#beforereaping

I probably fell asleep while making my breathing exercise because I woke up by the sound of my door opening. Devon’s head showed up to look and got a bright smile. «What are you doing here. » I said with a smile as he climbs on my bed and over me, locking his eyes into mines. It took a few second before we start laughing and I push him aside. «Don’t count on it. First the house is crowded and second not a good thing to do with my back.»  He laugh and wrap his arm around me, his head in my neck and hug me softly.  «I didn’t come for that geez women calm your panties.» He said, cuddling me. We weren’t supposed to see each other today. And seeing how he needed hugs I understood he had been in another fight with his parents. «Pfff look who’s talking.»  I joke, playing with his hair and biting his nose.

«Devon will you…. Oh. » My mom stop her sentence, half way entering my room, her cheek becoming red as I realise how Devon and I look like in the bed right now.  «Hi mom.» I said, trying not to laugh.  «I interrupt something didn’t I?» she said, surprise. She was the one who comfort me when we break up and she certainly didn’t expect such cuddle from friends. «NO!» We both said quickly. But she did clearly not believe us.  «Huhm…. Well…I wanted to know if you wanted to eat with us today Devon. We have enough for you too…» He sat on the bed before helping me to do it.  «Oh…yeah. Yeah I’d like that. Thanks Mme Blair.» He smile, wink at us and close the door. Laughing I put my hand on my face while Devon was crying of laughter. «Oh lord this is embarrassing.» He said. «Embarrassing! PFt you weren’t there when she came into my room to have the famous sex talk when we were dating. That was embarrassing» I said, recalling how awkward that conversation was. «Why did I miss that.» he complain, faking to be sad. I punch him, giggleing.  «Jerk.»  «Derpface.»  «Dickhead.» «Stupid» «Emptyhead» «Whore.»

«Hey!» I explain punching him even harder, not really appreciating the last name he gave me. «Hey I’m not the one who initiate that we had sex in public.» He said  kissing my cheek. «Yeah right I put your hand in my panties.» I said, lying down on my bed, feeling my back starting to hurt a bit. «You know I love the dress you were wearing and you didn’t stop me either. » I roll my eyes. We were both to blame in that thing. If there was something to blame. For me it was more fun and an experience than something I regret. Even if someone saw us.  «Well the dress is ruin, thanks to Caleb, so don’t worry about it.» I said a bit sad. I liked that dress. Not only because I knew it was driving my best friend crazy when I wear it, but because it was one of the first that made me feel pretty. I turn around to see Devon, still sitting on my bed. «So really why are you here. It’s the last night before the reaping your mother is always freaking out about being you three together. » I said. He worried all week about me. About my heatlth. I’ve been egoist never to ask how he was or talk about him. So I wanted to excuse myself right now. And I saw, by how his eyes darkened, that he wasn’t feeling as happy as he was showing me right now. «we got into a fight, again… and… I don’t know. She just screamed at me the same old thing. That she never wanted me because she is scared of my name being calling and it wasn’t fair that I was making her feeling that worried. Like I wanted to have my name in that stupid bowl… and that the moment I am an adult she will kick me out because I am a waist of money. I swear the whole building heard her screaming. I am sure of it» He said, trying to smile withut success. He was sad and hurt. More that he will ever tell me. He was tired of hearing that he wasn’t wanted. Once he told me he felt more being part of my family than his own. And it’s true. Devon was the fifth child of the Blair family. My brother of heart. «You can stay here» I simply said, squeezing his hand. I knew too well Devon’s family to be too much worried about that fight. Once the reaping over and the stress away, his mom will come and apologize, she will cry and then Devon will forgive her until the next mean thing she tell him. «Thanks. » He said kissing my head. We hug and I start to talk about gossip I heard here and there to make him feel better.  It took about an hour but he start to smile and joke again with me just before heading to dinner.

We spend the night with my parent, sister and brothers. We talked, eat, played game and try to tolerate Shale Erwin’s presence even if he was making really clear that he hated our district. That guys is supposed to help children to win. That wasn’t fair. But this whole game wasn’t. Why would he.

