Don't Dwell On The Past 'Cause The Train Of The Future Is Comming (Storm)

The train was coming. Willow could feel the vibrations in the ground. Breathe, just breathe, Willow thought as she tried to calm herself. She hadn't been to the station in years, and hadn't ridden the train since she was seven. As a matter of fact, Willow had always tried to avoid the station, especially since what had happened to her father. Her father had taken her on the train once, about four months before his untimely death. They had gone to District Four together and had played in a cave, and then when it had gotten dark they had gone down to the beach and played in the waves. More memories of her father flooded her mind as she neared the station. She shoved her hands in the pockets of her jacket and sighed.

Willow was at the entrance to the station when the memories became real. She saw a younger version of herself skipping, towards a tall man who was Willow's father. She watched, stunned as the younger version of herself grabbed her father’s hand and they walked on to the train together. “Stop.” Willow said, a little too loudly. She looked up and saw that the train had come to a stop and a few people had come out, they were now giving her a few weird looks. Which Willow was used to. Several people in the district that she recognized, but didn’t know had come up to her saying that she ‘looked just like this year’s female tribute for District Eleven!’ She had gotten so sick of it that she had just taken to starring at them for a second, saying, “I know, she was my sister.” In an emotionless tone and walking away, leaving the person starring after her, confused. Willow was getting those same looks now, but there were other people that were just looking at her like she was crazy, which she had never doubted.

Willow bit her lip; she knew she shouldn’t have come here, and the people who had starred at her didn’t help. The last time she had been to the station she had been twelve and the same thing had happened the last time except for the train hadn’t come. Willow closed her eyes for a few moments and leaned back against the wall, willing the people to go away so she could have some peace and quiet. It didn’t work. She opened her eyes again to see a pair of dark eyes starring at her. They belonged to a guy with shaggy (ish) blond hair who had just exited off the train. Willow starred back from a brief moment before walking away quickly. She wasn’t ready to face this yet, even though it had been, eight, nine, almost ten years. Willow knew she should be able to, but there was still something holding her back, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she was determined to figure it out.


((Bleh. Sorry for the bad starting post....))

Today’s work was in District 11. Storm walked down the rickety isle until he found the ‘leader’ so to speak who had been monitoring their work and checking that everyone wasn’t slacking. He wasn’t mean at all, actually he was friendly, he didn’t want anyone leaving and telling the Peacekeepers about the railway. But it was understandable; the effects would just end badly for everyone. When Storm came across the leader, he asked what they were exactly doing. The man, (Makee) gave him only a nod as a reply. This made Storm even more curious, but he knew whenever Makee gave a nod as an answer, he himself didn’t even know. He had yet to receive orders from a man of higher command. Slumping back to his seat, Storm rested his head on the wall. He wished that there were windows, but since the railway was underground, there would be nothing to see. After what seemed like a very long day, the train finally screeched to a stop. Storm immediately jumped out of his seat, fresh air smelt so appealing, especially since he heard they were going to District 11, the District of agriculture or something or other. However, many other men seemed to feel the same way, they pushed to the exit, so Storm waited in the back until the line of men diminished and it didn’t feel so claustrophobic.

When he finally stepped off the train, the first thing he noticed was a girl standing there with a blank expression. Expression always called out to Storm he could decipher most everything from how someone acted when they were obviously elsewhere - - like the girl. But he knew he had to go over the facts first. First, why was she here? She looked a little confused but she surly hadn’t come here by chance? No one knew the way to the hidden railway unless they had already found it. Second, she was a girl? Not many girls came to work with them, they always seemed to care more about themselves than to run away and they weren’t as ready with heavy things. For a brief instant, her eyes met his and for a second they both seemed to freeze. Storm’s train of thought had been scattered, and gears were obviously turning in her head. For some reason, catching sight of his eyes made her seem to realize something. Even as she looked away and was turning, Storm saw her eyes still staring up at him again. Storm could see the soul of anyone through their eyes; however, something about the girl’s were different. They were hiding a world of sorrow, but was there something else as well? Was it fear? When Storm realized that he could not figure out what else was there, he knew he had to confront her. Something about this girl was different and he had to figure out what.

When he looked back at the lone figure, he realized she was walking away. What? Why? He thought without realizing it. He walked after her at a quick stride. He caught up to her easy as he was almost a head taller than her. He held his hand out about to put his hand on her shoulder, but for some reason, he assumed that would make her more inclined to run away. Clearing his throat to make himself known, he said. “And where do you think your going miss?” They were already halfway up the steps, but he regained walking as she didn’t stop right away. When they reached the top, Storm went a little bit ahead of her into the woods, cutting her off. “Don’t look me in the eye and say that something isn’t bothering you. If you give me a chance, I would like to help.” He chanced before looking at his feet hoping that she wouldn’t ignore her.

((hehe you gave Willow something to argue about!!!))

Willow was deep in thought as she walked out of the cave. For some reason, (possibly a naïve one) Willow thought she had seen a flicker of curiosity in the guy’s eyes. She had just reached the steps when she felt a prickle on her neck, almost positive that someone was following her she continued on, not wanting to talk to anyone. Someone cleared their throat behind her and she jumped slightly. (Fortunately for Willow, it could be mistaken as a hop up the steps.) “And where do you think your going miss?” A voice said. Willow didn't even bother to turn around. Just keep walking, just keep walking. You don’t want to talk to anyone, all they’ll feel for you is pity and you don’t want that. All you want to do is fight. She thought to herself, as she went up the steps and out into the woods.

