under the summer sun [open]

When Gemma took a break from work it often appeared she was doing nothing. In reality, she was not just spacing out. She was thinking and wondering about whatever may come to her mind. Today for instance the topic on Gemma's mind was why oh why would district eleven make their workers work in the heat of the day particularly in August? It wasn't a very productive time to work because everyone was exhausted from the heat. And besides, didn't they know that the best of apples didn't come out until the fall? Wouldn't it be better to just wait? But no! They had to be impatient and demand apples now.

At the same time however, Gemma was also paying attention to her surroundings. While it may seem that there is nothing wrong with taking a short break, in district eleven, that break may be the last thing you do or at the very least cause you to get whipped, something that Gemma certainly didn’t fancy. Therefore, when the boy spoke to her she was not surprised at all. In fact, if anything, Gemma was expecting his comment. She knew that he knew as well as she did that break taking was forbidden so why shouldn’t he be curious? Gemma knew that she would be if she was in his shoes.

“Why yes, I suppose I should be.” Gemma said stopping her pondering and focusing on him. He seemed about her age, but that of course didn’t mean she had to know him. District eleven’s population was large. What Gemma was more concerned about was if he was an informer or in other words a tattle tale. She couldn’t have him running off and telling the peacekeepers on her now. “And your point is?” Gemma asked testing him to see how he would respond to that.

By asking that question, Gemma hoped to find out if this guy was trust worthy. If he responded with indifference he most likely could be trusted. After all, why would someone go out of their way to inform on someone if he didn’t even care? It was just really unlikely, unless that was all a pretense getting her to trust him. Gemma however really doubted that. He didn’t seem like the evil genius type. The final response would have gone something along the lines of “you know break taking is forbidden.” To this Gemma would have responded with an extremely convincing argument on why not to inform on her.

However none of the above occurred. He was clearly more perceptive then she had thought, realizing that she was testing him. On the one hand, Gemma wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. He must have thought he was so clever for knowing her real intent and that along with that fact that he was able to read her like an open book just bugged her. On the other hand, Gemma wanted to applaud him for being smart enough for realizing the truth and kind enough for not telling. After all, why shouldn’t he desire to get ahead? Wasn’t that what everyone wanted?

Holding back a smile, Gemma dropped down from her branch, landing like a cat on two feet next to him. She then picked up the third basket and said, “Good because you know what I hate most in this world? One who betrays his own.” It was one thing for a peacekeeper to get her in trouble. After all, that was his job. But for regular district eleven citizens who knows your sorrows to do so was unforgivable and Gemma spat on the ground they walked on. Now giving him a smile, Gemma neatly placed her basket into the wagon.

Gemma held back a smile as he made his comment about her hating district two. Perhaps he didn’t get what she was talking about? But that wasn’t even the comical part. The comical part was he was completely right. She did loath district one, two, and the capitol to boot, just because they had everything there so easy. In particular, Gemma hated how they allowed lesser districts to starve and killed off those who rebelled, reminded her of her now dead parents. Gemma however would never mention this, fearing for her own life.

And then it clicked with him. He now clearly realized what the real intent behind her words had been, and Gemma was glad. For a moment there she thought he was just another slow one. “Did I express concerns over that? No. It was just a stray thought.” Gemma lied not wanting him to know he had figured her out. She smiled now letting him know that it was all okay. She trusted him and wanted him to know she bore him no ill will.

“Nice to meet you Cole. The name’s Gemma.” She introduced herself.