The Eighty First Hunger Games «MAJOR REWRITING, REEDITING, AND REVISION»

:21: Little Things

"Well, when I was hunting that one day, Rave sort of killed the rabbit I was hunting."

"That's his name? Rave?" Echo snorted, but I squeezed the victim's hand in defiance.

"His name suits him. Anyways, as I was saying, Rave killed the rabbit. I was out in the clear open where he could have killed me instead, but he didn't, so it trusted him. We became friends and all and then... this" I held up our locked hands, "sort of happened. But I stand with no regrets."

"Illissa, can we talk? Alone?" Echo asked, dragging me to the side.

"Do you realize how dangerous this is?" She hissed.

I glared at her and replied through clenched teeth, "I've no idea what you're talking about. Rave has my complete faith."

"Illissa, stop being stubborn."

"Echo, stop being thick-headed."

Well that shut her up. Echo's mouth shut quickly and her eyes narrowed. By the opening and closing of her mouth, I could tell she was speechless.

"Echo, just give him a chance. Over these past days, I've never trusted anyone this much in my life who isn't related to me."

"Issie, you're just saying that because you're in love with him."

It was my turn to be speechless. Was I in love with Rave? I had no idea. Whenever I was with him or thinking about him, my heart exploded and everything else jumbled. I felt rushed enough with all the physical contact, which was completely new to me. What I did know was that I trusted Rave with my life and wanted to spend every minute with him. I liked him, to say the least. But was I in love with him? Or, even more complex, did I love him?

It was too soon to be thinking that, even though there might not be hours left.

"Illissa, I can clearly see you've got mixed feelings with him. Tell you what: I'll give him a shot, but one wrong move and he's out."

Yes! I wouldn't have to sneak out to see him anymore!

I sighed and hugged my friend before returning to Rave and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Things go good, Iss?" He smiled.

"Yes, she said you can stay with us!" Rave picked me up and hugged me. Although it was as small a thing as an alliance, when you have little time left in the Games, you learn to appreciate the little things.

Little things like my satisfaction when I saw Echo's face glow like mine when talking to Rave.

Like when Rave sat down next to me and let me use him as my human pillow, even though I couldn't sleep.

Like when Echo mouthed to me: he can stay...

Like when Rave unintentionally grasped my hand in his sleep.

Like the stars in the sky that reminded me of watching the stars with my family.

And finally, like the tears from missing my home were wiped away by Rave, who awoke from my gentle sobs.

Who could ever feel this content?

No one except a dying girl in the Games.

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Echo and Rave jumped up the next morning when a voice rang out across the arena.

"There will be a banquet by the cornucopia tomorrow morning."

The ten words we all dreaded. Each bag held what you wanted. Each bag held what you needed. Banquets were only used to bring a bloodbath. Maybe the Capitol citizens weren't as pleased by Rave and I as I had hoped.

Bloodbaths? Not my favorite.

A possible cure to my insomnia? Great.

The only bad thing if I got a cure: I'd have a chance at winning.

•

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Wow, it's... (checking) 11:13pm. Shows you how determined I am to enter the Awards! GOOD. FLIPPING CHEESE. NIGHT.

SO SO SO SORRY FOR SHORTNESS BUT MEH

Oh wait. Rave is the image of Munro Chambers! ALWAYS TEAM ELI WHOO

So, while I wrote this, a quote formed in my head you all may like.

"You fall in love once; the rest is all chemistry."

:3

Now, GOOD. FLIPPINGCHEESE. NIGHT.

Filipo97/Lindsey

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