Bloom like a Daisy

“Except that Christmas was months ago,” he points out, running a hand through his hair for a moment. Harrison never got the Capitol people, and how they were so excited about the aspects of the Games, especially since their own children were taken as tributes. “I think that was the idea they were going for.”

“Well, if it was up to me, Christmas would be every single day of the year! So I’m not really minding it at all..” She told as she shrugged her shoulders. “Hey, I’m not a fan of the game at all, only a fan of Christmas.” She pointed out to him, making sure that the male didnt think of her as a monster who enjoyed the Hunger Games, she had lost people to those games. “I’m Daisy, by the way.”

Cruz listened patiently as the young woman spoke with wisdom beyond what she should have possessed for someone her age. She acted as his opposite, rising from the ashes of familial death and thriving instead of barricading herself in misery as he had years prior. How she stood so tall was miraculous to him, despite how easy she made it seem.

“Now I feel ridiculous,” he admitted in a sputtery laugh. “I always appreciate other’s perspectives and…I refused to find one better than my own for this.” He covered his eyes with the length of his fingers. “I’m too good at letting my sadness fester.”

“Volunteer work is admirable, but certainly no way to make a suitable career for yourself. Perhaps rising to victorhood would have been ideal for you. A manageable and cushiony job for the rest of your life. Though, I remember you being more than relieved to be taken out of the tribute spotlight last summer.” He clutched his fingertips around his chin in faux thought, his heel pressed firmly into the opposite ankle. 

Daisy’s mouth opened wide in shock of what the male said. “Are you actually suggesting that I should of risked my life to maybe probably win and become a victor?” She asked him, so confused by his advice. “Being a player in someone else’s games doesnt really sound like that’s taking control of my life. I am glad that Regan volunteered for me and that I didnt have to participate in the games. My older sister was a beast and she lost, there’s no way I could ever win. I would much rather get a job as a waitress than risk my life trying to be a victor.” She tilted her head to the side. “Is this your way of telling me you want me to be dead?”

“I can’t say I relate,” he added as nicely as he possibly could. “Perhaps I’ve just been lucky in life. I’ve always had what I wanted and been able to go after what I didn’t have already. Letting your world know you’re in charge of it helps.” Hermes was no fool. The aforementioned “luck” was a beautiful brew of his upbringing, fortune, and status. It was easy for a somebody to stay a somebody. Going from face in the crowd to crowds gathered around your face was no easy task.

“Looking for a direction shift are we?”

“That’s actually a good thing. I’m glad you cant relate it to, it’s horrible.” She said with a sigh, shaking her head. “Let the world know you’re in charge.. that’s actually a great saying to live by.” Daisy thought over what that meant. She wished that she was brave enough to show that she was in charge but feared that would never happen. “I think so, but I’m not really sure. I love what I do, I love my babies, but as I get older, I feel like I need to be doing more. Something important.. life changing.” She said looking over at him, smiling sadly. “I’m eighteen now, I cant be a volunteer at the Daycare forever.. But I honestly have no idea what to do next.. or if I could even walk away from the babies.”

Her words stung like steaming water grazing a fresh wound. It mattered not that his wound was neither new nor physical, the pain surged through him just the same. “I know I’m no less of a human, but I’m not as…me as I was. I’ve lost a part of myself to this, in every sense of the way.” Head drooping, Cruz held his hands upward to stop the daycare worker. “Don’t go. Not yet.”

“I may be alive, but not as alive as I need to be,” he argued. “People shouldn’t be restricted to wheelchairs until they’ve lived their lives, to be frank. I’ve only know just begun to have the life I never thought I’d have.” Cruz punched the left wheel of his chair angrily as he often did in frustration for being in it. “You are correct in stating how glad I am to be rid of…my chip. It reeked havoc on my life, but I wasn’t looking to trade off one evil for another. I just want to be normal.”

He could hardly believe he was being lectured by someone so much younger than he, but at the same time couldn’t well defend himself against the pile of rights she used against him. It would certainly be a different story if he was subjecting only himself to his drastic change in behavior, but Daisy was correct. Harper and Rosemary were suffering too. Despite how entitled he felt to his feelings, he wasn’t at liberty to speak for either of them.

“That’s all true Daisy, but it isn’t so simple a solution,” he began. “The part of me that nearly killed you is gone, but getting rid of him took a part of me as well. I can’t walk. I can’t hold my girlfriend’s hand as we walk through Eleven. Rosemary couldn’t be closer to walking herself and I won’t be able to help her through it. I’m lesser and I can’t fix myself.”

The chime of Daisy’s voice sent a chill through his torso despite how happy he used to be to hear it. He was still unable to stare her directly in the eye after what had transpired six months before. In the end, he ended off worse than how he had left her, but it was no consolation for the guilt he still carried. Rosemary, on the other hand, was thrilled to see her friend.

“I’m sorry Daisy,” he mumbled honestly. “It’s been nothing personal, I assure you. I just haven’t been in the brightest place as of late. I haven’t seen much of anyone, including Harper.”

“It may not be personal but it’s not fair.” She said lightly as she picked at the legs of jeans. “Maybe that’s why you havent been in the brightest place? Because you’re feeling bad and shutting everyone out. It’s not fair to us but it really isnt fair to Harper. She’s your girlfriend, the mother of your baby and that’s how you’re treating her?” Daisy asked shocked at how different her friend was acting. “I dont know what happened to you. I dont know why you’re in a wheelchair now, but you cant let that change you or your life. It’s not ideal but you’re still alive. You still have a beautiful girlfriend who loves and an adorable baby that needs you. This can affect Rosemary, you know. She can feel these bad vibes and it’s not good for her.” Daisy looked down and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I didnt mean to come here and lecture you.. I just needed to say it.”

What is your full name? Daisy Fawn Tyr

Relationship status? Single

Any siblings? Five siblings. Three older brothers, Kaelen, Loren, and Scout, one older sister, Marcia, and a younger brother Blaise.

What district would you be from if you could choose? 11, they all seem to be at peace.

What weapon would you use in the Hunger Games? No weapon at all.

Favorite victor? Cruz.

You found a genie and you’re down to your last wish. What would it be? World peace.

What did you want to be growing up? A daycare worker and look where I ended up!

What is your astrological sign? Cancer

Left or right? Why? Left because I’m left handed!

If you could only pick one food to eat forever, what would you choose? Pizza for sure.

What is your opinion on pineapple pizza? Sure, it can be counted as your fruit of the day!

Skydiving or scuba diving? Skydiving! At least you can still breathe!

If you were a Gazette girl, what would your alias be? Hmm, probably just Tyr or something!

Pick one parent to keep and one to never see again. I think that was already decided for me.. My mom is around and my dad is gone.

What is your least favorite color? Purple.

If you had to be permanent roommates with someone else living in the Tower, who would you choose? There’s too many I would choose.

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

What inanimate object would you choose to be able to transform into? A unicorn counts as one right?