She was on the path back to the center of the district when someone darted in front of her and cut her off. Willow was caught a little off guard by having to stop so suddenly while deep in thought, but at the same time wasn’t surprised. She was even less surprised to see the guy she had made eye contact with in the station, standing in front of her. “Don’t look me in the eye and say that something isn’t bothering you. If you give me a chance, I would like to help.” He said. Willow’s head snapped up and she jutted her chin out defiantly. The wind whipped her hair in her face, and then out of her face just as quickly. Don’t lose control, not here, not now. She thought, trying to calm herself, but even as she did so, her hands balled up into tight fists in her jacket’s pockets. “And what if I don’t want your help? Or anybody’s help for that matter?” She said, glaring at the guy. “And what makes you think I would tell someone I haven’t ever met before and don’t know the name of what is bothering me, if anything was bothering me. Did it occur to you that perhaps I was simply deep in thought? Maybe I was simply pondering what I should get my si-sister for her birthday.” Willow said, cursing herself inwardly for stuttering over sister. She was almost sure she had given it away.

What she had said startled her. Kaya’s birthday was in the next month, and Willow had been trying to think about it as little as possible. But that didn’t work out very well because no matter where she went she was always reminded of either Kaya or Ivy, which reminded her of the Hunger Games, which reminded her of whichever girl she hadn’t thought of in the first place.

Despite her mistake in wording, Willow’s face remained the same, and her eyes cold as she starred at the stranger, studying him. He was several inches taller, which was a tad surprising, because she was rather tall herself, standing proud at 5 feet 8 inches. The stranger had his head down and was starring at his feet so Willow couldn’t see his face, so she just studied his hair. Which was a medium blond as she had noticed before in the station, but now that she was up close, Willow could see that he had really light streaks in his hair, along with darker streaks as well.
“Why do you care, anyway?” Willow asked, her tone was just a tad softer, but still challenging. She wanted to know why this stranger wanted to help in the first place, and why he had bothered to follow her and ask.

Storm furrowed his brow as the girl kept on walking. She obviously had created barriers. For how long… he knew not. He assumed a few years however. She kept walking and ignored his comment. Well, maybe what he said was rude, but why was she acting so flustered? When he caught her off the path, she moved in a way that screamed out to Storm leave, me, alone. In fact, she was screaming it to the world. Even others who could not read emotions as easily as Storm would understand that. “And what if I don’t want your help? Or anybody’s help for that matter?” The girl said frustrated at his next remark.
”Definitely flustered.” Storm said whimsically as if he was jotting it down in a note-book of his head. ”Something’s on her mind that she doesn’t want happening? She doesn’t want remembering?” This time he spoke very softly. The girl would have very keen ears to have heard. However, Storm assumed she didn’t because she went on and said more. “And what makes you think I would tell someone I haven’t ever met before and don’t know the name of what is bothering me, if anything was bothering me. Did it occur to you that perhaps I was simply deep in thought? Maybe I was simply pondering what I should get my si-sister for her birthday.”

Storm held up his finger and took a breath. He was ready to speak and they were all indications, but he wondered if the girl would let him speak.
”Do I have a say?” He said tentatively. ”1) I never thought you wanted my help. Look at you. All the signs that you don’t want to be connected with humanity in any way. However, you were seen at the railway. Obviously, you know about it some way or other, but you went away because you don’t want to admit something to yourself. 2) I knew you were not going to open up to me right away. I just wanted to start a conversation. You have exceptionally strong barriers and it intrigued me… anyway… oh yeah, and if you came to me – a stranger with open arms and told me anything, I would not find you very interesting at all, and you would probably be a crier. Just sayin’ you don’t look like a crier. C) I assumed you were deep in thought. By your furrowed brow, faraway look… And you almost… almost seemed like you could be lost. D) I’m sorry, but trying to lie to me is trying to lie to a brick wall… it’s not that easy.” He finished curtly. As the girl seemed on the brink of a temper, Storm’s voice was as calm as ever. ”Also… never think that you’re the only one whose had hardship’s throughout your life.” Storm looked shocked after he uttered the words. He hadn’t meant to say them, but they came out. Also, for was felt like the first time in their chat, he looked cross. Something was obviously bothering him. He relived the whippings - - he looked up pushing the thoughts from his mind. As he did so, he realized the girl was studying him.

He never felt nervous when someone looked him over, but for some reason this girl made him nervous. Her voice cut through him as she spoke again. ”Why do you care anyway?”
Smiling, Storm tried to word it in the way that sounded the least creepy. ”Well… I saw you in the station, and it hurts me to see people in pain. You weren’t physically in pain but… I don’t know, something just drew me to you. I should stop now. I feel like I’m being a creeper.” He finished awkwardly as he shuffled his feet again.

((PG-13 for language))

”Definitely flustered.” The guy said, and Willow glared at him. "Something’s on her mind that she doesn’t want happening? She doesn’t want remembering?” He continued on, but quieter this time. “Excuse me, people don’t like being talked about like they aren’t there.” She said angrily.

