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

I Unlike You

''I want to give you something,'' David says. He hands me a small black box. I hadn't dumped him yet, because I was saving it for the perfect moment. I open the box. Laying within the box is a beautiful gold necklace. ''It reminded me of you,'' he says. ''Thanks,'' I say, ''But I won't be needing this.'' I shove it back into his hands. ''Because I unlike you don't cheat on boyfriends/girlfriends. I unlike you don't find myself so vain that I need two boyfriends/girlfriends. I unlike you am walking away now clean.'' And with that I pour both of our sticky Gimaliouz on his head, and shove the single piece of pie onto his face. ''Ta-ta,'' I say cheerfully, walking away with a skip in my step. I barely step away before I hear: ''Rue?! I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me?'' He begs. I whirl around angrily. ''Yes, David, you were wrong. Am I going to believe you are never going to do this again? No. Because you have proven you are not trustworthy. You must think it's fun breaking backwood District girls' hearts, or else the great, mighty Daivd Paylor-Kayman would never beg to a lowly silly District girl! Have a good day breaking other girls' hearts. I'm glad I'm no longer one of them.'' I spin on my heel and storm back up the hill. Nora was watching all the time, and I proudly fist-bump with her. I'd say I did a good job breaking up with David. ''Got it on tape?'' I ask. ''Wouldn't miss it for the whole world.''
~~~~~~~~
''Yes, David, you were wrong. Am I going to believe you are never going to do this again? No. Because you have proven you are not trustworthy. You must think it's fun breaking backwood District girls' hearts, or else the great, mighty Daivd Paylor-Kayman would never beg to a lowly silly District girl! Have a good day breaking other girls' hearts. I'm glad I'm no longer one of them.''
''This is too good,'' Reef says, laughing. The video of me breaking up with David is now online, and has more than 30,000 hits.
I feel only a tiny weeny bit bad about putting the tape online. But trust me, he deserved it.
~Rue

Hanging out with Nora and Finch

''I think it's pretty nice.'' Nora said, staring critically at her new ring. ''I don't know what I think of it,'' I answer, staring at Nora's new aqua ring. The single aqua gem was surrounded by smaller white ones. Nora had bought this for herself, as an early birthday present (her parent's are dead--- they couldn't buy her anything).
''What do you want to do?'' Nora asks. ''Lillian wants a new wig.'' I say, trying to hide my giggles. ''Lillian, or Rue?'' ''Both.'' ''Let's find Finch then.''
After stopping at the best ice cream parlor in all of Panem, Nora, Finch, and I crowd down to a small French wig shop. ''I like this one,'' Nora sighs, staring at a long-haired blue wig. ''It'd be fun to dress as an Japanese Anime character,'' I suggest, thinking about all the old shows I'd seen from a different planet/place. ''Alright then,'' Finch says, placing a red haired bob wig on me ''Let's get started.''

''I think I look fab-boo!'' Finch exclaims, styling the 'Katniss Inspired Fire Braid'. ''Perfect,'' Nora agreed, ''Because I'm buying it for you for your birthday!''


''Totally it,'' We all agree, fingering a wig. ''I'll take this,'' I say to the sales women.
''I'll catch up,'' I reassure Nora, just spotting David. ''Ohhh,'' Finch sighs. ''Sure,'' Nora agrees, smiling the secret smile of hers.
''Hey!'' I call to David waving my hands, totally forgetting I was still wearing the wig. ''Who are you?'' David asks, smiling at me blankly. ''Oh, you know me!'' I say laughingly. ''Don't tease.'' ''Oh, yeah I do!'' He suddenly agrees. ''You are the cute blonde girl. Dyed your hair? I like it.'' ''What?'' I ask, smile falling. ''Here's my number. Call me sometime; maybe we could set up a date,'' David says, walking away. ''Wait, don't you have a girlfriend?'' I call, desperately. ''Two. But I'd dump them both for you,'' he says still walking. ''Oh,'' I softly stammer, and a single tear runs down my cheek.
I'm crying softly by the outside pool (alone), and I hear somebody walking up. ''Rue,'' Jonathan's voice says, ''I want to say I'm sorry, and I really like you. I hope you'll forgive me,'' Jonathan says, sounding like somebody who perfectly memorized his words. ''What?'' I ask, looking up with my blurry mascara all over me. ''Wow,''  Jonathan softly whistles. ''Not helpful!'' I sob, tucking my head in with my knees once more. ''Sorry.'' I hear Jonathan plunk down besides me. ''I'd like to get my hands on whoever did this to you.'' ''Boys,'' I sigh/sob. I explain my story to Jonathan (not like he'd understand any of it). ''Why are you crying over such a loser?'' Jonathan asks when I finish. ''You're right,'' I say, wiping up my tears. ''Thanks,'' I hug Jonathan and softly kisses his cheek. ''See you later,'' Jonathan says, red.
To sum my long story up:
-Found out David is a back stabbing lady killing wart faced cheater.
-Found out who I really like is Jonathan.
-Found a wig perfect for Lillian.
-Am going to dump David on his sorry little buttocks very soon.
~Rue

Peaceful Tea Party

''Time to clear your mind.''
Nora and I were in a sandy dessert, wind blowing around us; sand getting into the smallest fold of our dresses and stinging our bare arms and faces. Nora flipped out a small box from a hidden pocket in her dress and presses two small buttons on it. It folds out into a small but spacious tent. ''Water and sand resistant,'' Nora nods.


(in case your wondering, Nora put white powder on her tattoo ''It's not very ladylike for a tea party'')
''First Peaceful Tea Party meeting in order!'' Nora shouts. ''Some day we'll add Finch?'' I ask. ''Sure. Time to clear your mind. I'll start,'' Nora says. ''What's been bothering me is---there's this creepy dude who's been following me around. Black hair, blue eyes, light olive skin. Whenever I try to talk to him, he runs away.'' Nora shrugs. ''It feels better having said it out loud.'' ''I'll tell you if I ever see him following you. I'll help you out. What's been bothering me is---Jonathan's being annoying. While I stayed at Golum Manor, we were pretty good friends. He seemed nice, kind, smart, and funny. But I guess I was wrong. When we were dancing at the Memorial Feast, he was being horrible to me. I don't even know what he was talking about!'' I said painfully. It was an open wound--being stung again just by facing the facts out loud. ''It takes a long time to figure out who to trust, and even then they can betray you. If I ever see him, I'll stick close by. Give him a piece of my mind.'' Nora says. ''Thanks. Time for the tea?'' ''Nah,'' Nora says, grinning, ''I hate tea. I brought Gimaliouz. And rose-petal chocolate.''
~Rue
P.S. Gimaliouz is a popular Capitol drink; made with with lemonade and a another gingery drink, mixed with cherry syrup, and with a powder at the bottom (when you shake it it turns into vanilla ice cream--yum!)