more i know, less i like {torian&chapel}

Torian felt like an alien in his own district. He had begged and complained about returning home so he could live some semblance of a normal life, yet every day so far had been nothing like his old life. The reunion with his parents had been wonderful and heartfelt, but short-lived on account of moving to a grand house in a new neighborhood. It was way too big for them, and he remembered hearing his mother mumbling in the new master bedroom about how they were going to afford decorations to make the place look cozy. Torian didn't bother to remind her that they were rich now - she could come to terms with that on her own, because he could barely process it himself.

He didn't enjoy the neverending spotlight. In the Capitol and the other districts, it was fine. Being wined and dined (with no wine since he wasn't old enough) was something he could grow to enjoy. Trying new dishes was fun, and not having to worry about how much change was in his pocket was nice. He didn't have to worry about asking his parents or adults for anything. That being said, he didn't like that fame could not be left behind. His face was everywhere in Seven. Literally everywhere. Walking outside and watching constant repeats of his 'conquests' in the Games was disturbing. Seeing posters of his frowning face in school was surreal. Hearing people talk about him was awkward. Listening to his own interviews on the radio was annoying.

As a result, his parents hadn't sent him back to school yet. He had heard whispers of them discussing a tutor, and he didn't know how he felt about that yet. He wanted to socialize, especially with his friends. They weren't all in the gifted classes with him, but they treated him differently as well. He was fairly certain they were trying to pretend everything was normal, but he could see it in their eyes - the judgment, the apprehension. They were wondering if Torian was the same person.

Honestly? He wasn't.

But he so desperately did not want to start over. That didn't feel fair after everything.

He withdrew to the library today. The smell of books and the sound of silence brought him serenity. He shuffled through the fiction section, hiding himself away from the public eye, savoring the peace.

For a moment.

"That book's fucked up, y'know he dies at the end?"

He wanted to assume the boy was talking to someone else, but the voice was far too close for that to be possible. Torian closed the book and glanced over at - ah, it was Chapel. He remembered the debate in class they had one time about the use of Artificial Intelligence. If only he knew that the Capitol actually used that technology, and for certain purposes, it was impressive. Chapel would've probably enjoyed it. If he hadn't been busy calling Torian a kiss ass, of course.

Torian didn't know how to respond to people who were angry with him. His team had trained him with a script during his Victory Tour, but he hadn't expected hostility in his own home. Why was it an issue to be at the library? "The library makes me happy, that's why I'm here." He placed the book back where it belonged. Maybe he should've walked to the nonfiction section.

"I don't think I should be banned from the library because I won the Games. I've given up enough of the things I like."

He sighed. The problem with winning was nobody would be able to understand him except the other victors, but what was he supposed to do? Just hang out with Mackenzie until the Games happened again? They had so little in common. Mackenzie was a father. Torian was just a kid.

"Also, I've already read this book. He doesn't die at the end."

Yeah, he couldn't help it. Torian didn't have a mean bone in his body, but he had grown a little cheeky since his traumatizing adventures.