how i became the sea - [toast]

Blake silently shut the door to his house, the hinges squeaking quieter than a feather landing on sand. He tried to keep as quiet as possible, to attract minimal attention from his parents, since all they did was annoy the crap out of him. He just want to get out of here, go to the beach, lie on the sand and relax. Just let everything go. The stress, the pressure; Everything. He continued his way, the broken up gravel path to the beach's stone jabbing themselves into the soft, foamy layer within his sandal. Soon, though, the gravel soon turned to sand, and the water was happily pacing itself back and forth, the soothing sound of the ocean able to soothe anyones mind.

He did pity that other districts, the one without the oceans. Why? Because here, you could fish, swim, relax. Maybe even more. The ocean was a place you could do anything. In mines, and farms, all you could do was work; But here, in District Four, he felt more free. More able to do things on his time than work, and have no time for himself to enjoy everything around him... And, well, himself. His feet shifted from the nuke-warm sand, into the wintery cold waters of January. He didn't really mind it, he's been in worse, but truthfully, he'd prefer warmer. He wanted to swim, he really did, so he decided her would. He stepped out of the water, and shed the flip flops that seemed to become a mold to his foot, as the water seeped in between the two. He left them lying in the sand, eager to make sure they are not lost. He takes a step back, then a breathe, but then, something catches his eye. A girl. A very, very pretty one.

Her blonde hair seemed to flow down her back and face, though he couldn't clearly make out who...or what it was. The girl was climbing rocks, up to what clearly seemed to be a cliff of some sort. A natural diving board. But why? The waters were really cold. Was there really someone else here who didn't mind the waters? Or did she have a different intention here? He couldn't be bothered to wonder, so he watched, as the girl approached the edge of what seemed to be a cliff, hanging eerily over the waters. it seemed like jumping down would be a passage to something. Something bad. But he was sure the girl knew what she was doing, you know, seeing as she looked around his age, and she seemed to be sensible enough from what he's seen.


Her toes were literally around the edge now, and Blake couldn't find himself to stop biting his bottom lip. He wasn't sure, but he did have a bad feeling about what this whole thing could turn out to be. He began to make his way up the rocks the girl had ones climbed, to try and talk to her, see what she was up to, but then, on his way she jumped. Just like that. His left eyebrow found itself to rise, his lips curled into a devious, typical smirk. This girl, she was great. She was gorgeous, she was reckless, she was perfect. Her head bobbed out of the water as she yelled something, some sort of celebration. He couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, and continue his way up the rocks. His hands grasped the rough edges, and his feet, boosted him up. His duel coloured eyes, one blue, one green, eye'd the rocks carefully, making sure not to slip or make any mistake, and to avoid another scar. The one under his right eye was enough. Though, his eyes, were unique. Being duel coloured, people noticed them often, but didn't consider it too freaky, except he did. He hated them. They way his two eyes mixed together made the colour of a pure ocean. He didn't want that. He wanted plain eyes. One that didn't look freakish. That's all he wanted. To be perfect.

He made it to the cliff of which the pretty girl had jumped, and saw she was no loner swimming in the ocean, but making her way back up here once more. He found a rock that shoved itself out of the ground, like a natural chair, just waiting for him. He could hear her coming, and he took his seat, his board shorts placing themselves in the dirt and rock. She approached, her hair glinting in the winter afternoon light, as she smiled and spoke, only hoping not to frighten her terribly.

"Well, hey there, Gorgeous. What're you doin' up here?"

He could only keep his smile on for the brief moment he saw the girl notice him, and then, as if by magic, she took a step back. What was she thinking? Why the hell would you step back into air? Maybe she wasn't as bright as he made her out to be. But, she was pretty, and that's all that caught his attention. Until he heard a splash below. Yes, he should've cared more, but he could only get up off of the rock and walk over to the edge, peering down at the splashing waves.

He waited, yes he did, for long enough until she wouldn't come up. A little bit of fear streamed through his veins like blood, burning at the agony and torture that would happen if they found out he had gotten a girl drowned, and the point it was off a cliff doesn't help either. He took a deep breathe, exhaling all stress and worry, as his breathe appeared before him, in the icy wintery air. Well, he did have the intention of swimming anyway. Her got ready to dive in, all the way here from the cliff, but then, out of the corner of his left, forest green eye, he saw a head surface. She was alright.

