marley rose | D10 | Resub | FIN

You still remember it like it was yesterday.

The fire had been rampant through the house, thick ichor taking over your lungs as Bella had pulled you up from the room that you shared in order to free you from a gristly death. You were way too young to realize that she saved your life in that moment.

But even younger to realize that Mom and Dad were not going to make it out of there alive.

And that hurt you as you grew up in an orphanage with your sister for many years. Of course, you were never the type to actively cry about it, because Bella had taught you that you were going to do so much more with your life then live through the death of your family. You just had to figure out what exactly that entailed.

Growing up, you were somewhat easy to pick on, but Bella always told you that it was because people liked you. You were bright eye and curious about the world, just like Bella was. Except, Bella thought it was important to take care of everyone, just like she said your parents did. You wished you could have seen your own parents in action, but the locket around your neck was all you had left.

You still had no clue what the exact cause of death was, and to be honest, you didn’t care, because being sad over the past was not something you were taught to do. Bella always said, forget the past, focus on the present, plan for the future. You didn’t find the value in that sentiment, but there wasn’t much of anything else to latch onto.

You were sort of close to the other children at the pound, but none of them made a real effort to talk to you, at least, not at first. Everything changed eventually, but even you know that was because everyone felt sorry for you. Bella kept you as much company as she could. Even now, you wondered what Bella would have told you as you made your way through the house, bright eyed and ready to do whatever it took to help out. You were full of grit and determination, fully expecting to do whatever it took to survive.

You were never like that originally.

Bella dying woke something up in you. You always knew that she did not hold ill will towards anyone. She was seen as a motherly figure in the pound, when the home mother wasn’t around, Bella was the one that was left in charge. When she was reaped, all of that changed. That’s when people thought they needed to be nice to you. You did act out a little bit, but not because you were mad at them. You were mad at yourself. Maybe you should have volunteered yourself, so that way Bella could have gone on and lived a good life.

She would have never forgiven you.

You really did think Bella was gonna come home. You were so sure of it actually. You had never seen Bella get angry with anyone, but on that screen, you did not see Bella as your sister, but as a warrior, ready to do what it took to get home to you. Watching her kill someone? That was news to you, and while a part of you wondered if she might have been the reason why your parents were dead, you quickly dismissed the thought. Bella was fighting for herself, and a better life for you and everyone around you. The moment she told Dymas that, you knew that Bella had a chance to come home.

But watching her die was not a surprise, because even you knew at a young age, that death is unavoidable in the hunger games. Maybe if Bella got to wait two more years to go in, she could have come back to you like they did in the 80th games. You did not hate anyone from the 80th games, but you did hate the capitol for doing what they did to them.

Because Bella could have been yours once again too.

But now you are trying to figure out what life has in store for you. You came up with a plan with your best friend Rogue, and you decided that you were going to plant flowers for every tribute from ten that died starting with Bella. Your house mother left you in charge of the gardening then, and you did not look back. It started with Roses, and by now, you cant even fathom just how many flowers you have in that garden. Ten hasn’t won in a while, and while you are sad about that, it was what it was. There was no point in trying to think about the past after all. One day you wont have to plant two sets of flowers.

You are now 18, and you wondered how in the world you even survived to this point. To be very clear, you were alright in the normal sense, but to survive this long? Without Bella? That is where you were confused. You would always cherish the life she helped you survive, but part of you wishes that she came home. You still plant a new batch of roses every spring. Each one more vibrant than the next.

Rogue still teases you from time to time, but you are appreciative of her, because through it all, she has been there for you. And even now, as you are getting ready to embark on a whole new experience in the capitol, Rogue still teases you. You sigh too many times, not even sure why you took anyone up on the offer. But then you remembered…

Forget the past.

Focus on the present.

Plan for the future.