We finish the night with our fifth cup of tea, playing cards and laughing about anything and everything. We needed a calm and fun night without drama. This week had been rough on both of us. «Hey was it you the new graffiti on the factory fence? » Shy, I made a guilty smile and nod, as he starts laughing and clap. «Love it. I swear the guy I work with at the factory was so excited to see that. Ah! And me too. » He gave me a high five and takes his tea cup that had cooled down. «I’m glad you like it. I did it yesterday night. Dad allowed me to go draw a little. But we hide it from mom. She’s still mad at me to had given Caleb a reason to punish me. » Devon, in all his nonchalance shrugs knowing that my mom won’t stay mad long. Not with the reaping hanging on our head.  This is what I like about him. We can half speak and we understand each other.

«You know, sometime I told myself it suck we didn’t work out as a couple. Because no one will be as cool as you are. » I said finishing my tea and shoveling the card for our next match. «Yeah…I’m sorry.» He said looking down. He’s the one who break up. Technically. But in fact he just bring up a conversation we both have with our friend but were afraid to have with each other. He is just way more courageous than me when it comes to those things. «Hey I agree it was better that way. We love each other. Just not that way. » I said, comforting him, I hated when he apologize for something we both feel. Yes I would love to be in love with him. But these are feel we can’t force or command. At least, we are still friend and as close as we are before the whole couple thing. «Yeah you’re like my sister…. Ok saying that and the fact that we fuck is just…» He said while I was smiling, amused.  «Discussing. Yeah. Totally» I laugh and it took a few second before he join me in. We were the same brain sometime. And on that subject even more «I love you Mila.» he said in a pure friendly way. I took his hand and squeeze it. «Love you too Devon.»

Devon came every night to see how I was and felt asleep watching over me. Mom brings out a mattress on my floor so he could lay down. His parents know he’s with me and they got mad. They said I deserve to be calmed down. I don’t want to imagine the fight they had together. Anyway I don’t know if he will be here today, he work at the factory. He want to get his own house quickly and quit his parent. I like him better there than worry next to my bed. At least he’s making friend and money.

Mom was trying to make Whitaker sleeping. He’s still shaking about the reaping and since he can’t sleep in my bed he have a hard time falling asleep. My sisters are sleeping since that spends the whole day training with them. I miss my bow. I wish I could shoot a little. But I can’t. Dad is in the kitchen. I want to go outside, I feel trap in the house. I want…I need fresh hair. Being lock into four wall isn’t my cup of tea.  I open my window, throw my bags full of paint outside and walk slowly outside my room. My dad stood up the moment he saw me and ask me if I was ok. «I need fresh air. Can I take a walk outside…only for five minutes. Please» I ask, nearly begging. He look at me suspicious. «You won’t go see you friend do you…» I laugh at his question. «Dad looks at me I can barely move without being in pain. And I promise mom. No, I just feel for fresh air. I promise.»  He sigh. Knowing that if I would see them I would have told them. I never lied to my parent about the resistance. Our deal was clear; I told them the truth but I keep the secret of what we do so mom won’t have to stop us. «Five minute no more. » I smile, kiss him on the cheek and go outside.

I took a moment to breath the fresh air, feeling already better and walk to get my bag. As quickly as my health allows it, I grab my bag and walk a few blocks before finding a canvas where I could do my art. I needed to show that I was still there. People didn’t know who was the person who made the graffiti that was painting the district. And I didn’t want them to see that the moment I got put down, the graffiti stops.  It hurt a lot but I manage to paint something quick before going back home in the shadow of the night. I put my bag in the bush near my windows - I’ll ask Devon to grab it for me – and I walk home where my dad was waiting for me in the kitchen.

After finishing my cup I gave him back and had a small smile. The guilt was building inside me. «I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…» I start but he cut me down. «shhh…» He helps me lying on my bed once again, trying not to show he was worried when I grimace of pain. «It’s true Devon I completely enter his game. He knows I hate when he talk about my mom and that I will react. He wanted a reason to punished me and….» My eye were full of tears and I wasn’t sure if it was of pain or anger. Maybe both.  «Hey… hey Mila calm down. It’s ok. We are worried but no one is mad at you. » He said, stroking my hair to calm me down, seeing how upset I was. «Mila look at me. » He took my chin and lift it up so our eyes could meet.  «No one is mad at you. »  He repeated looking into my soul. I wasn’t sure about it. My mom spend a lot of money on the cream he was about to put on my back, my sister was worried I would die and got know what the other in the rebellion were thinking now.