Relief flooded into his body faster then waves had flowed into the girls, hopefully. She climbed up hastily and sloppy, and he couldn't help but fall down on his bottom, and begin to laugh. The relief was just so great. So precious. This was definitely a tale he was not going to forget. His white teeth shone, as his arms were sent behind him, to support him as he say down. He was leaned back, his arms flexed straight out. He saw two hands suddenly appear on the side of the cliff, then a beautiful, blonde haired girl. And she was wet. Not only wet, but wet and angry.

”ARE. YOU. CRAZY?!?!I COULD HAVE DIED! DIED!"

His smile stuck on his face, as he didn't really care about the situation. He just smiled, stood up, and open out his arms, as if asking for a hug. But really, he wasn't giving her a choice.

"C'mon here, I think someone needs a nice warm hug."

He took a single step closer to her, which was all he needed. As he did, he went to grab her hand, and pull her in quite close, for a nice, warm hug. He didn't think she'd refuse, then again, no one ever did, so he only had the right to think that. Ever since he had matured, when he was around 14, everyone loved him. All the girls crushed on him, and the ones that didn't stayed silent; they didn't want to get noticed. So, he assumed this girl was no exception. Though, she did seem special.

Honestly, the thoughts bustling through his mind were unnatural. He felt different around this girl, like none other, but he didn't know what it was. Whether or not she would decline the kind hug offer Blake had offered her, he would continue to ask a few more questions, just to get to know this...Girl, of who's name he wanted to figure out, better.

"So, What's your name? I'm Blake Anderson. It's a pleasure. You come here often? Because, uh, well, after what just happened, I don't think you should."

He said this truthfully, yet sarcastically, letting out a small laugh that most people couldn't stand without screaming with joy. This girl, was definitely special. One he actually wanted to get to know better. One he actually like. He had finally found something decent in his life.

So, That was her name. Quartz Stonewall.
A perfectly unique name, for a perfectly unique girl. He rest his cheek, his head being turned sideways, on the top of her blonde hair, his smirk still curved onto his lips. He took no real notice, or no real offence to her insults, he really did deserve it, but he really didn't mind it at all. He wiped it off, as his shirt begun becoming dense with the water streaming off of Quartz. But, it seemed like she needed the hug, I mean, why else would she have taken it? He wrapped his hands around her back, and brought his left hand up to the back of her head, to keep her stable, and to stop the shivering she was doing. The clouds barrier parted for only a few moments, but the sunshine was grand. The was the light shot through the air like a bullet, it warmed Blake, and hopefully Quartz too. He let go of the hug, deciding it was time to do something else, something more entertaining than just standing on a cliff and hugging. Like making that 4th baby The clouds stuck together once more, as he began to speak, breaking from the hug.

"So, what do you wanna do now? You know, now that we're tight. We both came here for a reason, to swim, right? So, wanna give it another go, or did I scare the wits outta 'ya? I mean, you do look like a capable girl."

Whether or not she was going to join him, he was going to swim. He didn't come here just to watch a girl fall off a cliff and almost drown. He came here to have fun. One is lonely, Two is just right, 3, well... Three is a party. Two people were usually enough for him. He didn't like big crowds, since that's how it had never been for him as a child. He wasn't use it. Well, you could say at school he was, but that doesn't mean Blake necessarily enjoys the big crowds of kids. He enjoys the reputation, but the amount of people that stalk him. Too many. Two people could have a nice un-interrupted conversation, three, could have a annoying interrupted one. Clear now? Yep.

He stepped around Quartz, though he kept his warm hand gripped on her wet one, to get her to spin around, almost like an invitation to join him. Hopefully, she was getting the vibe. The message. As he reached the edge of the wintery cliff, the air wrapped itself around him. He his head with a giant smile on his face, giving off a sort of 'Whew!' sound. He released his grip on Quartz hand and begun to take off his shirt, seeing as it would be simply sexier easier to swim that way. It revealed the muscle he's had from all his swimming and such, though he actually had no real intention to show off. He took it off and hung it off the edge of the cliff un intentionally, but he couldn't care less. He slammed his left foot back, into the gravel and mixed snow, set his arms around his head- Into a stream line, diving position. Then, he jumped. and died.

