stars above us.— [sofia/lorenzo]

Honestly, I've just been listenin' to the old men whistle. The bonfire's been a pretty lively place all things considered, there's so much goin' on it's like a safe haven for when I need a second. Quinn's been running this place crazy - I ain't even sure where she went off to, but last I saw she and some other district kids were chasin' chickens past the ice cream stop. 

Kieran had been the one to invite me to work the event in the first place. Mostly just the pie eating bit at first -- us Emberstatt boys, you know? Anyways, it spiraled a bit from there into bull riding into the adoption into helping Aunt Reggie cook out when I could. I'm not even good at cookin', there's just so much to do for a change. 

And it makes the downtime sweeter, kicking rocks and thinkin' it all over. 

But then I catch my eye full of Sofia, and there ain't nothing else on my mind. Well, her & the puppy, but I'm trained on her as she talks. "'Aye, it's not a problem! Nice to know she's goin' to a good home," I could say that for the majority of it. Lower-district folk just take care of our homes better; at least, better than 1 & 4.

"So, Lorenzo,"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you out at the bonfire when you live here? And don't you travel a lot?"

"Well, haha," she had it half-right. I did! Mostly just to Four, Five and back, went to the Capitol twice though. After the lockdown nearly kept me up north, I just don't trust travelling like that again -- part of me thinks they won't even let me.

"It's not like you need to be here to meet people from other districts," at this point Chiquita's in my lap and I've gotta think it over for a second. Sofia's got some good questions, and for a second I just stutter. 

At least, it ain't long until I find the words. Something along the lines of, "I haven't got the chance to travel since the lock-down, really, so it's a good opportunity to talk to some new faces!" And I think that's a good answer. 

"And, I guess it's a good opportunity to talk to you," and I think that answer's a little better.

Better than getting flocked at the litter adoption, I hardly had a chance to breathe nevertheless talk to Sofia there. And so here we are, at the bonfire under the stars -- I'd say that's better. 

And Chiquita's here, chewing on my hand. 

...ow. 

Can't put my finger on it, but something about Sofia's got a frog in my throat. I look at her and grin it out and look away again -- maybe I'm weak for a pair of beautiful brown eyes. I don't get nervous often, mostly 'cause I'm too stupid for it nowadays, but with Sofia I feel it in my knees and knuckles, I keep having to remind myself not to slunch. Sit tall, breathe like a man.

Don't over think it, buddy. 

It's like I can't help myself, wondering what she thinks about me. What she's seen of me; I think I've got the smallest reputation of my family, and I still stick out like a sore thumb. Something ironic with Chiquita nibbling on my fingertips, I know I shouldn't let her but it's like a topic change to keep in my pocket -- it stops me from shaking my leg, oddly enough. 

"Well, talk away," she says, and nothing helps my nerves more. Saves me from apologizing when I get annoying; she asks about 10 and I catch myself looking at her hands, her wine nail polish. I've grown to love when people call me out, it's almost a dance -- can't run off anymore! Ain't that something, I hadn't thought of it yet and I chuckle for something she may not even realize. 

Part of me thought I was done runnin' away, but then I think of my cold phone with Beck and how warm Sofia's hands may be. I wonder what I'll think when she's gone, and I hope it's good. 

"Personally," Sofia says, "I think you guys have a pretty beautiful view of the sky." 

And I don't know why I do, but I start feelin' flattered. Tongue-twisted, but I've done been half the places in Panem, cherished my moments everywhere else. Comin' home's never been a good thing for me, but my eyes follow her words to the stars and something about seeing it through her makes it sweeter. "Yeah, maybe," now why do I say that. 

My eyes stay up there for a second, thinking of how to keep up, "we do got some pretty stars, huh." 

"How much of 10 have you seen, Sof? We've got these rolling pastures between my pop's home & mine, there ain't nothin' out there but stars," I take her right hand in both of mine, sitting crooked to look at her, "before you leave you've got to see it." It's a rare day someone gushes over Ten, we don't have much -- even now, the best I've got is there's nothing in the way of the sky. 

But hey, run with it. Compared to the Capitol and 2 and 4, all I can say we have is quiet places. A place to breathe, and think and not at the same time. 

Oh, and I was right- her hands are warm. 

"My favorite part of 10 is the peace and quiet, I'm serious!" That's something Rogue would've laughed at, "that, and the food." When I think of 10, I just think of home. It's simple and it ain't flashy, but it's better so because I don't have to question it. Funny enough, I feel less trapped being locked home than I did in my casino bedroom in the Capitol. 

And every time I look at her eyes, it's like the words in my mouth dissolve on my tongue. Sofia and them big, pretty eyes, "what's 11 like?" I ask, for a second I wonder about Carmen, how she & Shy are. 

"I've never been," and I'm almost ashamed to admit it. My hands wrapped around one of her's, and I convince myself I'll have to soon. 

Just to see what happens.