A Reason to Smile - Tessa

The muggy summer air weighed down Tessa's strong limbs as she jumped with gazelle like grace over the stray branches and equally hazardous rocks that littered the winding path through the wood. Apart from the occasional tweet of a bird in the distance, or a slight, barely audible rustle of some stray dampened leaves it was strangely quiet on the path.

Piled up in her arms were several sacks of fruit from her family’s small pear orchard. It was ripe and juicy, and as it was market day, the time had come for the carefully nurtured crop to be sold. Thankfully, all the months are hard worth were expected to pay off, as the village grocer had said that pears were in high demand at this time of year. This was simply because the Capitol had begun hold an increasing fondness for them. This of course had led to a shortage of them elsewhere. especially in poorer District's such as 11.

Panting, Tessa felt her forehead prickle with a fresh sheen of perspiration, but, as her hands were full with the bulging sacks of fruit, she simply could not wipe it away. So, as she was out of options, Tessa forced her resolve to harden, and continued towards the point where the clumps of trees grew fewer, and fewer until finally they stopped all together.

Slightly ahead of her, (If Tessa had to guess she'd say two meters or so ) was a boy. He appeared about her age, and she could tell by the way he moved more than considerably fatigued. Although he was moving quickly, almost as if he disliked his picturesque surroundings.

Seeking company, on what was turning out to be a rather lonely journey, Tessa opted for a swifter pace, skipping lightly over small obstacles that could have caused her to trip, she headed towards the boy, and within minutes she was by his side. As she drew level with him, she reached out and touched him on the arm, although only lightly. "Hello" she spoke, her tone was thoughtful and inquiring.

Sighing quietly to herself, Tessa trudged further down the gradual S shaped bends of the foliage strewn path. As she went, thoughts flitted like idle birds from one corner of her mind to another, although none of them were of any particular importance. Tessa felt as if all that she could think about right now was the present, and that anything beyond that was shrouded in a thick blanket of fresh, slowly spreading fog.

However, this was cleared when Tessa heard the soft resolute sincerity that was clearly present in the nearby boy's tone of voice. For by this Tessa was truly taken aback, she guessed that it was the strangers way of apologizing for how he had reacted upon her unprecedented approach. "It's OK" she replied gently, and Tessa was surprised at how little effort it took her to sound completely natural. Usually it was customary for an edge of mistrust to creep undetected into her voice. “And Yes thank you if it’s not that much trouble” As she lightheartedly at this Tessa shook her head, she wasn’t usually as quick to give up, but this was one of the hottest summers on record, so (and this was another first for her) for a change, Tessa was grateful for someone whom she wasn’t related to.

(OOC:Sorry it's pretty horrific after my homework my muse is dying)

"I'm glad" replied Tessa with a grin, Tessa had always been one to smile frequently, but she was surprised by just how quickly any expression of amusement had materialized on the blank canvas that was her face. Tessa noticed that her companion had taken a considerably large load of her hands, and that he seemed like he was of a more than adequate disposition to do so. For although he was slight, his thin limbs were lean rather than sickly or weak. Tessa realized that many young women would consider him a pleasing sight. However, as of yet her opinion of the kindly stranger had yet to become fully formed.

So, her load significantly lighter, Tessa wandered further into the shade, as it acted as a constant shield to the scorching hot rays of the midday sun. "Indeed I hope so, otherwise we'll probably end up being scorched to death" Although this was said in a rather sombre manner, it was meant in a sort of exhaustion fueled humor." We're taking them to the market, Is that Ok? It's just I gathered that was your destination also" she walked slowly onwards, careful not to quicken her step. It would seem a slightly ungrateful to enlist the help of a stranger; only to abandon them on a journey that would be more enjoyable, and certainly less strenuous, if it was shared.

(Sorry it's SOO LATE, School has been so time consuming lately )

As they drew further into the shade, Tessa noticed the fleeting glances her helpful companion was stealing, although she didn't pay much attention to them. After all she had a job to do. However, it was only possible to remain in a sensible and driven state of mind for 98% of the time. The other two percent was spent quietly blushing over the fact somebody she hardly knew was intrigued by her, also a portion of that was spent pondering over what on earth he saw in her to be intrigued about. "Good, that way I'm not causing you too much of an inconvenience" her tone was light-hearted, but Tessa's relief at not causing her companion any discomfort was clearly evident,

She caught his eye, and then, twirling a single dark strand of hair around her forefinger in an absurdly uncharacteristic manner she decided to ask him about the one important detail she had neglected to mention earlier "Sorry", she spoke sheepishly "I didn't ask you your name did I?" "Mine's Tessa, Tessa Birch". She cast her eye over her nameless companion's features, they wore an expression of mask like amusement. Chiding herself silently Tessa made a mental note to steer clear of less obvious humor. If she could help it, that is, sometimes her nerves decided to show themselves in the strangest of ways.

"Well thanks once again Harrow," she spoke slightly timid at first, as her confidence gradually grew; it escaped Tessa's notice that she had put a rather suggestive spin on the last word. Perhaps her usually bolder nature was starting to peek out from beneath the surface. Tessa shook her head slowly; yet another thing the Capitol has thought to deprive the Districts of, she thought bitterly. A last name was a small article to desire, and yet, Harrow (and Tessa assumed his family) had been denied it.

"Actually" she mused, cocking her head to the side as if she was embroiled in figuring out a confusing thought, "I think I may have more than a few moments to spare myself!" she announced, grinning jovially after quickly reaching the conclusion that her Mother and Father wouldn't mind. After all, she worked her fingers to the bone most days- although; she wasn't really in any position to complain. After all, the farm provided extra food, and extra food ensured her family's survival.