Post Reaping. Creative title, eh? (Campion, Open)

The clouds have granted us a long spring shower today, but the rain is different--it's a heavy deluge, complete with the lightning and thunder works. It's as if even the heavens are mourning, are sobbing, for the children about to die.

The rain started suddenly. I was just crossing the District Square, watching the mounted large television screen for anything exciting, when the wall of water descended. One second, it was just bright as day. The next, the other people meandering around and I were drenched.

I quickly sought a temporary shelter, and that's where I wait now, hoping the rain will stop as suddenly as it started.

Meanwhile, I get to watch the television--it's still on and still working. Usually, the television in the District Square stays on all day and all night during the Games.

Ugh. My backpack is soaked, but thank goodness the inside is lined with a waterproof material that kept all my important things dry. I take out my towel and carefully try to wipe my backpack dry, or at least, until it stops dripping with water.

Originally, I was supposed to meet up with a few of my friends for training and then a movie or so today. Unfortunately, so most of my friends procrastinated on a project for school due tomorrow that they decided to stay at home today and work on it. I don't like procrastinating and look down upon those who do it, but my friends aren't perfect. Everyone has their faults, so I let it go. In the end, Only Cor and I were available today.

Personally, I think half of my friends don't even see the point of training for a while now because the Reaping's over and done with for this year, and they didn't get the chance to shine. I don't agree with this viewpoint--if you just let yourself go from one missed chance, you'll just get trampled if you do get Reaped next year. I'd rather not risk that. I think Coryn agrees with me--maybe that's why he agreed to continue with the training. The others have dropped out, and when we do manage to drag them along, they train half-heartedly, going through the motions.

I stand under the tarp of a nearby small shop now, wondering what I should do. He'll probably know I can't make it because of the rain, but it's so rude and unlike me not to give him a heads up.

I glance around. Are there any phone booths nearby? Ah, I'm standing in front of a little store! Surely, they'll have one in there.

I enter the shop, welcomed by a little jingle from the door chime. This is a little coffee shop. The sweet aromas are almost overwhelming, but pleasant just the same. I shall buy a drink later on, but first, the telephone. I march up to the counter. There's not as much business right now because of the rain, so the cashier is available.

"Hello Miss. What would you like?" She looks down at my eyes and blinks. I get that a lot, especially from middle-aged adults. The children don't react as much to my eyes, and the elderly kind of like them. There's a slight accent to this woman's speech. I wonder where she's from. Her dark creamy skin is like the color of coffee beans. She towers over me, but then again, so do many people.

"I'll order later. May I borrow a phone?" I ask.

She nods. "Certainly. We have a phone right over there, past the hallway to the restrooms. Be sure you dial one before the number," she says, pointing. I nod my thanks and follow her directions to make my call.

The phone doesn't even complete its first ring when Coryn picks up on the other end.

"Hello? Coryn? This is Amethyst. I'm stuck out by the District Square in a coffee shop because of the rain and just wanted to let you know I won't be meeting you for a while unless this curst rain stops."