When families hurt friendships begin.District 12

A smile creeped to Maybe's face when Azalea turned around and asked if she was sure. All this drama was too much for her, going back and forth between whether she was trustworthy or not. Certainly trust was something easily given, but Azalea was acting as if Maybe had already proved why she shouldn't be trusted. She could of sworn everything she had said was only with a kind heart, clearly Azalea was much more cautious then that. Or maybe Maybe was too trusting, though that wasn't the word she'd give it to. She was only kind to everyone and hoped for the best out of them as well.

"Yeah." Maybe reassured with a smile, though it only went back to a few silent moments and Azalea reconsidered what she was doing. Of course it wasn't going to be that easy, as naive as Maybe was it was clear showing this girl Maybe's kind heart was going to be harder said then done. She toke back her question and replaced with a simple answer of no. Azalea wasn't going to be staying, but going to escape from the awkward circumstance now. Maybe couldn't blame her, then again she simply avoided interactions with people she didn't know...for the exception of today for some reason.

Before Maybe even had a chance to object Azalea had sprinted once again. There was no way that she'd be able to run after her again, Maybe had yet to even catch her breathe from the last jog. Maybe it was just a sign that even though she thought she could help everyone she really couldn't. That was as painful as gasping for air though, there was no one that Maybe couldn't help. Either way there was nothing she could do now. Just wait for the others to return and try to pull herself together as to not rise a load of questions.

The one thing that they always had on stock in their abandoned home was water, and filtered water that didn't cause more sicknesses they didn't need. The older boys knew how to create a filter system and there was a small creek not far away at all. First and only thing desperately needed, besides food of course, was a nice cup of water to help her pull herself together. Food had been absent from the household for three days now and Maybe never should of been running on that supply, but at least the cool water had it's effect. Now that there was no Azalea around Maybe was forced to concentrate on herself which brought a massive headache and dizziness that was probably causing the pounding. This always happened when trying to do stressful work after not being able to consume food for a few days, hopefully Rainbow would have a bit of luck tonight.

There was nothing more to do then sit at the table and wait. It sucked waiting but there was nothing else to do. If Maybe went upstairs to clean it up a bit more she'd probably pass out, possibly before even making it up the stairs. That'd be a rough fall that'd probably lead to being bed-sentenced for a while. Then she'd be useless and all for nothing on account she didn't even help Azalea. If anything the complete opposite because it appeared that she was scared of Maybe, that was a first but still left a sting in her heart...or maybe that was from attempting to run as well. Either way all that was left to do was regain her energy and watch over the house. Getting up she carefully balanced herself over to the window beside the front door, a perfect spot to protect the house and also be the first to greet which ever family member arrived home first.

The plan didn't work out to well though because Maybe's exhaustion made her pass out on the small uncomfortable chair that stood as her watch tower. It was unexpected and unplanned because she was startled awake by the front door opening. "Maybe?" Rainbow called out not walking inside, this startled her even more because why would Rainbow just walk in? Was Azalea back sitting in the meadow? Possibly, but either way Maybe forced herself up.

"What's going on?" Maybe asked her head darting around the front yard to see if they had an undetected visitor. Rainbow was also joined by Tears who should of been home a while ago but that wasn't important right now. A sixteen year old couldn't really enforce rules to a twelve year old even though Maybe still did. Neither of them were searching around the meadow, so clearly it was an intruder. They were staring at the ground like they were baffled by what it was. A piece of toast and chunk of cheese, bottle of milk, and medicine all rested upon a piece of clothe within a basket. They all knew what it was but were confused of how it ended up on their doorstep.

Immediately Maybe fell to her knees in gratitude, her stomach had grown so thin it didn't even growl anymore. The first thing she did was check the labels of the medicine, it was nearly as more important then the food itself. "Pain-killers, stomach-ache chewable..." One in particular was very needed, not for Maybe that girl she was in love with, "anti-depressant." Her voice dropped a little as she handed a small bottle of thirty entire pills, this would last Rainbow at least a month and even more if she rations it.

Even though Maybe's stomach was beginning to sink inwards, her ribs had been showing since she left her parents, and she desperately needed the slice of bread she handed over to the youngest Tears. Rainbow was always on the same boat as her and gave up her food to the younger ones as well, it was a selfless move they always made. "Some older lady gave me a burnt piece of bread today, you girls have it." Tears rejected Maybe's offer and pushed for the older girls to eat it. After all she knew that for quite a few days they had been giving up eating so that everyone else can. "Please." She begged.

