New Beginnings (Mai and Cam)

[Lotus]

Isaac walked into the house and let out a sigh as he finally let his shoulders relax. He turned around and noticed Gia wasn't behind him. He walked back out onto the porch and looked down at her sitting on the steps. "Are you coming in? We have a gift to set up."

He turned back around, leaving the front door open and wandering into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and got out the tray and then went to the cupboards to reach up for one of their fancier plates. He looked out of the kitchen door and wondered what could be keeping his girl.

[Cham]

Gia knew the only way she could get it out of Isaac was to be as stubborn as he. So she sat there. Pulling off the hoodie and shivering lightly in the shade with the breeze. She wasnt moving until he told her what was up. Yeah it was juvenile, but at this point. It was all she had to work with!

"Im not getting up until you tell me why your frustrated, or angry or whatever this is.

[Lotus]

Isaac stormed back out to the porch and tried to hide the fists he was making. "I'm not frustrated, or angry or whatever. I'm just tired. So can we please sort out the gift before mum gets in?" He took a step forward and saw his hoodie on the floor. Did she really have something for Max if she couldn't stand wearing his clothes. He picked it up off the floor, his hands shaking slightly as he turned back inside.

"You're going to freeze Gia."

[Cham]

"So be it" She said softly, crossing her legs. The tanktop she wore was thin and cool. "Im not moving til you tell me whats going on. I talk to you. Why cant you jsut talk to me... this is what couples do Isaac. They talk to each other. They fill each other in. Things dont work when i dont know what it is ive done wrong."

Wrapping her arms around her sides. It was fairly chilly...

[Lotus]

Isaac stormed back outside, his hands gripping his hoodie till he felt the seems starting to pull apart. He shook his head and stared at her back. He wasn't exactly going to tell her everything now was he. He clenched his jaw and unclenched it, trying to calm his temper in front of Gia. "There's nothing wrong Gia. I'm tired and stressed okay? There's nothing you've done wrong so just come inside."

He stayed staring at her back. She hadn't done anything wrong, yet. But he just couldn't shake the look she had had with Max. Was she going to move?

[Cham]

She sat, and sat, and sat. Not moving, feeling her own temper rising. "Why are you stressed dear?" She whispered, ironically, her anger wasnt aimed towards Isaac, but at herself. 'Gia your useless, you always do something wrong, and now youve pissed him off to the point where he doesnt trust you. He wont even tell you whats wrong, thats how angry he is. What have you done. Just watch hes going to ask for his ring back.'

Tears pricked her eyes as she through of that. Would he really revoke the promise he made? Especially where it had only been a short time? Wiping away the hot tears that poured out of her eyes, a small snuffle. that sent her shoulders trembling. Feeling Isaac's eyes on her back. She had to stop her useless blubbering...

[Lotus]

Isaac saw her shoulders shake and knew she was crying, yet with her tone he couldn't find it in him to walk over there and comfort her. He heard a ripping noise and looked down to find one of the seams from his hoodie splitting apart, but instead of trying to stop he balled his fists up tighter. He took a step forward, "Why am I stressed? The reapings are tomorrow and I have the chance of losing everything I love and everyone seems totally fine about it." He chucked his hoodie on the floor and stormed down the steps.

"But I guess I don't really need to worry. I'm already losing." He turned and stormed away. It was just around dusk so it wasn't too bad. He left the front door open and Gia on the steps. He'd come back once he'd cooled off.

[Cham]

Gia heard something tearing, and turned with tears streaming down her cheeks to see Isaac furious. How could she have forgotten the reaping... "Oh..." She murmured, wiping away the tears.

But Isaac didnt stop, pushing past her, and down the little lane to the street. Leaving her alone again. Reaching back she picked up the torn jacket, and slipped it on. There was a small breeze, but she just wrapped her arms around her standing to check that the door was unlocked, then shutting it. Sitting on the steps and waiting.

Twirling the ring around her finger, she wondered. This couldnt be all of it...

[Lotus]

Isaac walked away, again. He didn't care where his feet took him but he just walked away. Things were okay before Issabelle came along and even when she's out of the house and so is his father they still find a way to make his life a living nightmare. He ended up in the rough part of town and he sunk down in one of the alleyways, his head in his hands after his legs giving up on the walk.

How could everything keep going wrong with them? Was it really the right thing to be with her if he caused her so much pain and upset that she'd rather be with someone else? Would it be okay if he did go into the games? Would anyone miss him? He groaned and then he heard someone clearing their throat.

