Will we stay friends (Howi)

[Alyssa :)]

Silently Howi listened as she described her dream to him. He was shocked than someone dreams of being picked for such an awful even although she probably hadn't chosen to. Now was one of those times he couldn't help but think about what would happen. Miserably he pushed the thought away while stretching his arms out to hug her. "You won't get picked and if you do I promise to be by your side as long as possible." He replied softly. He had promised to volunteer is she was reaped and he would stay true to his word. If he could he could make sure her name was removed from the ball so she would never be called.

[aliciamusa]

Howi hugged me and I was almost in tears. It was almost like my dream. He kept telling me I won't get picked in my dream. I hugged him tighter and almost cried. I tried not to but sometimes I can't help myself. "Promise."I said through sniffling.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi rested his head ontop of hers as she almost broke into tears. He felt bad that she was so close to crying about a scary dream she had. Though with his little brothers having bad dreams of their own he was used to it. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her. "I promise I'll volunteer if you are reaped." He commented. In his whole life he hadn't broken a promise and he didn't plan on starting any time soon.

[aliciamusa]

I knew he wasn't lieing. I heard him make promises to other people before. Most of the time these dreams don't come true but somehow, Somewhere I think this one was true. I looked at Howi. I tried to smile through the tears. I hugged him again."Most of the time these type of dreams come true. Most don't but there is that one that does. Howi I think this one is that one."

[Alyssa :)]

Howi looked at her with a hollowed, stone like look. Slowly he reached out with a rough textured hand to removed her tears. He certainly didn't like to see anyone cry 'specially the ones he cared for. Silently he let her words turn over in his brain before even saying anything. He hated the games and the people behind them. More importantly he hated how the Capitol made young children their puppets, their own form of entertainment. It was like the Romans all over again. "This nightmare of yours isn't going to come true. You can't let the Capitol evade your dreams. That is one place they have no right to be in." He replied.

[aliciamusa]

Howi made it seem so simple. It isn't though. I had a dream that my dad would die and It came true that day. Then I had a dream that my mom would take a knife and cut a symbol on my left hand. That came true the next night. What if this one came true. Would I then have a dream about my death. The thought of it made me scared and cry even more. I fell back into Howi's arms. I tried to stop crying but it was hard. "What if it does come true, what next. What will they do to me if my dream is true?"

[Alyssa :)]

Howi sighed and looked towards they sky. Why did he have this feel that he was repeating himself? He looked back at Nightshade who was weeping still. "Dreams are good but nightmares are bad. Look you just can't let the bad ones get to you." He replied while pulling away from her. Casually he sat down in the grass and looked up at her with a smile. "Besides you have me to tell all your terrible dreams to and I'll protect you from everything that I physically can."

[aliciamusa]

I saw him sit down on the grass. Instead of sitting I fell on the grass next to him. I looked out at the woods. I hate dreams all together. I want to run away from all the stress. All the anger this stuff gives me. I looked at Howi. I think he hates it when people cry. I rubbed my eyes to make it look like I hadn't been crying.

I looked around everywhere. Yep like I thought people don't come near here. I look back in the direction of my house. I see it but only because I have a little apple tree in the back yard. Than I look back at Howi. I wonder if he got worried about me when we were little. I saw him look at me and then look away. So I would just smile when he looked away. I think about showing him the scars on my back. From when I got hit by the peacekeeper.

Instead I just ask him a question "when I wouldn't come back to school. Would you worry about me?"

[Alyssa :)]

Howi layed back in the grass as Nightshade sat down beside him. He looked at the crisp blue sky and watched as odd shapped clouds drifted along. Silence fell over them and it wasn't the good type of silence. Once more he tucked his hands in his pockets and closed his eye. His breaths were deep and rather slow as thoughts crossed his mind. He certainly missed times of relaxing after school or hanging out with friends. Everything was like a distance memory. Now he spent most of his time working long 12 hour shifts in the orchards and only a few hours of sleep.

Lazily he pulled his hands out of his pockets and rolled on his side to look at Nightshade. His cooper eyes watching her as she silently sat there. He was confused as to why the silence hushed them from any conversation. Then she spoke again. Full of questions she was indeed. "Of course I worried about you while you were gone from school. Why wouldn't I?"

[aliciamusa]

"I meant when we were little. I parley even knew you then." It was true when we were little I did not talk so I never got to know anybody. Once I turned 12 I started to talk again, but most people didn't even want to look at me. So I had no friends. I put my head on Howi's shoulder and looked out into the woods.

Still wishing and still wanting to go into the woods, with Howi. I could do it. I spent two whole days in the woods once. What about Howi. Would he even make it one day out in the woods. The thought was quickly pushed away just as quickly as it formed. I looked up at Howi and tried to smile.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi listened to her words and he thought that was what she had ment. He looked towards the forest. Why did she keep looking over there? He pushed the question away and looked back at Nightshade. "Of course I worried about you then. I wanted to get to know you for such a long time before I finally met you." He replied gently and reaching out to touch her face. She was so adorable and he had no idea what his life would be if he hadn't met her.

Slowly he drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes once more. He really didn't know what to say to her right now. There was so much he could actually tell her about but no words to describe how he felt. He opened his eyes again and smiled gently at her. "Whats wrong now?"

[aliciamusa]

He wanted to get to know me? Then why didn't he come up to me.... wait just figured that out. It's because of who he hung out with. He then asked me what was wrong. "Nothing, I was just thinking that's all. No need to worry." I then took his hand with mine, and smiled. I keep trying to push the thoughts of living in the woods, out of my head but they keep coming back.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi rested his head on his arm and looked at the grass. He really had no idea what she spent so much time thinking about. Obviously it was something that produced a lot of questions. Silence. That always seemed to be there after someone spoke. Maybe it was just because he took so much time trying to find the right words or because he asked himself questions to answer her question or comment. "About what if you don't mind me asking?" He asked gently while running his fingers through her hair.

[aliciamusa]

About? Huh would he really want to hear my ideas about running away into the woods. I mean he might tell me to stay with him. I would stay with him if he asked me too. I felt him start to mess with my hair. "Just thinking about the woods. You know people say the woods are dangerous. I don't think so. The woods can be quiet relaxing."

[Alyssa :)]

Thinking about the woods. The woods in which was forbidden to the districts. Howi frowned because he knew what that meant. She had been out in the woods before and probably made fairly regular visits. He took in a deep breath and fought back all the words of lecture that bubbled in his mind. The woods were the last place he wanted her to go. If the peacekeepers found out she would get in so much trouble and beaten or worse. "You're not suppose to go out there." He replied softly while looking at the sky. How could anyone with a brain sneak out into the woods knowing the consequences? He'd never wandered out there because his family needed him at home.