The City of Love [open]

[Charmer]

                                                        
    I wake up in a cold sweat and look at my clock, 6:42? Morning already? I think as I get up and look out the window into the Grand Courtyard and see my Father; he's a handsome man as old men can be I guess He was wearing an all white suit and a silver tie and a Rose to finish it off. He has Blonde hair, like I, and Blue eyes. Most say I got his looks, but most haven't seen my mother. She was a beautiful woman but she took sick when I was young and didn't make it. I get up and walk into my Bathroom that holds the best products that District 1 has from products that can keep you looking young for ever too gel that will style your hair in seconds. What to use I? I think as i look through my products I pick up an a red bottle title, endless youth cream, I put it on instantly making my skin bright and radiant. "Perfect." I say.

    I walk to my room doors and turn the knob and instantly I am greeted by an Avox holding my clothes for today. She then nods and continues to stand there waiting for orders. "Oh. Uh. Go make yourself useful somewhere else, you are no longer need here." I say as I wave her away as she turns around and walks out. I look at the clothes not having to check them, knowing they are the finest my father could find. I put them on and stare at myself in the mirror, I look great , I think as I flex my arm then move closer to check out my face, I am mesmerizing, I think, I truly am. I walk away from the mirror and walk to the main room decorated in all whites, golds, and silvers. A truly beautiful room. It was white, with velvet loveseats and couches with glass tables and Avoxes around every corner, Its great to be rich, I think as I walk to the glass front doors and open them.

    I walk over to my father. "Fath-" He puts his finger up in my face and gives me a cold look, then turns around. Is that man more important than me? I take another look at the man and see who he is, All Black suit, white tie, white shoes. This man is Edward Crystal. The President of my Dad's Company Beauregard's Beautiful Jewelry. Dad has been saying he wants a new President... Oh no. He's going to fire Edward..., I think as I look at Edwards face; full of worry. I then smirk and think, Well if he's being fired by my father, then he must have a good reason. My Father is truly the best man I know. He can be Power Hungry at times, yes. But can't we all? "Sorry Edward, but you have run out of use to me. I'm sorry." My Father says as he starts to turn towards me. Before he could, Edward let out a yell. "Sir! please!" My dad doesn't blink an eye as he signals to male Avoxes to take him away. I hear Edward screaming in the back as the Avoxes throw him outside the Grand courtyard gates. "Sir! I have a family I mus-" He is cut off early by the shut of the gates. 

    "What do you need son?" My father asks, I smile at him. "Just asking if I can go to the town square?" He smiles softly and fixes his tie. "Of course you can son." He says as he walks back inside escorted by Avoxes. Time to go to Town Square now, I think as I head to town square.
    



     

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

"Cleo, you better not be thinking about going out again. You almost dislocated your ank--" Leo's voice is cut off clean by my glare. His blue eyes are looking into mine like my mom used to. It annoys me, how my brother has turned into her. Protective, jumpy, suspicious about everything. Even with the skateboarding he introduced to me. His dark hair is tousled with restless sleep, as is mine. Frizz sticks out like a weak halo and the part of the strands is severely contorted. My arms fold over my chest defiantly. A muscle in his cheek tenses with agitation. At least he has started to let up and let me do my own things. And he has learned when to give up, because he almost never wins our skirmishes. I sit up from the table, leaving the breakfast untouched on my plate. "Don't worry, Leo. It's just a joyride." My footsteps echo across the apartment walls. As I walk away, I think I can hear him mocking me under his breath. It feels nice to have an immature brother for once.

I pull a white sweatshirt on, which makes me look even more pale. My hair is finally tamed, or at least as tamed as it will get. The deep red leggings that hug my legs stretch with ever pace towards the doors. My gray sneakers squeak across the wooden floor, which, to my delight, makes Leo cringe. He doesn't like the sound, I have learned over the years. My fingers clasp around my skateboard, it's silver swirls shining in the dim dawn light. Fingerless gloves cover my hands to protect the fragile palms underneath. Plus, they look pretty cool. I slip on a smoky shaded knit hat, that sags behind my head. It will hide my bad hair day.

As soon as I swing the door open, the January cold makes my eyes sting. My system is suddenly alive and alert, which is what the cold always does to me. It makes me feel awake. Like I can fly. My breath floats into the air in small clouds, and I stand to watch it before I started down the stairs. I set down the skateboard and roll onto it, a maneuver I have perfected over the years. My arms are outstretched, resisting the wind that comes with speed of racing downhill. An idle smile plays across my face as people watch me pass. People don't like skateboarding, they say it is useless and dangerous. And to that, I say I don't care, because I don't. Those people obviously don't know the sensation of feeling like your floating, or the vibration and sounds that only you can feel and hear. They have no clue.

