something horrible once again. I didn't this time and Peeta never does. I don't know what she is so angry about. "Now class, you have to be finished reading your book by the end of next week. The test is next Friday." Peeta and I aren't reading because we have already read The Princess Bride. It is one of my personal favorites. That might be why she is looking at us so angrily, but I can never be sure with that woman.
When we are released from fifth period English, we go to our sixth and finally our seventh period Drama class where the cast list to the district musical, Les Miserables, is fixing to be announced. We all decided it would be fun to do, despite the fact the movie just came out. I know the six of us weren't the only ones to audition. Many of the kids younger than us at Graceland auditioned as well.
"Alright guys, before I announce the cast, just know you all had spectacular auditions and made this very hard on me!" Our theater teacher babbles on for a while longer before she goes up to the list.
My heart isn't beating against my chest like a hammer, but I can tell both Jo and Annie are nervous. Peeta and Finnick have a bottled energy to them as well that they are keeping under the radar.
Our stage manager for this show, Clove, is passed the list and puts it on the call board. We have been doing these auditions for the past week in class and it is finally time to see the fruits of our labor. The entire school District has been waiting for this moment. We are among the first to see it.
Cast
Jean Valjean: Marvel Sans
Javert: Cato Harding
Fantine: Glimmer Cantwell
Cosette: Katniss Everdeen
Thénardier: Finnick Odair
Madame Thénardier: Johanna Mason
Marius: Peeta Mellark
Enjolras: Gale Hawthorne
Éponine: Annie Cresta
Gavroche: Vick Hawthorne
Young Cosette: Primrose Everdeen
Young Éponine: Thea Davis
Ensemble:
I stop reading there. There are several things wrong with this cast list. One, everyone from Graceland who auditioned got in, whether it is as a lead or as ensemble. Two, I am the female lead. How on earth did that happen? I'm above Jo, Annie and Glimmer, the three who always score the leads. Finally, Peeta is Marius. I am going to have to kiss Peeta. Joy.
Well, my little sister and I received the same part, so one of us is going to have to change their hair, but I'm sure that will be determined later. I'm proud of my Little Duck. She's probably even prouder of me.
The six of us congregate over to where we usually sit, a back corner in the theater room, not on the actual stage. Jo brings us a pile of scripts and different colored hilighters. She passes them out according to color. "Hey, we all got leads, we all need to highlight." She passes me a green one, Peeta an orange one, Annie a pink one, Finnick a blue one, Gale a yellow one and keeps the purple for herself. "Better get to memorizing."
I look back at the cast list very confused and look back at Annie. "I think she switched our names. We can go ask about it real quick." Annie shakes her head.
"You got that part, Katniss. You are an amazing singer and are probably one of the only people in the School District who can hit those high notes. You are a really great actress Katniss." I look over to Peeta, who is smiling as he highlights his parts.
"Asher and Ryan are going to be sure to come into town to see this." He says as he highlights his lines.
We just finish highlighting when there is a voice over the intercom. "Will you send Annie Cresta, Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne, Johanna Mason, Peeta Mellark and Finnick Odair down to the office for checkout please?"
The theater teacher looks slightly stunned but complies anyway. "They're on their way!" We've only been in school for four weeks and have been called down way too many times. "Learn your lines over the weekend guys!"
Effie is waiting in the office, looking at all of us holding our scripts, she plasters a smile onto her face, thought I can't tell if it is real or not. "Congratulations you guys!"
She looks upset, despite the fake smile put on her face. "What's up, Effie?" Jo looks at the usually chipper woman concerned.
After dreadful silent moments, she finally lets out what she was holding in. "Graceland may be forced to be shut down."
"What? "Why?" "How?" All of our voices fill the air as we walk to the van.
"We were accused of being abusive and not fit to take care of so many children. We only need one adult per ten children, and we fit that perfectly. They are saying the children aren't getting enough love and we are going to have to go to court in a couple months because of it." Effie took a breath and continued. "If we lose, Graceland will be shut down and you will be forced to go to different foster homes across the state, and possibly the country."
All of us are too stunned to say anything. I finally speak up. "What will happen to Graceland if we lose?"
Effie folds her hands and puts them in her lap. "If we lose, the land will be sold to Mr. Snow, who is suing us. I called you down here because I need you six to know this, but not tell any of the younger kids. You six are going to witness for us in court, if that is alright."
"Of course, Effie!" Peeta is looking at the ground, looking like he knows more than he is willing to say. He knows something the rest of us don't. I'll be sure to ask him later.
"Alright, kids. Let's go home. I signed you all out saying you had a doctor's appointment, even though you don't. Instead I think you all should learn your lines. I heard you all got leads, as well as Prim, Thea and Vick." We let ourselves become distracted by our scripts, trying to move the news to the back of our minds.
Peeta
Katniss has been keeping an eye on me as we discuss lines, or just have normal conversation. It is amazing! I get to kiss Katniss when we get to that part of blocking and performing. I wish that was all I could think about. I know Coin is working with Snow to gain control of Graceland. I cannot say anything in class either, because that might get me in trouble. I think she has figured out something is wrong. "Peeta, what's up?" She comes over and sits beside me, holding my script on the couch.
