Oh my god, how is Liz going to fix this? She could blame Cato. He told her to say what felt natural, and she did. So, yeah, it's his entire fault. Kidding, she needs to work it out on her own. And Miklisho's back! OMG! Let's hope nobody else comes back. That would suck, now wouldn't it? I hope you like this chapter. My last one was pretty epic I think, so it might not be as cool as that one. But I'll try. But I won't know if it's epic or not unless you review! So please, review! The level of visitors is extremely high, but the reviews are extremely low. Please please please, review and let me know what you're thinking! Without further ado, here is the chapter! And remember, I still need wedding dresses for Liz. I have 4! Come on, I need at least 10 more. People, who haven't submitted yet, please do! I need help from people who aren't giving me ideas. Some people are doing so much, and to those of you who have, you don't need to send me anything unless you really want to. And submit the links to the dresses in a review. That's the only way I can open them and see them.
Luke POV-
"Thank you. Oh thank you so much! I would appreciate that. Alright, see you then." I hang up the phone with a snap. As usual, Liz was upset over something her parents had said, and I pulled through with a way to fix things. I walk up to Liz, sleeping peacefully, and grab her, lifting her into the styling car and sitting her down in a chair. I shake her slightly, and she wakes up.
"What? What do you want?" She mumbles. "I found a way to fix your problems. You know that Valetta Stone chic? The one that did the news story about the thing in District 4? Well, your amazing boyfriend has arranged for her and her camera crew to meet us in District 7, where she's going to do a quick mini interview with you and then you can tell everyone what you really meant, therefore fixing your problem and making it so whoever was going to meet you at the house doesn't need to come anymore." I smile at her, and she smiles back. The light in her eyes says it all. She's excited. "When should I be meeting her? What should I wear?" She asks quickly.
"I would wear jeans and a T-shirt if I was you, and you're meeting her in an hour. The stop in District 7 isn't for another 3 hours. So you'll have plenty of time to get the interview over and done with and then get back here too get styled and ready for the real stuff. And by that time, the interview will have aired and everyone will see that you're just fine and great." She smiles again and I feel her lips press gently into mine. Elizabeth is an amazing kisser.
She jumps up and goes to her compartment and in 20 minutes, I find her in a simple black tank top and black skinny jeans. Black flip flops adorn her feet. Her nails are painted with red sparkle paint, and her makeup shows she is experienced. If I didn't know better, I'd say that the stylists attacked her, but I know better. The stylists and prep teams can't be bothered until 10am. It's only 9. I kiss her on the cheek and she puts on a quick smile. "Hey Liz?" I ask hesitantly. "Yeah?" She asks back.
I stand next to her and pull the ring out of my pocket. The one I spent 75 dollars on. But it's all worth it. Every penny of it. "Um…I was wondering….would you accept this promise ring? Just to say we will be married?" I ask. She smiles at me. "Of course I will." She replies. I smile back at her, happy that she said yes. "Do I have to put it on myself?" She asks. I shake my head and take her hand, slipping the ring on her finger. The emerald gleams in the light, and she holds it up. "I can't believe this. Thank you so much, Luke! It's…beautiful. I'll see you when I get back." She exclaims.
Then I see her leave the train and start walking toward the direction of the town square, where Valetta is waiting. I silently say a prayer to God, if there is a God to pray to, that Elizabeth gets a nice interview and people love her again. If it works, nobody will boo us in the next stop, and if it doesn't, we'll both be dead very quickly when someone tries to shoot us, or something like that.
Liz POV-
I walk toward the town square, where I can see the Capitol woman, Valetta Stone, shining in a sequin dress. Capitol people are so weird. They die their skin different colors, implant gems into their flesh and nails, and don't even get me started on breast implants. The amounts of people who change themselves are almost as much as the level of food they have, which is a lot. If this doesn't make sense to you, then that's fine with me. I approach Valetta, take a deep breath, and then proceed. "Valetta Stone?" I ask hesitantly. "Yes, are you Elizabeth Hirsch? Why, yes you are! I would know you anywhere. You're the newest female face to grace us with its presence." I blush a bit. "Thank you. Um…I was told I had an interview with you before the stop here for the Victory Tour. Is this correct?" I say. "Yes it is! I am so happy that you are here. I felt so horrible that you are experiencing all that injustice. Everyone in the Capitol is on your side. So I am going to help you out. Trust me, you'll be just fine. OK, let's begin." She says. She snaps her fingers and the camera people start pointing their cameras. And Valetta does her thing.
"I'm here with Elizabeth Hirsch, here for a tell all on all the juiciest. So, Elizabeth, may I call you Liz? Did you mean what you said in District 6 about their male tribute, Drake Hemsington?" She asks. She puts the microphone in front of my mouth. I think for a moment, and formulate my answer.