The icy waters splashed over his hands as it quickly crept up his whole body. This was the life. As the water slowly swallowed his joy whole, he re-appeared onto the surface, the trickles of water tickling his face. He had the biggest smile on his face- Bigger then anyone could have imagined he had. This was obviously his joy, his life. The ocean. His hair was soaked now, dropping down, and now, he looked like a different person. But altogether, the same. He lifted out his right arm out of the water, and swung it in the air in a motion telling Quartz to come down and join him. Blake was reckless, and self-minded. He didn't take in the Quartz might still be scared, angry; He assumed the hug was enough.

"Come on down here, Quartz. It's great. I mean, if you're still too scared to come in, it's cool. But someone as gorgeous as you shouldn't waste their time shivering on a cliff. Get down 'ere!

One could say he was mocking her, but he called it teasing. He really liked this girl, yes he did, but he wasn't sure how to treat her. He was trying his best, but his best wasn't good enough. The only thing he wanted right now was a good friend. One like Quartz.

The next thing he knew, Quartz was flying off the edge, towards the deep blue waters. The point that it was winter and all, just made the water seem more majestic. It was soothing, just being in the ocean while light snow fell, coating the District in it's fluffy white layer. As Quartz came in tact with the water, it sent water splashing in all directions, so Blake had no other choice but to let his natural reaction occur. His arms flew up, blocking any water that was coming his way from coming in tact with his eyes. He was smiling, and laughing, eyeing the place where Quartz had landed with his unique eyes. The glint of her blonde hair was caught in the shaded sunlight, as he smiled even wider, happier than he's been in a very long time. He swam over to the area of which Quartz had landed and stayed there, until her head was fully out of the water. She was laughing too, and it was clear, that Blake had accomplished something today. He had made a friend, maybe something more. But for now, a good time was all Blake really desired and needed in his life.

"Well, I'm glad you could join me, mistress."

He spoke in a mockingly way, speaking in the trashy fancy Capitol accent. He went and grabbed for Quartz hand, because for all his years of being here, he had explored, and he knew where the best things were. He wanted to show her. The unique fish, the ones that are too dangerous to be eaten. Or, the valuable ones, if her family were fishmongers. He began swimming, with or without her, only thinking it'd be pointless if she didn't grab my hand and only jumped in for the heck of it. The world was meant to be explored. Maybe with people you like. People like her.

He began to swim, around the cliff, where access to the opposite way of which they came was clearly much too dangerous and simply impossible without the proper tools. Which nobody in the district would have. District Four doesn't have rock climbers. That's just-...Silly. I doubt the Capitol even had them. Who bothered to climb rocks in the Capitol, when they had all their precious clothes and make-up to look after? Bleh. The Capitol disgusted Blake sometimes, but sometimes he could do nothing but admire their arrogant ways.

He continued swimming, looking back to see if Quartz was still with him. The water was cold, and he couldn't help himself from checking whether or not Quartz was drowning again. Actually, once could say it was 'haunting' him, though it's only been going around for 5 minutes. Blake wanted some fun, and to him, looking at things right now sounded crappy. Maybe a contest of some sort. That'd be fun. Blake began to think for a bit, brainstorming ideas, until they came close to the other side of the cliff. The side that most people of District Four haven't been on.

"Say, how 'bout a breathing contest. Just for fun, to get the bad things out of our minds?"

She only smiled, as Blake followed and she nodded. She agreed, and the point that they were close to shore made it easier to get out of the water for whoever loses. Blake held out my right hand, and slowly counted down from 5. 5.....His thumb went down. 4....His index finger went down. 3..... His middle finger went down. 2....His ring finger went down. 1...Blake's pinky when down as they both took deep breathes, almost synchronized, shut their eyes, and plunged beneath the surface.