He looked up to see a very drunk woman crouching in front of him and he moved back a little. This was going to be interesting.

[Cham]

Gia sat until the light in the sky began to fade. At that point she had no more tears to cry. Her face and neck felt sticky. Standing up, she walking into the house, checking to make sure the door was unlocked again. Then going into the kitchen and carefully melting down the chocolate, taking care to double dip the strawberries, and drizzle a white chocolate on this time.

Checking the clock, and finding it later than she anticipated, she put the strawberries in the fridge, and set a note on the counter. Taking longer than she should to wash the dishes. Checking the door. Where the hell was Isaac?

Assuming he was at Wes's or Max's for the night, she walked up the stairs, head hung low. Changing into one of Isaac's shirts and laying in bed. But unable to sleep. Thinking through the day up until when he became cross... It was... oh shit...

He seemed stiff towards Max too. Was it because they were looking at each other??? Really??? thinking for a moment with Isaac's point of veiw. If she hadve seen him gazing at Rylee or Danielle that way... She probably wouldve torn him to pieces.

So it was her fault. she curled up with his pillow, and waited. \

What else could she do?

[Lotus]

Isaac waited for his blurred vision to focus and he noticed the woman sitting down. He edged away, but when the ladies hand sprung out to hold his he tensed. Then looking up to the face his jaw fell slack. "Mum...?" His mum was drunk? This was unheard of. He shook his head as she nodded hers. "What happened to you? Why are you like this?" He moved closer and clasped his hands around hers.

She shushed him though and started speaking, albeit slightly slurred. "Baby, I love you, no matter what. I hate what your father's done. You should never have put up with that. Baby cakes, I'm so eternally sorry." His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"You don't need to apologise Mum. I understand, besides it doesn't matter much now anyway. He finally got his way and Gia and me are falling apart." She shook her head and patted his cheek.

"No you aren't. I don't want to see this before such a terrible day. You've been through so much so what's the problem chickie?"

He sighed and ran a hand over his face, explaining everything to her. She made him see sense through her drunken state and he realised what a fool he'd been to judge her so harshly. He stood up and pulled his mum up, "Let's go home."

[Cham]

Gia heard the front door opening. Probably just Mum. She thought to herself. But there were two sets of voices. Had she gone out to find him? This was so utterly confusing. Gia wrapped her body around his pillow, but heard the voices go straight past Isaac's room. Had she brought Mr. Waterman back???

The door slowly opened, and Gia tensed her whole body. Completely rigid.

[Lotus]

Isaac helped his mum all the way home, but she made of a fuss as soon as they got inside the door saying she was okay. "Mum, are you sure? I can help." She shook her head and on the landing she pushed him towards his own door. He sighed and nodded. "G'night." He whispered.

He pushed open his door and saw Gia curled up under the covers. Why did he have to hurt her? He sighed softly, shutting his door with a soft click before stripping off his t-shirt and trousers and pulling on a pair of tracksuit bottoms. He padded over to the bed, but he was scared all of a sudden. Scared to touch her in case what his mum said wasn't right.

He pulled the covers over him and reached out a hand to place on her arm gently. "I'm sorry Gia... I never meant to be such a jerk." She stayed still though and he sighed, turning to lie on his back. This was going to be a long night.

[Cham]

Gia lay still. pretending to be asleep, her heart beating wildly when she heard clothes being shuffled off. Swallowing hard until she heard Isaac's voice. Slowly she turned to look over at him. Regret was plastered on his face. Moving to put her head on his shoulder.

She kissed his neck softly and whispered "Im so sorry Isaac. Max... Theres nothing there. I swear to you. I love you immeasurably. Your my everything." Her voice cracked, but she had no tears to cry which was probably good. "All i ask is you tell me next time... I just need to know so we dont drag it out like this..."

[Lotus]

Isaac nodded his head and his arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her closer to him. He kissed the top of her head and sighed. "I was a coward, that's why I didn't say anything. I didn't want to lose you sooner that I could. Tomorrow is terrifying me and I thought if I tried not to think about it, then you'd still be mine for a little longer..." He sighed again and cleared his throat, kissing her forehead.

"I realise now how stupid I was. Forgive me?"