"You know Valetta, Luke and I were under so much pressure that day, and we were both a little nervous. When I get really nervous, I get angry, because being nervous isn't what I'm used to in District 2. My training had always taught me to be strong, and that day, I wasn't feeling that strong at all, and it upset me. So when someone said Drake should have won, it kicks started into my anger already. So, I said what I said. I didn't mean what I said at all. Drake was a major threat, just like everyone else, and his threat just happened to be that he was 3 years older than me. Everyone had something that gave them an edge. I had my training and background, Alice had her innocence, Miklisho had his vitamin use that had improved him stamina and strength. Everybody was someone that you had to be on the lookout for. Anyone was capable of coming and shooting an arrow at you, or slicing a knife across your throat." I reply. I stare right into the camera. "To anyone who took offense to what I said, I am so sorry, and I apologize. I really just was blowing off steam. Maybe I was in denial that any of the wonderful things after the Games happened or maybe it was just the work of a guilty conscience that I did what I did, and said what I said."
Valetta looks at me and nods her head. "I'm sure people are very much understood now that you are here, now, apologizing. We all have those moments where we zone out and do something or say something we regret later, and it's perfectly understandable. I'm sorry, but I must comment on your emotion today. You seem very different then the girl we saw at the Reaping, and in the parade. Care to explain?" She says. "I'm used to being hardcore and strong and confident and tough from living in a tough and strong district. And that's great, when you want to be strong and tough. At this moment, here, I am not in the mindset to think about being confident and tough. I just want to make sure I am being heard. And that I am being understood and believed. I'm not here now to be the kickass girl who you saw in the Games. I mean, whose ass am I going to kick? This isn't the time, or the place, to be acting like that. And before I continue, I wanted to say to all the people in District 6, I didn't even mention how much your tributes, Marvin Langford and Vale Gremp, fought for the honor of your district. You should be extremely proud of them, of their families, and of your district. Every district deserves to feel special, and everyone in Panem should feel that way right now."
Valetta wraps a manicured hand around my shoulders. "And what is your plan for when you get home to District 2?" She asks. "Well, my parents don't know about this, and I doubt anyone else does either, but I want to go back to my high school, stop being homeschooled, and go to Prom. I want to be Prom Queen." I answer smartly. "Well, that is very much unexpected! I can see you winning Prom Queen with Luke as you king. Is that how you picture it?" I laugh and blush.
"Absolutely. I'm sorry I'm laughing, I just….I never thought I would be saying that to anyone. And even though I am saying that, you can still expect the tough, confident, strong girl you've seen before. That part of me will be coming back and taking over shortly, and all I can say is get prepared!
"Alright, thank you so much for coming here. I'm sure you're very busy with the Victory Tour, and we are so grateful for you being here to tell us all the juiciest things we were dying to find out. You heard it here first folks, Elizabeth Hirsch, a clean slate is now in place, and she is sorry. I'm Valetta Stone for Capitol Times." She sighs and looks at me.
"That was to die for darling! Simply wonderful. The camera loves you. And your case went across so well. Even the worse of haters will be defenseless when it comes to forgiving you." I hold out my hand and she shakes it. "Well, I am so happy you allowed me to do this, Ms. Stone. I'm sure I'll be seeing you more for more exclusives in the future. I will hope that you'll be there to help with the wedding dress decisions. President Snow has said the people in the Capitol will be choosing which dress I wear. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be going." I say.
"But of course dearie. Just request me, and I'll be the one there. And I know your busy. See you in the news." I look back. "When is this premiering? I want to make sure to watch it. "I'm uploading now. So….15 minutes. Now hurry! Get back there so you and your people can watch."
I turn and run back to the train. I look at my watch. I still have 7 minutes until the report comes on. I run down the halls, banging on my parents door, then Luke's, then Katniss and Peeta's, then Melody's, then Algeria's, then Vilnius and Argentina (the two of them are dating). "WAKE UP! There's something on TV you need to watch!" I scream. Everyone gets up and comes to the compartment with 30 seconds to spare. "I did something. Watch!" I instruct.
I hit the button that makes the volume go up and then I see Valetta and I standing in the town square. My mom's gasps. "When did you do this?" She asks. "This morning. Luke set it up, I just went with it." I exclaim.
We all turn our attention to the TV. It's perfect. "I'm used to being hardcore and strong and confident and tough from living in a tough and strong district. And that's great, when you want to be strong and tough. At this moment, here, I am not in the mindset to think about being confident and tough. I just want to make sure I am being heard. And that I am being understood and believed. I'm not here now to be the kickass girl who you saw in the Games. I mean, whose ass am I going to kick? This isn't the time, or the place, to be acting like that." I hear myself say. I blush a little.
"Luke, how did you even get a hold of her? She's one of the top reporters in the Capitol. She wouldn't just drop everything and come here. What did you do to make her come?" Peeta says. Katniss looks away from the TV and joins their conversation. "I told her Liz wanted to restage a comeback and make a statement. And I kind of….well, I promised she could do the exclusive for the wedding dress thing. You know, show the pictures and stuff on her news show, and not some other one..." He replies.
"Luke! You can't just do that without Liz's permission. Maybe she wanted someone else to do the story." Effie says. "It's a bunch of dresses, who the hell cares?" Haymitch adds. "Actually, I told Valetta she could do it when we finished the interview. So it's cool." I say, waving it off like no big deal. Everyone calms down a bit. We go back to watching. "And what are your plans for when you arrive home again?" Valetta asks.
