"A ball?"
"Yes. Our tribute made it past the first day. It's a tradition to have a ball for the mentors whose Tributes survived." said Finnick, emotionless.
"I don't want to go." I said, looking back at the screen to a sleeping Lana. The rain stopped and she was inside a bush.
"You have to Annie. It's an honor."
Honor as in mandatory.
"Aren't we suppose to take care of her."
"We'll be in shifts."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine."
"You get to wear one of those pretty dresses you love so much."
I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm.
I guess I exaggerated last year in my interview when I talked about how they dressed. He said he had seen it on tv a couple of days ago and keeps on going on about a shadow over my lip made me look like a man. That's when I had to say something about how at least my dress was on right. His tie was so far to the side, like he was trying to make a new, terrible, fashion statement. It just looked really bad.
"Hahaha." I say, standing. "So, when is it?"
"It starts at nine."
Great one hour.
"Okay."
"But since it's shifts, I'll do the second. I'll be back at ten thirty and then you'll go to our floor, and they'll dress you. You'll be there at eleven."
I nodded. "Have fun."
"Thanks, you too."
I bite my lip, and worry settles in me.
Why would they throw us a ball? I never heard of that before, ever. Is this when they pick out who they want? Is this when they pay for us?
I started to feel nauseous, and I couldn't constentrate on the screen of Tributes. Some sleeping and others trying to find others. No one was close to Lana though, so I guess I can freak out now about myself.
I could see my reflection as the elevator door closed out the faces of my team. I looked scared, I guess because I am.
I wore another gold dress but I wasn't tired of them yet. It had gold sequence on the top shimmering down to the normal gold in the bottom of the ball gown. It was sleveless and had something they called a corset. It was tight but secure.
My hair was in an elegant bun, and they made me look beautiful.
I don't know how they did it, but I wish I could look like this everyday.
The doors open and I made my way out of the building. Other Victor's walked around coming and going from the ball. I stayed in line, waiting for a car.
The girl infront of me sighed and shifted her weight to the right, putting her hand on her hip. "Uh. This couldn't take any longer, I swear." She mumbled.
She looked back at me. "You're Annie."
"And you're Joannah."
She smiled, stepped up one. "I am."
It's hard to believe that anyone would think she was weak, even if she gave all the signs of being pathetic her aura just enflamed with confidance.
"You know? I thought you would be taller."
"Funny I thought you would be shorter." I really did though.
"Finnick's right, you do have a smart mouth. We'll get along just fine." She said, with a crooked smile.
I smiled back.
Her dress was dark black and red sequence, long to the ankles with a lace back. Her lips were a dark red and her eyes sparkled with black.
"What's this ball for?" I asked as we stepped up.
"Finnick didn't tell you?"
"No."
"To honor us since our Tributes survived."
"So not everyone's coming?"
"No. Once your Tributes die you go home, so they can't really come anyways."
I nodded. "So, that's it? Then we can go home." I make it sound like I'm talking about District Four, but that second her eyes become dark.
"Sometimes. If you're lucky." She said, stepping up.
I bite my lip. "Are you lucky?"
"No."
"Will I be lucky?"
"I would hope. How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"At least you had time." She said, shrugging. "My luck ended when I was sixteen, after I won the games..."
"How old are you now?" I said, stepping up.
"Nineteen."
"Oh." Was all I could say.
"Don't worry. You don't sparkle, people usually look-over the dull ones."
I nodded, trying not to feel hurt, because here that's a good thing.
"Well, I'll see you later." She said, stepping into the back seats of her car.
"Bye." I said.
Soon, my car came. For the first time ever I could look around Paneam. Huge televisons hung on buildings, showing the latest fashion and food. In one television a flash of red caught my eye. And Lavinia appeared on the screen under the word WANTED: Lavinia Covenoft.
Lavinia? A fugitive.
What could she have done? She wouldn't do anything. She couldn't.
Then, I saw a flash of green and black appear, but I was too far to see who it was.
Soon we were in the Central of the city, at an enormous house. No, this wasn't a house. It was too enormous to be a house. I walked up the steps of the house through the open doors to the party.
People danced around in pairs, music I'd never heard before lovely high notes mixed with a sturdy bass beat combined together to make everything good and happy.