[Cham]

Gia nodded, understanding his with holding, curling her arm around his stomach. "Your never going to lose me. Because i wont let that happen. If I am chosen, I will come home. I will fight. And nothing will stand in my way. No career, no task, nothing. I will come home to you"

Looking up to him, she kissed him softly "Forgiven. As long as you forgive me for being insensitive."

[Lotus]

Isaac nodded his head, "I remember this conversation all too well..." He sighed and tried to lighten the mood, kissing her nose. "There's never a need to forgive you." He smiled again and settled down, tightening his grip slightly.

"We'll be okay. The two of us. We will be."

[Cham]

Gia smiled, and curled around him, her eyes heavy from the tears and exhertions of the morning. Had it really only been hours before that they couldnt seem to pull themselves from one another? Sighing softly she whispered "I love you..." An settled down next to him.

The next morning she woke with a start. Flinging herself from Isaac's arms wrapped live ivy around her. Whipping her hair around, and scrambling out of the bed. Into the bathroom, heart pounding, and eyes wide with fright. She pulled the teeshirt off, and stood in her underwear infront of the mirror. The only mark on her was the long scar across her abdomen. She checked her back, and all over her front but there was nothing there... The dream of the whipping had seemed so real...

[Lotus]

Isaac had fallen asleep peacefully, trying to forget his terror of what the next day could bring for them. But he was woken up by something being yanked from his arms. He sat up quickly and looked around his room. Gia wasn't there. He noticed his door was open and then saw the bathroom door open. She was standing in her underwear looking at herself.

He sighed and stretched before getting up. It was only when he walked into the bathroom he saw the fear in her eyes. "Gia...? What's happened?" He looked down to her and pulled her chin round so she was looking at him.

[Cham]

Gia heard her name being called from the doorway, and she fled into Isaac's arms. "Just a dream" She murmured, but her whole body trembled. Still feeling the lashes of the whip tingling across her body...

He pulled her chin to look at him, but her eyes were downcast. Looking at his chest. Closing her lids so she didnt have to see what she was going to lose in only a few hours... How could the Capitol do this? There was no probable way she was going to survive... They were going to call her name. It was inevitable. Once something good happened to her, something horrid quickly followed.

[Lotus]

Isaac wrapped his arms tightly around her and rested his cheek on her head. "A dream will never hurt you... Try to forget... It's okay." He kissed the top of her head and looked back at her face. "Open your eyes baby." She still wouldn't. "Please, Gia. For me. Open those eyes." He ran a hand over her cheek and kissed her nose.

When her eyes finally opened he saw the fear, verging on complete terror. He tried to mask his own as he looked down at her. "We'll be okay. Just keep telling yourself, we'll be okay." He pulled her back into his arms tightly, not believing his own words and tried to hold himself together. "No matter what, I will always love you my beautiful, crazy girl..." He trailed off, his voice cracking.

[Cham]

Gia hesitated, waiting, trying to compose herself behind the closed lids. His touch brought her out thought, and she saw the horror at her emotions. Curling back into his arms and whispering "Im so scared Isaac... I cant bear to lose you..." All the night before she had been terrified of herself being reaped. She was so selfish. What if Isaac was reaped? Would she volunteer? What could she possibly do? Besides, it was s death sentence to them both if she did...

"We just have to get past today..." Pulling out of his arms and with trembling fingers she started up the shower "Have to look our best for the Capitol..." she murmured

[Lotus]

He nodded his head. Gia had every right to be terrified, the girls always went up first and he could do nothing but stand by and watch. He hated this and today wasn't going to get any easier. He pulled away a little so he could look into her eyes. "We will get past today and we will look our best. We'll put everyone to shame." He smiled softly and leant down to kiss her softly on the lips.

He was going to miss this. He was going to miss her. He was going to miss his mess up life. He just wanted to be lucky for once.

[Cham]

Gia nodded and kissed him back eagerly, trying to pour her love into it. Her hands around his neck pulling him to her. When she pulled her lips back, she pressed her forehead to his. "Well then lets shower. I want to Make everyone else jealous they dont have you." Breathing his scent in slowly, then stepping back and stripping down, moving under the cascade of water.

[Lotus]

He watched as she stripped off and despite what was looming over them he needed this. He pushed the door closed with his foot and stripped down before stepping into the shower with her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, his body flush against her back. In her ear he whispered, "I'm not leaving anything to chance. I don't want to leave anything inexperienced." He grinned and kissed her cheek. "So, do you mind if I share your shower?"

He pulled back a little so she had room to turn around. "I love you..." He needed to say it as much as possible.