(Chapter 17: Elora)

The chariot is making its loops around the City Circle, when suddenly there's a commotion further up, near the Career district chariots. The crowd went silent, and all you could hear was chatter and horses galloping. Two faces appeared on the large screens.

James Lysannder.

And that other tribute from District 1 whose name I forgot.

I find myself staring at James, and in my mind, I can't hear anything. All my senses are focused on James.

I wonder what he smells like.

Lemon? Mint? Orange?

All of a sudden, the crowd gasps, and my eyes open wide with shock.

On the screens, massive and very detailed, was James, kissing Lilly.

I think I'm going to faint.

I suddenly feel sick, and I turn to William. If I'm going to throw up I'm going to throw up on him.

Lilly pulls herself away from James, and grins.

"What the fuck was that for?" I hear James say.

That's all I heard. My ears are ringing, I can't hear anything.

"Elora?" a voice says, but It travels into my ear like I'm underwater.

Underwater?

Soon I find myself gasping for air.

"B-but what about our baby?" another voice says, magnified like it's coming from a speaker, but again, like it's drenched in water.

BABY?

I shut my eyes as hard as I can, and clench my fists, digging my nails into my palms.

I'm drowning, drowning, drowning.

I'm dying, dying, dying.

I'm going to die. My brain feels like it's going to explode, all my senses are on fire.

I'M GOING TO DIE. My brain panics. It's like delayed emotions from being chosen at the Reaping.

"Elora?" the voice says again, shaking my shoulder.

I open my eyes, breathing heavily, trying to avoid the massive screen.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I hear James exclaim, and my eyes trail up to the TV.

He's hugging Lilly.

Lilly is pregnant with his child?

The news hits me like a ton of bricks, all falling on top of my head.

I feel horrible. I even had a crush on him.

"Elora, are you okay?" William whispers to me, hesitantly placing his large, warm hand on my shoulder.

"Y-yeah." I stutter. "Please d-don't touch me."

William takes his hand away, and looks at me with concern. I can't tell if it's genuine.

"Ok. You looked like you were going to throw up and faint."

"Oh, thanks. That's so nice of you." I say sarcastically.

The chariots are pulled into the training centre, where I quickly pull myself out of the chariot, and throw up onto the floor. Everyone stares at me with disgust.

"Oh! Car sickness." I lie, smiling as I wipe my mouth on my sleeve. They turn away, and return to their chatter.

The events of before replay slowly in my mind, carving themselves into my memory, painfully, but as if someone was trying to carve a piece of wood with a butter knife. It's really hard, but if you press hard enough, you'll make marks in the timber.

James is hot. This is an obvious fact.

He's with Lilly, and they're going to have a baby.

I don't know what to say. They're obviously together, and there's nothing I can do about that, but it feels like a slap in the face.

Drowning.

Drowning.

Drowning.