Getting back into shape (Anatra)

Getting back into shape

Tyren Orca(?) - District Two - Seventeen

With Mark here, I am bound to witness some kind of conflict. It's not because Mark is necessarily a bad person, but it's because he and Matthew share qualities, or perhaps not qualities but more negative effects, to which conflict with each other in the same way that they will inevitably do so in due course. Mark has always been quite a cool guy. It's the way in which he conducts himself. He's just level headed, quite calm and in honesty - calculated. He could easily have thought up this almighty plan, trying to do whatever he would gain from attacking Matthew. I just don't believe it, nor do I car in truth.

"He came up to me last week. Tried to gloat about how he took part in the pregames." To a stranger, I can actually believe that Matthew would want to brag a little. He always likes to push it in people's faces how he is stronger. I wouldn't necessarily be too disheartened to see him proven wrong, especially by somebody out of my own family, but that doesn't mean I dislike him. He's a great friend. "A week later we got on to talking about my birthday and he said he'd buy me a ticket to the hospital. I guess he wanted to eliminate the competition or something" See, that I can believe. I only told Matthew about Mark's birthday the other week, so it's likely that it is from me that he got that information from. Therefore, Mark couldn't possibly know that it is that way; thus it is the truth. To eliminate the competition though, that doesn't seem so like Matthew.

But in the end, I don't care.

"I know we're not exactly inside and out cousins, but we can at least agree that I'm not going to let something like that slide." He at least agrees with me here; I couldn't let it slide either. Somebody threatening to hospitalize you? I'd say that's just reason to go batshit insane on them. "You're so full of shit, man. Why don't you tell him what really happened?" Matthew exclaims. I give him a little glare. I can see Alex trying to keep Tyler preoccupied, and he'll no doubt intervene at any moment. He's like that, he's always been the person to bridge the gap between the arguments, surprisingly. Even if he did cause them, to which this one he has had no part in yet. It's his reasoning that would make me pleased, because of Tyler. He really does adore his brother, just like I love the little guy in the same brotherly way. "Tyren, I told you what happened and I swear it's the truth."

"I don't care, it's none of my business. Why are you both so quick to lick my arse about it?" Mark seems quick to answer this one. "I was just letting you know. I don't need to start anything else." His words are quite fair.

"I didn't throw the first punch...with a fucking iron bar!"

"Words cut deeper than knives, sometimes." Alex mentions, his generic wisdom shining through. He doesn't say it to Matthew though, he passively says it towards Tyler. It's too complicated for him to understand but it really is just meant for Matthew. Alex has already picked a side it seems.

Hopefully, the conversation will dull down a little. Maybe it won't. If it does, I need to speak to Alex and Mark about something now that they are here. "Guys, we have a game next month for the factory cup. You're coming along, right?" I say it to the pair. We all play football from time to time, and perhaps it is something we'll do to stay fit now that we're exceeding the reaping age. I hope so. Not many people play it in the district, and the Capitol would never fund a full program, I don't think. It's too close to entertainment, and they wouldn't gain from it. Maybe Matthew would like to watch. I doubt he's ever played. "Yeah, obviously." Alex says up front. Him and I are both left and right strikers. I don't like to be arrogant about it, but we're a great pair up at the front of the pitch. Mark plays Center Attack Midfield, meaning he's in the middle, and makes sure the ball can get to us from the other players. There's usually around 11 on the pitch, but sometimes we just play 5-a-side or 6/7-a-side. "Should be able to. We've never played before." Mark says, and I give him a nod.