The stranger held up a finger, and Willow just about lost her temper. Just hear him out, Willow. Be. Nice. She told herself, and it worked to some extent. She brought her hands out of her pockets and cracked her knuckles without thinking about it. Though she smiled grimly at the satisfying popping noise it made as the air bubbles between her joints popped.

”Do I have a say?” The guy started off. Pay attention, hold your tongue. Willow chanted in her head. ”1) I never thought you wanted my help. Look at you. All the signs that you don’t want to be connected with humanity in any way. However, you were seen at the railway. Obviously, you know about it some way or other, but you went away because you don’t want to admit something to yourself. 2) I knew you were not going to open up to me right away. I just wanted to start a conversation. You have exceptionally strong barriers and it intrigued me… anyway… oh yeah, and if you came to me – a stranger with open arms and told me anything, I would not find you very interesting at all, and you would probably be a crier. Just sayin’ you don’t look like a crier. C) I assumed you were deep in thought. By your furrowed brow, faraway look… And you almost… almost seemed like you could be lost. D) I’m sorry, but trying to lie to me is trying to lie to a brick wall… it’s not that easy. Also… never think that you’re the only one who’s had hardship’s throughout your life.” The guy said, he looked a tad shocked after the last part of what he had said and a little irritated. Willow smiled on the inside. Hah. There’s a weak link She thought as she continued glaring at him, carefully planning out what she was going to say next.

“Ok, first of all yes I know about the railway. My dad helped build it. Secondly I didn’t go away because I didn’t want to admit something to myself, I went away because I didn’t want to be around people and I wasn’t excepting the train to come, call me antisocial or whatever, but it’s better for me not to be with people. They end up hurt, most of the time, and don’t say I didn’t warn you, because I have. Thirdly, FYI most of my conversations are arguments, and I like it that way. Fourthly, having exceptional strong barriers as you put it isn’t a good thing, but I’ll take it as a compliment, because if they weren’t any barriers….well I don’t even want to think about that. Fifthly, I am no crier, you were right about that and I’ll give it to you. Sixthly, you switched from numbers to letter just then.” Willow said and couldn’t help but laughing. She found it strange that of all the things that had remained the same and had stayed intact, it was her laugh. Willow supposed it was because she had tried to act like nothing had happened, and that if nothing had happened she would have been a happy person on the inside and outside.

Willow took a deep breath and schooled her face before continuing. “Seventhly, I wasn’t lost, just deep in thought. Eighthly, I have an older brother who is extremely protective, don’t doubt my lying skills. So to sum me up and save you the breath of asking; I am a fucked up girl, living a fucked up life, in a fucked up world. There you happy? I told you. Oh, and ninthly,” She said her voice turning dead serious now. “You don’t know me, so I suggest you don’t judge me like that. And for your information, I’m not one of those bitchy girls that only cares about her appearance, So. Never. Try. To. Stereotype. Me. As. One. Of. Them. Because. They. Don’t. Give. A. Shit. And. I. Do.” Willow said glaring at him once more.

”Well… I saw you in the station, and it hurts me to see people in pain. You weren’t physically in pain but… I don’t know, something just drew me to you. I should stop now. I feel like I’m being a creeper.” The guy said, smiling slightly. Willow continued to study him. She noticed that he shuffled his feet after he said that and wondered briefly if he was nervous. Despite the fact that she was pissed as hell at this stranger, his smile was infectious, and Willow couldn’t help but give a small smile in return. “Um, yea, that is supremely creepey….So, er, who are you and where are you from?” She asked, as she couldn’t help but notice the fact that this guy was slightly attractive, and hating herself for it.

“Excuse me, people don’t like being talked about like they aren’t there.” The girl said. She sounded a little creeped out.
”I’m sorry!” He said and he truly meant it. He brought his hands up to try and make hand-gestures to describe it, but after almost a second of that with no effect, he dropped them into his pockets and decided words would be much easier and more relentless. ”It’s… it’s just habit. Trust me, I’m not trying to be rude! Or… creepy.”

Storm listened to the girl pop her knuckles as he waited to see if he could get a word in edge-wise. She smiled as he heard the crack though. He himself had never entered into the habit, but whenever someone did that… especially out of habit and not even realizing it, it showed that they were not afraid and never backed out of anything. Before he got whisked away into unrelentless training, his friends would always make fun of him when he made remarks such as that.

