Living in the Moment((Alieya/PM to join))

Ah, life is good, Hailey thought as she gazed over the smooth ocean at the falling sun. It was times like these, when she had no worries but the end of her relaxtion, that found Hailey at her happiness. Hailey was usually happy regardless whether everything around her was beautiful or that she had work to do or not. She figured that if she went through life all depressed and sad because her life wasn't perfect, she would just be miserable. At least this way, she had some pleasures in life, like a few new friends at school and that the Games were over again for the year. Sure, life had dealt her some rough hands, but she was okay with what she had. Most of her family, with the exception of Sam, who had died in the Hunger Games 6 years ago, were alive and healthy. She was still angry about that, but she tried not to dwell on it often. Instead, she thought of her brother who was still in this world, Jake. He needed her to be his big sister, which she happily did everyday. After all, life would be kin d of boring without a sibling. Being with just her and her parents would just be boring; they thought reading for hours upon end was fun. Ugh, no, it was most definitely not and would never be.

A cool wind cut across the air, raising small goosebumps on Hailey's uncovered arms. She had foolishly decided to walk outside in simply a simplepair of cut-off shorts and a ruffled green tank top. It looked pretty good, but it didn't do much to keep away the coming chill that always arrived with night. Regardless of the chill, Hailey stayed out on the old dock she was stretched out across. Usually, at least a few people hung out around here, but they had headed home when it had begun to get darker. Hailey wasn't complaining though; it was nice to have the dock all to herself. Hailey was happy being by people, but she was also fine without them. She did go to school with people every day for hours on end; she got lots of social activity there. People at school liked her- she was a happy 16 year-old who rarely dampened in spirit. Things like that made her somewhat popular at her school. That filled her social quota enough in her books.

A loud, screeching bark of a dog broke the silence that Hailey had been happily basking in. A scowl split her face for a moment before disappearing to a bored expressions. Angry expressions like a scowl didn't last long on Hailey's generally happy face. Still, the situation was a bit annoying. Here she was, peacefully enjoying her day, when one dog decided that it wanted to ruin it. When dog started barking, they all started barking. Like her thought had conjured it, more dogs joined the chorus of barks, filling the night with noise. Hailey wondered what had caused the first dog to start barking. Perhaps something had spooked it, or it had been scared by a bar fight. Or maybe, Hailey thought with distaste, a Peacekeeper had physically punished someone for some "crime." That happened often enough for a distinct fear of Peacekeepers to arise in District 4. Most people here had witnessed or been a part of a whipping or some other form of physical punishment. Hailey was lucky enough to have escaped this so far, but she had seen several been whipped until their back were bloody or stuck in the stocks for hours on end.

Hailey wasn't the only one who heard the barks. Several people's voices thundered across the night air, yelling angrily about the noise. For some reason that Hailey was not privy to, the dogs began to slow in their barking. Soon enough, the night was quiet again, as peaceful as ever. Hailey let out a relieved sigh and grinned happily. Sh stared again at the beautiful ocean, which was now glimmering in the night sky. Hailey had no idea how the people in other districts could stand not living near the ocean. She couldn't even begin to imagine working in a factory in District 8 or mining for coal in District 12. That would be unbearable, as she loved the open air and the water. She closed her eyes in contentment, but the silence was broken by footsteps behind her. Her eyes shot open immediately, and she spun around quickly. Before she even glimpsed the person, she called out,"Hello? Who's there?"

After a nice day relaxation and little work, the train was coming soon that would bring her home. She was wary to leave Roxas as they had gotten along quite splendidly. They had become close friends over her short two day visit and they would surely still have phone calls here and there. Though, she knew she would miss him. She would also attempt to visit him as much as she could, but her chances were little to none. This was by far the best trip to the Districts that she ever had. She was used to the gawking and squabbling of people seeing her with different views about the Capitol. Sometimes it was fun to soak in the glory of those who idolized her, but she was getting tired of that and giving them an idea that she was actually at ease with what the Capitol was doing to them. She hated it so much that people seemed to spot her as a Capitol member from a mile away even though she hardly looked like she was from there in relation to all the other members of the Capitol. And on account of that, her eyes had been turned from it. Since she didn’t have the money to look pretty and unique and exotic colors, she was treated as trash. And no matter where she went, she couldn’t get away from it. Here, those against the Capitol and what Snow was doing to them she would be treated the same and no one believed her story. Though this time, she had no such meetings of the sort. She had a new friend. Sure, she had somewhat made a friend before in District eleven: Willow. But it was nothing like this. The two never kept in touch and they didn’t expect to be reached by the other at any rate.

