by Jillybean » Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:42 pm
Chapter 1:
The sun was about to rise. She walked out the front door of her ocean-side home, training gear in hand, and surprisingly sees her boyfriend, Caleb, sitting on her porch. Confused to see him, she asks, “Hey babe, why are you here? You know I start training at sunrise.”
He looks at the ground and says, “Well I want to see you because…” as he stops mid-sentence.
Chaily sees he is upset, sets her gear down, and sits next to him. “What is it? You know you can tell me anything.” She places her hands around him and kisses his cheek.
He looks up and says, “I know I can, I just never wanted to have to do this.” He frowns and stares back at the ground.
His words pierce through her ears. “Do what? Are you breaking up with me?” she says as the tears build up in her eyes.
He then whispers, “Today is the reaping, and if you are chosen, or when you volunteer, where will we be? I will have ten minutes to talk to you after that. Then we will never see each other again.”
“But once I win, I will come home again. Things will be just as it is now. Nothing will change.” The first tear streams down her face. “And there is no guarantee I will be able to volunteer first.” She begins to beg, “Please! Please don’t do this to me!”
“You know this is your year. And if, or when you come home, you will be different. Things will not be the same.” He places his hand on her face and says, “Chaily, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And as the old saying goes: If you love someone let them free, and if they come back they are yours too keep. And if they don’t they were never yours in the first place. I love you, so I am setting you free.” He hugs her and kisses her on the nose.
“You cant!” she yells as she is crying hysterically. “Please, I need you. Stay with me! Please!” She holds onto him tightly not willing to go free.
He stands both of them up and then gives her one long, loving kiss. “I love you Chaily Stanton, and now you are free.” He walks away without turning back.
There Chaily sits alone, tears streaming down her face saying repeatedly, “Don’t leave. Don’t leave. Don’t leave me.”
She was depressed, confidence ruined, and she did not have the slightest desire to go to her training. All she wanted is to go to her bed, slide under the covers, and block out the world. Why is this happening to me, she thought, today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, yet it is now the worst.
Caleb was the only boyfriend she had had for the past four years. They were someday going to get married, but now she sat alone on her porch; her world crumbling down around her.
These battle scars, don't look like they're fading
Don't look like they're ever going away
They ain't never gonna change
These battle
Forever<3