After Strom relayed his speech, he wasn’t expecting much, he just hoped it would stop the girl from completely wrong. Hell, he was probably way off. He knew he normally wouldn’t be, but somehow… he had no way of knowing if he was correct with this girl or not. After he finished, she gave him a smile. He didn’t think she meant it to be that way, but it had a hint of eeriness. It made him feel like she knew something he didn’t. Well, of course she does dummy. He could not help but retort back in his head. She looked over him again like she was trying to deduce something about his character. He felt uneasy when he knew he shouldn’t and he felt very tempted to take a step back, but he held his ground. To stay strong. In training, they would tell him: ‘the most important thing is to not show any weakness.’ This was very hard for Strom however. He may have looked really strong and intimidating, but inside… it was really easy to hurt him.
The girl began to speak, and Storm gave her his full undivided attention. “Ok, first of all yes I know about the railway. My dad helped build it. Secondly I didn’t go away because I didn’t want to admit something to myself, I went away because I didn’t want to be around people and I wasn’t excepting the train to come, call me antisocial or whatever, but it’s better for me not to be with people. They end up hurt, most of the time, and don’t say I didn’t warn you, because I have. Thirdly, FYI most of my conversations are arguments, and I like it that way. Fourthly, having exceptional strong barriers as you put it isn’t a good thing, but I’ll take it as a compliment, because if they weren’t any barriers….well I don’t even want to think about that. Fifthly, I am no crier, you were right about that and I’ll give it to you. Sixthly, you switched from numbers to letter just then.”
Storm absorbed every word, he wanted to find a way …a link into her. He knew it was kind of early for that, but something about the girl was unnerving he could not figure her out. ”Oh really? That’s cool! I found it just because I ran away… but, let’s not go into that… yet. You want anything else out of me, I get something out of you. Oh and trust me, it gets much much worse. You know? I’ve once said those exact same words. You may have hurt people in the past, but you’ll never meet new people or have any friends whatsoever if you have that mentality. Just food for thought. Again, don’t be hatin’, you’ll never get anything out of life. Well, the stronger your barriers are… the stronger the fall.” After Storm said this, he had to pause. He was saying too much already. No one expected the calm child to have been scarred by a past life, but the reason that he had let it all go opened his eyes to new horizons. Storm tried to remember what else she had said. It… it was something that had bothered him, OH! ”Why didn’t you say that earlier? Do you… have any idea how stupid I feel.” The girl began to laugh and Storm could not help but break into a huge grin. Regaining his composer, he went on. ”Stop, now stop that now. This is not a laughing matter. Not a laughing matter at all!” Storm listened to her laugh recede. He wanted it to go on forever. Almost for that moment, he felt like she had released a bit of a burden and for a second felt carefree. ”Oh… b-t-dubbs… not trying to sound creepy or anything but, I love your hair. No one ever has that colour in my District.” As he finished, he looked down again. Stop that! You just got her to laugh! Now she’ll think your creepy!

.“Seventhly, I wasn’t lost, just deep in thought. Eighthly, I have an older brother who is extremely protective, don’t doubt my lying skills. So to sum me up and save you the breath of asking; I am a fucked up girl, living a fucked up life, in a fucked up world. There you happy? I told you. Oh, and ninthly. You don’t know me, so I suggest you don’t judge me like that. And for your information, I’m not one of those bitchy girls that only cares about her appearance, So. Never. Try. To. Stereotype. Me. As. One. Of. Them. Because. They. Don’t. Give. A. Shit. And. I. Do.”
Storm nodded at the girl’s first comments because he didn’t want her to think he was completely ignoring her. However, when he began to speak, he left out the first few as they were unimportant to what Storm thought needed acknowledgment. ”Okay, sorry. I won’t do it again. And for your information, I didn’t judge you. I simply observe. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry. This is what I deduce about you, I may be completely wrong, but I’m not you. In other words, most other people think that about you, so if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. There is nothing I can do about it. And also, you are verrry wrong. I. Did. Not. Stereotype. You. I’ve learned not to do that. And in case you heard me wrong, I said you didn’t seem like the type. Again, only an observation.” He finished. There wasn’t even a hint of anger in his voice. He was proud of this ability, but others did not. They were unnerved by how impossible it was for him to not raise his voice.

“Um, yea, that is supremely creepy ….So, er, who are you and where are you from?”
Storm smiled victoriously. She was finally opening up. ”I’m sorry about my creepiness.” He apologized again. ”I’m Storm… Storm Fuller. I’m from District 2 and well. I HATE THE PLACE. Phew, okay, now that that’s out… may I hear the name of the lovly lady in front of me? Er… sorry creepy right? I need to work on that.” He said as he shifted his feet once again. That was the easier way to see if something was making him anxious. Either something he said or something he refrained form saying.

”I’m sorry! It’s… it’s just habit. Trust me, I’m not trying to be rude! Or… creepy.” The guy said holding up his hands. He seemed genuinely sorry, but Willow didn't trust him, so she just continued to stare him down. He looked a little uneasy under her gaze, which made Willow smile inwardly. She loved having that affect on people.

As she spoke, the guy seemed to listen, though he seemed to be a tad distracted, but that may have been him. Either way, Willow wasn’t surprised by in the least, most people never wanted to hear her out. Partly because she could almost always prove them wrong (even if they were right) and because they knew too much about her past to listen to her. Most of the time Willow thought that the latter outweighed the first, but she was never certain, and it depended on the person.