The sky was streaked with brilliant hues of color: orange, pink, purple, yellow. In a gorgeous sunset. Alieya checked the time and noticed she had a good two hours before she had to leave. She was in one of the most beautiful Districts, so she decided to go a dock or a beach for a little while and watch the sun disappear and it’s brilliant dance across the ocean. She closed her eyes and sucked in a huge breath of ocean air. It was glorious, and she didn’t want to leave. Even with the slightly annoying hint of fish in the air, it was beautiful. She sighed audibly. But there was just a problem. She couldn’t easily enjoy it out in broad daylight. Her brief moment of elation slowly dimming, it was easy to notice the glances people were shooting her as they walked past. She could never have a simple life. It was destined. The faint sound of a dog barking broke the silence. She smiled. The number of dogs in the Capitol was dismal. And they were all very small over pampered dogs. She heard a few distant shots which quickly subsided.
Despite the nuisance of the bark, Alieya’s course was immutable. It lead her closer to the sound of the dogs and the people. Finally, she came across what she was looking for: the dock. Her shoes clacked across the wood and she took them off intending to dip her feet in. The sky was considerably darker now, only half of the sun so so far away on the ocean was visible. The yellows and light pink and orange was replaced with purple and blue. But the pink and orange were still present. Especially nearest the sun.

"Hello? Who's there?" A voice called, causing Alieya to jump slightly. She gaze was so fixated on the horizon that she missed the fact that someone else was on the deck as well.
“Er… it is I?” She spoke, “Alieya.” She came closer and saw the person better. The girl looked really familiar and it didn’t take long to remember that the two had met before. On rather odd circumstances too. Alieya was still quite uncertain of what really happened as she quickly had to depart, but she had at least learned the girl’s name. What was it... Hailey. “Um… hi.” She said, not sure how to take the conversation.

Hailey was pretty content looking at the sunset of District 4. She wondered for a moment whether the people in the other districts were looking at the same sunset. Maybe it was only in District 4 that there such a pretty sunset. District 4 was the best district, after all, so it might be the only district with this great view. None of the other districts had that sparkle of awesomeness that was obvious every day in her district. There was no way that she could ever live somewhere after experiencing this district for all of her life. District 1 and 2 were just so…rich. District 3, 11, and 12’s industries seemed so menial. None of the other districts’ jobs could compare to fishing. Fishing was so fun, and the only downside of it was that it could occasionally get a bit boring after several hours. Hailey would never be able to complain that she didn’t have another time to think.

It was beginning to get darker now, which was rather unfortunate. She was enjoying watching this sunset. Plus, she didn’t really like the dark much. It was just so hard to see others when she was in the dark, and also, it was just so depressing when it was dark. The light just had a happier effect on Hailey. Bad things tended to happen more in the dark than it did in the light. The light brought a calming effect on those who would otherwise be criminal. You never heard of a burglar robbing a house in the middle of the day or an act of vandalism occurring in broad daylight. It just didn’t happen. Thank god for that. Hailey let out a happy sigh as she grew happier and happier to how her life was going at this very moment. She was sitting before a beautiful view in one of her favorite places. What could be better?

That was just when the sound of footsteps breached her solitude, and she was forced to call out. Hailey slowly stood up, looking at the person who had also decided to come to the dock at this time of day(well, maybe night by now.) For some reason, the woman standing in front of her looked rather familiar. Hailey thought for a moment. Who could this person be? Hailey knew that she had to have had seen this woman somewhere before, for her image was set in her mind already. Then, like a lightning strike, the answer hit her. She now knew where she had seen her before. It was from that time in the woods. The reason that incident was so clear now in Hailey’s mind was because that had been the first time she had strayed across the fence that separated the district from the woods. It had been almost life-changing for Hailey.

She had been fishing when another girl had arrived there and hit her head in the river. Arianna or some name like that. Hailey had been forced to drag her off and had eventually gone with Arianna across the fence to a small camp to Arianna’s family, where another person had arrived- Alieya. Hailey recognized that person from her past to be the same person who was now standing in front of her on this dock. Alieya, who appeared to be around twenty or something like that, opened her mouth to speak, and Hailey listened closely so that she could catch whatever this comment was going to be. It should be interesting, considering how they had met. Instead, all Alieya said was, “Um… hi.” Hailey smiled a bit at the sheer normality of the comment and answered, “Hey there. Um, what’s up with you? Any new adventures?” Hailey’s comment was just as innocent as Alieya’s, for the better or the worse.

A flurry of emotions rushed through Alieya’s head. She was embarrassed that she had jumped at the sound of a voice. Not even rightfully so. There was nothing to really be afraid of here. If anyone caused any harm to a Capitol member, a Peacekeeper would hit them before they could even blink. She also felt bad for thinking this. Obviously, she didn’t want anyone to hurt her besides the rude comments they no doubt kept to their heads, but she felt bad for thinking that because she didn’t want the members of the Districts to endear any more pain than they were already going through. They were right to hate her – just maybe not right to judge. Her hate for her home was as great as most of the members of the District. Except for the Capitol loving ones of course. This was a Capitol friendly District after all. Apart from this, Alieya was also confusion. She didn’t know what to think of this girl really. She couldn’t recall their prior meeting very well, she just remembered that an equal confusion was upon her that day.

