Hi, I'm sorry that this is overdue, but I've been busy with homework. And, to top it all off, I have to give back the school's laptop that I've been using by next Tuesday. A week is all I have left. happy reading!


CHAPTER 5

Phone Call

NICOLE

I strapped Dad's knife into my belt and hit it under the sweater I was wearing. "Nicole, it's time to go!" I ran through my bedroom door, and into the kitchen. Mom tossed me a bagel, the can of cream cheese, an apple, and a donut.

"You're going to have to eat in the car; you took too long getting ready." Mom heaved up Jason out of his chair at the table and walked with much difficulty out the door.

I followed quickly, grimacing as I slipped in my sandals. "You know, if you actually get some flat sandals, you wouldn't fall as much?" Mom teased. I smiled tightly. "I'm fine; just an uneven spot."

KAMERON

"Mom, Dad, I'm leaving now!"

"Be careful Kameron. And…don't break her heart."

I nodded. "I know Mom. I- you know I could never do that."

"Still. I know you would never break her on purpose, but try not to."

"I promise." I love her, after all.

NICOLE

Rebekah would not stop talking. For the first ten minutes, I just grinded my teeth together and clenched my fists.

"And Taylor said-"

"Shut up!" I shouted. "Please, for one stinking minute, can you not talk?! I'm getting sick of hearing about which one of your friends said what! I have a life too, you know, and I don't want it filled with your squeaky voice every minute of every day!"

Rebekah huddled against the other side of the car, tears streaming down her face. I sighed. What is making me so edgy today? Oh yeah, the fact that I'm probably going to be a tribute. Kameron! Part of me screamed. I shivered and stared out the window, trying to hide the tears that came. I couldn't leave Kameron, not like this.

Before I knew it, we were at the church meetinghouse parking lot. Mom stopped the car and turned around. "Rebekah, take Jason inside and go pick out a seat. I need to talk to Nicole for a minute."

Rebekah took her time getting Jason unbuckled, and her slowness made me want to- to- to hit her or something. "Jason, go find your friends, okay?" I said calmly. "Mom and I will be right in."

Jason ran into the building, almost running into a small, whole, family. I could feel Mom watching me, trying to read my emotions.

"You miss him. Your father." She said quietly.

"He died when I was ten, Mom." I said, clenching my fists. "Of course I miss him."

KAMERON:

I sat in the truck for a few minutes, wondering what I should do with my time. I glanced at the clock, and groaned. What was I going to do for the next two hours? I fished a deck of cards out of the glove box and turned it around in my hands. Play Solitaire? I shrugged. It was something, at least.

I turned on my phone, and opened up 'new messages'. "One (1) new message from Nicole King." I stared at the screen, dumbfounded. She called again? My thumb hovered over the button that would let me hear the message, and I finally 'manned up' and clicked it. The beep sounded and I held the phone next to my ear.

"Kameron? Holy smokes, please pick up." *pause* "Look, Kameron, I don't know why I never told you this to your face before, but…I really like you. And I'm sorry I waited until today before I told you. Now, one of us could be drafted into the Games, and have both our hearts broken. I'm sorry." *pause* "I love you." *long pause* "Goodbye."

NICOLE:

I sat down next to Jason and glanced behind me. Pearl half-waved and half-smiled. Alyssa, two rows over, was immersed in her notebook. And Kameron's family…his mom was almost bawling. I stood up, earning a glare from my mother, and walked nervously to his mom. I bit my lip and twisted my hands around the bottom of my shirt.

"H-hi, Sister Curtis."

Kameron's mom looked up and smiled tearfully. "Hello Nicole. How are you?"

"Oh, I-I'm fine. How are you?"

Sister Curtis wouldn't look me in the eyes. "Fine." She whispered. I nodded. I knew what she was really feeling: heart broken. I felt It every time Kameron asked me that question. Every time anyone asked me that, actually.

"Okay. And, um, was Kameron able to make it today?" I blushed furiously and smiled a tiny bit. "He said he had some family issues, but I was kind of hoping…"

"Oh, no, he wasn't able to. I'm sorry about that."

I blushed again and smiled also. "That's alright. He said he'd be here later to pick me up. I'm sure he'll explain then."

"Explain what?"

I turned around and almost burst into tears. Kameron gave me his 'sexy' half-smile and gently touched my fingers. I brushed my other hand under my eyes and smiled. "Hi. I- I thought you said you couldn't make it today."

He glanced down at our intertwined fingers and back up at me, smiling. "Something changed my mind along the way. I can take care of it later."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I- I wouldn't miss this for the world." Kameron rubbed his thumb against the back of my hand, and smiled nervously. "Do you…do you wanna sit here? With…me?"

I smiled back and kissed his check. "I'd love to."

Oh, the joys of a single phone call.


And remember what I said about finding a district? Yeah, I'm still stuck on that. If you have any ideas, please feel free to post it in the review!