Pretty but Strong

Her words pull on my heart, making me feel the urge to cry again. But this time when the tears come out, I realize that they aren't tears of sadness but yet tears of joy. I realized that I was happy for being able to be a part of Adrian's life. The night between us flashes in my mind, causing a smile to form on my face. I wasn't thinking about the pills or the fight that happened afterwards, but instead the moment that I had finally felt truly happy for the first time in a long time. It was like he brought me to life and even if he had not realized, he helped me more than I could ever help myself. Her ending words make me look up at her.

My crying becomes softer as she whispers comforting words into my ear. I was almost positive that if she wasn't here I would lose myself. I stop crying when I feel her stroke my hair, the one thing that could always calm me down. When she talks about Harlan and Adrian being happy and eating animal crackers, I can't help but let out a desperate and weak laugh. I pull out of her arms and take a seat on the ground, wanting to just lie down for a bit.

My throat felt like it was closing, my head felt like it was being hit with a hammer, and my heart felt like it was on fire. Although I knew Camilla was right, I didn't want to leave. If I could choose, I would rather just stay here until someone found me but I knew she would never let that happen. I stare at him for a few more seconds before using all of my strength to stand up. Even with Camilla holding me I still felt like I would collapse any second. But before we are able to leave, my hand goes to my chest. The cold metal of my key necklace, the one that I had told him belonged to my heart, stings against my fingers as I pry it off. I pull out of Camilla's grip and walk over to him. I didn't care if he wanted it or not, he was going to have it. Almost like it would hurt him if I touched him, I carefully place my necklace around his neck. There was only one person that I wanted to have my heart and it was him.

Come on Baby, Light My Fire

Despite myself, I start laughing with them, and soon the streets are filled with the sound of joy - something very rarely found in this place. For the first time since Harlan’s death, Adrian felt lighthearted, and he put his arms around his companions as they walked through the streets. How odd, that it was here that he felt the most at home. It was here that he made friends that he now considered family. It was here that he had learned to love, to open himself up to a new world. 

"Took you long enough," I mutter under my breath, so quiet that it is unable to be heard. When I see Camilla looking at me, I force a smile, hoping she won't see through it. But even if he didn't mean it in the way I wanted him to mean it, it still counted for something and that was all that mattered.

adriandelmar:

“At least that would make sense,” I mumble, still embarrassed. I glance to my sides and catch Iz looking at me. I smile, not knowing what else to do. I wondered if she still loved me. I wondered if Harlan still loved me, wherever he was.

I quickly look away as Adrian notices me staring at him. I couldn't be sure but I almost felt like my face was as red as my hair right now and I didn't want anyone to see it. I laugh as he eats more of his animal crackers, finding it funny how amused he is at this. As long as they were happy then I was fine. I hated the way they were the other day but I knew they couldn't help it. Now I was just glad to see them smiling and having as much fun as you possibly could here.

I blush down to my core as I realize how ignorant I was of the outside world, how though I spoke of such grand topics as revolution, I was unable to see the point in crackers shaped like animals. Because there was no point. I frown as Mila puts the cracker in my mouth, my cheeks puffing outwards in a pout.

I bite my lip and smile. Although I understood that nothing would ever happen between us, I couldn't help but still feel something for him. He just made it so hard for me to get over him and I knew that he didn't even realize. I quickly glance over at Camilla with a smile then shake my head, continuing walking. Suddenly, I hear loud booms that sound like the death cannons. I stop in my tracks and look over at my allies.

I take the gift, smiling warily, as I expect it to be from one of my fallen friends. But it’s not. It’s from a name I don’t recognize, and it takes me a moment to realize that I must have gotten a Capitol sponsor. I motion for the three of us to keep walking, and as we do, I go through the gift, wrinkling my nose as I lift out a box titled “Animal Crackers”.

I smile as Adrian examines the crackers like they are some foreign object. But then I just couldn't help myself. I burst out laughing, finding it very amusing how clueless he could be.

adriandelmar:

I watch as Mila kisses my hand, my face as impassive as rock. Inside I’m touched by her gesture, but externally I keep my ice cold exterior, unwilling to show any emotion anymore.

I raise my eyebrows at Camilla, worried to leave them alone together. She smiles at me, silently letting me know it will be okay. I nod my head then crawl onto the bed made of t-shirts and costumes.

I put my dagger in front then walk in, taking the lead. I pick up a little rock from the floor and throw it towards the middle of the room to see if anything or anyone was in here. I nod my head towards them then walk further in. It looks like some kind of photography shop or something. I walk over towards the center of the room and pick up an old camera. I play around with it in my hands then walk around, examining the rest of the shop. I bend to pick up a box of photos and flip through them, smiling at the pictures.

"Haven't I already told you this? You don't need to thank me." I say with a laugh. "I do this because you're my sister. That's what family does, they look out for each other." I squeeze her hand and give her a warm smile. I nod my head, standing on my feet and pulling her up with me. I tell her to wait while I quickly retrieve Adrian then make my way back, smiling at her and taking the lead as we head towards where the shops are.