Short stories

She Cares: Part 2

I looked at the plate of food. Peeta has made my favorite food.

'She cares about you more than you think' Peeta had said.

What was that supposed to mean?

Why would she ignore me if she cares about me to any extent whatsoever?

I was so confused.

I needed a walk. I ate my food and walked outside. I stared at the ground as I walked. I suddenly bumped into someone. I looked up as I fell to the ground. I locked eyes with Amy. Her eyes widened and she quickly hunched up, looking away. I stood up and smiled at her. She cares about you more than you think. She didn't meet my gaze as she got to her feet.

"Ames?" I asked. She was quiet. "Amanda? Are you there?" I asked, waving a hand in front of her face. I only used her full name, Amanda, when I was worried. She said, quietly,

"Hello Jackson" I was hurt. Nobody used my full name. Ever. Amy scurried along, not making eye contact with me. I felt a few tears roll down my cheeks as I ran off. I jumped through the wires of the electric fence, not caring if it was turned on. It wasn't, and I went through easily. I shoved my hands in my pockets and started to walk through the woods, crying. I heard a twig snap and I spun, launching a fireball at the mysterious figure. The figure leapt out of the way, shooting an arrow at me. I ducked and readied another fireball when I stopped. Arrows?

"Katniss! Wait!" I saw her, arrow readied in her bow. She lowered her bow and the fireball disappeared out of my hand.

"Hey Jake. What are you doing here?"

"I'm taking a walk"

"Oh, okay." She noticed my red eyes. "Jake? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" I didn't respond. "Is it May? Elijah?" I shook my head. She seemed to realize what was going on.

"It's Amy, isn't it?" I nodded.

"I haven't had a real talk with her in over 2 months"

"Well, you locked your door and kept us out of your life up until a few weeks ago."

"I know... I'm sorry... But, I just talked to her. She called me Jackson" Katniss looked at me like I was stupid.

"Well, she must be mad at you. Also... Just... understand that sometimes, people can act strangely when..." She looked away, raising her bow. She shot at a bird, killing it instantly.

"People can act strangely when what?" I asked. She didn't answer my question. Instead, she said,

"May told me she was setting up a date for you." I nodded.

"Yeah." Katniss almost smiled.

"May seemed really excited. I could swear she was giggling at one point."

"Giggling?" I sighed. "Great. I am probably going to die from this, aren't I?"

"Nah, if it doesn't work out between you and the other person, there's no harm done."

"Do you know who it is?" She shook her head.

"They wouldn't tell me" She stopped. She was staring at me, frowning. I felt uncomfortable. She adjusted her grip on her bow and poked me with it in the stomach. Tears of pain welled up in my eyes.

"Jake... what have you done?"
"I... It's okay. Peeta made me some food earlier today." She shook her head.
"That's not good enough" She picked up the bird and handed it to me. She nodded.
"I'll bring you some game every day until you're willing to buy food. I'll ask Peeta to cook some food for you if you want."
"Th-Thanks... I-I don't know what to say... How can I repay you? Do you want money?" She said something that sounded like,
"Secrets."
"What?"
She smiled sadly.
"That's How people payed Finnick, they told him secrets" I nodded. She began to walk away, but not before saying,

"The Games are terrible, but the alliances formed can become something more"