Here We Are || HG Sequel

Chapter Twelve

"I can't believe you guys got approval for this!" Taylor squeals with excitement, following Niall and Annie, Alex beside her. 

"I know, it's so cool," Alex agrees.

"Well, we have a feeling somethings coming, and we should be prepared.
So, this was what we came up with," Niall explains.

"Yeah, but we're only going to be building a few. Probably three or four, and ideally they would hold up to four or five people each, because we want to keep them on the smaller side to reserve resources," Annie picks up.

"We could always adapt and fit more people in, but not everyone has to live up here. The five people per house is in case of an emergency, and it's crucial we all take to them," Niall clarifies. 

"Ohh, I see. That would be kinda cool, I guess, but you know.. Not the danger part or anything..." Alex sighed.

"Well, let's start building," Niall smiles, staring up into the trees. 

"Won't we need more people?" Taylor asks. Niall ponders it.

"Maybe you're right. Go see if Rhett and Emily can help?" Obediently, Taylor nods. Meanwhile, the others get to work.

"Well?" Ashton asks once more. Karalyn thinks for a minute. "Just say it, I know what you're going to say."

"Why is it so hard for you to show your feelings? Why do you blow up on me if you like me as much as you say? Why-"

"Let's pause for a minute, okay?" he cuts her off. Sighing, he takes a deep breath. "I grew up in District twelve, but I was never raised. My parents... Weren't really around... I never knew who my father was, because he was killed in The Games before I was born. My mother got very sick and passed away when I was little. Ever since then I've been on my own. I never really fit in anywhere, and the only person I ever really connected with was my mother. And to have her taken away... I didn't know who I was. 

"When I met Taylor, she reminded me a lot of my mother. She always seemed to find the good in me, like my mother did. I was a rotten child, and I wish I hadn't caused her so much grief. Taylor was sort of a mother figure to me, but we got into a fight before she left for the games, and the last time I saw her was on reaping day, being taken away by the capital. After that day, I lost hope in everything, and that's really when my pessimistic attitude took full swing, I guess you could say. I don't tell you how I feel because I was never taught how to. Anyone I've ever tried to become close too gets taken away. Even though Taylor is here, now, we're still not as close as we were. 

"I know I can be an asshole, and I'm not trying to make excuses, but it's hard for someone like me to admit their feelings when they were never able to as a child. I never had relationships, no one ever tried to look out for me except for my mother and Taylor, like I said. No one cared, no one bothered to see if I was okay. I lived on my own, in the sad empty house where my mother and father were supposed to live with me. I learned how to take care of myself, so I would never need anyone ever again. But I was wrong... You do need people. You need them a lot more than you think sometimes... And I'm sorry." 

There's a moment of pure silence between them, and all around, no noises are made. Both of them are left to reflect upon what Ashton had just admitted. 

"Are... You gonna say anything?" he starts. "Please say or do something, cause I can't fucking stand this silence." Karalyn says nothing, but reaches for his hand and squeezes it, comfortingly, before resting her head on his shoulder.

"You don't have to face the world alone as if it's totally against you... You have us, Here."

"Yeah... And considering I don't think we'll be leaving anytime soon, I better get used to it. I mean, it's a lot better than living on my own for the rest of my life." He pauses. "If I blow up on you again, at least you'll know that I don't actually mean it," he says.