Inspo for chapter from the song Dream by Priscila Ahn 

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Months ago, the academy students had to write a speech about themselves and had they would proceed in the future. Honestly, it was quite hard to write down the words to meet the requirements of the assignment, she had listened to student after student and their speeches were all the same.

"After the Dark Ages, I wanted to make a change, I want to make sure the Districts got what was coming for them. Blah, blah, blah... I wish to be President so I can make sure they don't get to have a happily ever after." 

Casca Highbottom, the dean of the academy, was viewing the class and listening to the speeches as he thought through a process in his head and looked more invested when Noelle was called up to give her speech. Coriolanus squeezed her hand as she left to walk away, shooting a smile as she looked back at him. The brunette stood in the little booth that their professor stood in, she glanced at her peers, placed her palm cards to the side and offered a sympathetic smile as she began. 

"When I was a little girl, I escaped to my own little world where I could just play pretend. It was how I coped with things that happened inside what should've been the comfort of my own home. I would dream. I would dream that I could fly, I would dream of this little home that was made just for me. To this day; I still have those little dreams, I dream of having a cozy home where I can live with my future husband and future children." Noelle took a deep breath, letting a smile form on her lips as Coriolanus with an encouraging look covered. 

"I have these dreams because it's what I want, I want a family that will love me as much as I do. Call me what you will- call me 'district girl,' call me 'freak,' none of that matters to me. That is how I wish to live my life, I do not want to have the life of someone that is feared, I want to help and offer support for people that deserve it. I don't want power that can hurt people." 

Some of the students started muttering under their breaths; Coriolanus glared at the ones closest to him, getting them to be quiet with help from the professor. Noelle took a deep breath, forcing herself to continue, she didn't know what she was doing but she sounded steady in her head. 

"The Dark Ages is a point for us to grow. To learn from past mistakes. I do not aspire to punish, I do not aspire to make a change that the rest of you are talking about. I aspire to learn from mistakes and to understand past actions and Panem's history. If we do not learn from past mistakes how will we ever grow as a nation? Any future path that I take will never be noticed, I understand and accept that. My future will be shadowed by whichever one of you become President,  my future will be shadowed by all of you who become more successful with power than my future of care. I know I will be forgotten once I die and those close to me die. I accept that, as depressing as you think that it, it is but that shows growth to understand that no matter who you are you will eventually be forgotten once you are dead."

Noelle ignored Coriolanus' look, he could see the dismay and the sadness in his eyes from where she stood. The brunette knew her words were truthful, she knew that what she was saying was the depressive truth, there was no escaping from this kind of reality and Noelle had no clue how long it would take for the others to realise that or even if they would realise that.

"My goal is to allow myself to live the life I want. Not the life that is given to me. I will not allow myself to be defined by the influence and power of others. My life is mine and mine alone. Thank you for listening." The students clapped, some out of obligation, others out of respect and the Professor clapped for the actual fact of being impressed. 

Noelle took her seat beside Coriolanus; blushing a deep shade of red as Coriolanus softly laid his hand on her knee. She didn't expect the touch, it made her jump yet she kept her composure and softly apologised for jumping. 

Coriolanus stood up to give his speech, the blonde's speech was almost motivational, it gave insight and clarity for the reality of what some of these people are actually living in. Coriolanus spoke about how things needed to be changed, things need to be altered for everything to change in future occurrences. 

Out of all the speeches, his was the most enjoyable; he actually had individuality and meaning, whereas all the other speeches lacked meaning. They lacked individuality, Noelle grabbed Coriolanus' hand under the table, her thumb running across his knuckles, smiling as he leaned closer to her side and whispered words into her ear. 

"You're gonna get a fucking good grade for this. They don't know what's coming for them." Noelle giggled softly, thanking him for his words, he nodded and glanced at their professor as both their marking sheets were placed in front of them. 

A wide smile appeared on Noelle's lips, she got 100/100 the comments her professor wrote were incredible! Not once had a professor given feedback this good, Noelle showed her sheet to Coriolanus who instantly hugged her tightly and whispered support into her ear. 

"I am more than proud of you. You should be proud, Noelle. This is amazing." 

"Thank you. What did you get?" 

"80/100. Listen you everyone else, they're all complaining because they follow a folk. You are getting that fire in you, that fire I keep talking about. I mean you are getting complete control of your life and you are getting closer to living the life you deserve." Noelle pursed her lips; grinning widely at Coriolanus, thanking him and glanced at her hands, Noelle did feel more confident and didn't feel as closed off as did before. 

Just as Noelle was leaving with Coriolanus, their Casca stopped them, calling for Noelle and asking Coriolanus to wait outside the classroom. The brunette waited patiently, hoping that everything was good and that there was nothing to worry about. 

"Miss Aster. You are going to great places. I am offering you a scholarship for the rest of your education here. Don't let people control you, with the help of Mr Snow, you have become more vocal in your opinion and your opinions, while controversial to the rest of the people in the Capitol... your opinions are ideal to certain people..." 

"You don't like your own creation, do you?" Noelle questioned, the man took a swing of his morphling, shaking his head and watched the brunette as she placed her bag down, waiting for his response. 

"I was drunk when Coriolanus Snow's father got into my head. When I was credited to it, I hoped they would fade over time...this year's failure in turnout could be a good indicator of the games ending." 

"As much as I would like that, I don't think it will end until blood from the Capitol has been shed. Thank you for the scholarship, I appreciate it-" 

"Coriolanus Snow will be the end of you. He is just like his father, the boy will be pushed to the edge and will lose the sense of who he is now." Noelle raised an eyebrow, sighing softly yet tilted her head to the side, almost questioningly and confused. 

"So, your logic is that children become their parents. Excellent. I'm going to become like my father, no maybe my mother, maybe I'll die young and everything I said was true. I know I will be forgotten, the only one here who cares for me is Coriolanus. Death destroys people, it changes good people and you know that for sure." 

Casca nodded, dismissing the girl, Noelle smiled at Coriolanus and grabbed his hand. Not even dwelling on the idea of Coriolanus being the cause of her demise.