Ding, goes the bread in the oven. I put on my gloves and took the bread out, smelling the aroma it produced. It was dark outside. My nightmares prevented me from sleeping for more than a couple of hours, and baking always helped me calm down after one.
I sliced a piece of the bread and tasted it. It had a fluffy texture, from just being taken out of the oven.
I stood up from my chair, wanting hot chocolate for myself. As I poured the milk in, I glanced outside, my eyes landing on Katniss's house. Ever since I came here, she has ignored me, leaving early in the morning for the woods and coming back when I'm at my busiest, baking.
I came back a few months ago, after Dr. Aurelius had finally let me go with a list and a warning for Katniss to "pick up the damn phone". I got the already crumpled list out of my pocket and started reading it, probably for the hundredth time.
Blood
Bees
Loud noises
Capitol
Pain
Hunger Games
Anxiety
Mentions of Torture
I exhaled a breath I didn't know was holding. I wondered if Dr. Aurelius would make me go back if had a flashback. I've been learning to contain them, always finding something to hold on for dear life until it passes by, leaving me tired, weary, and on the edge of a breakdown. Dr. Aurelius also told me whether I'm having a flashback, attack, or meltdown, saying "Deep breath in, deep breath out," really helps settle my heart.
I dip my bread into the hot chocolate, soaking it in the sweet, light brown drink. My eyes wander around the house, onto the painting I did a month ago, of Prim. It was supposed to be a present for Katniss, on the anniversary of her sister dying.
Feeling calmer, I quickly wash my dishes, and go back upstairs to fall into a dreamless sleep
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I woke up at seven in the morning, around the time Katniss wakes up. My nightmares have subsided last night after baking, making me feel at ease and more energised by the extra sleep. I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, and put on my clothes. Today, I'm determined to talk to Katniss.
I go outside, and see that Katniss's window is open, and the sound of clanking coming from the inside. I come up to her house, hesitating to knock. How would she react to me trying to talk to her? Should I just forget it? While I go back and forth with my mind, the door opens.
"Yeah?" Katniss asks. My hands start shaking, so I put them in my jean pockets.
"Hey. I just wanted to come by and see if you're alright," I shrugged. I was not as calm as I looked. My palms were clammy and my heart was beating faster.
The list pops in my mind. Stress. I shouldn't be doing this. What if I have a flashback while talking to her. Would she be able to keep herself safe?
She notices this and continues the conversation.
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine, holding up," she says, kicking a rock around. "You?"
"I've been better," I reply. Deep breath in, deep breath out.
"Come in. I made breakfast already, and we can catch up? You don't have too, of course,"
"Sure." she opens the door and I exhale my breath, and come in.
YOU ARE READING
Deep Breaths (Everlark)
FanfictionThe broken victors of the 74th Hunger Games have once again reunited. This time, they hold on to each other through pain they have endured. They both need each other to heal. Maybe even one more than the other.