Clack! Twelve. Clack! Thirteen Clack!  Fourteen.

Caleb didn’t even bother to explain why I was here. He just attaches me in the central place, ask people to stand out, retrieve his whip and start hitting me. In five minute, my dress was rip of by the whip and was attacking directly my scream. I try not to scream but it was pure pain. And the more he was doing it, the harder he get.

Clack!  Fifteen Clack!  Sixteen Clack!  Seventeen

I was in pain. My head was dizzy. I was seeing dark spot. Why no one was doing anything. I was becoming numb and accept the fact that people were so scared of Caleb that they rather look me die. All of this for a broken nose? Really? And after that people were asking why we were fighting against the capitol. This was a clear abuse of power. And no one will do a thing about that. Watching me scream, petrified by what they see.

Clack!  Eighteen ….

«WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE»  The scream made my nineteenth whip never arrived. I let down a tear on my cheek, unable to feel more in pain than right now. But that voice. I could recognize her between dozen. And thank god she was one of the few that wasn’t scared of our peacekeeper in chef; my  mother

«By chance her friend came to find me! When you will have stop Caleb? When she’ll stop breathing? She’s nearly passing out.» She was right. I was fighting to stay awake. My back was pure agony, my head was heavy and my eyes were close the dark spot made me want to throw up  «Twenty is the limit and you know it dear…Mayor. » the sound of disgusted in Caleb voice was terrible «Twenty for a broken nose? Really? You are overreacting too much officer. » I was feeling all my strength going away from me. «SHE PIRATED THE TESSARE SYSTEM» «YOU HAVE NO PROOF.»

Even if mom was the mayor, she couldn’t stop Caleb to arrest me and put me under watching for the night. They couldn’t do more than that; no one had proof about who hack the tessare system to erase all the data. But we were four of the alliance that wasn’t in the riot that had happened to distract the peacekeeper: me, Devon, Paisley and Ruby.  Four of us were arrested and lock into a small dark room like that. I could hear Ruby sobbing in the echo. It was her first arrest, she was a new member. The poor girl she is probably so scared. Paisley and her didn’t do anything. Since they were the newest and last night could turn out badly we wanted them safe. That idea cost them more than going into the riot.  And the peacekeepers were many thing but they weren’t dumb. They had a list of name known to be in the alliance. I was in it. For them it was easy to know who was there and who wasn’t. Next time we will have to find another plan than a simple distraction

As I was breathing to calm myself, I heard footstep and strong voices opening a door.  Another and another. And then my door open. The light of the corridor blind my eyes, use to darkness. «Come on girl. Let’s finish this. » Said a peacekeeper after grabbing my arm strongly and drag me out of my jail.  I wasn’t trying to be out of his grip; the more I was acting like they want, the earlier I will leave this damn place.  The handcuff my arm behind my back and made me sit in a room where Devon, Paisley and Ruby were already there, handcuff too. Devon look at me with his cocky smile that made me smile him back, totally amused. Not showing our emotion. That was the key.  And poor Ruby didn’t know it because she was shaking like a leaf while Paisley was trying to calm her.

I didn’t have time to calm her that Caleb enter the room and sat in the desk in front of us. I could see a spark of pleasure when he saw Ruby. That guy loves way too much his job. «So, did you sleep well» Ask Caleb, making sure we could see his warm coffee. «Yes thanks. It’s never as dark in my house. And with the other kid…. Phew. First time in week I slept the whole night.» I reply in a happy voice, like if I was talking to a friend.  Caleb look at me with cold eyes and took out his paper. «So I bet you know why you are here. » He said. I wanted to punch Ruby for sobbing louder. If she say something we are so done. And Caleb was playing the whole fear thing not for Devon and I, but for them. They wanted them to crack and spill the truth. So better talk for them. «Because every time things happen you are sure it’s our fault.» Said Devon before I could speak. I knew him for way too long to know he was thinking the same thing I was. «Because all your friends where busy burning a house of one of the peacekeeper, and you weren’t there. And suddenly all our computer are hacked. My shit someone else than you four have done it. » I chuckle, shaking my head. «You have no proof. When my mother asks for them you clearly told her it was just assumption. You can’t do anything more than having us for the night» 

