We're The Odd Ones{Ems}

Time seems to stand still during the hours of school. Seconds become minutes, minutes become hours, hours become days, and days become weeks. It's hard sitting in the middle of class when my eyes roam around the room staring at the clock hanging above the board. It only shows one thing - time doesn't move any faster. In fact, staring at the clock makes the time seem like it's going slower and slower even today as I sit in my favorite class, history. History has always fascinated me because it talks about the past, and what makes up the nation I live in today. Learning about the rebellion blows my mind away every time I hear about it. It's beyond my wildest imagination why anyone would attack the Capitol when they love us so much.

Nothing the teacher says every registers with my mind because my eyes are fixed upon the clock watching it count down until the moment we are all released for the day. Yes, this is my best class, but I'm like any student; I want out of here. Walking out of this place is the best moment anyone could ever ask for because it allows me a few moments without anyone pressing a book over my head forcing me to learn. Each day lessons are pounded upon us telling us the Capitol loves us, and it must be true because every single teacher reiterates it every single day. All time around me seems to stand still until the teacher taps his hand against the board drawing me out of my gaze with a silent sigh.

My gaze turns towards the window where the sun shines brightly in the room lighting it up vividly so the lights in the classroom doesn't have to be turned on. I watch the birds as they dance outside free from any harm. Nobody rules over them, and they can make decisions on their own unlike me. Mom thinks it's best if I stay away from everyone locked away in home or school because my foot is crippled, yet she doesn't understand what it's like being locked away. Every time a bird flies in front of the window the urge to be like one of them grows stronger so I can finally roam free without any worry in the world.

The moment the bell rings my hands move fast throwing all my books into my bag before slinging it over my shoulder. My right foot drags against the floor as I stumble across the room limping while everyone laughs. My eyes face those left in the classroom as my cheeks burn bright red. It's never been easy standing in front of these people. One thing I have learned growing up in life is people are truly mean as they don't care about other people's feelings, yet I learned quickly to ignore them, and to turn and walk away which is what I do now. Limping as fast as I can, my feet carry me out the door of the school away from everyone at last.

I run, and I stumble, but it doesn't stop me from moving as fast as I possibly can. Once I'm off the school grounds, my pace slows down. My heart leaps in my chest as my hands press against my knees in attempt of catching my breath. My eyes light up with joy as they glance around the area. A large number of trees stand before my eyes as the green of the leaves provides a calming sensation to rise against my body. The way the sun beams through the trees lighting the grass causes a spine tingling chill to spread across my body completely. This place is absolutely amazing.

My feet carry my body in a complete circle as my eyes flash through the trees, and something catches my eye. A girl, about my age, sits on one of the benches beneath the trees. Slowly, dragging my foot against the ground, I make my way over to her wondering what she could possibly be doing. I try being as quiet as I possibly can, but it's never enough because of how clumsy I am. She holds a book in front of her face, and my mind screams at me to run away, to leave her alone, but that's the last thing on my mind. Maybe she can be a friend, yet I know deep inside it's possible for her to be a foe, but there's only one way to find out, so I speak.

"Hello."

Standing outside in the open as the sun shines down upon my body is the most amazing time of the day. It's better than sitting inside the old school waiting for the bell to ring. I love going to school, don't get me wrong, but when it's the last few minutes, I would much rather be outside on my way home. The tension runs higher this time of year because it's almost time for the reaping where two from district nine will be heading into the arena. It's part of our past, and it must keep going forward. At least, we had a victor last year. It's about time a victor from here walked way from the games.

Today is a perfect day to sit down and think about what could happen in the upcoming reaping, but that would drive me insane. Most people I know don't want to think about the reaping, yet it's on my mind constantly. When will my name be called? Will my name be called at all? What will my mom do? Will she cry? Those are questions that always fly across my min every single day. The one thing that evades my mind is the thought of death. Dying doesn't seem like fun, and it scares me because I have no idea what will happen.

My eyes turn towards the girl sitting in front of me and watch contently as her eyes zip across the pages taking in every word. It's mesmerizing watching people read. It seems she's so into the book that nothing would distract her. A large grin spreads across my face as a bird flies high in the sky singing a joyful hum. A gentle breeze causes the hairs on my arms to stand. The leaves rustle in the trees before falling to the ground slightly. Abandon leaves zip through the air. It's amazing. My eyes turns towards the trees as I chuckle softly. It's a beautiful day.

I turn back towards her as the shuts the book. Hopefully it was a story she enjoyed since she read so fast. Reading has never been an interest of mine. I hate when the teachers at school want us to read so many pages of the most boring book in the entire world. If the books were better, perhaps I would enjoy reading better. Usually, a page is never turned in the books they want me to read. The first page is read and if it sounds boring, I'm done. It never ceases to amaze me, though, because it's what they expect of us. "Hi."

My grin grows larger as she speaks to me since I'm usually ignored by everyone. Because of my crippled foot, I'm the laughing stock of the entire class. It hurts when people laugh and make fun of me, but it doesn't change anything because my foot isn't going to heal itself. Nothing will make it right, but there's no need to worry about it. "How are you doing?" My voice shakes as I speak to her. It's strange talking to someone who isn't making fun of me. Maybe she'll be nice after all.

