Today is Victor's Birthday…
He hastily wipes the sweat off his brow. The past week has been especially tough. He and Jasper have been constantly been assigned to be sparring partners, which meant that Victor had to put in a lot more effort than he usually does. It's not that he's lazy, but everyone likes to win, right? So every spare minute, it seems, he's been practicing with the dummies. He surveys his work. Two of the dummies are decapitated. Victor thinks for a moment. If he were in the Games, would he decapitate his victims? Well, it would be quick. But maybe sponsors would think he was insane. Or maybe they would think he was a ruthless killer who had a chance of winning. Sponsor Strategy was so confusing. It's his worst class. Pearl is great at it, of course. She's so likeable and all. Victor knows that at this point, he needs to have his talent speak for itself. He walks over to the water machine. Actually, he isn't thirsty. It's just an excuse to watch his little sister. He's chosen the right time. Amandine is just about to start the obstacle course.
"Go Mandi, go." He whispers to himself. And, like always, boy does she go! Mandi is absolutely fearless. After months of watching her do this, Victor knows that she is officially the fastest in her class. He feels a surge of pride. Maybe he should feel the same pride for Emory, now 11 years old. After all, he is one of the top in his class. Oh, but he's just so irritating! Besides, he couldn't win. He's way too arrogant. Victor should feel pride in Ruby. When he was younger, he felt as if his cousin was a true heroine. She is 17 now. If she can make it through this final elimination for her year, she is eligible to volunteer this year. But knowing Ruby, she will likely take an extra year. His thoughts drift to the Reaping Ball. It's a big event in District 1. When you're 13, you are eligible to go. It's to celebrate the future victors and the honor they could bring. Victor shakes his head. He's never been to a dance before. It's probably just something for those teenage lovers, or girls who are suckers for romance. He crumples the cup and tosses it into the trash. Time to go train some more.
Three hours later, everything seems to have changed for Victor. Ruby was eliminated. She had just hunched over and sobbed, forgetting all those lessons on how crying means weakness. She looks so small and weak. Victor bets his uncle, Ruby's father isn't happy. He must be so ashamed by his daughter. And she won't be able to bring back the family honor now. But, deep down inside, Victor feels a small glimmer of hope. Now he won't be over shadowed. He has made it through the eliminations another year. And he intends on keeping it that way. The Reaping took place, with the two 17 year olds volunteering. And then, as he was walking out of the Square, he saw Ruby. Tears were pouring down her face. Just then, for the first time in years, Ruby grabbed his hand. She told him that he had to win. Somehow, in that moment, Ruby seemed almost human again. And there's something else too. Victor has been asked to a dance.
H he paces nervously around his room with sweaty palms, feeling very stupid. Why all this worry about a girl? He stares at the immaculate suit on his bed. He's never worn it before, in fact, he can't even remember the last time he wore a suit. And yet, every time he comes home from the Center, he finds his closet filled with expensive suits. Now how is he supposed to know which tie will look good? What if he looks like a total idiot? Oh, pull it together! It seems like such stupidity. But maybe he should have paid more attention in Interview Strategy class….Well, it's too late now. All right, it's simple. It's just black pants, a white shirt, that red satin tie, and that black jacket. Oh, and the pair of nice black shoes. Actually, Victor doesn't know how nice they really are. He's a Career; he doesn't know anything about shoes! But they were the shiniest pair. And girls like shiny stuff, right? He stops to look at himself in the mirror. He's suddenly grateful for how short his blond hair has been cut. It's one less thing to worry about. Victor slowly makes his way down the staircase. "Oh, Victor," his mother breathes. He stiffens as she straightens his collar. "Now Victor, tell me the truth." His heart stops.
"Now you can't convince that you suddenly wanted to go to a dance for no reason at all, there must be something I'm missing." She smiles. Her smile is cold though. Victor almost shouts out of pure hatred for this woman. But instead, he chooses to answer calmly. "Well, there is this one girl who I really want to ask to dance with me." He chokes back a laugh. "Her name is Virdinia Hart." His mother cocks her head at him. For a moment, he thinks he's been caught. But instead, she lets out a laugh that sounds more like a harsh bark. "Oh, she's the smart one. Yes, she's from a very respectable family. She'll be a good girl for you." Her tone hardens. "But don't let her get in the way of your training." Victor straightens. "Oh, she won't." And he's not lying this time. Training will always be the most important thing.
