The Next Generation: Chapter Nine: "Advice?"

We have docked off at Disrict 6. Karyanna scurries off to the Book store leaving me and Jensen to our own defenses. "What should we do?" I ask him

He shrugs, a slight breeze shaking his short blond hair. His hair are the same indescribeable sparkling blue eyes. It's odd, even when he is sad, his eyes manage to sparkle, like moonlight on the sea, but light like a sunrise. I have no name for it.

He catches my eyes and raises an eyebrow. "What?" He says

I still have not told him we won't be here much longer. "Nothing, I'm just bored," I tell him, moving my eyes away from his now. He sighs and suggests, "Sometimes, I wish I was just a regular person."

"What do you mean?" I say, turning back to him.

I stand with my back leaning against the ship, my violet hair loose from it's usual braid, flowing over the gentle spray over the ocean. He stands next to me, his hip against the ship, his arms crossed. The men work, calling out to each other, laughter and "come on, hurry up"s filling the air. Peaceful.

"I don't know...Have you ever wondered what it would it be like...not working with Jason, on the *Marissa Tear*? What Job would you have? What would I have? Would we know each other?"

Of course I've wondered about it. With my luck, I'd end back in Deaglan's hands, and me being 28, I'd be dead in seconds. I try to refrain from fear of the world and hold on to my cold hard anger. It is what kindles inside of me and keeps me alive. I give a small smile thinking about. I regret it instantly because now he is looking at me expecting something grand from the high heavens speech.

Great.

"I don't know, Jensen. I'd still be in 4, you in 11. Remember, I was homeless. I'd proably be dead, and you? I don't know, a soccer coach."

"You could never die, T. Your a survivor. If someone put a gun against your temple, you could be weaponless and still beat him," He chuckles and glances at me, his smiles his bright one, "he'd never surivive!"

I roll my eyes in defense of the compliment I do not deserve. "I wouldn't be able to fight, had I not joined you guys," I remind him.

"Bruh, you had the sense to come here to escape the crazy axe-throwing granny didn't you? If anything, you'd outsmart the dehydrated pickles!"

I laugh at his "insults" and turn around to face the Ocean. I smile at the afternoon sun, ignoring the sense of belonging that fills up inside like that rainbow after a thunderstorm, and say, "Thank you,"

"Your very welcome, T minus Crabby."

"What-" I turn and elbow him, and he cracks up. He goes to punch me back, and ends up tangling his hand in my many odd necklaces from a vendor, Elisie, in 4. I roll my eyes, and look down, trying to fight the weird headache that always comes when I look downwards to my chest. I take his scarred hand and wrestle it from one of my favorites, a gold sea turtle with angry ruby eyes. Just as I let his hand go, he seems to loose his balance or something and grabs my necklace. He ends up falling on the deck and I end up atop.

I stare at his face for a second, and he looks me back. Is that blush?

Damnit.

"You gonna let go? I ask him with perfectly impatient sigh

"R-right," He says, finally letting go of my necklace. I let out a breath and force myself up on my knees. Just to find a million pairs of eyes on me. Well, the worker's eyes. I hear someone whistle. Enraged, I stand up to mu full height, making sure they all catch sight of my sword. "Get back to work!" I roar, and they stutter and turn back to their task at hand. I nodd, satsified, and turn over to Jensen, still lying stupidly on the floor. I chuckle and off him my hand, just as scared as his.

He takes it and I pull him up. "Thanks," He breaths and I nod. "No problem."

I suggest we go find Karyanna and we agree. My feet have just left the dock when Jason finds me. I don't know where he was. WHat am i-the vice boss? He gives me a grim smile, the same one he's been giving me since I found out about us going bankraupt. I nod my respect, which I relieze I nodd a lot, and I'm heading off when he calls me back, raising an eyebrow. "What?" I say

He rolls his hazel eyes and pulls out an envolope out of his jacket pocket. He hands it to me, which surprises me. I don't nomarlly get letters. Sometimes Zane or Nick send me some, but It's always so hard to answer and send back in time before it's time to leave again, so we normally wait until I land back in 4 or 7 to see them again. Regardless, I take it and open up the thick paper, my long nails ripping it up pretty much nothing.

Whatever.

As I start to read it, I relize Jason and Jensen are staring at me, which is super creepy, so I find a random bench and sit down.

*Dear Celestia,*

*How are you doing? I've heard the summer weather hasn't been very good. Please be safe, it would suck peanuts if you died.*

I laugh, I know who is writing this.

*I know we don't really do the whole long-hand letter thing-a-mig-a-jiggy but honestly, I don't care. I'm super bored and I could really use your advice.*

*So.*

*There's this uh, a guy a like. I've known him forever, and I really like him. He's like flirty, and smart, (well most of the time) and super sweet. (Wow I say "super" a lot!) But there's also...a girl. She's strong, and a geinus, and a real fireball. She could have the power to murder Panem or save it. Well, I suppose it's already saved cause we got super cool anscertors that are half-dead, but you get my point. You always do, your always reading my mind. You SURE your not a fortune-teller??*

*Anyway, I love both of them. A lot. And a family gathering's coming at Aunt Katty's , and the dude wants to invite you+the other girl and so I'm super scared and you HAVE TO HELP me cause did I mention the dude is my Boyfriend?? What if he finds out, and breaks up with me? What if the girl finds out I like her, and runs off because she always runs away from love? HELP*

*Helpful and Loving,*

*Nick Fury Lol*

I laugh, worry for him swishing inside me for him. I stick the letter in my pocket and decide to write my answer as fast as I can. I've never met Aunt "katty" and wonder what she is like.

Then I remember she is Katniss, the very girl who ruined my life and yet began my life at the same time. I remember telling that ratchaerd of man "I hope to love someone like that someday" and wonder If I will. His word acounts for nothing.

I look up and find Jason has left. Guess he heard me laugh and decided I'm fine. He's a wonderful father. i wave to Jensen and stand up. "Come on, Let's find Karayanna," I tell him and he bounds over.