20 or so seconds have passed, and Blake's ready to go up. He's not sure whether not Quartz had lost already. 10 more seconds past and Blake shoots up, emerging from the surface, out of breath. he shakes his head, to get any excess water from his hair out, just to make it lighter. But as Blake's eyes scan the clear waters, he see's no one. 10 more seconds pass. There's no freaking way in Panem Quartz can stay under water that long. Something was really, really wrong. He swam over to where Quartz had submerged, and dove right under. He opened his eyes, as they began to adjust to the cruel salt water. He saw her. He feet had gotten stuck on a piece of coral, a circular one, with many jagged edges, making it almost impossible to escape by yourself without tearing out a chunk of your foot. She swam deeper, and tugged at the coral, getting the jagged edges from her skin. He lifted her out of the corals spiky grip, emerging at the top. He hulled her through the water, leaving a clear trail that last a few seconds if any fish or predator were to be following them.

He reached up onto the shore, and he climbed up. But now, there was far to much snow to just plop her down into. She'd probably freeze to death just lying there for a few minutes. He had to get up onto that cliff, where the snow plops off and makes it bare. Where it'd be easier to save his friends life. Quartz's life was at stake, and he wasn't about to give up.

He hoisted her onto his back as he began to plot out how he was going to climb up this wall. it was rigged, dangerous, and he was sure he wouldn't be able to get up. But this was a human being. Not just him. He began scaling the wall, taking only the paths he thought were safest. He only had a minimal grip on her, holding both her skinny arms between his chin and chest. He was using all his strength to try and get up, but he was going to do it. Cramps or not. He stepped onto shards of rock with his bare feet, but then, it happened. The rock under him lost way, and he was already half way up.

As he fell, rocks scraped over his face, giving him cuts and gashes, bruises even. That one rock, apparently, had way more falling with it. But it was either that, or let Quartz take them. And he wasn't going to let that happen. Wait. The ground. He flipped himself to be on the bottom as the rocks ceased their falling, so Quartz could land on him, instead of the ground, with him on top. He landed with a hard thud, the snow covering in most of the impact, but still. It hurt like hell. he wasn't going to give up. Not now.

He began to scale the wall again, this time one arm and chin on Quartz arms, and one suing the support his balance. it was safer this way, and more easy to control everything. He had found a safer path, and was scaling his way up, and then, finally, his hand reached the top. Then the rock under him broke, sending him to his death. Her grasped up and pulled himself and Quartz up. He lay her on the ground of the cliff, eager to save her life.

He lay her on the ground, spreading her arms her, leaving her more exposed for the life-saving process. He pumped at her chest, as water spurted out of her mouth, leaving a trail of spit and water on the right side of her cheek. The water was out.. But now what? He thought back to his fathers teaching. Oh, god. he had to put his lips to hers? How awkward would that be when she woke up? Whatever. He had to do it. He put his mouth her hers, pinching her nose, as he sent air into her open mouth. Her chest pumped up, as she began to breathe again. Thank god. As she woke up, he couldn't do anything but jump back and sit, a thing layer of pink coating his cheeks, as he bit his lower lip. He just saved his friends life. Lip to Lip. oh, boy. How romantic. The snow drifted past his pink cheeks, coating a thing layer of white over the ground. just as the blush had done to his face.

"I just saved your life... You can-...uhh, thank me later. Yea, No problem, Quartz."

Thank god. For the second time today, relief flooded through Blake's veins. Today, he has had two dumbass ideas that have almost gotten Quartz killed twice, and for once in his life, he felt bad. Someone's life wasn't meant to be toyed with- Whether it is an accident or not. This was something his father always said, teaching him CPR and such. People lives are important, just another reason why The Hunger Games are so horrible. Unfortunately, as the relief flooded through his veins, blood flooded out slowly. He had a big gash on his cheek, and a couple of cuts here and there on his face, along with a few bruises to match.