”Oh really? That’s cool! I found it just because I ran away… but, let’s not go into that… yet. You want anything else out of me, I get something out of you. Oh and trust me, it gets much, much worse. You know? I’ve once said those exact same words. You may have hurt people in the past, but you’ll never meet new people or have any friends whatsoever if you have that mentality. Just food for thought. Again, don’t be hatin’, you’ll never get anything out of life. Well, the stronger your barriers are… the stronger the fall.” The guy said. “Not really. It got him killed.” Willow said, her face totally emotionless. She hadn’t really meant to say it out loud, but now she didn’t care. This guy, however attractive he was, was irritating as Hell. And what made it worse was that he seemed to be enjoying himself. And because of that Willow planned to shove everything he had said right back in his face. “So there you got something out of me, and guess what? Everyone in this ‘effing District knows, every single one of them. And believe me, mine get much, much worse as well, so don’t even try that on me. Oh, and you can’t make new friends when everyone knows about what’s happened to you and all you get is pity. And it’s hard to meet new people in this District, the railroad may be a way to meet new people, but this is the first time I’ve gone since I was twelve, and for a good reason. Because this is how it always ends up; half the people I talk to hate me already, and the other half just want to know more about what happened to me so they can share it with the whole District. And you seem to want to know an awful lot about me for someone I still don’t know the name of.” Willow said fiercely. “And I’m not hating, I just don’t want other people hurt.” She added. Willow closed her eyes just for a moment, she felt her composure slipping, and when it did she had no idea what she would end up doing, but hopefuly she would be able to regain it before something bad happened.

”Why didn’t you say that earlier? Do you… have any idea how stupid I feel.” The guy said, braking into a huge grin. Pretty damn stupid, Willow said inside her head. “You would have cut me of.” She said between gasps. ”Stop, now stop that now. This is not a laughing matter. Not a laughing matter at all!” The guy said as his face became serious once more. Willow looked at him with disdain and raised an eyebrow. “You don’t control me.” She said, with an attitude.

”Oh… b-t-dubbs… not trying to sound creepy or anything but, I love your hair. No one ever has that colour in my District.” The guy said. Willow was a tad shocked by the complement, and a little embarrassed as well. She hardly ever got complements, because she tried to be invisible. Willow looked down at her shoes. Her heir fell in front of her face hiding the slight colour that rose to her cheeks. She took a moment to think as she studied her sneakers. This conversation was seriously going everywhere; from an argument to laughter, to a complement. After a few seconds, that had been sort of awkward on Willow’s part, she was almost positive that the colour had gone from her cheeks and looked up. “You are the first guy I’ve ever met that has said b-t-dubbs, excluding my brother, who is just plain weird. And thanks.” Willow said, a hint of a smile curving her lips upward.

She went back to her rant, and the guy just stood there the whole time. Nodding like an idiot. Which irritated her a bit, but now it was his turn to speak so Willow listened. ”Okay, sorry. I won’t do it again. And for your information, I didn’t judge you. I simply observe. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry. This is what I deduce about you, I may be completely wrong, but I’m not you. In other words, most other people think that about you, so if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. There is nothing I can do about it. And also, you are verrry wrong. I. Did. Not. Stereotype. You. I’ve learned not to do that. And in case you heard me wrong, I said you didn’t seem like the type. Again, only an observation.” He said, and Willow couldn't help but roll her eyes. “Actually you didn’t say anything of the sort, you just said to not think that you’re the only person in this world who has face hardships or whatever. And good, because I’m sick of people stereotyping me for someone I’m not.” Willow replied.

When she asked who he was, the guy smiled victoriously, and Willow knew she had given something up, even though she didn’t know what she had given up exactly. ”I’m sorry about my creepiness.” The guy said, apologizing yet again. ”I’m Storm… Storm Fuller. I’m from District 2 and well. I HATE THE PLACE. Phew, okay, now that that’s out… may I hear the name of the lovely lady in front of me? Er… sorry creepy right? I need to work on that.” He finished. She couldn’t help but blush a little at his comment. Storm, Willow thought. Hmm….nice name. Suddenly Willow was reminded of one of Kaya’s favourite phrases. ‘Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.’ Her older sister had said it a lot, and even had it on her bedroom wall….

STOP. STOP NOW! Willow yelled in her mind, biting her lip in a lame attempt to stop the memories, that would surely result in uncontrollable anger.

Willow sighed, and regained her composure. "Ok, look. Stop apologizing, it makes me feel bad and you really aren't that creepy, it's just that I don't talk to people often and I find anyone who wants to talk go me creepy because most people avoid talking to me, which I actually like..." Willow said, trailing off. "Anyhow, I-I'm Willow, Willow Fidele...and I'm obviously from District 11." She said, a tad quieter. It seemed ages ago had been the last time she had introduced herself to anyone, and even longer since she had introduced herself to a guy that seemed to be near her age.


((Our posts keep getting longer and longer each time xD))

((go us ))

“Not really. It got him killed.”
Storm’s voice faltered as he heard it. He really felt bad for her. When he first saw the girl, he knew there was something… different about her. She was hiding many things. He guessed the enormity, but he realized that she, unlike himself had not leared how to let it go. Storm hardly ever let himself get sad again, however he knew it was impossible to stay that way. He would try to bottle it all up, then one day he would break. When he was younger, right after everyone he cared about died and he got whisked off to be welded into a Capitol’s play-toy, he couldn’t handle it. He was shrouded in sorrow. He couldn’t show that he had any weakness, but he would cut himself. So that others wouldn’t see, he did it on his shoulder. He would cut open the muscle in his shoulder just to reassure himself that he was unhappy. One day… he just cracked. He was in a huge wave of depression, and he just ran away. The rebels fixed and healed him up. He began to enjoy life again and now he couldn’t bare to see others in pain anymore. His voice was small and weak. He tried to have a demeanor that was unbroken by the world, but he was still constantly in pain. However it was to no extent as it was early… at least he ate. ”I’ve gotten someone killed too… More than one person to be exact. That brought upon my fall.” As he said this, he did his best to remain strong, but he was slipping… he was shifting to the young Storm, the forced Career, suicidal Storm. Something that he was not keen on returning to.