"Okay." A sad smile spread to Maybe's face as she exchanged a look of happiness to finally being able to eat. She tore it in half and handed the slightly larger piece over to Rainbow, who reached over and grabbed the smaller piece that Maybe was holding closer to her. Why they were pushing for Maybe to eat more she wasn't sure, but either way she was grateful. Even with how hungry she was it toke a minute before she could take the first bite, feeling guilty for some odd reason, but then of course digging in. Half way through she realized the cheese and spread some of that on to, it tasted like a meal from the capitol to her. She placed the rest of the cheese upon Rainbow's half who was also enjoying the luxury.

They were so happy they couldn't even bring themselves to go inside. The two older girls finished there toast, and then all three of them toke turns taking a swig of milk. Milk wasn't a necessity, if they ever had money it went to the cheapest food so they could fill themselves up as much as possible. For all they knew the milk could of been spoiled because they were enjoying it like a piece of candy, all sitting around the basket of goodies like it was a campfire. Eventually Rainbow broke the ice with curiosity of why all of a sudden they had this. At first they were too distracted with filling themselves up, now that they had finished the food and milk it brought up suspicion.

"Maybe, who did this?" Rainbow asked, automatically assuming it was her girlfriend. It shocked Maybe that she was the first accused, though that sounded like the wrong word on account this was a blessing. But to Rainbow it was no surprise, Maybe was so likable and kind her saying the right words to someone with money and getting this gift in return sounded about right.

"There was this girl about our age that wandered into our meadow." Maybe wasn't the type to lie, especially to her family. "She didn't talk much, and seemed scared of me." Both of Rainbow and Tear's eyes widened at this statement, it seemed impossible to be fearful of Maybe. "That's the only person I can think of." Maybe shared her only guess, scanning around the house once again, but no one was in sight, visibly to them at least. The last thing left at the very bottom of the basket was a sweater looking as warm and comfy as ever. "Who needs a sweater?" Maybe asked pulling it out and laying it across her lap to examine the size, type of style and such.

"You do." Tears and Rainbow jinxed each other which Tears immediately called out and told Rainbow she owed her a soda.

"Does 2Moro have one?" Maybe asked, needing to go through the list of people that needed this before her.

"Yes." Rainbow answered, determined that Maybe was actually going to get something for herself instead of putting everyone in this District before her.

"Okay, I'll keep it for now." Maybe gently folded it up to hold in her arms until getting inside. "Come on guys time for bed." She instructed putting her mother hat back on, if Tears wasn't here she wouldn't be able to, but luckily Rainbow didn't fight. She hid the entire stash of medicine where she kept all her valuables. As much as she loved and trusted her family members all of them were addicted to something and she couldn't risk running out of this medicine before necessary, all of this may very well be a life saver. "Night girls." Maybe said her goodnight as she curled up to Rainbow on their hand-made bed. Tears was across the room, where two other hand-made beds always laid, 2Moro would be asleep by the time they all woke up with the boys occupying the other room which still was empty. For now though the three girls drifted off to sleep with a little bit actually filling their stomachs. No growling tonight.

The sun broke through the horizon and several minutes later brightened the girl's room. First one up was of course Maybe, she was always the one to rise with the sun as the rest drifted in slumber. It was kind of nice though, the only time of day they were all hear along with silence; either they weren't here, or the place was like a zoo. With eight young adults ranging from age 12 to 22 that was no surprise though. Maybe tip-toed around the house as to not disturb anyone, keep the morning beauty as long as she could. It would be here dream to every day enjoy this time, this family, but to also have them waking up to delicious smelling breakfast every time. Maybe one day.

The most that could be done now is searching for wild crops that might hold some ripe fruits or vegetables. One time Tears and Maybe had accidentally discovered upon a large patch of strawberries just over the fence but nothing too far. Tears was so ecstatic picking them to bring home as a surprise, forming the bottom of their shirts into baskets on account they never had one. "Tears." Maybe whispered to the young girl with a slight shake of her arm, now there was 2Moro sleeping only a few feet away and she didn't want to wake her up.