Rubby had stopped crying. Or she was doing it in silence. At least that was something gains. «It’s true Miss Blair. But I can try to make you tell the truth. And I want to know the true version of what you did yesterday night. » The peacekeeper in chef looked at us alternatively to see who will spoke first. And I didn’t want to talk. Because everything I will say won’t make him believe that we hacked the system. «Well Camilla and I went to the market since my dad asks me to buy thing to fix our roof. Then we found a dark alley, we fucked and I bring her home before I went to mine.» Said bluntly Devon. I blushed a little at him admitting we slept together yesterday but at least he wasn’t lying. And the fact that my cheeks were red could make a proof of him telling the truth. As Caleb was looking at me, I gave him a proud smile and nod. From the chuckle he gave us I knew he didn’t believe it.  «And you!» He scream at Ruby «I…I….I was doing laudry with m..m….my mom.» she said, shivering. Caleb rolled his eyes and look at Paisley who wasn’t crying, who haven’t spoken one word since he was arrested. I was proud of him for that. A true warrior. «I was working at the factory. It’s easy to check go see my time sheet or ask the dozens of people that are doing your shitty outfit, they will tell you where I was.»

Caleb jumped on his feet and walk towards us. «So I guess those computer erase by themselves all the name of the tessare?» He screams. In a synchronize movement, Devon and I look at each other totally surprise and chock. Like we didn’t knew it. «Why we didn’t think of that» He told me and I look at him totally amaze that we haven’t had that brilliant idea. «Shut the fuck up both of you»

«You want us to talk or you want us to shut up? I’m confuse now.» I played, seeing Caleb’s neck becoming red of anger. «Look at them Caleb? That poor girl is crying since yesterday if she had something to say she would have for now. You wanted to scared the shit out of her well congrats she’s shaking and crying. And for him he don’t have anything to do with us. Go to the factory. It will take you five minute and he will be empty of charges. » Devon lost his temper and with reason. Caleb didn’t care about both Paisley or Rubby and he was making them pay for nothing.  «You don’t even try to defend yourself?» laugh Caleb, totally sure that was making Devon guilty. «Would you believe anything I said.» my best friend answer back «Of course not.» spit the peacekeeper in chef. «My point exactly. »

Both men were looking at each other in pure anger. Caleb knew he couldn’t do anything to us without proof and he make the impact he wanted to both of our newest member. He was winning that fight. «Let those kid goes. » He said to the other peacekeeper in the room, showing Rubby and Paisley. Both of them were out of handcuff and drag out of the room. «I know it’s you too. » Said Caleb, once the door was close. «And I know you too are celebrating the fact that I don’t have any proof. But mark my words. The day I found something about you two, nothing the mayor will say will stop me to make you pay.»

My mother. I hated when he take her name to say she was a shield for me. Yes my mom always said I could do what I want in the resistance. But she never knows where I am going or what I am doing. As the mayor of the town, if she knew it would be her duty to stop me. My mother never objected when he arrested me yesterday, she just ask for proof to know how long I will be kept. You make your choice, deal with the consequence. She told me once. And I was doing it.  I am sure Caleb was just mad at my mother because he was in her division when she was a spy in the capitol army. He knew my mother way before the rebellion. And the fact that he never understood who she was, was making him angry.

 He put out the handcuff of Devon and I and walk us to the entrance of the justice building. But before we walk outside he cut our way and looks at us. «I’m getting tired of your shit. Both of you. And your pathetic resistance will fall soon. «Your mother fail once Camilla. What make you thing you will.» He said with an angry tone. He was as tired and mad as us.  Before Devon could stop me, knowing how mad that sentence could make me, my fist enter Caleb’s face and in a big crack break his nose. My nail start to scratch his face and I start insulting him with every word I could. «That’s it you bitch.» he said, gripping my hair to throw me on the ground, holding his bleeding nose. «YOU OUT» He scream at Devon while people was pushing him out the building. I could hear my best friend calling my name. And Kicking, biting, fighting, I found myself caught by three peacekeeper who were holding me on the ground while Caleb was screaming order.