"Uuhh, well. Due to another one of my stupid ideas, you almost died. Your foot got caught in coral or something, your foots a bit-...Damaged. But if you tried to pull it out by yourself, it woulda been much worse. I'm-...Just glad your safe now,"

His voice had a bit of sorrow, and guilt built into it. An extremely rare sight for Blake; The one who'd destroy relationships to have someone for himself. He had never felt this horrible before, and he definitely owe'd Quartz something. It wasn't her fault he had to save her. It was his. His blush only got deeper and more pink, and he practically was gnawing on his bottom lip. Whatever this Quartz girl had in her, it was something that created a softspot in Blake. Something about this girl was special. Something no one else could do to him.

"I'm really sorry, Quartz. I didn't mean for you to almost drown that time, I didn't mean for you to almost die again. You really shouldn't trust me anymore. I'm just a danger to you..."

He had found himself sitting upon the rock of which they had first met, he's elbows acting as a pillar on his knee's, supporting his hands in hanging his hand in absolute guilt. He couldn't have even imagined what would have happened if Quartz had died. It was just a horrible thing, death. And to someone like her. Something even rarer happened. If he were to look up, his eyes would be sparkling, threatening to pour down tears, like clouds would drop rain. But he kept it in. He wasn't weak. He was strong. His name is Blake Anderson, and he does not cry at thing like this. But, he couldn't real contain it anymore. He looked up, as the tears began to pour a bit, one form his right, then left, then both.

"I-I'm really sorry. like, honestly. I really didn't mean for this to happen. I know I said it already and all... But you just seemed like a really special girl to me. And I really didn't want to lose you.. and I've almost lost you twice. I know we've only just met, and i said we were tight, but that was a different me talking. this is coming from me. The real me. I'm sorry Quartz. I really am."

It wasn't his fault? He had almost killed her twice, led her somewhere her parents probably wouldn't have let her. He felt bad, but her words did help him. After all, if he hadn't been thinking, and though Quartz had run off to scare Blake, he woulda just left, never to see her again. But, his instincts worked this time. But, her foot needed to be treated. It didn't look so good, but then again, neither did his face. He looked up at her, his green and blue eyes looking into her eyes. He knew she meant what she said, but he couldn't stop telling himself it was his fault, and that she wouldn't have stepped off of that cliff, or got stuck in coral by accident. All. His. Fault.

The guilt was flowing in through him again, as he turned his head away, out towards the wintery waters of District Four. It was hard to believe this place was under the twisted rule of the Capitol. They were probably dining on the things we did for them, while we're here struggling.

"Yea, I guess I did save your life. But I'm not so sure you woulda gotten in those situation without me."

He said this, though he couldn't bring himself to stay looking at the see any longer. He turned back to Quartz, gnawing on his bottom lip. A tear, left from before, decide to inconveniently dip itself salty liquid into one of Blake's gashes. It literally followed the line of his scar, down into the red flesh and blood of his face. It stung, oh, boy it did, and he flinched a bit, letting out the slightest cry of pain. He didn't want to show her what a coward he was, he wanted to have a nice time with her. But, due to the series of unfortunate events, the ocean didn't seem like a very good place. Maybe they could go back into the District? No, she was hurt, and she could barely walk. He had to help her before her cut got worse, and possibly infected. Though, it was in salt water, which temporarily killed any germs or bacteria, so, he did have a little bit of time to spare. Maybe to talk, or something. But, that's not what should be on his mind right now.

Her re-assuring hand squeeze put his cheeky smile back on his face, though the expression of sadness and guilt stayed plastered within the dome of his eyes. He squeezed her hand back, then went to get up, but this time, he didn't signal for her to come, or follow. He was walking over to the ledge. His toes were once again curled around the edge, as his footsteps created a solid path out of snow. Suicide? Swimming? No. He leaned down and went to grab his shirt, of which was fairly dryer now, though the snow has a little but of an affect on it. He curled a bit of snow it it, and walked back over to Quartz, and begun to wrap the shirt with snow around her cut foot. Hopefully the snow would soothe it, and the water would help keep it easier to treat later on. But, he was no doctor, and that's what they needed right now.

"C'mon, let's go back. You need some help. I mean, 'less you wanna go swimming again? Because I'm totally up for that."

His personality was coming back as he made his sarcastic remarks, as she bent down on one knee and held out his arms, offering to carry her back into the District if she wanted him to help. He smiled, the bright, stuck-up boy he once was beginning to return. Yep, everything was getting better. Blake had finally met someone special to him, and he wasn't go to let her get hurt again.