“So there you got something out of me, and guess what? Everyone in this ‘effing District knows, every single one of them. And believe me, mine get much, much worse as well, so don’t even try that on me. Oh, and you can’t make new friends when everyone knows about what’s happened to you and all you get is pity. And it’s hard to meet new people in this District, the railroad may be a way to meet new people, but this is the first time I’ve gone since I was twelve, and for a good reason. Because this is how it always ends up; half the people I talk to hate me already, and the other half just want to know more about what happened to me so they can share it with the whole District. And you seem to want to know an awful lot about me for someone I still don’t know the name of.”
”You know that’s not true.” Storm said attempting to sound strong once more. ”I only wanted to help… There are some people who have been through things you can’t even imagine. Almost all ended up killing themselves. I don’t know you, but I don’t want that to happen. I… I can’t tell this sort of things about people… I knew something was troubling you and I’m trying to save you from a great fall. But if you refuse to tell me, that’s fine. But can you at least attempt to talk to me like nothing happened? Give me a chance. We can talk about what other people talk about… But you might have to help me with that one. I never meet normal people. Because - - because they can never understand me.” He cut off. He knew there was something about that statement that was off, but he couldn’t place what exactly it was.

Storm remembered that the girl had said something else before he spoke. It was something about not getting others hurt… He sighed. No one and nothing could hurt him any more than he already was hurt.

The girl began to laugh and Storm laughed along with her. ”Because you would have cut me off!” She said and Storm silently agreed. That was very true.
”Well… that is very true, but I’m sorry. He said truthfully.

As Storm said to stop jokingly to stop, the girl seemed to get angry again and she turned on him saying: ”You don’t control me.”
”Sorry!” Storm said slightly nervous. ”It was just a joke! I didn’t mean it that way…” He was cut short and he looked off to the side again. Could she seriously not take a joke? Or was she joking back?

“You are the first guy I’ve ever met that has said b-t-dubbs, excluding my brother, who is just plain weird. And thanks.”
”err… I’ll take that as a compliment and your very welcome.” He smiled broadly and hoped anything he might have said which she took the wrong way (which was pretty much everything) would be forgotten for the time being. He knew in the long run it wouldn’t but he wanted to make this girl smile. Her laughter was so sweet, he wanted to hear more.

The girl added more to the stereotyping part. Storm listened her out, but he had not been stereotyping her and he couldn’t believe she thought he was. As Storm introduced herself. Storm waited for the girl to answer right away, however, she waited and paused. Storm was again reassured that he could not assume anything about this girl. She was different in some way… he couldn’t figure her out as he normally could by just glancing at a person. However, when she finally did speak, Storm got the idea that she was trying to push something from her mind. She began to speak and interrupted a deep thought. "Ok, look. Stop apologizing, it makes me feel bad and you really aren't that creepy, it's just that I don't talk to people often and I find anyone who wants to talk go me creepy because most people avoid talking to me, which I actually like... Anyhow, I-I'm Willow, Willow Fidele...and I'm obviously from District 11."
”You are?” Storm said sarcastically. But then he remembered how the girl… Willow had misinterpreted his humour earlier. He shifted he feet and said quieter, ”I’m only joking…” Then to placate everything, he thought about what Willow had said and added. ”Your name is very pretty. I’ve never heard anything like that… If you don’t mind my asking, but do you prefer Will or something or is it just Willow?”

Willow listened as the guy’s voice faltered and knew that she had hit a mark. Inwardly, she was smiling triumphantly, but on the outside her face was blank, with the exception of her eyes, which had a cold hate in them. Though the hate wasn’t directed towards him, it was just directed at her life in general, and right now Storm was in front of her, so naturally he would receive all the anger that was directed at the world just because he was there.

The guy seemed to be in thought, so Willow stayed quiet. During the minute or so that they were both quiet, Willow’s thoughts strayed all over the place. She couldn’t decide if she enjoyed or loathed the guy’s company. He was funny and a tad (more like very) good looking, Willow would give him that, but he was still asking about her past, and for anyone who wanted to make a good impression on her, that was a definite no-no. As she thought, Willow fidgeted. She had never been one to stay still, but when she had to she could, of course since she didn’t have to stay still she moved around. She played with her hair for a moment, before shifting her weight to her other foot and crossing her arms. She held this position for several seconds before shoving her hands beck in her pockets and standing on both legs equally. She was about to start pacing, just for something to do when the guy spoke again. ”I’ve gotten someone killed too… More than one person to be exact. That brought upon my fall.” Willow starred at him in complete shock. It sounded to her as if he blamed her for getting her father killed. Ignoring the ‘more than one person’ phrase he had said Willow spoke angrily. “It was most certainly not my fault. And I am not falling, so stick it.” Her voice was raised, and all the signs that she had laughed minutes earlier were gone. Instead having a blank expression, Willow’s face showed nothing but anger and cruel hate, which was only a taste of the anger inside.