"Well… my parents don't know about this, and I doubt anyone else does either, but I want to go back to my high school, stop being homeschooled, and go to Prom. I want to be Prom Queen." I hear myself say it on the TV, and it still sounds as realistic as it did when I said it the first time. I wasn't lying about any of this, and maybe that's why I'm so surprised. People are going to see me in a whole new light, and I am suddenly aware of that. But there is no way this can blow up in my face.
Valetta finishes what she was saying and then the show cuts off to pictures of Luke and I around the districts. They aren't even that good. Just pictures of us standing around and looking bored before going on stage. There's one picture of me smirking at the paparazzi, and then….I see a picture I don't recognize. Luke obviously does though.
What I see on screen makes me gasp. There's a party going on at a house in District 12. It's nighttime, and there are lights and things all over the place, illuminating scenes. A few little quick flashes of pictures show me there are a ton of teens standing around with cups. I know what this is- a keg party. Someone gets into their parents liquor cabinet and uses it all for a rocking, awesome party. Everybody gets drunk, and then fun things start to happen. Back to the picture showing that made me gasp. It's a picture of Luke with a blonde girl, and her arms are wrapped around his neck. He smiles lovingly at her, and I see then that this face is familiar. This mysterious girl is Alice Dawson, except she looks….different. Her blonde hair is longer, straighter. She's wearing an aqua wrap around dress that is about as long as my thumb. It ends right below her crotch, and she holds a red plastic cup in her right hand, which, like I said, is wrapped around Luke. He holds a similar cup in his hand, smiling at whoever took this photo. "Looks like tribute hottie Luke Mellark wasn't just kicking around with one fellow tribute. Alice Dawson, the female tribute from District 12 seems to have gotten through to him with this steamy picture. Was this the start of something big?" Valetta says. No, that was a friendly picture. Their friends. Friends wrap their arms around each other like that. I've done it to the Victories before, and they've done it to me…when we're drunk.
Then another one flashes this one much different. The red cups are hastily thrown on the ground, and whatever was in them is spilling all over, but that doesn't seem to bother either one of them. Alice is straddling Luke, her legs wrapped around his torso, and her arms cling sexily to his neck, like I did when I saw him in District 12. He has his arms all over her, and the best part….their lips are touching. That's right, he's kissing her, and not in the least a friendly way. Before I have time to ask, another picture flashes. A ton of boys and girls are on the dance floor, and I can see Alice's dress covered body lying there, right on top of my boyfriend. I let out a panicked shriek, and before I can stop myself, I'm screaming at Luke. "OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? WHEN WERE THESE TAKEN? AND WHY IS ALICE DAWSON LYING ON TOP OF YOU?" I'm shrieking at the top of my lungs.
"It was a stupid party before the Games. Before the Reaping. One of my classmates was throwing a party, and I went. I wasn't going to drink; I wasn't going to do anything but socialize with my friends. And then Alice and her stupid posse showed up. They were all dressed like scanks, and all the guys were going berserk. I wasn't though. And then my friend handed me a drink, and well….we started a contest. I wanted to seem cool, and every guy there was doing it, even my best friends that had never drank a beer in their lives until that night.
That first one was taken after like….one cup. But that wasn't working for me. I drank another, and another, and then…well, by the time that second one was taken, Alice and I had both had too many. And then the spin the bottle started, and Alice and I played.
We ended up drunk kissing once, and then, we didn't stop. We kept kissing until we were standing up and she….did that. And we kept kissing, and it got to lying on top of each other, making out all the while. But I didn't want that, so we stopped around the time after that last picture was taken. Actually, I had no idea people were photographing that, but I can remember when they happened." He tries to explain himself, but I'm not buying it. "When was this party? 6 months before? 2 months before?" I am seething with rage. My head is pounding. Even Aspirin can't stop this. I'd need like 13 of those to make it even begin to stop. "It was one month before the Games. About 6 days before you came to District 12." I stare at him blankly.
"We were dating?" I reply. My voice cracks. I wring my hands, which I do when I'm upset and speechless at the same time. Then I feel the promise ring he gave me on my finger. I pluck it off and pull him hand up, palm up. I shove it into his hand. "Take your ring. I don't want it. In fact, don't talk to me unless you can rewrite history. Because whether you were drunk or not, you kissed her. You let her lay on top of you. You were cheating on me, even though you weren't dating. And I will never forgive you. Ever!" I say. I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving them all wondering. Perfect.
I don't care if it's not the strong thing to do…I am going to cry my frickin' ass off.
Well alright then. Please let me know what your thinking, because I can't read minds (HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?) Send me a link for a wedding dress…that is if there's even going to be a wedding. Oh god, Liz just fixed things, and then Luke went and ruined them. Wow, they are messed up! Am I right? OK, got to go. But I will update soon, depending on what you all say to me. If I'm inspired, I'll start writing tomorrow morning and have it up tomorrow night or Tuesday morning. But if I'm not, I sware, I will make you wait 3 weeks for this(that's torture for you and me!) So make me happy and review!