interruption [Odyssey]

_xxxxx

Alivia was a skeleton.

The world had been gnawing away at her flesh for years, lacerating her with their harsh words and their mocking laughter. She was beyond irritated with the behaviors of the people around her, because they were so judgmental and so hypocritical that it was just unbearable. There would always be someone who found something wrong with even the most perfect of people. They would nitpick, and they would chip away at every layer of your subconscious until you broke down. Liv was this close to caving in, and she could only hold up this act for so long. The mechanisms of her mind were rusting, and it was almost like her heart was collapsing into a void. More and more people were being hurt around her. It wouldn't be much longer until they hurt her too.

Alivia had seen Persia's cousin give his little speech on the television. Everyone had. The way he talked about not caring about becoming a laughing stock was somewhat inspirational; not everyone was that brave. And some people especially didn't have the guts to reveal their darkest secret in front of the world. Fucking ballsy of Jabber, if you ask me, she thought. His words seemed to have an effect on Persia, for she turned off the television and picked up her messenger bag. Liv hurried out from behind the kitchen counter, knitting her brows and leaning against the wall. "Where are you going, Persia?" she asked, resting her head against her palm. Her roommate did not turn to look at her, and instead flipped her off. "Out," Persia grumbled.

The door slammed behind Persia, and Liv frowned. "What? I don't get a proper goodbye?" she shouted. There was no need to raise her voice though; Persia wouldn't hear her anyways.

After watching the golden Cornucopia be transformed into an amber deathtrap, Liv did not have the heart to turn the television back on. Screw mandatory viewing. If she didn't want to watch the Games, she didn't have to. She situated herself in the kitchen once more, where she had been preparing lunch. Her fingers shook as she sliced the cheese, and the blade of the knife grazed her fingertips mockingly, pressing into her skin and leaving a red indentation. Where had Persia gone all the sudden? She had not mentioned wanting to leave before, so it had to be a private matter. Liv didn't want to intrude Persia's life too much, but she couldn't help but be concerned about her roommate. The way her red hair whipped wildly around her head as she rushed outside, seemingly agitated. Something was not right. Though, Persia was strong. Liv had to stop being so protective of her. Why did she care so much anyway?

The little voice in the back of her head said, "Because you're in love with her."

The rest of the day was a blur. It was hard to adjust to the silence, even after all the evenings she spent alone when Persia went on walks. Liv wandered the house aimlessly, occasionally turning on the television and quickly turning it off whenever there were signs of a scuffle beginning. She found herself in the kitchen several times, stuffing food in her mouth to keep herself from biting her nails.

The clock read 9:15 when Liv entered the kitchen for the tenth time that day. She opened the pantry door, reaching in and pulling out a bottle of champagne. Her thumb pressed against the cork, and she whistled as she popped the bottle open and poured herself a glass. She didn't drink alcohol often, but she really needed to take her mind off of things.

Closing her eyes, Liv lifted the flute to her lips. She took a sip, and then a large gulp. The bubbles fizzled in the glass, popping on contact with her top lip. She drank faster and faster, and by the time she opened her eyes the flute was empty. She refilled her glass and was about to start drinking again when she heard a noise from outside.

Liv set down her champagne flute on the table, peering out of the window. A head of red curls bobbed up and down angrily, and Liv smirked. Look what the storm blew in. Persia looked rather frustrated, so she decided to save her the trouble and open the door.

Persia glared at Liv, standing up to her full height. The red-haired beauty was still a head shorter than Liv, so she could look down on her all she wanted. "Thanks so much for putting the spare key back, bitch. I'm home."

Liv couldn't help but giggle at Persia's words, leaning against the doorframe. "I can see that," she said, her grin growing wider. "Welcome home, bitch."

_xxxxx

Life was a mere game. Either you played for the team, or you played for you. There was always some sort of pattern you had to follow, moving around as if you were on a gameboard. It was like chess, or checkers, or Risk, even. There was either some goal you had to meet, or some enemy you had to manipulate. Roll the dice, draw some cards, and advance to new stages of your life. Wrap your fingers around the cold plastic of a game piece, and get ready to face the challenges of the game.

Of course, there were times when gravity wasn't the kindest force. A rook would be felled by any wrong movement, laying on the floor on its side, collecting dust. It would not feel pain, and just lay in silence, waiting to be helped back to its feet. But humans would suffer, and they always would. So when Liv saw Persia's knees begin to tremble, her first instinct was to run over to her. Instead, she stayed put. She knew Persia would reject her help. She always did, so why even try?

Liv's heart became heavier as she watched Persia struggle to regain her balance, and have her legs give out beneath her again. "Persia!" Liv decided that she had stood by long enough, and immediately hurried to Persia's side. She could hear Persia's breathing becoming heavier, and her eyes were about as wide as saucers. The corners of Persia's mouth were twisted, and her nose was crinkled up. It was obvious that Persia was doing her best to mask her pain, but there was no need to hide her agony. Liv had seen it as clear as day.

She slipped her hands under Persia's head, lifting it up to her chest and cradling it in her arms. She could feel the knot forming on the back of her head, and the heat radiating from her body. "Persia," Liv whispered, bringing the redhead's body closer to hers. "What did you do to yourself?"

Liv leaned back, looking into the ice blue eyes that she had avoided for the past two years. She smiled sadly, brushing Persia's hair out of her eyes. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you got drunk before I did."