families are like fudge: sweet and nutty (Ariana/Adam) blitz

Ugh. School majorly blows.

As soon as the bell rings I’m outta there, bounding down the stairs three at a time and off to find something to eat. District Four has been crazy jam-packed busy lately thanks to the Tri-District tournament, and I expertly weave my way through the masses of people making their way to the training centre. I hadn’t even qualified for the preliminary matches, but I can’t say I was too surprised. Or disappointed. Okay maybe I threw my matches a little bit to get out of the tournament. Too bad it meant I didn’t get the week off of school.

I look at my wristwatch, checking the time and confirming the restaurant would still be open, and hopefully not too busy. I get along pretty well with most of my fam, dysfunctional as we are. Alexa and her children were probably some of my favourites, though. Always so kind and welcoming. Make you feel like nothing is ever too much trouble for their little family.

Not to mention the promise of free food!

The bell to the restaurant tinkles and Ariana is on me within seconds, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug and honestly someone her size should NOT have that much strength.

“Ari! Yeah well you know, it’s been a while, and what can I say? I missed my favourite cousin!” Maybe I’m laying it on a bit thick there, but it’s not far from the truth. She continues to ramble excitedly, offering me some lunch, and bingo.

Can always count on your cousins!

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that…” I speak slowly and placidly, trying to feign indifference but Ari is grabbing my arm and pulling me through the back doors as if she didn’t even hear me at all. I chuckle at her energy, find myself bouncing off of her excitement and obediently take a seat on a spare stool as she sets to work straight away.

“What’s new? Oh you know, same old. Except, what about Annisa?! Top eight of the tournament! I tell you, Ada was NOT pleased about that!”

The sound of butter frying is almost as good as the smell of it. I watch Ari closely, trying not to look too eager but failing miserably, and we both know it. I can’t help but laugh out loud, and laugh even harder when I hear her join in.

“I think she is in with a good chance… though she is against that Fray – she cut off that girl’s leg yesterday!” I jump to my feet at that, recalling the conversations that had been floating around dad’s bar after the fourth day of the tournament had come to a close. What a psychopath!

“That’s all anyone was talking about at the bar last n– I mean, uhh, at school today!” I’m mentally facepalming myself, heart beating out of my chest at my slip up. It’s pretty common knowledge that dad doesn’t like any of us kids hanging around his bar – it’s never stopped me, obviously, but there’s a reason I don’t go around parading the fact. I don’t think Ariana is one to snitch, but you can never be too sure. She is a Morrisen, after all.

Quick, change the subject, think!

“So uhh, did you try out for the tournament too? Or did Aunty Alexa need you here too much?” I grin as I speak, words coming fast and hurried. I send a silent prayer of thanks that Alexa wasn’t my own parent, much as I love her, because god did she know how to put her kids to work! “I tried out but flopped in the second round,” I continue, shrugging my shoulders. “I did it mostly for the moral support for Ada. She was pretty bummed she didn’t make it as far as Annisa.”

The thought of my twin sister sitting dejectedly on her bed, frown etched into her face, makes me falter a little. I feel some of the lightness of the day get knocked out of me. No matter how much we fight and disagree, it still hurts to see the people you love in pain.