The changes that were made to Panem were incredible; the Capitol was becoming rich and fancy with entitled people who believed that they were all that and a bit. The people living in the districts were continuously treated like they were animals, The Hunger Games were created, giving the Capitol superiority over the Districts, children were forced to kill each other and the people in the Capitol enjoyed that cruel way of entertainment. 

When the games first started she was 8, she already hated the violence that her father made her endure before the games were created, he made her watch the games and whenever she argued or stated her opinion that she didn't like the games, he would make bring out a belt and lash her hands until she couldn't move her hands. 

At the age of 13 Noelle met Coriolanus again, this time properly, not looking for food and not looking for a way of survival. Noelle was hiding while at school, it was a break and she was overwhelmed with fear, no one would talk to her as they knew she would never get any response from her and her loneliness was eating her alive. 

Coriolanus found her sitting under a tree, tears streaming down her cheeks as she had a moment to cry and let out her emotions. The blonde boy made his way over to her, bringing out a handkerchief and crouched down to offer it to her.

"Thank you." He nodded, watching as she fiddled with the piece of fabric, he brushed some hair out of the way and tried to see if he could help the kind-looking girl. 

"What's your name?" Noelle glanced at him, forcing a smile onto her chapped lips, after taking a few deep breaths she found the courage to speak without crying and held out her hand. 

"I'm Noelle." He smiled upon hearing her name, shaking her hand gently, the brunette girl looked alarmed and apologised quietly. 

"I'm sorry, what's your name?" 

"It's all good. Don't worry, Coriolanus Snow." Noelle looked startled, she hugged the boy tightly, surprising him with the sudden physical touch. After Coriolanus' father died, the two hadn't seen each other until now, over time the memory of the two was wiped from the other's mind and both forgot about the other. 

"Corio, I'm so sorry I forgot about you." Hearing the name brought everything back, he knew at that moment exactly who she was, the boy hugged her just as tightly and cradled her in his arms. He grabbed her face, smiling gently, the boy tucked some hair behind her ear and wiped away a tear. 

"What's wrong? What happened?" He whispered, letting his hands slide down to her arms, Noelle glanced away for a moment and sighed as he got her to look at him, Coriolanus had a reassuring smile on his lips, waiting patiently for her to explain what was happening. 

"It's just hard, I don't have any friends, everyone looks at me as if I'm one of the District people and no one really talks to me because I don't talk much." 

"Wait, why don't you talk much?" 

Noelle bit the knuckle of her finger; cringing as she realised she already said too much, Coriolanus pulled her hand away from her mouth, looking at her worriedly and took a deep breath. 

"Hey, I know it's been a while but you can talk to me." Noelle made a bunch of incoherent sounds, struggling to formulate words, she sighed and grabbed her face. The internal battle she was going through made her frustration run through her veins.

"It doesn't matter. Okay? It's been five years, we should be hanging out again. It should be fun." She decided to brush off the matter, rather than confess about what goes on at home, Coriolanus nodded and smiled at her as he grabbed her hand. 

"Come on, you've got me now. Don't worry, it's going to be okay now." Noelle smiled at the blonde boy, following him into the school, surprised at how quickly everything progressed but nonetheless, she liked it and hoped this would go well. 

Day after day Noelle was with Coriolanus, the two became close instantly with the help of the feeling of nostalgia. It was a year after reuniting that Coriolanus learnt about her ballet hobby, he wasn't supposed to see her while she was dancing, he saw her in her own world, she was happy and in peace. The music along with her dancing brought goosebumps to his skin; he had never been moved by dancing, never felt any kind of emotion when watching any form of dance. 

But Noelle's dancing was elegant, somehow displaying her loneliness and the eerie sadness she had in her heart. Unfortunately, he sneezed and it startled her to the point where she collapsed almost to the ground like she broke through the trance and collapsed to the point of exhaustion.

"Corio... what- I didn't know you were here. What are you doing here?" Coriolanus walked closer to her, carefully getting her to turn around as he wanted to confirm what he saw, Noelle didn't even bother to avoid what she knew was going to happen and let him see the large bruise on her back. 

Her leotard was cut down low, revealing up to her mid back, the open back revealed the nasty bruise, the nasty colour made the bruise appear worse and the age even more depressing. Noelle turned away, avoiding his eyes and grabbed her stuff. 

"Can I get changed? I'll explain afterwards, okay?" He nodded, watching as she scurried off, minutes later and Noelle returned. The brunette had a dress on with a cardigan to provide warmth and some security. 

"What's going on? Elle, you don't talk as much, I like hearing your ideas and you don't laugh as much anymore. You've lost that sparkle. That bruise on your back- it's not the only one I've seen and none of them have looked that bad. Please, tell me what's going on." Noelle lowered herself to the ground, Coriolanus followed her actions and they both sat in the middle of the empty dance studio. 

"My dad's not a good man. He tells me I should be seen and not heard, I believe it- I mean, it's true right? I have no value, when I even try to be heard no one hears me. I don't belong here. I am weak and just like those poor District kids. I feel bad for them, Dad found out... he doesn't like it when I say things like that. Dad doesn't like it when I say a lot of things. He doesn't like it when I say anything. Whenever I say anything or speak back he'll hit me." 

"Your dad hurts you? Noelle-" 

"They aren't wrong, those who think I'm like the children living in the Districts. I mean I actually care about them, most of the people who live in the Capitol like that they get killed in those games. I hate the games. Corio- please don't tell anyone I said that I don't want to be hurt anymore than I already am." 

Coriolanus hugged her softly, the girl cried into his shoulder, curling against his chest and whispered apologies to her friend. Coriolanus grabbed her face, resting a gentle kiss on her forehead, Noelle stared into his eyes through blurry hazel irises and let out a sad chuckle as he dried under her nose with the handkerchief. 

"I'm sorry. I must look gross."

"I don't care. Noelle, I can help you- your dad, Noelle you shouldn't be living with that. I don't want to see you hurting anymore. You've got this beautiful heart, you should care about those kids out there, not too long ago we were just like them and I love your kindness. Darling, don't listen to them, please and I'll do something about your father- I swear on it." 

Noelle looked as if she were in a stalemate, Coriolanus stared at her with sympathy in his eyes, the broken look covering her face made his heart ache and seeing her look completely shattered his entire existence. His beloved friend was hurting; he hated that she was hurting and that he didn't notice sooner.