Wow, Luke really found a way to piss off Liz. God, is there anything that boy can do right? I am either a really crappy writer, or a really amazing one to be able to write someone as sexy and hot (character wise) and also so dang STUPID! Don't get me wrong, I love Luke, but he might have screwed up with Liz more than Marcus did. Notice I said maybe. He hasn't tried to kill her yet, so he's still a little better then Marcus. Please, in a review, tell me who you think is better for Liz, Marcus or Luke. This is something I want to know really badly, and I know who I would pick. Actually, I need to know a few whose better things. Here's the "few" that I wanted to know (sorry if this ends up being like 10, answer at least 5 please. All of them if you're an ultimate fan, and I have a few of them.) I am also going to ask a few other questions that I want answers to. Some of them are going to determine what happens in later chapters of this story–
For Liz- Marcus or Luke?
For Luke- Alice or Liz?
If I brought in another main character from the books, who should it be?
Should I bring in a person or two from Clove and Cato/Katniss and Peeta's Games? If so, who? (I was thinking Glimmer and/or Marvel….)
Should Finnick Odair somehow find his way into this? Or is he too irrelevant?
Is Gale someone who deserves to be coming into my story? Or should I leave him out of it?
I am trying to find new and creative ways to make this story better and get more people to read and review this, but I am not getting a lot of feedback on some chapters where feedback is really necessary. Some of you are speaking your mind and letting me know what you want, but some of you aren't saying anything or showing me that you're a fan. To those of you who are being fans and showing it, thank you so much. I know who you are, and I want to especially thank Allium Banner, my co-author, ObviosulyAnnoyed, my "assistant" that allows me to bug her with a million questions, Gabrielle98, who submits the most heartfelt and thoughtful reviews, Rue Sings Songs, who has made my day in many messages and has threatened me to make sure that I update fast enough(DON'T KILL ME IN MY SLEEP, I HAVE THE CHAPER HERE NOW!),MrsSkarsgard, who gave me some amazing ideas for this chapter, and all the rest of you that are amazing and reviewing and sending me messages, I am so sorry, but I can't even remember everyone I have a conversation with or message or get a review from. There are so many people that are doing an amazing job and have officially earned the rank of fan, super fan, or psycho fan. OOH, IF YOU REVIEW, I am starting something new, where I will determine what character in my story you are most like if you answer a few questions. Just tell me if you want that in your review, and I will PM you with the questions I want you to answer. That will tell me what I need to know to make a decision. Just thought that would be something fun to do. Sorry this Authors Note got so long. I had a lot to say. Ok, here's the chapter. I hope you like hearing what other people are thinking, because there is some serious POV overload here. Sorry if it gets confusing. I'll try not to do it too often, but in the beginning, it's just more convenient. Enjoy!
Effie POV-
Young love. So hard to find. Even harder to maintain. I had always thought young love was something that could never exist. That is, until I saw Luke Mellark and Elizabeth Hirsch. You could tell they were meant to be together the second you saw them kiss that first time when he came back from his interview. And I knew they cared about each other the second I watched them before the parade, talking about something that they were passing off like an alliance invitation. Elizabeth had asked me where Luke was, and I could see the tell tale sparkle in her eyes that told me she cared for him. Oh, she cared so much. And I really thought that he had cared about her. That Alice girl was always a scary one. You could see it in her expression that she was thinking about Luke every second of the day. I could tell she wanted to steal him from Liz, but I said nothing, figuring it would never go anywhere with them. That news report proved me wrong. And I am never wrong. That boy is going to either going to have to beg his heart out for her back, or he is going to have a miserable life married to her when she is pissed off at him. I really hope it's the first. Marriage is always better when you're happy.
It's been 1 hour since the news story ended, and Liz still hasn't come out of that compartment she locked herself in. I don't blame her. I felt so horrible as I walked by and could hear her crying inside, no doubt upset and heartbroken. I don't want to have to be the one to tell her it was time for dinner. I know what heartbreak felt like, and I knew she wouldn't be very controlled or happy just being interrupted the way I would have to. So, I did what I always do when I don't feel like being mean but need to- I went to Haymitch. He'd do what I didn't want to without breaking a sweat.
