Suzanne Collins owns all characters in the Hunger Games trilogy.
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Everybody's waiting for you to break down,
Everybody's watching to see the fall out,
Even when you're sleeping,
Keep your eyes open
~Taylor Swift: Eyes Open
Chapter 2: Keep your eyes open
Liam’s POV
They say blood runs thicker than water. But if you don’t know where your blood came from, how can you hold that saying?
It’s only ever been me and my mother in our house. No father, no boyfriends, no one. Just us.
My father died before I was born.
My mother never had another boyfriend and she doesn’t see her friends.
I never thought I’d get to meet any of my mother’s friends. Until the letter came from District 7.
* * *
“What’s that Mum?” I asked, as the mail came through the door one morning.
We hardly ever got mail so this was a surprise.
“It’s from an old friend of your father’s, Johanna. It’s her birthday next week and she’s invited us to her birthday party.”
“Are we going to go?” I ask.
My mother nods. “I haven’t seen her in years. I think it would be good for us to socialise with others.”
I nod. “Ok. But she doesn’t have any children does she? You’re not going to make me socialise with children are you?”
My mother laughs. “She has one daughter. But she’s not a child and she’s younger than you anyway. She’s around thirteen I should imagine.”
“Do I have to socialise with her?”
My shakes her head. “No Liam you don’t have to socialise with Jennifer if you don’t want to.”
I nod. “Good.”
My mother smiles.
“When do we leave?”
“This afternoon.” She replies. “So get packing!”
I nod. “Ok.”
* * *
When we arrived in District 7, I was amazed at how different it looked to four. It was all … trees!
“What time do we have to be at Johanna’s?” I ask my mother as she climbs off the train.
“Around seven so we have a few hours to unpack and such.”
I nod. “Where are we staying?” I ask, absentmindedly looking around.
My mother points up to the sky and I catch a glimpse of the top floors of a hotel and a sign reading ‘Grand Hotel’.
“There.” My mother says.
I nod. “Good choice.”
* * *
That evening when we arrive outside Johanna’s house, I begin to get a little apprehensive. I’ve never met anyone who knew my father personally. What if she asks questions?
I push my worries to the back of my mind and climb out of the car.
My mother knocks on the door and a woman answers.
“Annie! Liam! How wonderful to see you both!” She says.
“Lovely to see you too Johanna!” My mother says, hugging the woman.
She smiles at me and shakes my hand.
“My you’ve grown Liam! Last time I saw you, you were no more than six years old.”
I smile. “Then I must have grown a lot!”
She nods. “No kidding. Please, come inside both of you!”
We follow her into the brightly lit house and she leads us into what I assume to be the kitchen.
A man walks over to us and smiles at my mother.
“Annie, Kurt. Kurt, you remember Annie don’t you?” Johanna asks.
“Of course! You look lovely Annie.” He says, hugging my mother.
“Liam, this is my husband Kurt. Kurt this is Annie’s son Liam.”
Kurt shakes my hand and smiles.
“How old are you Liam?” He asks.
“Nineteen sir.” I reply politely.
“We have a daughter a few years younger than you. Now where is she?” He says, looking around.
He spots her and wanders off, returning a few minutes later with a young girl.
“Jennifer, this is Annie and Liam Odair.” Johanna says.
“Pleased to meet you.” Jennifer says quietly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She looks up and I see her dark eyes.
I remember thinking how striking they were.
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Song -----> Eyes Open by Taylor Swift
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Picture -----> Liam Odair aged 19
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Dedicated, as always to ivygadgetfreak!
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Thanks for reading!
MissPotter98x
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The Truth Behind the Eyes (Prequel to CIBT?)
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