Black Roses and Other Beautiful Things (Toast)

My fists met with the punchbag multiple times before I decided to end my training session today. The sweat produced by me flowed over my face and body, as I grabbed a small towel to wipe it all off. As the warmth and feel of the towel tickles my face, I decide it's time to go for a nice, peaceful walk out in District 2. Before that though, I'm going to need a shower. A nice, warm shower. I quickly make my way up the stairs, finding myself on the ground floor of my house. I fling myself up the next flight of stairs, two steps at a time. The wooden blocks creak under my muscular weight, as I finally reach the 3rd floor of my house, where the shower is located. I swing open the door, and simply ponder, flexing at myself in the mirror. Boy, I really did like seeing myself in the mirror. Not sure why, maybe because I'm so perfect? Yup, that's it.

The steam fills the bathroom, as I scrub myself clean, making my hair poofy and silky smooth. I dry myself off, the fabric of the towel grazing me, and quickly get dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans. It's pretty late out, maybe 9:10Pm? I'm not exactly sure, but I'm just guessing. The cool breeze of the night swirls around me, chilling me to the bone; But I decide to man up and get it over with. I stroll through the depleted paths of town, finding some sort of area, wait. Not just any area. It's a low-class restaurant. I peek around it, only to find a group of Peace keepers surrounding it. I wonder why... Now that I'm here, I'm determined myself to figure out why they are here, because well. I could help them. I look around again, as I see a red-headed girl's hair glint in the moonlight. Aa-ha. I run towards her, following the path she took to the back of the restaurant. Oh my god. What the hell is that stench? My pale blue eyes look around, only to spot blood, and a horribly disfigured body lying on the ground. What the hell is this? A serial killer on the loose? What the hell? Was this career taking his training to seriously? Killing others to train for the Hunger Games? I stare at the body for awhile, thousands of thoughts rushing though my head. But the the wind blows eerily though my hair, sending my thoughts to plummet into the ground. I feel like there's only one thing to do now. Look up.

That's exactly what I do. I find the red-headed girl literally crash into the wall behind her, and I swear, I spot some dirt and gravel tumble down from the roof. I walk over to her slowly, hoping she'll notice me, because starting a conversation with her right now seems a bit awkward. She seemed sad. Very, very sad, but also extremely angry. Who was this dead girl? Who is this girl?

"Watching you? Barely. It's hard not to spot that gleaming hair slipping through a crowd of peacekeepers. They all looked alike - 'Cept for you." I stare at her, her fiery red hair flowing over her shoulders, waving like a burning flame. I could tell right then and there, this girl was special. She wasn't like all the others. She was different, I liked that about her. I admired it. She takes a few, graceful and elegant steps towards me. She walked proudly, and with much confidence. I wonder if she was a career tribute, like me. She tried to stand as tall as me, but at my height, she was easily beat by me. I stood at...well, I can't exactly remember at this moment, but who cares? I was taller than 6'0, that's a fact. She looked almost around 5'10, or even 6'0, but not taller than me. Not yet at least. In my train of roaring thoughts, she gazes into my eyes gently.

She's staring right at my eyes now. I mean, I know they're unique, and better than most, but why is she just blankly staring at them like their some sort of hypnotizing device? Then, out of nowhere, out of thin air, she introduces herself. Random much? "Hey, Vena. I'm...uhm. Clyde. Clyde Wrecher. ...What're you doing out here, behind this worn out low-class restaurant? I feel right now, as if it is my duty to figure out what she's really doing here. Committing a crime? Stealing? ...Killing? I wasn't sure, but I am going to find out sooner or later.

In the moonlight, everyone looks better. Vena was no exception. The way the dim light of the moon shone over her long, wavy red hair, just made her look beautiful all around. She was a bit far away from me, so I decided to step out of the shadows, that were lightly shone upon, and stepped forward, into the gleaming moonlight. I could see her way better now that the light was equally spread between the both of us. I blush A little, but I my face with my arm awkwardly. What the hell was that? Who cares if she see's me blush? I'm not some dumb freak show who can't even blush at a girl. But I can't bring myself to lower the arm.

It stayed, mounted on my face for a few moments, when she told me something, that I totally felt bad for her about. I remove my arm from my face, as she begins to water up, the tears sparkling like crystals. She tipped to the side a bit, her balance quite vague from her mind, as I decided to hold her hand, maybe that'll help her stay up, or something. I don't know.