I didn't know what to do, so I just stood there awkwardly. I didn't do anything, what was I suppose to do.
Now, I really wished Finnick was here, but he wasn't. I couldn't do anything about that.
"Annie!" someone yelled.
I looked around. It was Johanna, she waved and came running to me.
"Gosh, don't you just hate this?"
I gasp.
"They can't hear anything we say. Stop it, you'll bring attention to us and they'll start listening."
I looked around and nodded.
It was too loud to hear anything.
"They're just stupid, fake." She gave me a sneer. "They don't notice how much it hurts."
"They don't get it." I say. "They don't understand how bad they are."
"Do you see those clear glasses of water?" She said pointing.
The were in a pyramide no one could miss it.
"Yeah." I say, looking back at her.
"That's not water. It's something that make you throw-up."
"Why would they need that?" I asked, confused.
"So, they can eat more."
I shake my head in shock.
"If you go into the bathroom, you can hear them. It's normal." She said, with a sneer.
I try to hold down my discust, but I'm just at a loss for words.
Why? I just don't get why they have to do such stupid and rediculous things! It just doesn't get through my head!
I just sigh though and bite my lip.
"What are we suppose to be doing anyways?"
"Just, dance or eat. Or both."
"I'm not that great at dancing."
She gave me a look. "Really? That's like saying I'm a bad actress."
"Just because I like it doesn't mean I'm good at it. You've seen how I dance. I'm so clumsy."
"Really? I didn't see that. I saw high jumps and fast turns. Finnick told me that you did it in two weeks."
Butterflies fluttered inside of me when I hear his name.
He talks about me! Then, I frown because I never talk about him, ever. I can't, except for one time and we were arguing on what we thought Finnick wanted.
Rhyal's so paranoid; Finnick would never hurt me.
I wish I could talk about him to Haven, if we could get out of District Four for an hour I would tell her everything.
That doesn't stop me from feeling like a butthole.
"Oh, Johanna!" We hear the deep throated voice over all the voices and the music.
"Go." said Johanna. "Now."
I nodded, not needing to ask why with her serious tone. I just left.
A second after I started to regret it. How could I just leave someone so easiely. Was I really that crule, heartless, uncaring?
I took a look back and she was gone.
I looked around. Where can I go? Where can I get space, and not be with so many people?
I saw the double window doors at that moment, and head toward them.
I need to get out. The close I get the farther it feels and sufficates me. Finally, I break through the doors, and the fresh air hits me and I can breathe again.
I put my palm on my head and lean over the railing. I sigh.
The smell of roses is so strong but I'm fine with that. The garden stretched out forever. The full moon casting it's light on the bushes full of flowers.
"Annie Cresta?" That voice gave me a terrible chill.
I turned. "Yes?"
"Are you thirsty?" said the man, holding out a cup.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you, though."
He nodded, and put his meaty hand through his black hair.
"Well, I'm going to go back inside." I said.
"Wait!" He said, grabbing my arm.
"Ow." I said, and tried to pull away.
He wouldn't let go. "I already paid for you." He said, pulling me into him.
I shook my head, pulling back with all my weight.
"Didn't you hear me?"
"Let me go." I say.
"Come on. We're going to my room."
"Let me go!" I say.
"Stop it!"
"You stop it! Let me go, now!" I tried kicking him to get me away.
"Stop! I'm serious. It'll be worst the more you fight."
"I'll scream even louder. Get off."
He laughed.
"Let me go!" I scream.
He pulled my arms and I lost my balence falling onto the man. He put his arm on my neck, and squeezed.
Suddenly, I can't breathe. My head starts to pound and my lungs hurt, aching for air.
I claw at his arms and scratch him.
Too soon, it gets hard to claw. It gets too hard to fight him.
When I stop fighting he eases up on my neck.
"Will you coperated now?"
"No." I yell, and hit him in the gut.
He grunts but both of his arms are still around me.
"Please stop." I say.
"Fine." He let's me go. "You're not worth so much trouble."
"I can buy a bunch of things with the money I paid for you."
"I'll pay you. I will, with my money. Don't tell Snow."
"Too bad, you should have thought of that before."