Honestly, his face was fun. It might've been a bit damaged by the rocks, but in the long shot it was worth it to him. Saving someone's life really isn't something you get to do everyday, you know?

"Don't worry about my face right now. Your foot needs treatment, and that's final. We're helping you first."

The gravel path slowly began to appear, the sand disappearing. It was like two separate worlds. One with the peaceful ocean, and one full of people working every minute of their lives for food. The stalls that they had to pass had show owners- Talkative ones to. This only meant one thing when they were talking to each other so intensely, staring at the two at the same time. They were spreading the news. And like the typical District Four, it would be around the whole District by nightfall. He's not sure what the story they're mending together this time is, but they're never good. He'd just have to wait and see what his parents would've heard. His parents were pretty 'okay' about everything, and never had any real freak outs, so he was happy with that. But he wasn't so sure about Quartz's family. Hers could be totally different, and he could get busted. Busted badly. He knew the District Hospital wasn't far, since they'd made it closer to one of the oceans in case anyone got hurt trying to make a living.

The gravel path soon turned into solid pavement, and he knew the beach was just a tale now. A simple story, to be told by only him and her. He carefully walked alone with Quartz, making sure the balance on her damaged foot was alright. The last thing they needed right now were tears and whining on the way to help. That'd just be annoying, if they couldn't help what they were doing. But, in this case, Quartz was a tough girl, and wouldn't just whine and pout. It just didn't seem like her. the medical sign was there, hanging out on the rusty metal railing, sticking out into the road for all to see. The District square wasn't far, and it was probably here so people from every direction could see it, though everyone already knew where everything in the district was. It was no big deal really. As they approached the door, they would find themselves in a rather small building. This wasn't really a hospital. It more of a one on one treatment. For anything. It had three doors connecting to the room of which we were standing; the room where customers had to wait. But this, this was urgent. They saw Blake's face, and the T-shirt that had been bled through now, and immediately split us both into separate rooms. As mentioned, one on one treatment. Not one on two.

The family that ran this District Doctors Program was a nice one, and cared for everyone health and safety. But due to the fact we were District Four out of Twelve, we couldn't get the best of supplies, but we still found our selves well equipped for the dangers of district Four. the poisonous fish, jellyfish, all of that sort. District Four had enough for their citizens to be safe. A chubby man, quite short, sit on a chair in front of him looking through a folder of the previous person who was in here. He glanced up, and motioned for Blake to sit down.

"What be it, my boy? Your face? By gosh! What happened to it? It's bruised and cut, Blake. Please, explain.

"Well, uhh. I kinda got in a tough situation. Had to save someonefrom drowning, a friend, and had to climb up the cliff, since the land below was packed with too much snow. It's much more complicated than it sounds, could you just treat it? I think that'd be best."

The doctor nodded, as he opened up a small jar, full of cloth strips. The doctor flipped open a small cabinet next to him and pulled out a bottle of a clear liquid, one Blake had never really seen before. He claimed it to be some sort of 'rubbing alcohol', and it was supposed to clean out your cuts. meant to be 100% painless. I was about to find out if it is better, or worse than that single tear drop was on my gash.

The doctors holds the clothes over the top of the bottle, and turns it upside down, sending the liquids into the clothe, soaking it up. Blake was beginning to dry off, this place being much warmer than the freezing, bare outside. The doctors put the clothe to each cut, sending a tingling sensation into each one. A painful tingling sensation. He groaned in agony as she doctors pressed the clothe harder against his bigger gash, the rubbing alcohol soaking into his wound. He could only hope the best for Quartz, since she has a much, much worse wound than he did. The doctor finished soaking up his wounds and placed a bandage on his cheek gash, and sent him off to whatever he needed to do. Just like that, he was free. They exchanged thank you's and such, and the doctor insisted there be no charge this once, as it seemed urgent this time. Then, he took in the next patient. The saltwater being his his hair, molded it back up as if there were gel in it, making him look like he would normally. He paced back and forth, waiting for Quartz to come out, listening for anything. Then, the door she was in opened.