For the birds (open)
Aug 16, 2012 22:28:34 GMT -5
Post by heartwood on Aug 16, 2012 22:28:34 GMT -5
Jasper stuck to his sister like white on rice. District four was a strange, strange place. He had never seen so much water in his life, and the fact that he wasn’t the best swimmer just drove his anxiety to the edge. What if someone thought it was funny to push him in? What if someone tried to push Jade in? What if their father tried to drown them both, and escape back home with no one ever knowing what he did? The thought sent chills down Jasper’s spine, and his emotion wasn’t masked by any means. He was scared, and the stares and whispers he drew from the other competitors indicated that they knew it.
Jade looked around, Jasper was sure she wanted to meet some other people. He would have told her she could go off on his own, but he knew he might explode into one of his episodes, and there was no telling what would happen if he did, especially in a foreign place like this. The sweat dripped down from his forehead; he took his sweat-rag, wiping himself dry before taking a few heavy breaths. He could do this; he could make it a few days without getting too out of hand. And as long as his sister was there, nobody would really be able to mess with him.
Jade qualified for several events, mostly track and gymnastics, and she was sure to represent District Two with pride and honor. Jade hade insisted Jasper sign up for Archery, it was one of the few things he was good at, and perhaps the only thing he truly had fun doing. But a competition? Was he really ready for that? Of course he wasn’t. Big crowds weren’t really his thing, and with all eyes on him for a short period of time, everyone was soon going to see him fail. He could only take relief in that Jade’s probably success would heal any wounds caused by his failure; and district two would be well represented by others in the Archery competition.
Their father was sure to enjoy it. He had all but ignored his son on the train ride. He spent the entire time giving tips to Jade as if he knew any better than she did, telling her how important it was for her to win. Jasper was fully convinced that he bet on his daughter to win nearly all of the events, and bet against Jasper in the lone competition he was in.
Jasper though back to his little red bird back home, he would surely be his biggest fan. Maybe he had some distant cousins or relatives that Jasper could play with or talk to, maybe there were new birds he could learn to befriend. Or maybe, just maybe, there was someone like him. Someone naturally anxious and nervous, who understood just how dangerous the world really was. Jasper highly doubted it.
As the population of competitors grew in the courtyard, Jasper took a deep breath, turning to his sister. “You can meet people, if you want,” he said awkwardly. “I’ll be fine.” Jasper turned his gaze to the sky, smiling at the birds flying overhead. At least he could take solace in the freedom of his feathered friends.[/color]