"Yeah?" Tears tiredly asked following with a yawn, her bright eyes always glistened with what looked like tears, like at any moment she could burst out crying.

"Let's go see if there's anymore strawberries ready for picking. Winter's around the corner." Maybe offered with a warm smile, she'd find her own way to serve breakfast in the morning.

"Sure." An identical smile spread to Tear's face as energy just zapped into the young girl. Maybe could almost remember having that kind of energy at that age, not as much as Tears though.

Before leaving the house Maybe grabbed the basket that was dropped off in front of their door last night; except now it was empty ready to be filled with tasty fruits. Going beyond the fence wasn't Maybe's favorite thing to do, but the wild fruits and vegetables were quickly cropped. Now the only free foods grew beyond the fence. It was dangerous, but so was starving. In the exact same place that Tears and Maybe picked strawberries, a little longer then a month ago, held bright red strawberries that could make anyone's mouth water. "Looks like we found breakfast." Maybe declared with an enormous smile, it was so nice to have another thing good happen.

"Maybe!" Tears screamed suddenly as they were nearly done with picking the fresh strawberries. It was typical for Tears to grow bored easily and Maybe gave her permission to wander a bit as long as she was in voice range. Hearing the young voice scream her name made Maybe jump and nearly knock over the basket that was overflowing with strawberries. Without even thinking she rushed over to the young girl.

"What is it Tears?" Maybe asked having to catch her breath just after a short jog, her health had been spiraling worse. There was no danger that she saw, almost upset that Tears scared her out of her skin without really needing to. Following the girls eyes Maybe discovered what had frightened her small family member. The same girl that was scared by Maybe the previous night, slowly waking up. At that moment she was certain that Azalea was the one to leave the basket last night. She just didn't understand why, she seemed to scared last night. Why would she leave a basket, and then sleep the night close by?

Immediately Maybe knelt down in order to help Azalea, after all if she was the one to leave the basket then Maybe owed her. "Azalea?" She asked, making sure that she was conscious and wasn't going to run off again. "It's okay Tears." She reassured as she toke the sweater wrapped around her waist, folded it nicely and placed it under Azalea's head. "Go grab the strawberries?" Maybe asked Tears who automatically did so and came back with the same basket that Azalea left last night, this time it was filled with yummy strawberries. "Hungry?" She asked Azalea, gesturing to the basket before taking one of the strawberries herself and consuming it. Of course Tears sat down as well and began digging in herself. They were all amazing at sharing.

It was weird to see Azalea reject the strawberries, nobody in this District rejected any form of food, but then again it seemed like the girl didn't come from the worst-off family. They were taking care of her physically at least, discarding the scars but Maybe didn't know why she received them. If they were from the family that only fed her, or a bad encounter with the wrong kids at school. Maybe shook her head as if to force herself to forget about it, she had enough on her plate to attempt to help someone who didn't seem to want it...yet at least. For now the best thing for both of them was just getting to know one another. Maybe Azalea will open up, or maybe she won't.

"Are you sure? They're very fresh." Maybe attempted to convince, a small giggle coming from her afterwards at the sight of Tears and her messy way of eating. Even if Azalea was getting fed properly Maybe couldn't help but wanting to pay her back. There was no way she'd ever afford so many medications, or be able to offer up bread because her family needed it. But an over-flowing basket of strawberries was something she could contribute. "So what were you doing out here?" Maybe asked, playing stupid to the fact that she probably already knew; she had dropped off the basket, and most likely wanted to make sure it was picked up by the right person. Theft was very common in District Twelve.

A loud, bored sigh came from Tears, leading to another giggle from Maybe. The young girl never did have high patients. Maybe was almost certain Tears was a mini-copy of her, but every day that goes by further explains how Tears is completely her own person. "Tears, why don't you head home with the Strawberries? Just leave us a few?" Maybe asked, relieving Tears from what was clearly boring her. "Let everyone know I'll be back in a little if anyone's up." Though she doubted anyone would be up by now. She piled a bit of strawberries into her shirt, staining it but not phasing Maybe one bit. Food was much more important then clothes. Tears grabbed the basket with the remaining strawberries and balance it past the fence and back to there house. Maybe's eyes turned back to Azalea for her explanation.