I shake my head. "I- I am just nervous. I can't believe I got a lead and cannot believe someone is trying to take Graceland away from us. A lot has happened."
She shrugs. "Yeah, I guess." We sit there in silence for a while, just looking at our candy colored scripts when I finally look at her.
"Want to do something?" She looks at me confused, so I elaborate. "You know, like a picnic or something?"
She shrugs and gets off the couch. "Let's do it. We can take our scripts and practice while we're there."
Katniss nods and starts to gather up stuff while I go downstairs and pack food. I see some cheese buns she loves so much and I decide to pack them. Considering they are still there, I don't think she knows about them. I just finish packing all the food when she comes downstairs in all her glory. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yeah." I carry the cooler that has our food in one hand and my script in the other. We walk down the beach until we reach some cliffs. "Can you climb these, Peeta?"
I look at them carefully, seeing if there are good footholds for my artificial leg. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can." Katniss climbs up first, to make sure everything is stable. I watch her steps carefully, following each step. When she makes it to the top safely, I start to climb.
My foot slips about halfway up, but I manage to hold on. "Peeta!" I hear Katniss scream.
"I'm fine!" I hear her let out a sigh of relief and I scale the rest of the cliff. We set down our food and I pulled out my script, studying the lines on the page.
I opened to a random page that contained my lines and started reciting them in my head. "What scene are you reading?"
I look back down at the page and blush when I see what I turned to. "Um, A Heart Full of Love." I pause and look at her and see she is flipping to the same page. "Are we going to practice it?"
Katniss nods. "Yeah, rehearsing will help get my mind off of the fiasco happening at Graceland."
I nod and start reciting the lines like they are words instead of a song. "A heart full of love. A heart full of song-"
"Peeta, it's just us up here. Sing. You have a nice voice." She smiles at me.
"Um, alright." I take a breath and let the words erupt from me. "A heart full of love. A heart full of song. I'm doing everything all wrong. Oh God, for shame, I do not even know your name. Dear Mad'moiselle, won't you say? Will you tell?" I can tell I'm off key and sound nothing like Eddie Redmayne, but Katniss is looking at me with admiration.
"A heart full of love. No fear, no regret." Her voice sounds like the song birds and her voice matches the beauty of the cliffs perfectly.
"My name is Marius Pontmercy." I stand up and bow down offering her my hand like it is some sort of dance. I've let myself become Marius, instead of being awkward, bashful Peeta.
"And mine's Cosette." She takes my hand and we start to dance our voices filling the air, the only instrument is the distant tides washing on the shore.
"Cosette, I don't know what to say."
"Then make no sound."
"I am lost."
"I am found!" I am leaning down and catch her off guard, as well as myself, in a kiss.
Katniss starts to kiss back then backs away, and I cough nervously. "I- I'm sorry."
Katniss shakes her head awkwardly and, blushing, looks down at her feet. "No, no. It- it was, nice."
There is awkward silence between us and we go sit down at the blanket. I pull out the cooler and pull out the cheese buns. She smiles. "Thanks Peeta."
I shrug. "They're just cheese buns."
She shakes her head and smiles. "No, thanks for the kiss."
I cough awkwardly. "You- you are- I mean, um, my pleasure." I start to open my mouth again when she covers it with her own, catching us both off guard.
She shrugs. "I guess I kind of like you too." She takes a bite of the cheese bun in her hand. "If you tell anyone about this though, I will kill you."
I nod. "I wasn't going to." We both are smiling on the edge of the cliff, watching the seagulls sing our song in the sky.
When I finish eating I start to pack up our food and put it in the cooler. She finishes right after I do, so she helps me clean up, letting the different foods go into the cooler once again. She starts to scale her way down the cliff and I follow shortly after, carrying the cooler over my shoulder. I hear a crack and feel nothing but air under me. I am on the ground, feeling something warm and wet by my head and hear someone yelling my name. "Peeta!"
Les Miserables, really random, sorry. I hope y'all liked it too! I'm also thinking of starting a blog with the real life versions of all the characters, because almost all of them are based off of someone I know. How does that sound? Please tell me in a review!
Thanks to: MeaganOneDirection, MiaBelles, Mikey Jacquez, Natura Nature, SecretsandSugarCubes, SibunaChika1227, StarBright18, StayAlways, axes tridents and snares, Anarchy Girl, Catching Fireflies, TARDISRose, Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades, Kyranoel, Fire Kitty 12, MewWinx96, babymcflurry, ThaliaFairbain, cutegirlems, Y.O.L.O So do it right, lole12312, Cinna's Bird, MahoganyMagic12, Random person in wonderland, RiderArya103, SparksFly'SkyHigh, Addicted2-Your-Story, AnotherDawnLikeOurFlag, TurtleThompson, messygreenroom, PerfectionIsFlawed, come burn with me, hyllia14, Lizzie6410, Steven Garrett, Kirihito Mai, RunnergirlI, hungergamesgirl999, UntilTheCannonSounds and Yasie for adding this to their favorites! Thanks a ton guys!
Thanks to my 53 followers as well! You are all fantastic!
-Juliet