The Last Victor

Chapter 8

Lights, Camera, Action! - Part 3

I wander through the groups of people as I look around. Everyone seems to be either in a conversation or on camera in a interview.

This is why high school sucked so much for me. This reason here.

Everyone fits in to something. Whether it's a group or a common interest.

But once again, I find myself on the outs, looking around uneasily for anyone to talk to.

"Kyla!"

I recognize the voice in a heartbeat and whip my head around, letting out a visible sigh of relief.

Asher walks over slowly, scanning me up and down. His eyes widen in shock upon seeing me.

He's unusually quiet, looking as though he's struggling to find any words.

"Your hair." Was the first thing he said.

I couldn't make myself look away as I stood there on my unsteady feet.

Subconsciously, I lift my hand to touch it.  "What.....do you like it?"

He opens his mouth to speak, but then hesitates. "What—yeah, it's just.....you look so different."

I can feel my face heat up and could only imagine what shade of red my cheeks were. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing bad!" he throws his hands up innocently, "It's just.....what made you want to do this all the sudden?"

"Honestly? I don't know." I shrug, "I just felt like I needed a change. A new me."

"But I like this you."

"This me has no shot at winning, none the less even staying alive these next couple of weeks."

"What do you mean?" he cocks his head to the side, his forehead crinkled in confusion, "That's not true."

"Yes it is, Ash." I give him a knowing look, standing my ground, "I'm too weak. I cried for five days straight after watching that dog get hit by a car last year."

We both laugh at the memory before our faces turn solemn again.

"Imagine me watching someone die, let alone having to kill someone?" I swallow past the lump in my throat, a horrible feeling lingering in my stomach, "If we're going to have a shot in this, I'm going to need to change my mentality."

His face turns solemn but still soft, and he shakes his head. "You know you don't give yourself enough credit."

I go to protest but he stops me, continuing on.

"You're the most brave, incredible person I've ever met. You've been thrown so much shit in life, and you've never once given up, choosing to run away in the other direction like most people would. You face everything head on and never fail to put the people you love and their needs before yours." he steps closer, never breaking eye contact, "Yes, you have a big heart. But that's not your weakness. It's what gets you through life, and it's what's going to get you through these Games."