Haymitch POV-
When Effie approached me in the dining car, I didn't think she actually meant something valid. I was expecting her to start nagging me and tell me to stop drinking beer, like she had done a ton of times; but instead, I got a worried expression and a quality question. "Haymitch, so glad you're here. I need your help with something. I'm really worried about Elizabeth. She's locked herself away and hasn't come out, and honestly, I don't want to go and make her come out. But it's time for dinner in 10 minutes, and I'm sure having her parents come and yell at her isn't a good idea. I was wondering if maybe….well….if maybe you would go and talk to her. Like you did with Peeta and Katniss at one point. Well, separately but both of them at one time." I get it Effie. Don't worry about it. I'll talk to her now." I reply and leave my beer on the table. I'm not drunk, and I don't intend to be when I go and have this conversation. I remember when Peeta had needed comfort from when Katniss told him she was pretending to be in love with him. There had been that period of time when she thought she was in love with Gale Hawthorne, and I had to keep them close for those awkward months. Oh, but when Katniss got that love back, the two of them were inseparable. They slept together. Kissed a lot. Acted like they were in love flawlessly, because they weren't acting anymore. Hopefully I can get that out of Liz. I knock on her door….and wait.
Liz POV-
I hear the knocking and wipe my tears away with my hand and take a breath. I head over to the door and open it, half expecting it to be Luke apologizing. When I see its Haymitch, my spirits sink. "Oh. It's you. What do you want? Are you going to call me a loser? Tell me to get a life? As if I haven't been through enough today." I gripe. I sink onto the bed and sit there, wallowing in self pity and hatred. I know I sound horrid and mean, but I think I deserve to be cut some slack considering the events I had gone through. I think I've fixed my problems, and I realize I've succeeded. And then I find out Luke did something that gets us right back where we started right before I fixed it. Peachy. Luke. Ruins. Everything. I hate him so much right now. I mean, I love him, obviously, but how the hell am I supposed to be a good girlfriend and forgive him, but also be a person the Capitol will love and give him no second chance? The people are going to want me to be a tough girl and kick Luke to the curb. But my heart and my parents are going to want me to stay in love with him and forgive him. Things can never be easy.
"Yeah. It's just me. But I figured you wouldn't want to have your parents in here yelling at you and talking about sex, so I came in their place. If you want me to leave and get them, I would be just fine with that. It'd probably better if they see you all teary and blotchy then me." Her eyes go wide.
"No. No, stay. Please. They can't see me like this. My dad would hit me if he did." Haymitch sits on the edge of my bed next to me. "Are your parents….abusive to you?" He asks. I look at him. "That depends what you mean. My parents do it to teach me lessons and help me remember. If I'm late, I get smacked. If I don't get the grade on a test that I should have, I get a ruler hit against my palm. I train 6 hours a day and go to school 5 days a week for 8 hours. I'm trained a lot harder than any other female tribute in my district, and I'm able to lift heavier things and run faster than all the boys. They do it because they love me. And it's the way that they want me to learn."
He bites his lip and raises his eyebrow. "It's amazing how much they put you through. You stay calm and focused through all of it. It's no wonder why you're so upset over this. Well, anyone would be, but you're….well, isolating yourself from everyone. It's time for dinner in 10 minutes." He replies. "I'm not going." I sigh. "You're getting weak. This wasn't part of your training, was it?" He taunts. "I'm. Not. Soft. I am a warrior. A fighter. And I am anything but soft." He stands up and leans down, his nose inches from mine. "Prove it. If you're such a fighter and a warrior, then show it. Get your ass of this pity party you're throwing for yourself, and show Luke he can't make you cry. Play hard to get. Don't let him off easy until he apologizes in a way you like. In a way worthy of your standards. Make him work for it. Heaven knows he made you work for your romance to continue. Get out there and show off your new attitude." He yells at me. I narrow my eyes, wipe away my final tears, and stand next to him.