He steps out of the gates and makes his way down the long walkway. The night is warm. The stars are all out. He turns down another street until he hits the downtown area. The shops are all lit up. And you know what? Victor realizes that it looks pretty nice here at night. He shoves his hands into his pockets. He vaguely hopes she doesn't notice how sweaty his palms are. And suddenly, there she is. That wispy blond hair of hers is finally out of its high ponytail. Victor didn't realize how long it was. Her dress is such a nice shade of blue. It falls to her ankles and actually looks like its shimmering. She gives him a huge grin, her cheeks just a little bit pink. She's blushing. So is Victor.
"Hey, Pearl."
"Hi, Victor."
He looks at his shoes. Okay, what should he say now? What do girls like to hear? He mentally tells himself not to try too hard. Just stay relaxed and natural. "You look really pretty Pearl." He whispers. Actually, he's wondering how she could even afford that dress. As if she was reading his thoughts, Pearl laughs. "It was my mother's!" Victor laughs nervously. "Well, come on, let's go inside." She urges. Victor shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets again, "Umm, yeah sure, that sounds cool." Pearl gives him a funny look, then leads him into the doors. As soon as he gets into the gym, he feels uncomfortable. Everyone seems to be slow dancing with someone else. In fact, he thinks he can see some 16 year olds making out in a corner. Pearl squeezes his shoulder, giving him a sly grin. "Want to get up really close to some couple slow dancing and make them feel uncomfortable?" Oh, that's just like Pearl.
"Hell yeah I do!" They both run off, laughing. In fact, Victor spends most of the rest of the night laughing. He can't remember ever having this much fun. Since when has he laughed like this? And, just like that, the Ball is nearing its end. One last dance is announced. Some slow song begins to play. He catches Pearl's eye. Well, a night like this may never happen again.
"Pearl, do you want to dance?" He whispers. She gives his hand a squeeze.
"Hell yeah I do." She whispers into his ear. Laughing once again, he leads her into the dance floor. But as they stand, looking at each other, Victor suddenly remembers that he doesn't know how to dance. Pearl, like always, knows exactly what he's thinking. "Here, I'll show you. It's easy." She pulls his hand toward her waist, and then rests a hand on his shoulder. "Okay," she whispers, "now just sort of move back and forth and pretend you know what you're doing." Victor nods, his lips moving up into a smile. "And most importantly," she whispers, "just stay relaxed." Then, just like that, he feels her head resting on his shoulder. She's just the right height. Victor loves the way her head fits perfectly in his shoulder blade. The song ends far too shortly. Before he knows it, he and Pearl are walking on the street together to get back home. The roads are a little slippery. It must have rained because the streets are sparkling with water. Pearl has been holding his hand the whole time. In that moment, everything just seems…right. Then, it just happens. He leans over, and kisses Pearl. Right on her lips. He was so nervous, but then she kisses him too. She gives his hand yet another squeeze.
"Victor!" The shout breaks the still air like one of his swords. "Victor!" Pearl freezes. Victor recognizes the voice. It's his father. He almost tells Pearl to run, but his father comes too quickly. There is nothing to do. Nowhere to run.
"Victor, your mother fell down the stairs and broke her ankle. I came to get you and I-I saw you, you and-and that girl kissing." His eyes are filled with disgust. Cold, hard disgust. He grabs Victor by his shirt collar. Victor knows what he should do.
"Dad, I wasn't kissing her, I swear! Pearl's been following me for ages, and she just snuck up on me. Look, I have no idea what happened!"
His father looks over at Pearl, who is shaking. Victor knows that it wasn't enough. Oh God, he would do anything at this point just to earn his father's approval. He looks over to Pearl.
"Trust me; I would never do something like that. She's just a miner's kid. She won't be a victor, so I would never talk to her!"
This did it. His father loosens his grip on the collar. The man, his eyes still ice cold, turns to Pearl. "You little slut." He whispers through clenched teeth. Pearl gives a sniff, then takes off running. She will be back. Victor can just have a talk with her, and she'll understand and then forgive him. She'll have to. But she does turn around now to give Victor a last look before she turns to run around the corner. Tears are pouring down her face. She shakes her head at him slowly. Once to the right, once to the left. That's all. But it's enough.
Two days later, Pearl is dead.