𝙎𝙃𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙒 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀

𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻

Maven

Famished, I take a seat at a table near the other Silvers in the cafeteria. I make sure to have a good angle of the Red tables and begin eating from the plate before me. Training was heavy today and my muscles are tired but the food brings me back to life.

Father's birthday went by without much trouble. Save for the singing of Norta's hymn, we didn't do much at camp. Mother wrote to tell me that Father was beginning to plan for Cal's Queenstrial, even though it's still almost three years away. That's one of the reasons we weren't invited to this year's ball. The King wants to make relationships without his firstborn son knowing yet.

There is some comfort in knowing that he doesn't control every aspect of my life like he does Cal. Other people overlook my actions, but not him. I look at the plate before me and reconsider. Well, maybe he does have some power over my future, but at least I still get to decide who I spend the rest of my life with.

A sudden commotion from the other side of the cafeteria distracts me. I hear someone yell and when I look over I realise it's towards Thomas.

"Happy birthday!" a bulky man with dark skin says loudly.

Thomas looks surprised. Other people around him approach to pat him on the back and share their birthday wishes. He smiles at all of them. I didn't know it was today. Guys sit and joke with him, making him laugh.

I stare at them from my table. A maid brings a small cake and hands it to him, earning one of his golden smiles.

"Wow, thank you, Angie!" I hear him say. "Where did you get this?"

"Some of the girls and I put it together with what we found," the girl named Angie says. "It's not perfect, but we tried."

"Don't say that. It's perfect." He says, hugging her. His arms are around her waist and hers are on his neck.

I purse my lips. I suppose they're close. After moving my food around my plate for a while I stand up and leave, not feeling very hungry anymore.

I go to the Red barracks, looking for the ammo workers's section. It's empty now that everyone is at the cafeteria eating, but I don't mind. I wait by the entrance.

Some Reds start coming and are surprised to see me. I ignore them, like some of them do me. Others bow. It makes little difference. I wait for what feels like hours until a familiar face comes into view.

"Maven? What are you doing here?" Thomas asks.

"I heard it was your birthday," I say. "I'm sorry I didn't bring anything, but I wanted to congratulate you personally."

"I don't mind," he smiles. "Thank you."

I take a step closer to him, moving my arms awkwardly. Would it be too much? He seems to get what I'm trying to do and hugs me first.

"I really appreciate it, Maven," he tells me over my shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had to spend it here, away from your family."

"Yeah, me too. But at least I'm spending it with the people that matter to me here."

"I'm glad."

I realise we haven't let go of each other for a while and yet it doesn't feel uncomfortable. The muscles on his back are hard, proof of his work carrying boxes of ammunition. Some strands of his hair tickle my neck. He smells of wood and ash.

I break the embrace first, clearing my throat.

"It's getting dark. I should probably head back to my tent," I say, though part of me wants to stay here.

"Right. You should rest."

"You too, birthday boy. Good night."

"See you tomorrow," he says with a small smile.

I nod and walk the long, wearing path back to my tent on the Silver side of the camp. It feels surprisingly cold.