Falling From Grace

As soon as I stepped into my bedroom, my phone rang.

"It's for me!" I screamed to the boys in the parlor before they picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked breathlessly into the pink receiver.

"Effie. Good news. There is a sale in the Circle Circuit so let's get down there, ASAP," Yuffie's excited voice came out of the other end.

The Circle Circuit was the hottest, most stylish fashion boutique in the Capitol. The clothes there were so expensive that it would cost less to keep District 12 alive than to afford one-half of the merchandise in that store. I owned a beautiful gown that made its debut to homecoming earlier this year-its only debut, might I add. We agreed to meet in thirty minutes at the entrance to the City Circle. I rushed out of my bedroom much to the dismay of my brother.

"I thought you were done bothering us," he commented as I gathered my purse.

"I have to go meet Yuffie at the Circle Circuit. Don't get your hopes up," I said in response.

"Oh yeah? Where you going to get that kind of money?" he asked in wonder.

I paused. I had little to no money in my purse. My parents allotted both Alfie and I a gratuitous amount each day, but I had spent the majority of my share on the dye job.

"Yeah, about that. Just lend me some, okay?" I asked.

"Fat chance," he laughed, "Besides, you would spend it all anyway. I have big plans for my share. I want to buy a car."

"It won't do you any good, you will just be driving around by yourself," I sneered.

"No, Effie. You cannot have my money," he said matter-of-factly.

Now I had a problem. Did I risk showing up to the Circle Circuit with my measly remaining amount of money? Should I go and browse around, but resist buying anything? Should I just not show up? The only option that was completely out of question was asking Yuffie for money. There was nothing more embarrassing than a Trinket asking for a favor.

Just that moment, my parents came in. They exchanged polite greetings with Alfie's friends and smiled at both Alfie and me. Then, they retired to their bedroom on the third floor of our establishment. Along the way, mother set her purse on a side table in the main hallway.

Alfie and I eyed the purse as she embarked up the stairs. He seemed to shake his head in disapproval, but my eyes grew wide with excitement. In an instant, I glided over to the purse and pulled out a beautiful wallet. The plastic credit card stuck out of the top, begging to meet my acquaintance. I snatched it with enough force to send the purse tumbling to the hallway floor.

Lipstick tubes, electronic gadgets, and papers flew out of the bag. I scrambled about on the floor, trying desperately to recover all the fallen items. Deciding to leave quickly rather than wait and be found out, I threw the items in the purse and set it roughly on the table. Then, I fled the house.

I ran all the way to the Circle Circuit without looking back to see whether anyone followed me. I was paranoid really. Theft was not my strong suit. I needed that card so badly. I'm sure anyone with any sense would understand. And it was not as if I was going to spend hundreds on a dress. Honestly, she would want me to have this. My thoughts turned from guilt-ridden to acceptance.

"Took you long enough," snapped Yuffie upon my arrival.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go shopping," I shooed her into the boutique and shut the large, glass door briskly.

We looked around the ground floor finding nothing but shoes. A tower of shoes lingered over the entrance to the store, threatening to fall at any given second. A pair of golden heels caught my eye. I ran over to them for a better look. They were perfect-stable five-inch heels, strapless contour, and that pointed toe that made the boys mouths drop. Upon closer examination, the price made my mouth drop.

"Come on, Effie. The dresses are upstairs," Yuffie glimpsed at the shoes on her way up the stairs, "Those are so last season."

I followed her, eyeing the shoes with want. We circled the second floor in pursuit of respectable dresses. Or lack thereof. Yuffie chose a skirt that practically wrapped around her waist. It was only a few inches thick, threatening to expose everything she had.

"How does this look?" she questioned.

"Fantastic!" I lied through my teeth.

It was a best friend's job to always make sure her girls were looking fine. It was my job to make sure I looked even more fantastic. I picked out a dress that dared to cut even lower. I made a mental note to be on my best behavior the night of the party. Uphold the family name, as mother would say.

"You are not buying that," Yuffie responded automatically when I twirled in my dress for her.

"And why not?" I asked innocently, playing someone who wanted something badly.

"It has to be at least seven hundred. Eight at the most," she commented, trying on earrings.

I chanced a glance at the price tag. Not a bad guess. More like nine hundred. And fifty. I gulped. There was no way this dress was even worth that much. I took it off and threw it onto a rack. Yuffie slammed an equally gorgeous dress into my arms.

"Try that," she ordered.

I put on the garment and admired myself in the mirror. The crushed silver brought out my eyes and accentuated my skin color. It fit, but left little room for mobility. Maybe I should lose some weight.

"You look perfect," Yuffie stared.

I decided to buy the dress. The price was considerably less than the previous outfit. When it came time to use the card, a wave of panic passed over. The clerk took the card and swiped it. A moment passed and the clerk swiped the card again. More panic passed through.

"Miss, your card does not seem to be working," he stated blandly.

"Can you try debit, please?" I whispered with a note of hysteria rising.

The machine beeped again and finally produced a lengthy receipt. The clerk offered me a pen and had me sign the bottom of the notice. Yuffie eyed me suspiciously. She walked away, pretending that she had no knowledge of my embarrassing situation or me.

"Come on. Let's get out of here," she whispered when I began to follow her.

She practically pulled me out of the store by my arm. Along the way, she kept murmuring how embarrassed I had made her. She pulled me along the gold inlay streets and my wrist began to hurt.

"Ouch! Yuffie let me go!" I whined when we were outside of the boutique.

"Effie, I cannot believe you. That was the most embarrassing situation I've ever been in," she had tears in her eyes, "You better get your act together if you're going to be ready for that party next Friday."

I nodded understandingly. I would have been embarrassed too, I guess. Well, more embarrassed than I already was. I said good-bye and walked home, eager to replace the credit card. As soon as I opened the door, Alfie shot me a look of alarm.

"Get out," he whispered quietly.

I stepped into the house and quickly shut the door. The table was only a few paces away from the edifice. As soon as I shut the door, I heard it.

"Effie Trinket!" mother screamed from the top of the steps.

She ran down the steps like a tribute running from the Cornucopia. Within seconds, she had pulled my hair and forced me down onto the couch. She ripped the bag from the Circle Circuit out of my hands and threw it on the ground.

"How dare you take my credit card!" she snapped, "What were you thinking, taking something that did not belong to you? You are a Trinket, you should know better! I am extremely disappointed in you."

"Mother, I-" I began.

She slapped me across my face. There was a horribly awkward moment that passed between the three of us. My mother, the hate passing out of her eyes, looked shocked. Alfie sat on the couch, his eyes wide. I laid a hand gingerly onto my cheek where the burn started to subside.

"You are grounded indefinitely. You are not to leave this house except for school," she ordered, backing away.

Now I have done it. No party, no popularity. What will everyone at school say? I will be the biggest laughing stock in all of upper year four. My embarrassment sprang forth for the umpteenth time today. I began to cry.