About an hour later, Devon left the building and was walking away as quickly as he could. I smiled, happy to see him safe and jump out the tree to meet him.  We nod in silence, answering each other question; did the job was done. And it was. Happy we walk as far as we could from the building, making sure to be in shadows so we won’t get caught. To make sure that people would see us far from the trouble, we walk to the market, talking and laughing just like two friends hanging out.  Deavon bought some things for his parent, making sure that someone in that market has seen us and we walk back in a more residential part of the district were we could enjoy the end of the night alone and celebrate our victory.  We end up talking in a dark alley, whispering our plan for the reaping and when the next meeting with the resistance will be. After a while, we end up talking about his new job at the sewing factory, helping him to have money for a house of his own; thing weren’t great between him and his parent.

«Do you want to go sleep at my house tonight?» He asks, grabbing my hips and pulling me a closer to him. He gave me a smile that made me giggle. A smile that was meaning a lot of thing. I pout a little and wrap my arms around his neck. «I’d like that. » I said, playing with his hair. «But I can’t. Whitaker is having nightmare again with the reaping coming. And he sleeps in my bed with me. It’s the only way he would sleep.» Devon had a sad smile but nod. He knew my family since we were six, so never he will try to make me go to his bed instead of being with my brother. And I liked him for that. He lean towards me and reach my lips, shivering I couldn’t help myself to answer back, parting my lips so his tongue could explore mine. We haven’t slept together for weeks now and I was craving for human contact. I felt his hand going down my back to go squeeze my butt with envy. I bite his lips. «Stop it » I whine on his lips. «We can’t tonight and you make it worst.» I moan a little when his hand got under my dress and start exploring me. I kiss him to hide my gasp of pleasure, slightly exited to have such exchange outside our bedroom. It was late and we were alone. Why not.  As his hand were going under my panties, I unbuckle his belt. «Oh!» He said, surprise but happy. «Pft, like you don’t want» He pressed his body against mine and rub his hardness against me. «I never said that.» He whisper in my hear while his finger start exploring my inner thighs. «Fuck» I whisper, totally aroused. I heard him chuckle between the kisses he was giving to my neck. In no time, his pant and boxer were lower my legs were wrap against him and he was moving into me, making me bit his shoulder and put my nails into his back. The forbidden aspect of our action was making me more existed than usual and I felt near the climax every time he thrust in me.  «Fuck, oh fuck» He was moaning into my ear while getting quicker. I felt my whole body exploding while he grab my lips to kiss my loud moaning of pleasure while I was climaxing. Feeling on a cloud, my heart was pumping and all my body was shivering of pleasure. I start moving my hips a little, realizing he hadn’t come with me and a few second later he unleashed himself into me, kissing me deeply. Breathless, he put his forehead against mine and we giggle together. Even when we were a couple, we never did such thing. «That was….» I whisper while going back on my feet. «…interesting.» He finish pulling up his pants while I was giggling like a school girl. Thrill by the adrenaline rush tonight gave me; making trouble in the district and that. What a night.

As I turn around I saw someone at the entrance of the alley looking at us weirdly. Fuck. With his shape and his clothes, I knew he wasn’t a peacekeeper but still… For how many time he was there? Devon and I were too focus on our thing to care about the rest of the world. Devon, after buckling his belt, took my hand and ran off with me, both laughing out loud. After a moment, we turn around and saw nobody has following us. Still laughing, we walk hand in hand to my house. On my front door he smiles at me and stroke a hair behind my ear. «Thanks for the night ‘Mila. It was awesome.» I giggle and kissed him quickly. «We have to do it again.» He winked at me and kisses me one last time before leaving. I watch him going to his home until darkness eats him. In a sight, feeling more alive and happy than ever I enter home.