lovely like the {stars } | (Nofo)

Her arm felt warm against his fingers, like a bit of sunlight in the dead of winter. He drug her along from the pug faced lady, so short and pudgy that, pardoning the flowing skirt and those sausage like fingers that were decorated with jewelry, he could have sworn she was from the Capitol. Instead of being grateful for his rescue, however, Phenakite spat words like poison in his face. "What the fuck was that? I didn't need you to escape." He smiled, and looked down at his feet as they effortlessly carried him further and further away from the main part of the square, and over to the side, where only a few groups of careers stood around, laughing and joking with one another as if they actually gave a fuck about one another. Pathetic. Kellan was many things. Arrogant, deceitful, and, most of the time, a jerk, but he was not heartless enough to make people think he actually cared about them when he simply didn't.

He had always had an eye for Phenakite, though. Of the triplets, she had always caught the most of his attention. (Which was saying something.) He laughed at her pointed words, aiming to be in charge when she so clearly wasn't. "Where are you taking me?" He wrapped his hand back around her arm and pulled her along. He could just see those dirty blonde locks of hers sway in the wind as they trudged along, and kept smelling her perfume. Sweet, sensual, it really fit her well. His lips opened slowly, but his voice was loud and clear. "A party," And a small huff of laughter followed. "You're welcome, by the way." He had practically grown up with the girl, and he knew already that her pride was too big for her too come out and say thanks to him, but it was okay. He knew already that she was grateful.

The crowd of people grew thinner and thinner as they walked, and suddenly the sounds of laughter and chatter were replaced with sounds of birds carefully singing their songs, and wind blowing through trees. He liked the sounds of nature, the calmness they brought with them. But he didn't actually like nature. He was meant to be in the center of the commotion, where everyone noticed him and gave him praise for his advanced abilities. Where he wore a golden laurel on the crown of his head, and thousands cheered for him. Not in trees with bugs. Eventually, the pair found themselves deep within a patch of forest within the District boundaries, surrounded by people in their grade.

Karma Prescott was completely wasted already, which was not surprising, but a lot of people were already swaying when they walked, and slurred their words. Kellan knew quite a few of the people that sat lazily around the gigantic fire that blazed with life in a wide, fairly open area, and he guessed Phena did as well. He kept his eyes on the commotion and ducked his head so that his lips were near her ear. "Better than talking with Mrs. Donahew, wouldn't you agree?" He could have left her there, or sat by and watched her pathetic attempts to end the conservation, but he had chosen to help her. Why?

He had no clue.

The eyes that noticed them, girls jealous that Kellan was here with Phena, and boys vise-verso. Some of them sighed, and Kellan heard them whispering about how cute the pair of them looked. Others only stared, envy heavy in their eyes. Phenakite was gorgeous, really, she was, but good enough to claim a heart as cold as Kellan's? Doubtful. Kellan cared about one person. He always had, and he always would. Sure, when he was little, he had developed crushes, and dreamed of growing old with someone, but his father had made him realize there was no such thing as true love, unless it was with a person suitable for his social class. Growing old with someone? He still would, but he guessed it would be a loveless marriage, one only made in order to please his parents, and the parents of whatever girl was lucky enough to call herself his for more than a night.

After nodding and waving at a few people, he took a seat on a log, leaving enough room for Phena to sit, but only enough for their legs to be touching. The fire crackled in front of them, and loud voices and music filled the air. Time like these were the ones he guessed he would always remember. When he was young, and free. When he still had so much time left in front of him, an entire life waiting to unfold. Adventure around every corner, as long as he was willing to look for it. Without giving it too much thought, his arm wrapped around Phena's waist, and he looked over at her. She was beautiful. No amount of sarcasm and wit that Kellan spat would take it away from her. Eyes colored like spring grass, and hair like the sun, and a smile like the stars. but anyone could be born with beauty. They had to fight to achieve greatness.

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