until the last rose dies {arrows}

It's a beautiful day, a wonderful day to hold my life together. It's been a while since I've been the happiest man alive, but right now I have all that I could ever ask for. My mother loves and cares for me, I have my beautiful bride. June is amazing. She saved me, and I'm grateful for her. I love her more than any words can say, and every single day my heart races from just hearing her voice. For some time I took life for granted, but now I have all that I could ever ask for. I love them both more than I could ever love myself, and everything I do is for them. Having a job, escaping the reaping years, but I'll never forget that dreadful day so many years ago. I promised May I'd protect her sister, I promised to watch after her, and now I have all that I could ask for. I kept the promise, and now I have the chance to keep it forever.

The sun slowly sets over the horizon as I leave the factory. It's a hard job, but it brings home some money. It gives me a chance to put food on the table, and maybe tonight I can bring home a little spice. It's been a while since I've done anything for her, and I want to bring her home some flowers, and maybe some fresh baked rolls from the bakery. A gentle breeze floats through the air, every hair stands on end, and yet I know summer is here. It's burning me up, turning my pale skin tomato red. It's hard having only two colors. Sometimes I yearn for the chance to tan, but right now all I can do is hope my skin doesn't roast under the hot, setting sun.

People litter the streets as shift changes take place. I remember when I first started, I worked nights. It was hard. Going home early morning, sleeping all day, only to return. It put a strain on my life, and yet I kept myself going. Not for me, but for June and my mother. It's for them I live my life, and maybe one day the little family will grow further, but that's not my desire. My little family is perfect the way it is right now.

I stand in front of the flower shop staring inside - it costs a fortune to have a date even if it's the cheapest one around. I hope she understands, and I want her to care. I want to show my love for her because sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough. Out of everyone in the world she chose me, and it makes me the luckiest man around. I'll never forget meeting her that day after school. One bad foot dragging behind a good one. Everyone laughing at me, making fun of me, taunting me, and she wasn't harming me. She talked to me, she gave me a hope that didn't exist before then.

A heavy sigh leaves my chest as I pick out the prettiest set of flowers possible. A dozen roses, and yet only eleven are real. I want to give her a token of my love to let her know I'll love her until the last rose dies. It's impossible because it's fake. As long as she catches on, it'll all work well. But part of me wonders if it'll backfire;

"Must have one lucky spouse." The cashier takes my money and smiles before sending me on my way. I never thought about it, but I'm the lucky one. June saved me from a terrible fate. She gave me a life I didn't know existed, but as I look down at the money I have left, I realize the idea of bringing home fresh bread is out of the question. So I head to the house.

One step after another part of me wonders if she'll be home or even if she's awake. I want to make something special, something honest, something worthwhile. A chance to prove my love to her never ends. Walking from the busiest part of the streets to the loneliest section of the district takes a while, but the stars are now guiding my way. Watching them twinkle in the sky reminds me of how lucky I am. I'm so grateful for this chance, this opportunity because many would die for it.

I'm a lucky one.

I escaped the dreaded hunger games, and now I can live forever.

A huge grin spreads from ear to ear as I stop in front of the door, and I pound against it a few times. Normally I would let myself in, but today I want to be different. I want to remain quiet and hopefully give her the surprise of her life.