"Give me 10 minutes and I'll be there." I say. He smiles and leaves. I go to my mirror and get to work on making myself look perfect. My jeans and tank top and thrown on the floor and my better, hotter outfit comes on. Simple black skirt and a forest green V-neck with black ballet flats. Sexy, but simple. Perfect for the occasion. I quickly add mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss and my fingerless black gloves, and I'm off. My face looks like normal, and not at all like I've been crying thanks to some kickass Capitol concealer Octavia gave to me.
I strut into the dining car and slide into a seat next to Haymitch and Vilnius. Luke sits across from me, looking at me with a pleading look I know is begging me to forgive him. He stays silent. Oh well. Too bad for him. He'll have to say something if he wants me. We eat our salad, beef and dried plum stew and fudge sundaes quickly at my standards and then I'm right back to my compartment, waiting for Luke to come. I think for a moment about how if I wasn't mad at him, I would have sat next to him. We would have fed each other sundae and laughed when it was cold against our teeth. Then we would kiss in a candlelit room, being romantic and intimate. And then….then we would sleep together and maybe he's give me a massage. Hmm….if only it was just the two of us here. I hear a knock at my door and assume it's him. I open it and see a note flutter to the ground. I pick it up and examine it:
Go onto your computer. Sign into chat. I'll meet you on there. Then we can talk in private.
I pull up my IM page and sign in, seeing that there are 25 people online. But I only see one name that I need- Luke's.
Loverboy12: Hey
Vicious1: What did you want?
Loverboy12: What do you mean? I told you I wanted to talk in private
Vicious1: Peachy. Glad you decided you wanted to cyber talk to me. Next time, get your brain out of your ass and come talk to me IN PERSON!
Loverboy12: Is that an invitation? I heard your bed is soft.
Vicous1: Keep dreaming. Not happening. You're not getting into my bed.
Loverboy12: What am I supposed to do, Liz? It's really hard to please you.
Vicious1: Do something nice. Show me you care about me, and not Alice.
Loverboy12: Alice is dead Liz. Don't you know that by now? You killed her yourself.
Vicious1: And how do I know you aren't just dating me because she's dead and you can't have her? And how do I know that you wouldn't go to her if we found out she's alive like Miklisho. Figure that out, and you have your answer.
Vicious1 has signed off. 6:23pm
Loveboy12: I love you
Loverboy12 has signed off 6:24pm
Luke POV-
I know what to do now. Hopefully everyone will agree to this. They better. If they don't, Liz just might never forgive me. And that would suck. I walk to the dining hall, where I told everyone to meet me, and walk in, seeing everyone has gathered, right on schedule. "What is this about?" My dad asks. "I needed to tell you something. Tomorrow I am going to give Liz the best day ever, and your all leaving for a while so I can show her that I care. All of you, all the Avox's, chefs, everybody. It will just be her and I, and I am going to make her feel special, just like she has made me feel. I need all of you agree so she can forgive me. I can't marry her if she's mad at me and miserable. Plus, Miklisho Maccoll is alive, and I am not taking any risk of her wanting to go to him." I reply. Sighs, gasps, and assorting looks greet me. "Alright. We'll be gone in an hour." Haymitch says. "Excuse me? We can't leave them here alone!" Effie protests. "I like it." Vilnius says. "Give them a chance to have some quality time together." Melody adds. "I think it sounds wonderful. But if you get my daughter pregnant before you're required to, I will kill you." Cato says. I nod my head and they all go back to their respective compartments to pack up their things and get out. Perfect. I go to Liz's compartment and see no light under the bottom of the door. I open the door slightly and see that she's lying in bed, fast asleep. I don't slip in for fear that she would wake up. I slither out and go back to my own compartment, planning the perfect day. Liz won't be able to say no after what I do.
Liz POV-
I wake up yawning. Wow, I actually woke up without anyone having to tell me to. I look at me clock and the happiness ends. It's 9am! 9 frickin AM. My parents are going to kill me. I hear a knock on my door and figure it's my parents come to yell at me. Or worse, Haymitch and Effie. I groan and mutter "Come in." And then I see Luke come in with a tray. "Good morning sleeping beauty." He says cheerfully.
