3rd time lucky [Alice]

Patches of bright, joyful green peek from under the slowly melting snow, fighting to bring spring from the dim, sad world of winter. There is a slight breeze, fluttering my shot, stringy red hair into my face and putting my dark green eyes into half the size they usually would be. My light is tinged pink by the weather, but not the slap-in-the-face pink I usually recieved from the cold. February was a time most of the Districts would still be waist deep in snow in, but because of our location we could hit spring early. Not as fast as District 11, but enough we got through the season easier. That was something to thank the heavens for tonight.

I walk home with a sense of satisfaction, having received a good trade for the chicken. She was a layer, not food, and though that comforted me slightly, people would eat anything when hungry. I laugh a little in my head. I don't know what about, it was just nice to be happy. Sometimes I wish people would let me laugh out loud, but Ma said I sound like a maniac when I do. I play with the feather in my hand, stroking the soft vane. The day was not as cold as it had been the past few weeks, making it easier to travel, though the ground was still wet. Today had been a good day in general. Sold a few chickens, had enough money to go and buy fruit and bread, had a shoe repaired. For once my bag was full. Ma would be very happy, and I might be able to sit down and read a book for a little while.

I wave at a rabbit hopping by. His dark brown coat was wet and his ears were pulled back, but I still thought he would think me nice if I acknowledged him. Not many people liked to wave at the poor animals. They were alive too. Hello Mairead, I imagine the rabbit saying to me, My name is Rabbit. I laugh out loud at the idea. A rabbit named Rabbit! How silly, right? As he disappears behind a house, I quickly forget about him and glance around for any other animals I could say hello to. "Hello Horse, hello Turtle, hello Lamb!" I say, ignoring the people giving me funny looks. It was a joy to live in such a populated district. A blessing to always be around her friends.

If there were no animals in the world, I would not be here. I would have given up a long time ago, and stopped laughing so much. People around here often said they preferred sheep, horses, cows, or pigs. I was the chicken girl, chicken-limbed, chicken-minded. I step over a few rocks, going over rather than around. Nothing got in my way, because I was Mairead and nothing stopped me. Well, an electric fence might, but hey, I never had to get by one of those or anything! I laugh once again, but this time I restrain it to my head.

I notice a young girl sitting in a patch of grass, and start walking in her direction. Maybe she wanted a greeting as well, and that was why she stopped. If I had a hundred words left to say, they would all be "Hello, how are you?" My remaining one would be "Well." As my legs bring my closer, I observe the young one hard. Her hair was blonde, short, and straight. She had light skin, and her eyes seemed to be hidden from my point of view. Perhaps they weren't even apparent. I push my hair out of my eyes and crouch down next to her, placing my face about six centimeters away from her's.

"Hello, Girl!" I say cheerfully, not caring if I startled her or not. She should have seen me approach, anyways. Anyone who wouldn't notice that had to be extremely unobservant. I was used to observing, it was like a hobby of mine. Watching people. Some people liked bird watching, I liked people watching. I'm no stalker though - I don't follow. I just sit and stare, with my dark green eyes. Thoughts whirling wildly out of control, laughing to myself like a maniac.

The girl turns, and I supposed I may have surprised her a little. Only a little though, because she just gasped and back away. Sometimes people would jump a few feet in the air. That is fine though, surprising people can be funny. I laugh, and it sounds wild and crazy like I am. That is why Ma told me not to laugh. To late now, anyways. The girl was being funny, what with the silly expression on her face. It was visible she was thinking about something. I wonder if I knocked any memories into her. I hope they aren't bad. Giving people bad memories is not funny, nor is it pretty.

"Urr," she holds, and I assume she was the nervous type. That was alright. It seemed everyone around here was nervous about me, some just antsy about being near me. Ma said it was my fault, but I don't really believe her. It is their fault if they don't like me, not mine, because only they can change their opinion. Is that right? It sounds right, at least. Everything was always about making it sound right. I wonder if the capitol has anything to make things sound right, or better, for their television shows. Maybe not. They could just be very, very good at what they do. Kudos to them!

I widen my smile, thinking it would make the girl more comfortable if I appeared more friendly. Ma said don't talk to strangers, because I scare them away with all my babbling. Why listen to her though? "My name is Mairead Mac'IlleBhreac, I did not mean to scare you, I just wanted to say hello. Oh, actually I was talking to the animals before you, and Tree is very friendly as well. I used to talk to the walls but they never replied. Outside, things are much friendlier, you know? Most people don't think to talk to the animals, but really, they have feelings too and they are alive. I also say good morning to the flowers, they are just waking up now. I'm seventeen, but Ma says I act like I'm six. I don't believe half the things she says, because she talks a lot, like me, but I do listen to her. She told me not to laugh." Then my wild, mad laugh breaks though and lunges at the real world for a nice seven seconds.

"See?" I say, then laugh again, this time shorter and quieter. She must really think I'm nice, to not have run away yet. I smile ever so much wider. "Do you want to be friends? I make a really good friend. We can talk, and we can play tag, and... and we can make mud pies when it rains, then we can draw on each other's arms with pens, and we will be best friends!" I begin to get giddy with excitement. She hadn't said anything yet, but I had a feeling she was beginning to warm up to me. I jump up and down, clapping my hands and giggling. This was going to be so much fun! Then I pause for moment, losing a little of my smile and tilting my head at the girl. Just like the owl.

"What is you name? I'm Mairead Mac'IlleBhreac, but you know that, right? I told you? How old are you? Where do you live? Do you have any siblings? I do! You have very pretty hair, blonde, right? Lots of people have blonde hair but I still think it's very, very pretty." I pause to take a breath, then let my huge smile come back. I was babbling, one of the things I did best. If there was a babbling competition I would win first prize. I need to find more people like this girl, who will actually stay to hear the whole thing. "Your eyes are pretty, too."

I sit down next to her, getting as close as I considered okay for best friends. I stare at her face carefully, admiring how pretty it was. "Your face reminds me of Cat's face. Which is good."