The Hunger Games | Taylor Swift

Chapter 27.

(Taylor's perspective)

"Okay let's talk." I said and I sat down next to Joe.

"Do you hate me?" Joe asks.

"What?!" I asked a little too loud by his shocking question.

"No I don't hate you." I said.

Joe let out a sigh, "Okay good."

"Why do you think that I hate you?" I asked.

"I thought you where just putting up with me since you had too. And then you had to do what ever you had to do to survive in the games." Joe said.

"I was nervous as well when I got picked and it was awkward for me too when Cymbeline and Liberty said we had to be a couple to the Capital people." I said.

"Do you really love me or is it an act?" Joe asked.

"I did in the beginning but when we went into the arena I started to get feeling for you for real." I said.

"Do you really love me?" I asked.

"Yes with all of my heart." Joe said.

My stomach did flips and I can feel my cheeks heat up from blushing.

"Why do you chose to stay with me? You can leave and go to your real home. To your family." Joe said.

"I'm scared on what the Capital and President will do if I go back home." I said.

Joe nodded, "I understand. I can't imagine all the things you did. Going to District 13 and fight in the war. Where you scared?" Joe asked.

"I was in the beginning. I missed home so bad. I stayed up at night thinking about my brother. Thinking about my mom. I was so worried she would get sick again when I was away and I wasn't there to help her." I said.

"Your mother was sick?" Joe asked.

"She still is." I said.

"How come you are just telling me now?" Joe asked.

"I was scared when I got back from the games she would be gone." I said.

"What is she sick from?" Joe asked.

"Cancer." I said and I begin to cry.

"I'm sorry. That must be so hard." Joe said.

"She first found out she had it shortly after my dad died. My brother and I worked our asses off to pay for all of the medicine we could and doctor bills. And the had to perform in the streets to get extra cash to put food in the table." I said.

"That much have been so hard for you." Joe said.

"And when I went off to go to District 13 Austin worked overtime all the time. He would try and write me letters secretly for the first few months so I can check up on mom and him but then they stopped." I said.

"I just can't catch a break! I just so emotionally exhausted. I just want things to go back to normal!" I shouted.

We sat in silence until I spoke up,

"Do you have to go through anything?" I asked.

"Yes. But nothing like that. There isn't much to do is District Nine. It's all big opened fields but there is some crazy accident deaths when the men go out in the fields. When I was out working I was helping roll up some of the hay when I heard shouting. One of the machines that is used to cut down the grain's lost control the man who was running it couldn't stop it and was heading towards a group of men chopping down a field but hand with large knives. Lucky most of the men heard the commotion and all of our shouts to get out of the way but there was one who didn't hear our shouts quickly enough. He was too far into the field to hear and see what was happening. The tracker ran right through and killed him instantly. I ran to see who it was and it was.." Joe stopped to take a deep breath.

"It was one of my close friends I knew from childhood. The large knives sliced him like he was nothing. We had his funeral a two days later." Joe said.

"Oh my god....I'm so sorry." I said.

"We had accidents like that before so it wasn't that shocking. I had some close calls myself and I have accidentally been sliced a few times." Joe said.

"And you lived there all of your life right?" I asked.

"Yep. Born and raised. Come to think of it I only noticed you a few years ago. I always wondered where you came from now I know I guess." Joe said.

"Yeah I'm lucky they didn't kill me. I was shocked as well when they said they where moving me to another district. I thought I was going to get killed. I never knew why they decided on moving me. They probably did because I was still so young and they needed me in the games." I said.

"That is weird." Joe said.

"We better get to bed. Liberty will be on us in the morning bright and early." I said.

"Do you want to sleep here? I haven't been sleeping well since." Joe said.

"Of course. I have been having trouble sleeping as well." I said and I climbed into bed.

Joe gets into bed and puts the covers over us. I scoot over closer to Joe and he wraps his arm around my waist. I can smell his shampoo on his hair. It smells like fruit. We lay their is silence for a bit this time this doesn't feel like the awkward kind of silence like we first met. Now it feels like the comfort kind of silence.

I've gone through so much in the last month. I try to think of what my life would be like if I haven't been picked to be in the games. Would have my life still be the same? Would I still be performing trying to get enough money for food. Now I just perform for the amusement for the Capital and the other districts.

What are we going to do now?

"Goodnight Taylor." Joe said.

"Goodnight Joe." I said.

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Author's Note

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-Wunderstruck1313