Alieya noticed a spark of recognition in the other girl’s eyes. She recognized her as well. Alieya immediately wondered what would come of their conversation to come. What were the possible odds that the last time she had ever been in this District and the only time she had ever been outside of a District besides on the train she had met this girl. The one standing in front of her. Then, what were the odds that of the few people she talked to at the District in the times she had been here that she would run into the same girl again. Shaking her head in befuddlement, Alieya had to suppress a chuckle. All she could really do was hope that things wouldn’t be awkward at this point. But even that might be inevitable.

“Hey there. Um, what’s up with you? Any new adventures?”
Good start, she thought to herself and she shrugged, “well, nothing really. The train is coming back in about an hour and I thought I’d get one last view. Your District is so pretty, I can’t get over it. I’m rather jealous, actually…” She trailed off looking at the suns rays glinting on the ocean. It was gorgeous. Oh, how much she wished she could live here. She looked back over at the other girl. She was very pretty and about the age of the last tribute she had. Her face fell remembering Charlotte. She hated her job. She hated getting close with people only to watch them die every year. She had promised herself that this was the last year she would ever be a designer – the last year she would ever be in the Capitol. She was leaving, whether Snow liked it or not. “And no, no real adventures recently. Unless facing Saphira counts. She’s someone who works for me and has been trying to takeover my job for a long time now. Seriously, she wants to dress those tributes up like they’re from the Capitol. At least I try to make them feel more at home!” She rose up her hands in exasperation. “Sorry, I’m blabbering. I’m just not looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. But what about you?”

She smiled at the girl, that was something that meant her intentions were fine… right? She plopped down on the edge of the dock and let her feet dangle over the edge. She patted the dock next to her as if saying, ‘care to join me?’

((So so sorry at how late this is!!))

Today was turning out to be an odd day. Hailey had expected to just out to the dock and enjoy a typical rest, but the arrival of this mysterious girl had changed her usual patterns. Whether that was for the better or the worse, she did not quite know. Hailey couldn’t quite remember what the girl was like or how she acted or anything much more than her name. She had spent most of that weird morning with Arianna, the girl who had been living out in the woods with her whole group of siblings. That experience had been very mind-occupying, more than the arrival of Alieya on that fateful day outside of the fence around the district. Hailey winced a bit when she realized how stupid her comment sounded. ‘Have any new adventures?’ was so lame compared to the array of possibilities for opening comments. Even ‘What’s up?’ would’ve sounded a whole lot better than what she had actually said. For someone who was usually alright with speaking, Hailey was tripping over herself simply to speak. Luckily, Alieya didn’t seem to mind the comment, answering like it was an okay question. Hailey let out a small sigh of relief at this.” Well, nothing really. The train is coming back in about an hour and I thought I’d get one last view. Your District is so pretty, I can’t get over it. I’m rather jealous, actually.”

The whole sentence rather confused Hailey. She had assumed that Alieya was a District 4 person, like almost everyone she passed on the streets of District 4. Obviously from her sentence, though, Alieya was probably from another district or maybe the Capitol. Almost no one from this district had to use a train to go places. Plus, Alieya had said ‘your’ district, not our district. The biggest question running through Hailey’s mind was that if Alieya wasn’t from District 4, then where was she from, and why was she here in the first place? Hailey opened her mouth to ask those questions, which were bugging her, but Alieya spoke first, answering Hailey’s earlier question about new adventures, “And no, no real adventures recently. Unless facing Saphira counts. She’s someone who works for me and has been trying to take over my job for a long time now. Seriously, she wants to dress those tributes up like they’re from the Capitol. At least I try to make them feel more at home!” This reply was answer enough to Hailey’s question; she was glad Alieya had spoken before her because she now got to know the answer without seeming like she was prying.

Hailey wasn’t quite sure what to think of Alieya’s answer. It was obvious enough now that Alieya was a stylist for the Hunger Games and was from the Capitol. Hailey absolutely detested the Hunger Games and what they stood for, but Alieya didn’t seem too bad. In fact, she was relatively normal, unlike what she had heard people from the Capitol were like. She decided to reserve her opinion on Alieya until she got to know her better. That way, she wasn’t being too judgmental. Maybe this girl was the most normal person in the world, and judging her early would just be plain wrong. Only time and talking with her with tell. Alieya questioned her on the same question Hailey had asked her. Hailey answered with a small smile turning up the edges of her lips, “Well, compared to that, I basically have no adventures here. This district hasn’t really been through that much lately. It’s been kind of boring in my life, to be perfectly honest.”

Hailey smiled back softly, her smile neither fake or real, happy or mad. When Alieya sat down on the dock, Hailey couldn’t help but join her. The thought of letting her feet glide through the water was just too tempting to resist; the water was basically Hailey’s second home. She kicked off her shoes as she sat down and dipped her feet into the water, letting the cool water soothe them thoroughly. Hailey was on her feet most of the day every day, so it was a pleasant feeling to have her feet not ache with the pain of walking so much. Not wanting to let there be an awkward silence or in fact, any silence at all, something Hailey rarely let occur, Hailey cordially asked, “So what brings you to District 4?”