Ariabella: The Tribute Who Danced (A Hunger Games Fanfic) Book 1

24.

We wake up every hour, trying to calm eachother down after nightmares. We tell eachother it isn't real and go back to sleep, but they come back.

Eventually, we fall back asleep and don't wake up again until morning.

____

When I do wake up, I hear knocking on my door. I look a the clock and realize it's 11:00

"Grayson, wake up," I whisper, shaking Grayson, who has an arm over me.

"Oh, good morning," Grayson says with a smile and kisses me.

"We overslept and someone is knocking on the door. Stay here," I say and crawl out of bed.

I hurry down the stairs and open the door to find my mother and my siblings.

"Finally you answer the door," my mother says.

"Sorry, we, I mean I, was up all night with nightmares, so when I finally fell asleep I guess I was so tired I overslept," I say, hoping she didn't notice I said we. She'd kill me for having Grayson sleep here.

"Oh, I'm sorry for waking you," my mother says.

"No, you're fine," I say.

"Can we come in?" Avia asks.

"Of course," I say and they walk in. I lead them to the kitchen and they all sit down at the table.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Aaron says and gets up.

"I love your new house, it's so big," Avia says.

"Yeah, it sure is," I say.

"Aria!! Why is Grayson up here!!??" Aaron yells. I make a nervous face and look over at my mom, who is giving me a stern look.

Thanks a lot Aaron.

"Ariabella Grace Fox, what is Grayson doing here if you just woke up?" My mother asks sternly.

"He came over and surprised me?" I say, hoping she'll buy it.

"Aria, the truth please," my mother says.

"Ok fine. Grayson was sleeping over here. But it's not what you think mom, we both get horrible nightmares, so we need eachother to calm ourselves down. If I didn't have him I think I'd go crazy," I say and I hear Grayson walk in the room behind me.

My mother looks from me to Grayson, then she sighs.

"Fine, I won't yell at either of you. The games would probably give me nightmares too. I'm just disappointed you tried to hide it from me," my mother says.

"I'm sorry to worry you," Grayson says to my mom.

"It's fine dear," my mother says with a small smile.

Aaron comes into the room and sits down and stares at us.

"My friend was watching the games at night, and he said he watched you two make out," Aaron says.

"Aaron!!" I yell and give him a stern look.

"You what!?" My mother asks.

"Nothing," I say nervously.

"They made out. My friend said he watched the whole thing one night when he couldn't sleep," Aaron says.

"Aaron, enough!!" I yell.

"Aria, is he telling the truth?" My mother asks.

"Well...... yes. It was once and it was when I was on watch. I'm sorry," I say.

"I didn't realize you two were that serious," my mother says.

"Mom, calm down, it's seriously just kissing," I say.

"I said I'd let you date, so I guess that means I can't stop you from kissing," my mother says with a sigh.

I look over at Avia, who looks a bit confused at what's going on.

"Well, we'll leave since Aaron is being a bit rude, I'm sorry Grayson" my mother says and gives Aaron a look.

"It's fine," Grayson says.

"Ok, bye," I say.

"Bye. And bye Grayson," my mother says while she walks out the door.

My family leaves and we are left alone. We look at eachother.

"I'm surprised Aaron even knows what making out is," I say with a nervous laugh.

"Smart kid," Grayson says with a laugh.

"He's only smart when it comes to telling on someone," I say.

"Look, I'm sorry I got you into trouble with your mom," Grayson says.

"It's fine, it wasn't totally your fault, and besides, it was worth it," I say.

Grayson smiles and kisses my cheek.

"Do you want to go to the meadow?" Grayson asks.

"Sure, I just need to get changed, and I think I'll shower," I say.

"Me too. Let's meet in between our houses once we're ready," Grayson says. I nod and head upstairs.

I head into my bathroom and start the shower water. I get in and feel the nice warm water. I quickly wash myself before getting out and deciding what to wear.

I decide on a white lace tank top and a floral skirt with flip flops. I brush out my hair and decide to leave it down.

I hurry downstairs and run outside. Grayson walks out at the same time as me, holding a blanket.

"You look beautiful, let's go," Grayson says. I blush a bit then take his empty hand.

We walk to the same spot in the meadow we were yesterday and lay out our blanket.

I lay down and stare up at the sky at the white puffy clouds.

Grayson lays down next to me and we stare at the clouds in silence, listening to the birds chirping in the distsnce.

"Grayson?" I say.

"Yes?" Grayson asks.

"I know I've told you this a million times, but, I love you," I say.

"I love you to the moon and back," Grayson says and I smile.

Grayson sits up and I feel him start to play with my hair. As he plays with it, I feel my eyes get heavy, and after a few minutes of trying to stay awake, I give up and let myself drift off to sleep.

____

"Aria, wake up," says a voice. I open my eyes and remember I'm in the meadow with Grayson.

"Hey," I say and stretch. Grayson puts his hand on my cheek and rubs it with his thumb.

"You look so happy when you're sleeping," Grayson says.

I smile. Grayson removes his hand from my cheek and I sit up.

"We should probably get back," Grayson says.

____

We get back to my house and I hear the house phone ring. I pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Aria, it's me Larielle, I called your cell phone, it wouldn't connect," Larielle says.

"Yeah, there isn't cell service in the districts," I say.

"Well, anyways, I called to tell you something," Larielle says. She sounds concerned.

"Larielle, tell me what?" I ask. Grayson walks over and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"That... well..." Larielle starts.

"Larielle just tell me!!" I say.

"There's been an incident in the capitol, and it involves your father"

End of Book 1