Zeke's POV
Well… that was damn embarrassing!
For them! Not for me!
If only I caught them in action…
I wish I hadn't disturbed them… I should've watched their progress. I would've, only if I wasn't in a hurry to see Primrose Mellark and flatter her, during the brief trip around District 4.
That blondie was ignoring me since she set her dainty foot in this house. Once I lay my eyes on any woman, I won't be able to sleep a wink until I make sure she falls for me. No woman should be able to resist Zeke Henry Collins! Considering the amount of time we will be able to spend once we're off to the famous places, I should be able to flatter her in the twinkling of an eye. And the rest, that follows, is normal for me. She will revolve around me like my satellite- that's fun! There's no other significant work for me to do- I am going to focus on impressing her.
Soon after disturbing my sister and her fiancé, (much to their disappointment), I began to descend the stairs, to go to the Mellarks' room, to remind them of this trip. Though there's many servants to do that, I think I will be able to flatter them by spending more time with them- 'Zeke is such a well-mannered boy!' Which girl wouldn't be happy if her parents thought that the guy she loved is well-mannered and awesome!?
Since my father works for the government, we have been given this huge bungalow to house the guests that flew in from practically the whole of our country. This bungalow has seven floors, three rooms in each floor. Sometimes, people end up going to the wrong room, often embarrassing each other. Once, Uncle Nyhom went to room number 501 instead of 502. 501 was given to Su's friend Kathy and her husband, Dick. Uncle ended up interrupting them when they were about to.. aah! I don't need to complete my sentence.
"Room number 402." I told myself.
I like the wallpaper in the corridor- brown polka dotted with yellow, light bulbs studded in the ceiling- it often gave me the feeling that it was dawn. The dim lighting gives this house a very pleasant atmosphere. At least till the wedding is over, I get to spend some awesome time. And, kissing Prim in such a wonderful atmosphere… it should be bliss!
On reaching the fourth floor, I turned to the left and walked five steps- to room number 402. The door was bolted from inside. I pulled down my shirt and tried to throw back the hair that was falling on my forehead that partially covered my eyes. I need them to see the sincerity in my speech reflecting in my eyes. They say eyes never deceive, so, they'll understand how awesome I am. My eyes can deceive anyone; I think I have almost perfected the art of subtle seduction. Theory is done. Practicing it is the only thing that's left.
"Smile, Zeke! Its flattering time!" I softly mumbled to myself and knocked on the door, twice. I put on a smile that should probably be awarded "The most seductive smile of Panem"
"Hey Zeke!" Finnick, the youngest Mellark greeted me, opening the door.
"Hi!" I responded with the same excitement, "Where's mum and dad?"
"Why will mum and dad be here?" Finnick asked me. "This is Prim's room!"
Oh joy! How did I end up getting confused?
I was supposed to go to the Mellarks room and ended up at their daughter's. I tried to hide the disappointment. I hoped this meeting will be the laying stone of foundation for our 'love'. Finnick opened the door wider for me to enter.
The room was quite cozy; It had a cot to the extreme left and two plastic chairs to the right. Beside the chairs was a desk where Prim, my lover sat, engrossed in something. Her golden locks were tied in a very loose bun, her hair was flying. The bookshelf near the desk was already occupied by some books. I walked towards Prim, who faced her back towards me. She didn't even seem to notice that somebody was in her room.
"What are you doing pal?" I cooed.
"no! LEO! NOOO!" She loudly shrieked, causing me to do something really stupid and cowardly.
I fell down.
"Zeke!" Finnick shouted.
"Zeke?" Prim asked, turning towards me. I quickly got up and began to dust my clothes. I got a clear view of her- her denim shorts, blue shirt, unkempt hair- she looked like a mechanic. My! My! She requires a lot of make-over.
"What're you doing here?" She asked, sternly.
"Hey! I thought you'd apologize first! " I cried, unhappily.
"Okay... Zeke! Aren't we going out today?" Finnick asked.
I nodded.
"Really? Cool!" He cheered and quickly ran away from the room, leaving me and my future girlfriend alone.