So they body was her best friend? It must be really bad to just be happy one day, to find out your best friend was brutally murdered in an ally way. Actually, I don't know what it really feels like at all. I mean I've got friends of course, but never a really close. I was kind of a sad loner once I think about it. Lonely, with no good friends to share laughs about, and to talk about things I want to talk about. All I did was train, and be popular at school. Oh... Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up or anything... I'm sorry for your loss, but I really wouldn't know how it feels...Since I don't really have any close friends..." My fingers are still weaved through hers, and when I realize, I blush a bit more, coating a thing layer of pink on my face.

"Well, I guess people just don't like me. I mean, I can be a jerk sometimes, and really arrogant. Guess it's my fault why people don't like me to much and don't bother to get to know me. Well, enough about me for now. What about you? You got a lot of friends? And where do you-... We're in an odd place to be talking, so I think I'll suggest leaving this place. "Uhhh, Can we leave this place? I mean, only if you want. Not to be a jerk or anything...But I really wanna leave this place." The stench was getting to me, and I was ready to puke at any moment. I wasn't sure if she could tell, but I sorta turned pale, the blood in my body flushed away. I was ready to vomit anytime now. I placed my other hand, my free one, over my stomach to try and calm it down. It wasn't working.

I felt bad for her, her best friends dying just then and there. I felt extremely rude asking her to just leave this place, but maybe we could start up some other conversation, because right now, smelling a dead carcass isn't what I want. All I could do was stare into her eyes. I liked her a lot, but I could only wonder if she liked me back. Because I really, really like Vena. A lot. I scratch my head a few times, then replace the empty space on my stomach with my hand.I do this several times, waiting for a response from Vena.

She didn't think I was arrogant? What? Everyone thinks I'm arrogant, even me. I mean, I'm always right. You think I'm sweet? How? I See myself as some normal, arrogant career tribute." Our fingers were still woven together, like a basket made of string. Sometime along the way, she mentions she has no friends, and that's when a frown comes upon my face. I felt guilty bringing it up, seeing as her only friend had just passed away. I felt awful. We somehow managed to get from behind a murder scene, to the gleaming District Square. I turn to her, and pull her close, and whisper to her.

Well, Vena. I could be your friend. I see great stuff in you, and I don't know why people don't like you. You're just like an angel that fell from heaven. I found myself complimenting her naturally, with no hesitation. I felt as if it were right, and a few good things was all she really needed right now. Naturally, out of nowhere, I hug her, pulling her even closer. My hands locate themselves on her waist, where her fiery hair just ends. I hug her for awhile, until I feel the need to break away.

"I think you're beautiful. Everyone should like you. In fact, I really, realyl do like you. A lot. I had to say this, since I felt she felt the same way about me, too. If she didn't, I'd probably just walk off irritated and embarrassed. But this time, I felt like she did like me. I felt like she was the one. I stand there, in the moonlight, nearly at the break of dawn, hoping she feels the same way about me.

She likes me too? Wow. I think I just scored, finally finding the one girl for me. She was perfect, at least she seemed so right now. I can do nothing but smile, a slight tint of blush coating my cheeks. I can do nothing but blankly stare into her beautiful eyes. I go to grip both her hands with mine, and pull her close again, our foreheads now touching. A cute, smug smile grows onto my face, my eyes glancing nicely into hers. "I see a lot in you. And i'm glad you like me too. I feel like we belong together. The perfect pair."

The sun was breaking through the moons gleaming white barrier, sending it's beautiful orange flow throughout the sky, the light shining over the District. Wow, what perfect timing. The smile on my face only grew over time, as did the blush on my cheeks. I bring my face in, as I go to press my lips against Vena's. I don't know, it just felt so...Perfect. Was there a better time for it? The sun is rising, it's beautiful orange-y purple glow. Could it be any better? After what seemed like hours, but in reality was only minutes, even seconds, I break away from the kiss. I smile even larger than ever, a whole new happiness unlocked within me.

I released my grip on her hands and went to hug her again, as I went to grab her hand for her to walk along side with. "So, Where to, Vena?"

Wherever I wanted to go? I never really went anywhere 'cept school and the District Square. Aside from school too, of course. I wasn't sure where to go, so I stall time a bit, by walking a bit slowly, but then it hits me. We should go to the park. Nice, peaceful, and Beautiful, like Vena. "Let's go to the Park, Vena. We walk a bit, discussing small things and laughing on the recently renewed paths of District 2. We finally reach the park, the warm radiant glow of the sun hovering above our heads. I simply look at her, the smug smile from before still glued onto my face.

So, Vena. I wanna get to know you more. I actually think we can relate to each other, good and bad. I pull her in close again, holding her waist, then pulling her in for a nice, warm and comforting hug. Right now, at this very moment, was perfect. This moment could last forever and I couldn't care less if it did. This moment, is one I've been wanting, one that I've been needing. I hug her tighter, and plant a small, gently kiss on her neck.