Cats -- (Psych, Open?)

"Are we going anywhere specific?"

That question stopped me in our tracks. Where were we going? Well we're not going back in that bakery, where that Capitol girl's ordering one of those large cakes.

Neither of us wants to go back and work. So I guess we'll end up going to my house.

"Do...you want to go to my house?" I ask.

Maxxis nods, so we start walking to the south of the town square. Lume is still staring at the dog, whose name I now know is Twink. He doesn't like Lume either, but at least they're not at each other' throats.

"You live here? Wow, what do your parents do for a living?"

My house is nothing special. Maxxis is only gaping at it because of its abnormal paint job. I mean, it's a dark blue, a lovely shade that only appears when it becomes dusk on a clear day. Most homes in our neighborhood are a boring off-white color, as if they're trying to make their homes match with everything around it. It doesn't always work.

Alright, and I'll admit that it's a tiny bit bigger than some homes, but that's only because every single family member in our house works. I mean, we work a lot. Each member averages thirteen to sixteen hours of work per day. Therefore, we can maintain a slightly larger house than the norm. I mean, even the seven-year old works thirteen hours a day with mom.

"My house isn't that special. It's just the color."

I take one last look at our guests. Maxxis is thinking about something. Her head is tilted, as if she's trying to solve a math problem.

Twink seems happy. He's barking at Lume again, who quickly runs up the lemon tree and into the open window that leads to my room. I really should close that, but only cats can climb up that tree. The branches are too narrow and high for anyone to climb.


"Alright, let's go inside, would you like som-"

I open the door, and hear a THWACK. Hysterical crying soon follows it. I run inside to find that the door has hit my little sister, Io, in the forehead. She's only seven, so it's harder for her to contain her wails.

"Shh, it's going to be okay Io, I'm soo sorryyy," I gush.

I lead Io, Maxxis and Twink into the kitchen, and motion for Maxxis to sit down. I quickly pick Io up, and notice that the door made a small, shallow cut on her forehead. I quickly put a bandage on it, but only to make Io feel better. As soon as Io stops crying, she walks over to Maxxis and begins to hound her with questions.

Meanwhile, I get out a bowl of water for Twink. He seems parched.

"So, like I was saying earlier, would you like something to drink? Maybe some tea or milk?"

"Milk sounds wonderful thank you. You are quite generous to someone you hardly know Sundra."

She does have a point there. Normally I'm quiet, and don't talk to people, but that Capitol girl in the bakery just made me so mad, that all thoughts of being shy and quiet just flew out the window. So now I'm just trying to act friendly, because Maxxis seems like a nice girl.

"So the games are coming around the corner very quickly, are you going to start doing any training of some kind?"

I shudder. I never like talking about the Hunger Games. It's something to be despised. The capitol is sending twenty-four people to their deaths. I do mean twenty-four, because in no way is the victor ever the same after that.

"Im sorry I shouldn't---"

I interrupt her quickly "No, no it's alright, I just don't like talking about it."

I pour Maxxis some milk. She looks a bit peckish, so I quickly make a sandwich for her.

While she eats, I tell her my story.

"I just... It's pretty possible that I could end up in the hunger games, because I have a few tesserae, and you know what it's like, to be in the Hunger Games. We've all seen it. I know I wouldn't really do very well."

"My father, he was reaped when he was fifteen. But his brother volunteered for him. And he died in the top 8. So I don't want to give my family false hope if I'm reaped and reach that far. You know what I mean?"