Realizing that the guy hadn’t meant it in that sense, Willow bit her lip, the anger melting away. She watched the guys face for a moment and saw a flash of something…almost uncertainty or sadness, but it was gone before she could figure out what it was. “I’m sorry.” Willow said through her teeth. She wasn’t one to apologize for anything, but she really was sorry for exploding on him like that.

”You know that’s not true.” The guy said in response to what she had said earlier. ”I only wanted to help… There are some people who have been through things you can’t even imagine. Almost all ended up killing themselves. I don’t know you, but I don’t want that to happen. I… I can’t tell this sort of things about people… I knew something was troubling you and I’m trying to save you from a great fall. But if you refuse to tell me, that’s fine. But can you at least attempt to talk to me like nothing happened? Give me a chance. We can talk about what other people talk about… But you might have to help me with that one. I never meet normal people. Because - - because they can never understand me.” He said, seeming to cut himself off.

Willow laughed, but it wasn’t the same laugh as earlier. It was the harsh one, the one that was used when people were off or they didn’t know something. “Clearly you have never been to District Eleven have you? Well let me tell you something, everyone is trying to get in everybody else’s business, this should be the District of Gossip rather than Farming…And how do you know that I’ve never almost ended up killing myself, you’ve only just met me.” Willow said. The fact was that she had, when Ivy had been chosen for the Hunger Games, and then again several months after Kaya had been killed. The scars were hidden on her right arm by her jacket, and her left by a thick leather bracelet that she almost always wore. Hardly anyone knew, as a matter of fact, only one person who was living knew; Luke knew, and Kaya had known, well, she had about the time with Ivy, but obviously not after her own death. Breaking off her thought, Willow focused on what else the guy had said. She was somewhat touched by the fact that he didn’t want her to die, but she assumed because he was more of a pacifist than anything else. “Wait. You can or you can’t tell this sort of thing about people?” Willow said holding up a finger. “Because it sounds to me that you’re trying to say you can, but you said you can’t, and technically when I say that it should be couldn’t, but whatever…” Willow said. “And I won’t ‘fall’ as you say it, I can’t. And no. I’m not going to tell you, so you might as well give up on that.” She said continuing on. “Sure, having a normal conversation would be nice. And believe me, I’m in the same position…” Willow finished. A hint of a smile on her face once more.

”Well… that is very true, but I’m sorry.” The guy said. Willow starred at him for a second before realizing what he was talking about. “Hah! I was right!” Willow said, flashing a smile. After her comment about him not controlling her, Willow’s smile turned into a smirk. ”Sorry It was just a joke! I didn’t mean it that way… err… I’ll take that as a compliment and your very welcome.” He said. “Eh. S’okay. I don’t do jokes well sometimes…” Willow muttered. “Oh and ditto on the your welcome part, I guess.” She added, smiling.

”You are?” Storm said. Willow could hear the sarcasm in his voice and smiled. “Nuh-Uh! You couldn’t tell?” Willow exclaimed, playing along. Her voice was falsely high and her eyes wide. ”I’m only joking…” He added. “Psht.” Willow scoffed. “No-dur.” She said, chuckling. ”Your name is very pretty. I’ve never heard anything like that… If you don’t mind my asking, but do you prefer Will or something or is it just Willow?” Storm asked. “Uhh. Thanks? Really? Well being the District of Farming and all that jazz we get names like Laurel, Holly, Rose, Heather, and I-other plant-y names a lot…” Willow said, she had almost said Ivy, but couldn’t, it was like she was physically incapable of saying the name. Though mentally she was struggling, her facial expression didn’t falter a bit and she continued smiling. “Well…I don’t do many nicknames, but I suppose you can call me Will…” She said, trailing off.

“So….what do you want to do?” Willow asked. Suddenly an idea sparked in her head. She was always fond of running, and races were her favorite. She sized Storm up, wondering if her could beat her in a short race. She looked around and saw that there was enough room for around a hundred and thirty meter race. “How about a race? Just because there really isn’t anything to talk about? From here to those trees over there.” Willow said, she gestured to a pair of trees about a hundred and thirty meters away and then turned back to Storm, a competitive spark in her dark green eyes. “Ready? Mark. Set. GO!” Willow said. She paused for a second to let Storm catch on to what was happening and then shot off, her hair flying behind her.

As Storm was deep in thought, he couldn't help but study the girl's movements. Like almost everyone else, she couldn't stand still. However, she did it gracefully. It wasn't meant to be that way he assumed, but the girl had an air of grace about her. He smiled inwardly, but then realized she was waiting on him so he let the words come out. The ironic words. He always wanted to help people, but he couldn't bare to be helped. He looked up in shock as he realized that for what seemd like the first time.
"I..." He began dumbstruck, but the girl beat him to it.

“It was most certainly not my fault. And I am not falling, so stick it.”

Storm looked up again frustrated. "I"m sorry!" He blubbered. He thought that that was what she had implied. Strom looked down. Why did you have to say that? If she's going to be that stubborn and she refusing you help then maybe she doesn't deserve it. "I meant that figurativly. I can obviously see that your standing." Storm said still loking at his feet. He had not raised his voice once, but this time he actually sounded sad. "But maybe I can't be figurative with you... I'm.... I'm trying..." He wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "Never mind, just forget about it." Storm didn't take his eyes from his feet once. He knew he shoudl stop, he was obviously hiding something by looking down and he did it often. He then remembered how she didn't understand his humor, and she couldn't take when he was being figurative. That was the only thing he disliked about her, she needed to loosen up.