I cross my arms and sit up in bed. "May I help you?" I ask. "No. I am here to help you. All day. Today. Your parents, my parents, our stylists and prep teams, Effie, Haymitch, all the Avox's, and the chefs and everybody else that was on this train are gone. They….took a day off. It's just you and I all day long." He says. I blink a few times, and then pinch my leg to make sure I'm not dreaming. Nope. This is all real. Nothing fake. It's like God was reading my thoughts. Can Luke read minds all of a sudden? Absolutely not. I would know if he could.
He walks over to my bedside with the tray, placing it down in my lap. "I brought you breakfast in bed. All homemade, I might add." I look at the tray. He's made all my favorites- the French toast, the eggs with vegetables, the chocolate strawberries, everything. I couldn't ask for anything better. I remember what Haymitch said. Play hard to get. "I do hope that you aren't expecting me to suddenly forgive me because you brought me food." I smirk. "Of course not. I just wanted to show you that I care." He replies. "And by the way, you have 4 hours to do whatever you want. Just meet me for lunch in the town square. Preferably dressed in something other then pajamas." He says. So, I sit there and savor my breakfast for 45 minutes. And then I go and sit around at my computer, e-mailing and doing schoolwork, something I haven't done since the 4rth of forever. Then I watch some celebrity gossip show on TV, and then I look at the clock. Hmm….30 minutes. Better get ready.
I put on a white button down shirt, a black blazer, and then a pair of hot pink skinny jeans. Perfection. I meet Luke in the town square, where I see he's arranged a picnic. I sit down next to him and eat a chicken club sandwich, made to perfection, by Luke. God, is he making all the food today? I'm scared. I am definitely going to get food poisoning. But I enjoy it while I can. We eat together, and I even splurge a little and let him eat a bite of my sandwich. I eat a little of his. Soon we're laughing a little, and I'm on my way to forgiving him. But I play hard to get a little too, once in a while, just to confuse him.
We go back to the train and sit around for 6 glorious hours of 74th Hunger Games action, my favorite. He leaves right after to go make dinner, and I decide to watch the Victory Tour stuff from my parent's tour, and Katniss and Peeta's. My dad was as showy and cocky as ever. My mom was smirking and posing and being…my mom. Peeta was charming and adorable, and Katniss was brave and never changed her appearance, simple and braided hair. I am a better Victor then my mom, and I know that. But between me and the blank air all over the world, I want to be like Katniss. Everybody loved her. She was their Mockingjay. That's what they called her. I want a cool nickname.
Luke comes back in and tells me it's time for dinner. I follow him into the dining car and see that he went all out on this, dim lights, classical music, s single candle at our table for two, everything I could ever want. We eat our Caesar salads, eat a bowl or two of creamy cheese broccoli soup, and then together, we share a seriously rich piece of milk chocolate cake with strawberries mixed in. Then we go to the bathroom, where Luke runs me a bath with lavender oil and rose petals. I climb in and allow myself to enjoy this for a half hour. Then I towel up and get into my room, finding Luke has transformed my room into a sex oasis. Not that we're having sex. But it could be used for that if I chose, I suppose. The room is illuminated by tons of vanilla scented candles, and I glide over to ym bed with a smile on my face. "Full body massage?" He asks. I nod and lay down. Then he gets to work rubbing me with his strong baker's hands. Damn he's good. This is impossible to hate. I have to forgive him now. Damn him. I love him, but he makes it so hard to play hard to get. I want to kiss him to death, and I can't. Not without blowing my cover. I look at the clock yet again. 9:30 pm. Wow. Our parents are coming soon, I'm sure. We lay together for a little while, I still wrapped in a towel, and then the question I've been waiting for comes. "Do you forgive me?" He asks. I think for a moment.
"No. I don't forgive you Luke." I reply, still having my head lying on his chest.
He shifts under me and I sit up. "I don't forgive you, because I was never all that mad. I am an amazing actress. I convinced you, didn't I?" I say. He smiles, and we kiss. The taste of chocolate and strawberries still linger. I lay there for a while longer. Together we blow out all the candles, and then….I fall asleep in his arms.
What did you think? Please, answer my questions and let me know what you're thinking. I really need feedback. So, give me some! Thanks so much for reading this, and I appreciate you all SO much! I promise, I will update soon. The Victory Tour will continue. OK, got to go. See you later!