Arena

Fifteen

Alissa

As soon as they're out of sight I punch a nearby tree so hard my knuckles bleed.

They're idiots, the both of them.

Flashback
Four years ago

I lean against the doorway listening to the boy singing softly outside.

Pushing the door open, I step out onto the roof and feel my face heat up as I realize who it is.

He catches my eyes and twists around, surprise clear on his face. My face goes even hotter and I bow my head sheepishly.

"Alissa?"

Oh dear God he knows who I am.

"H-hey C-carter." I say, waving timidly.

He smirks and my stomach erupts in butterflies.

"So were you just listening to me in the doorway?"

"You're really good." I say genuinely.

His eyebrows raise and I see shock written on his face. "You...Think my singing is good?" His voice is so full of disbelief that my heart constricts. I nod vigorously.

His face lights up in a smile and he nods to the spot next to him.

I sit down beside him and he suddenly bursts out laughing.

"What? What is it?" I ask, a tinge of panic in my voice.

"That! You're so tense."

Not my fault, I didn't even think you knew my name.

"Wait, you're the girl who always blushes when I look at you!" He says, and realization settles on his face.

I bow my head in embarrassment, but he lifts my chin so I have to look at his face.

"It's cute. But you'd look much prettier if you didn't always hide." He says softly.

"You...You think I could be pretty?"

"Of course. Do you really not see that?"

"I-I guess that...I didn't want to think other people were beneath me, so I put myself on the bottom." I admit.

His brown eyes widen, barely visible in the faint glow of the streetlights below us.

"Damn high school cliches." He mutters. I laugh softly and he gives me a tiny smile.

"So how long have you had a crush on me?"

"Well..."

End of flashback

I guess I wasn't much better.

I sigh. They're smart, they both know this will probably end about as well as the hunger games. And I really did not like that ending.

They also both know that they might very well have to kill each other.

God why did this have to be so complicated. I slump against a tree and look around.

They both think I'm happy about this, and to an extent I am, but only because I know this way I have a big chance of winning.

I don't want to kill.