Storm: A Hunger Games Story {Book One of the Storm Trilogy}

Four

At dinner, we discussed what we will specifically do for our personal training tomorrow. I was so scared. What if I throw and miss? What if I cut myself? All of the terrible ways I could mess up go on and on in my head.

"Ophelia, if the simulations are available then use it with your knives. If not, use dummies and targets. Make sure you add in a little bit of survival if you have time." Wes instructs me.

"Okay, I can do that." I tell him.

"I know you can." There was just a split second where our eyes locked and it was like all of my worries melted away.

"Aaron, same thing. If you can use the simulation then use your spears. If not then use the dummies and targets. You guys are going to do great." I take a bite of my food, not looking in his direction. What was I thinking? Developing feelings for someone who I may never see again? I was suddenly enraged with myself. It's not fair to me or Wes. I don't want to put him through this. Why would I get attached when I told myself not to?

Once I finish eating, I simply excuse myself and leave the table. I go to my room and sit on the floor, watching the city once again. Out of nowhere I start to cry. I'm so scared and lonely. Yes, I have Wes and Aaron but I didn't want to grow close to them. That's more pain for all of us. I'm going to miss Wes so much, which kills me. If I had just stuck to my original plan of not getting close to anyone then I wouldn't be feeling like this. What if Aaron dies? What will I do with myself? I just hold my head in my hands and cry. I hear my door open but I make no acknowledgement of the person who entered.

"Ophelia, what's wrong?" It's Wes. What a surprise.

"What's wrong? I think that question can answer itself." I say rather coldly. He just stands there. I didn't turn to look at him or anything. I just sat there angry with the Capitol and angry with myself.

"It's okay to be scared." he tells me gently.

"I know. I am scared. I'm also angry with myself and I want to be alone." Wes doesn't listen to me. He sits down next to me.

"Why are you angry with yourself?" he asks me. I cry even more because I just want him to hold me and tell me I'll be okay, but I don't want his heart to break if I die.

"This is why, Wes. This right here. I let myself get close to you, and to Aaron and that's not fair to either of you. You said it yourself, you're going to be heartbroken if I die. If Aaron dies I don't know what I'll do. I don't understand why I couldn't just stick to being by myself. It would have saved us all a lot of pain."

"My life has changed for the better after meeting you and getting close with you. All I can think about day and night is how I'm going to get you out of that arena alive. How I need to get you out of there alive, Ophelia. I care about you so much. I would've still cared about you this much even if you kept to yourself. Even if you didn't want me to. From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You weren't just some scared little girl from District Eight. You were the strong girl from District Eight willing to put up a hell of a fight to get back to her family. I admire you so much." I just gaped at him. He had tears in his eyes. I couldn't take it anymore. I inched closer to him to hug him. He just held me in his arms without saying a word. I felt safe in his embrace.

"I don't want to leave you." I tell him. He holds me.

"I don't want you to leave either. If I could keep you from the arena I would. But I can't and that kills me. I just want to protect you." I don't know why or how but Wes and I have a strong bond. We've only known each other for a week and we already have this closeness. Even if he doesn't feel for me the way I feel for him, I don't want to lose him. It sounds so clichè that I feel like I'm falling for someone I just met but I don't care. I trust him and I care for him so much. I've never been in love before. Is this what it feels like? Never wanting that person to leave you? Never wanting that person to let go of you?