Melting Ice

Chapter 28

Kayla

Down at the beach, the waves crash against my legs as Xander pulls me in further. The sun beats down on us, making my skin feel like it's burning. Eventually, I get in fully and the waves pull us under. Luckily, I can see and the water somehow doesn't sting; it's the same for Xander. I hold my breath as we wave to each other excitedly until we need to breath.

"A rock must of cut my hand in the water", says Xander showing me a cut along the back of his hand.

"Here", I say holding it tightly, "You need to apply pressure so the blood clots".

"Thanks", he says holding my other hand. My insides spin and twist knowing that he like likes me. As I'm only in a bikini, I feel a bit insecure but somehow I don't mind with Xander, I feel as if he likes me for who I am. Without notice, he release my hands and I worry that my palms are sweaty or something like that but instead he puts his arms around my waist, making me come closer, so close I can feel his minty breath on my face. For a few seconds, I don't do anything, just breath but then I bring my hands up to his neck and wrap my arms around still making sure it's to tight.

"Kayla, I um...I love you", he says quietly looking me directly in the eyes and I swear my heart skips a beat, no two beats. Whatever it was, my stomach made this weird swirling feeling, my knees go weak but I mange to still stand. I don't know what it is but I want to be closer to him than this, so that's what I do; I take another step forward so my foot is in between his and he tries to come closer. All I can hope for is that a wave won't hit us and knock me flying.

Should I kiss him? I honestly have no idea. Before I register it in my mind, our faces are coming closer, his eyes closed. So I decide I better close mine also. When our lips meet, it feel different from last time. Sure, I still get the swirling feeling and all that but now I feel more free. I know that he loves me and I love me.

Go ahead and say that we are young but love has no age rules and we are nearly 14 anyway. Clove is just 1 or 2 years older and look at what she does with boys, well actually boy. She has never dated another guy.

When we pull apart, the waves become more vicious and a massive one is about to hit us.

"Xander we need to swim back", I say looking back to the beach, that I can't seem to see anymore, "um...which way back?".

"This way", he saying pointing to a bobby beach that has just appeared in view. I swim back to Xander side and grab one of his shoulders.

"You scared?", Xander asks holding the hand not on his shoulder.

"No! I'm freezing!", I laugh.

"Come here then", he says pulling me in for a hug, holding me tightly, "God your tiny", Xander laughs moving his hands up slightly so he is just about touching the top half of my bikini, realising what he is touching, "Oh, um sorry. I just-".

"Don't worry about it", I laugh then extremely quickly peck he cheek to show that it's okay. Xander blushes quickly, "It's doesn't matter", I say before swimming off back to the shore, followed by Xander closely behind.

He wraps a towel from the bag around my shoulders and hugs me gently from behind. Good thing he is taller than me. Then he pats himself dry whilst I stand there, letting the sun absorb into my skin.

"Are you still cold?", he asks me.

"Not really", I say shrugging off the towel and folding it into the bag, "Want to get ice cream?".

"Sure!", he says slipping his arm across my shoulder and I slip mine around his waist.

Clove

I miss District 2 and I know it's being rebuilt but it feels like a hole in my ice heart. Along with not knowing where Poppy, my dog is. I haven't thought about her until know, sadly she is probably in doggie heaven.

A few days later

Xander, Kayla, Brianna, Cato and I stand at the at the train station as our bags are being loaded.

"Oh my god I'm gonna miss you", sobs Carla into my leather jacket.

"I'm gonna miss you to", I say between sobs. I lift my head, "Come visit us when District 2 is back".

"I promise", Carla says wiping away tears.

"I will see you soon Carla", I tell her before gripping Cato's hand and getting on the train.

I watch with Cato as District 4 disappears behind us in a blur, maybe from the tears. Who knows what we have in store next. Hopefully we can get out of 13 soon and give Brianna the childhood she deserves.

Cato squeezes my hand gently as the train picks up pace, "We could just keep going, you know?", I glance at him, "Travel to the end of the line. See what's outside".

For a moment, I think about. Could we? Would we be able to? Finally I say, "Not with Brianna". Cato mouth opens then shuts again, "What?", I ask.

"Nothing", he tells me. Right...

"Tell me", I demand.

"We never had that normal relationship, did we? The games ruined it, I wish I could reverse time", he admits shaking his head.

"Without the games, we would be happier, safer. Now we can, with 2 being rebuilt", he say smiling slightly.

"What about our relationship? We can never have a moment to ourselves now", he says quietly.

"That's the price you pay for making me pregnant", I mumble.

"And I don't regret it. Sometimes I just miss the old Clove. The vicious, fiery girl".

"She's still part of me", I assure, "Don't you worry".

We kiss slowly, then all at once and I'm certain that everything will be alright. I know that I have to make the most of the present and not worry about the future, nor the past.