Jaded ||| Johanna Mason

twenty-two

Jade did not sleep that night. She told the others it was an eventful night out and it was true. But the only person on Jade's mind was Johanna.

She came up with many theories as she lay in her bed. And all of them were trying to explain why the kiss didn't happen. Why Johanna hadn't meant it.

Johanna was drunk, she was emotional, she was in shock. There was no way she actually had an interest in Jade, she just needed a way to release those emotions and Jade was the easiest person.

Because the other option, one which Jade wouldn't let herself consider, was harder.

That Johanna did that because she wanted to. Because it was a sober thought that drunk Johanna was brave enough to act on.

If Jade realized that, then she knew her life would be over. She wouldn't be alone anymore, like she had been for years. The thought of that changing was terrifying.

And more than that; if Jade indulged herself in the fantasy that Johanna wanted to be... something, she would have someone to care about. Someone to have more than mild tolerance for.

Jade couldn't protect her. Jade couldn't be sure Johanna would always be all right. That some mistake on her part would cost Johanna her life.

If Jade loved Johanna then Snow had someone else he could take from her. And Jade wouldn't be able to survive that.

As the days of the games progressed, Jade made up her mind to try and avoid Johanna. To avoid talking about the elevator and to keep herself distanced. It would be easier.

Victors were never allowed to have nice things. Jade couldn't make the mistake of thinking she was any different.

There were little glances here and there, especially when the other victors started talking about the rumour that was spreading like wildfire. About someone punching Justice in a nightclub.

Jade and Johanna both looked at each other before quickly looking away. They had their little secret for the meantime. But secrets never stayed secrets long in the Capitol.

Domitia was the first to figure it out. Obviously.

She was the one to notice the scabs on Jade's knuckles, she had seen the girl return to the suite looking rather flustered. It made sense.

And then it was Finnick. He had many sources of information and he hated Justice more than most of his other patrons. He had to know who'd punched him. Just to thank them.

He shouldn't have been surprised to learn the one and only Jade Machry had done the honour of giving the man what he deserved before he could hurt another new victor.

Finnick caught Jade just as she was leaving for the night. Both of the 2's were still in it and only a handful of others were left.

"A little birdie told me that you were the one to punch our good friend Justice." Jade jumped as soon as Finnick spoke. He was leaning against the outside of the door and his arms were crossed.

"Jesus." Jade took a breath to prevent herself from having a heart attack. "And what if I did?"

"Please, superstar. I just wanted to thank you, that's all. Not only did you give that sack of human waste disposal what he deserved, but you also cost Snow a repeat customer." Finnick pushed himself off of the wall and pat Jade on the shoulder. "See you around."