Day after day, class after class, my name is called asking me to walk to the board to write stuff down. Every kid in the class laugh as my foot drags across the ground. Many times after class was over, I would see the teacher and ask if they wouldn't call on me for that reason. The response is always the same. "You must do your work just like everyone else." Every single day this happens, but nobody else in the class is called on. One day I asked the teacher about it, but the response was the same. It doesn't do any good to whine though because it only makes the situation worse. Maybe one day I'll have the courage to refuse, but the punishment for refusing is unknown.

My life isn't as bad as people make it out to be. Some people have it worse than I do because their problems can't even go to school like the rest of us. No matter how bad I think my life is going, someone else always has it worse. Families mourn over the loss of their children that have died in the games, but they don't get any special treatment. It's hard looking at them and not asking the questions, but the questions are far away. Asking them what it's like to have a brother or sister die in the games isn't a good conversation starter.

"I'm great, I am June Rhodes by the way its nice to meet you." She holds her hand out as she talks. My heart prances under my chest as the grin grows larger spreading across my face. Nobody is ever nice to me; she's the first person. Butterflies dance in my stomach as my eyes turn towards her again. Heat radiates from my cheeks as they glow bright red. My hand reaches towards her hand wrapping around her's gently before shaking it. It's a move of friendship, and for the first time it seems close.

"I'm Sammy Gustav." For the first time the words fall gently from my lips. "It's nice to meet you too!." It's hard to hide the excitement growing inside. Maybe I've made a friend for the first time in my entire life. It's a feeling never experienced before.

Never in my entire life has a chance of a friendship shown before me. Usually the only time anyone talks to me is when they are making fun of me, and it hurts knowing people are the way they are. Ma always says what doesn't kill me will make me stronger, yet it's impossible know who strong this will make me. All throughout my life people will laugh at me because nothing will fix my foot; it would be best if I just chopped the thing off, but the laughter would still be there. I wouldn't be called gimp anymore because of my limp - I would be called a one legged freak. Kids are cruel just as the Capitol is cruel. They don't love us because they wouldn't let my life go on like this.

Watching her smile causes the smile on my face to grow larger. Butterflies twist my stomach into a knot. She's the first person to talk to me who has never said anything mean or hurtful, but that could change quickly. It's possible she could turn into one of those cold blooded fools who enjoy making people cry, but I don't cry anymore. Tears won't form in my eyes because of all the tears that's fell from my face. I chew on the inside of my cheek as my eyes move away from her trying to speak, to break the silence that's surrounding us, but silence can be a good thing. In every storm, a silence is waiting allowing for things to calm down before they pick back up again. Sometimes, a longer silence is needed.

"So what brings you out here today? I haven't seen you around here before except for school." Her smile is replaced by a larger smile which only makes my smile grow larger. It's true what she said; I'm never out here because it's always the safest to run home before anything else can happen. Usually tears are flowing down my face as they laugh at me as my foot drags across the ground, but today something was different. This girl, June, (I think that's her name) was sitting here alone with her nose thrown into a book. I don't know what stopped me, but something did.

My heart leaps inside my chest as my eyes turn towards the ground for a moment. One of my hands run through my hair with my fingers spread wide. My eyes turn back towards her as my hand drops to my side. "I saw you sitting here all alone. I know what it is like to be alone. I thought you could use someone to talk to." My words are quiet as I'm unsure of myself. Talking has never been something I'm good at. I take a deep breath before lowering my gaze towards the ground. Nothing makes sense in life; maybe it's time for something to finally make sense.

Part of me wonders why she's talking to me; nobody ever talks to me unless it's making fun of me, laughing at me, but she's not. She's talking to me like I'm another human being, like nothing is wrong with me, but at times it's hard not to think she's staring at me. People are rude and inconsiderate at times, but June doesn't seem to be one of those people. She was sitting alone with nobody to talk to her. She was reading a book which appears to be interesting. I could tell by the way her eyes darted around the page. I've never been into reading. It's boring. Yet I'm fascinated by how interested she was in that book.

I turn my eyes towards the sky staring up at the sun watching birds fly through the sky. It's a beautiful sight especially with the rays beaming through the branches of the tree providing just enough light for people to see. Sometimes a cloud flies across the sun making a nice shade along with a gentle breeze. Usually I would be home by now chatting with my mom about what horrible day of school I had, but I can't wait to run home and tell her about my day. How I've made a friend. How I've turned my life around. Will you be happy mom? Will you love me the same? Will your protective grip let go? With my mom it's hard to figure anything out because she's always changing her mind.

""Well you are right I do need someone to talk to. I am tired of being alone and I am sure you are too. So come join me, we can be the odd ones out together."

Heat radiates from my cheeks as my eyes fix on the girl before quickly turning towards the ground. She's the first person who hasn't sent me running away like an animal because of something so simple, well it's not simple, but it doesn't change who I am. I can almost feel the blood pooling on my cheeks making them turn bright red, but it's impossible to know because there's no way of seeing my face. My stomach twists into knots. Someone wants me to join them. What is going on?

I run my fingers through my hair trying to figure out what's possibly going on. My gaze turns back towards the girl wondering if she's still there or if this is a dream. It has to be a dream because nobody else wants to talk to me. My feet drag my across the ground over to the bench where I take a seat. Well, this is awkward. My eyes dart around the area wondering if this is a set up, and people are going to come running out of the woods laughing, but nobody does. This has to be a dream, but I lower my gaze towards the ground waiting for her to laugh.

"So, do you come here often?"