She was glaring at me, clearly conveying to me that I was unwelcome and that my presence was not at all appreciated. I swallowed hard; making this girl fall in love with me is a task that is full of obstacles, but, when did a successful man not overcome thousands of hurdles to achieve what he wanted to?
Prim's POV
"You need some water? The fall must've been pretty hard. You're swallowing your own saliva!" I commented , as the creature stood as motionless as a tree.
"No."
"OK!"
"I said no as a reply to the 'fall must've been pretty hard' part. I am thirsty! " He replied.
I pointed at my water bottle, on the desk. He quickly grabbed it and began to gulp down the water. Soon, the bottle was empty. Of course the fall was hard! His male ego is preventing him from accepting the truth.
"What else?" he asked, wiping his mouth and placing the bottle in its previous position. Doesn't he see that I'm reading? Can't he leave me alone? I didn't reply; I think I'll never forgive him for disclosing to my parents so casually the fact that they teach us about the wretched games at school.
"I said what else?" He said, increasing his pitch, his voice turning a bit grave.
"Oh Leo! An oath to keep with the final breath!" I exclaimed, with false enthusiasm, though I knew what happens to this favorite character of mine.
Anything to shoo away that guy from my room…
"House of Hades?" Zeke Henry Collins, probably the most annoying male in this universe asked me, his voice as calm as it usually was.
I tried to ignore him. But, when you're a fangirl- one who is obsessed with books and talks about the characters in the books as if they really existed, a mere mention of your favorite book by another person can overwhelm you.
(Ssh! Please don't tell ANY OTHER fangirl that I called the characters non-existent. They exist in a parallel universe. Probably Percy, Jace and Four fanboy over me. That thought has always comforted me!)
"Yeah" I muttered, since I didn't want to continue the conversation.
"Oh. I haven't read it yet." He sighed. I turned towards him, to confirm if what I heard was true. He had a sad look in his eyes and I was sort of bewildered to find out that this fellow is a reader. "Prim, do Annabeth and Percy survive?"
He sounded really desperate and I decided to trouble him a little bit.
"No."
"What?" He spat. "You gotta be kidding me!"
"Why will I do that? Not like you're my friend!" I snapped, shaking furiously. I turned my attention to the book I was probably reading for the 69th time.
He looked a bit hurt and I calmly congratulated myself for snapping back like that. He didn't say anything further. Neither did I. For five minutes, neither of us acknowledged the other's presence.
"Is there something I can do for you?" I asked, five minutes later, my voice really hostile. I placed the bookmark in the book and swiftly closed it. I didn't sound friendly at all- why should I? He's getting onto my nerves!
"The book. Can I borrow it?" He asked, his desire to read it clearly palpable.
"No." I snapped, instantly. And then, I felt bad. Why was I being too harsh with him? I have already read that book! Giving it to him wouldn't mean we have become friends. As a bookworm, I know how horrible it is when the book you haven't read is right in front of you and you can't read it. I silently reached for the book and handed it to him.
"Uhh. You can read it! Take care of my book. No folding the edges of the paper, no vandalizing, no food in the creases, no-"
"Madam, I'll wear gloves while reading your book and cover my breath; to make sure it doesn't get infested with the germs I exhale. After reading it, I'll treat it with a disinfectant. Is that enough?" He said, sarcasm dripping in his words.
I smiled, in reply. He took the book from my hands and examined it, with a sparkle in his calm, green eyes.
I wondered if I reacted in the same manner when dad bought me the book.
"Err- I have the Blood of Olympus as well. I'll give it to you once this book is in my hands, safely."
"Really? Thanks sweetie!"
I frowned at him.
"Yeah. Whatever. Thankyou very much!" He shouted, and walked towards the exit.
He halted near the door, turned towards me and said, "Why don't you get ready, pal? We're going to go for a small tour round the district and I wouldn't like it if my special friend didn't look great!"
He didn't wait for a reply, and marched off.
"Special friend? My foot!" I said out aloud. Unintentionally smirking to myself, I walked towards the wardrobe, and picked up a gray tee that read, "Out of bounds, boys! Beware" and denim jeans.