“Clearly you have never been to District Eleven have you? Well let me tell you something, everyone is trying to get in everybody else’s business, this should be the District of Gossip rather than Farming…And how do you know that I’ve never almost ended up killing myself, you’ve only just met me.”

"I wasn't talking about you!" He was really starting to get annoyed, she didn't understand anythign he was trying to tell her. "Look fine, maybe I'll leave then. You obviously don't want me here, and your throwing everything in my face while I'm trying to healp." He nodded at her then began. Howeevr, he heard her start talking again and he waited to hear her out. After that, he would leave, he was just wasting his time. Although he couldn't call it precious. His time surely wasn't precious. He had absolutly nothing to do with his life, he had all the time in the world but he didn't want it. He recalled the time when he attempteed suicide and he knew this girl was breaking him down. She was making him weak again.

As the girl finished, Storm stood there awkwardly before finally saying,"What? ...I didn't understand any of that."
However, when she fifnished, Strom asked another question, "Wait, do you still want me to leave? I'm kind of confused...."

Then she started talking to him like nothing happened. Storm listened to it, but he only registered at bits, because he was still trying to work his mind over what else the girl had said.
“Eh. S’okay. I don’t do jokes well sometimes…”
"Yeah..." Storm nodded offhandly. He was a little confused at what else she said, but he registered afterwards.
“Uhh. Thanks? Really? Well being the District of Farming and all that jazz we get names like Laurel, Holly, Rose, Heather, and I-other plant-y names a lot…”
"Well... I can see that, but it's still really pretty in my opinion."
“Well…I don’t do many nicknames, but I suppose you can call me Will…”
"Will it is then." He smiled.

Willow looked around asking what they should do. She quickly came up with an idea and followed through with it before Storm could have a chance to say whether he agreed. She yelled go before Storm even registered where they were going. He watched her fly past and he charged after her. He had an advantage of training with the Careers for so long, but she was exceptionally fast. The race was short and he never made up for his lost time. He ended at almost the exact place as her, but he decided to be the gentleman.
"Wow... not expecting that... I think you beat me ..but I started later so HA." She smiled as he rubbed that in her face. He wasn't normally the person to do that, but it was actually.... fun to do so with the girl... Willow or Will. He personally thought Willow was prettier, but if she wanted to be called, he could call her that, just Willow in secret.

"I...I’m sorry! I meant that figuratively. I can obviously see that you’re standing." He said. At first he sounded frustrated, but then he looked down at his shoes. Willow took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “And I meant that literally.” She mumbled, just loud enough form him to hear. "But maybe I can't be figurative with you... I'm.... I'm trying..." He said. Willow raised her eyebrow quizzically. "Never mind, just forget about it." He added. “Uh…sure, whatever.” Willow said, having nothing else to say.

"I wasn't talking about you!" He said, sounding defensive and annoyed. Willow took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Look fine, maybe I'll leave then. You obviously don't want me here, and your throwing everything in my face while I'm trying to help." He finished, nodding. Willow bit her lip while thinking of something to say. She wanted to say so much right now; part of her wanted to just tell someone, anyone, everything and just let go, but she knew that wouldn't happen especially if that someone was a guy who she had just met minutes ago. Another part of her just wanted to run away forget everything and just disappear. As she thought of this, her scars started to tingle and she scratched her wrist through her jacket sleeve. "How was I supposed to know that you weren't talking about me?" Willow finally asked. "And whom were you talking about anyway?" She asked absentmindedly. "You see that's the problem with me, I warned you. I don't want help! I never have, and I never will. But you don't have to leave..." She trailed off, her eyes closing briefly as she decided what else to say. "How long is the train here? If it's here for very long...well I know what the train is like; all stuffy and cramped...but we have a spare room you could use while the train is here in District 11..." She said, trying to be nice.

The guy stood there awkwardly long enough that Willow thought she had said something wrong. She opened her mouth to say something when the guy cut her off. "What? ...I didn't understand any of that." He said. "Never mind." She said.

"Wait, do you still want me to leave? I'm kind of confused...." Storm said, still staring down at his feet. Willow studied him for a moment. He seemed confused and kept looking down at his feet. Willow wondered if that was because he was nervous or because he was hiding something. “I don’t care…” She said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah....Well... I can see that, but it's still really pretty in my opinion." Storm said in response to their discussion about names. “Thanks.” Willow said, not knowing what else to say.
"Will it is then." Storm said, smiling after she had said that Willow was an okay nickname.

As Willow started she felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. Her long strides covered the distance easily as she ran on her toes and she finished first with Storm a little behind her. At this Willow smiled, she had always been extremely competitive, especially when it came to running. Still smiling triumphantly she turned to Storm who said; "Wow... not expecting that... I think you beat me...but I started later so HA." “Psht. I know I beat you, and I gave you a second or two to get ready, and that’s how long it takes for a message to be sent to your brain do HAH!” Willow said playfully.