Lux: The Baby Who Wasn't on Fire

 The Capitol is buzzing all about Lux. I've gotten calls about interviews, photo shots, and lots more. GAH! The Capitol is so annoying! I've declined all... but one. OK, Mom made me take that one. It was a big magazine company, and they were offering a lot of money. Since our house is still in debts, Mom said it'd help a lot.

The first thing Mom did that morning was getting us all dressed. ALL dressed. Finch, Cinna, Aunt Katniss, Uncle Katniss, Niall... all of them. She had dressing rules:

No short dresses/skirts
No low shirts
No super high heels
No pants on the ground {for that ganster Cinna}
No tight clothing

Trying to keep that all in mind, that was why I looked like a raggedy Ann doll. Then the Captiol came. They got the rules from Mom, my own personal stylist {Paylor sent her to me, she's now forever mine. 'Got to be looking sharp for the Capitol, Odair.' Was what the note said} I tried on a few dresses, and this was the favorite:



{also the least extravagant, you know the Capitol}

Then they got Lux all dressed in a a pink poke-a-dot dress, and applied makeup.
We lounged around a bit, just talking and getting to know one another.

Then it started.

''How has Lux changed since she got here?''
''Lux is and was old enough to know her mum, so she was sad and wild for the first few days. Then she got use to us, and realized we won't/never will hurt her. She's getting much better now, but sometimes she still cries for her mommy.''
''How has taking care of Lux changed you?''
''You know us teenagers, we never go to sleep. So far it's been fine, but there's still those peaceful easy sleep nights she [Lux] starts crying.
''Normally I just make a cup of tea and let her fall asleep. She's normally quite an easy baby.''
''How has taking care of Lux changed your family?''
''Oh, that's a different answer! I seem to put myself on deep sleep mode often, so sometimes it's Mom rubbing Lux's back and singing her to sleep. My brother, Reef, complains of waking up, too. Nora's in love with Lux, so she really doesn't mind any baby-related loss of sleep. Whenever I need a day off, I go to Nora or Mom.''

The interviewer started to ask some, uh, not Lux related questions.

''What do you believe happened to Jonathan?'' ''Who was that with you after your Capitol interview?'' ''Did Jonathan make any promises like he'd write to you?'' I answered most, but finally I was done.
''The earth will catch on fire, deer aren't real, and invisible dinosaurs walk with us to this day.'' Macy, the interviewer, huffed with slight anger. ''I think we are done here,'' Macy said. Lux woke up, and started crying. Then we took some tedious pictures, and we were over.

Whew. 



-Rue

Mixed Emotions {a birthday, a baby, an interview, and a horrible mission}

 Several things happened today {my birthday}, and I thought you ought to have pictures. So I drew them all on one paper, and marked them by how it happened. I'll show a close-up of each event when its it's turn. :)

1. {Turn your head, won't you?}
For my birthday, Jonathan came over. I was outside, so Mom sent him out. He was carrying a picnic basket with a blanket over it.
''Hey,'' Jonathan says, sitting down. ''Happy birthday.''
We talked a while. Then he took the blanket off the basket. There was a baby inside! ''I'm going on this mission under the mines for President Paylor. My mom's health is failing because . . . it just is, okay? She can't take care of Lux, so I was wondering if you could until she gets better or until I return.'' Jonathan says, turning up his hopeful eyes to me. ''Fine,'' I half say half grumble. I take a closer look at ''Lux''.

 2.
''That's really her name?'' I ask, staring at the sleeping baby. ''Yup,'' Jonathan nods. ''Well . . . She's cute.''

 3. {My picture does not do Jonathan justice. Besides, I stink at drawing boys}
''Rue,'' Jonathan says, doing that weird thing where he holds my face. ''Promise you'll take care of Lux. All of my other siblings died . . . I want Lux to last, not only for me but my mom, too.'' ''Of course I'll take care of Lux,'' I say. ''Why do you think I wouldn't?'' Jonathan doesn't answer that question. ''It's a dangerous mission. I may not return,'' he says, voice cracking. ''No,'' I say. He lets go of my face.
We spend a little more time together, and then he leaves. ''Bye.''

 4. {The Capitol gave me hair extensions}
Later that day, a super fast Capitol jet drove me {only me . . . I was coming back right after the interview} for live interviews with Cesar Flickerman.
''So, Rue, we all want to wish you a happy birthday. We heard you spent most of your birthday with your boyfriend, Jonathan. Is that true? What did you do?'' Mr. Flickerman asks. ''Yes, it's true. I think he's somewhat more of a guy friend, though,'' the audience laughs at this {yes, there's a difference, with a guy friend you aren't really in a relationship},  ''We spent our time outside. Just talking, and stuff. He's going on a mission. He couldn't take care of his little sister, Lux, so he asked if I would.'' Mr. Flickerman leans forward. This will be interesting for the Capitol. ''Lux? Could you tell us a little more about her?'' ''Well, she's very cute. She's also a quiet baby. I haven't ''had'' her for long, so I really don't know,'' I shrug.  We talk a little bit more about random do-das, making the audience hoot and laugh often. But then when Mr. Flickerman leans in again, I know we're going to talk about something serious. ''I heard the plane Jonathan was on crashed. Have you heard anything about this?'' I can feel my eyes opening wide. ''No,'' I gasp. ''Some say it's a rumor, but we've seen shards of a plane breakage,'' Mr. Flickerman says. I hate myself for crying, but I do it anyway. Mr. Flickerman pats my hand gently. We end, and I'm lead off crying {it's hard to ask a crying 15 year old teenager questions}.

 5.
I sit down numbly on some steps. I still have a few minutes to shop, or do anything I want to {according to Mom and Dad . . . they gave me some money for a birthday present to spend on whatever I wanted.}. I start crying. At first only a little, but then a lot {and in PUBLIC - I've shamed myself}. Some random guy {the Capitol are full of random guys} asks me if I'm okay.
''My name is Harry,'' {pronounced Har-ee, not hairy} he's wearing a creepy bean-y hat thingy and skinny jeans, but right then consoling would feel OK. ''I'm Rue,'' I gasp through my tears. He looks bewildered, and he probably wishes he hadn't asked me if I was okay. He lets me squeeze his hand really hard, until I'm okay.
''Thank you,'' I whisper. He turns and nods, and then keeps on going.

This is the present Jonathan gave me. I need to go now, because Lux is hungry.



-Rue