My eyes shut, maybe because they're tearing up too much, or maybe because of the thrill. Maybe because of the weight in my stomach, blindly rushing to who knows where. I feel like I can fly. No, I am flying. My eyes burst open.

I am flying.

My feet have left the safe surface of my skateboard, and now I am hurtling across the air. I can see my skateboard stranded behind me, stopped by a curb on the sidewalk. My limbs flail out and I am looking around frantically. The ground is approaching fast, and I'm going to land face first. For the first time ever, I am scared with this trick. Land wrong, and I could break my neck. I could die, or even worse, live life immobilized. Wow, I pay a lot more attention in class than I thought I did. I squeeze my eyes shut and I feel myself impact with something; it's warm and definitely alive. A person.

I landed on his chest, and quicker than a snowflake melts on your finger, I rolled off of him. A hysterical laugh bubbled in my throat, and I buried my face in my hands. My legs and arms tremble and I look at the boy. I am sitting next to him now and gasp. "Oh my ripred, I am so sorry!" I stand up and brush myself off, some snow making my leggings wet. My hand outstretches to help him up. I notice he has "Golden Boy" looks, with blue eyes and blonde hair and a handsome, chiseled face. People who look like this seem to be snobby and arrogant, but I can't judge a book by its cover. But his clothes seem high in class, where mine are just cheap things I pulled out of my mother's hand me downs. My legs shake underneath me, and I'm not sure I'd be able to pull him up if he took my hand.

[Deleted]

I jolted awake in my bed huffing and puffing from a terrible nightmare. I rush out of bed to my window and open it. The soft sunrise paints my room golden. I breath in the sweet fresh air. "It's all over." I tell myself. The nightmare is over.

I hurriedly get dressed then I remember that today there is no career training. Silly me. I plop down back in my bed and rest some more. No point in doing that I realize. I rarely ever sit still. What's the problem with me today.

No one in my house has yet woken up and felt the soft sunshine coat their body's. I sneak downstairs tip toeingto the kitchen. I hurriedly make myself a small breakfast. I want to go into town today. I need to keep it a secret though because my dad things that I shouldn't be alone in the town square for some reason.

I quietly walk to the door. I open it slowly and when I hear it creak I stop and listen for the footsteps which are sure to be coming down the stairs at any moment. After I make sure no one is coming down the steps I sneak silently out the door into the soft golden sunlight.

[Charmer]

                                                     
    I walk into the town square and look around at the beautiful decorations and I feel the cold snow fall on me as I walk with my head held high. What to do? I think just as I look over and see a body hit me as I fall on the ground hard. "What the!" is all I get out as I fall then I look up at the person who hit me and my disgusted look fades. She is a pretty girl, but as I look up I see what shes wearing, Lower class no doubt, I think as I stare at her. 
  
    She get's up and with a worried look on her face, "Oh my Ripred, I am so sorry!" she says as she extends her hand out. I see her fingerless gloves and smirk a bit but stop myself and smile again. "Don't worry about it" I say with a bit edge in my voice. Then I reach my hand out and grab her's ready for her to help me up. She pulls me up but I guess I was too much weight as she falls over on me again. Maybe she's not that bad, I think as I smile a bit and say, "Didn't think I weighed that much".
   
    

                                                   

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

I am afraid of what he'll do, based on the disgusted look that contorts his face. My breathing is still rapid, my legs are still unstable, as I wait to see whether he's a jerk or actually nice. I feel out of it, dizzy. The world warps around my for a second, and the sky feels like it's hurtling down. There's snow on my head and shirt and legs, but I don't feel freezing at all. It's his voice that brings me back to actual reality. It makes his face come in focus again.

"Don't worry about it." He says, his voice seeming edgy, so I would assume the smile he gives me is a bit strained. My face flushes red with guilt and embarrassment, and I don't really have an answer. I almost forget that my hand is out to help him when I find myself falling again. I succeeded and pulling him up about an inch, but I was right. I probably couldn't pull him up if I wanted to. He smiles at me, this time for real, I think, because it makes his eyes light up. I return it, but it is sheepish and shy. 

"Didn't think I weighed that much." He says, amusement playing in his voice. I let out a small laugh, and shake my head. "Nope, I think it's just because of these skinny things." I give him a wave with my arm. I needed to use the other one to stay balanced on his chest until it came down again. I'm so glad I don't weigh that much. "And the fact that I'm shaking a lot. Well, you can probably tell." And it's very true. I still feel myself trembling against his sturdy chest.

[Charmer]

                                                     
    "Nope, I think it's because of these skinny things" she says as she waves her hand then falls on me again not being able to hold up her weight with her other hand. I catch her this time and rap my arms around her and smile as my eyes light up. "How about I get up first this time?" I ask, "then I help you up?". She smiles slightly, "ok", she says as I stand up and brush the snow off my clothes and extend my hand to help her up with a dazzling smile.

    She takes my hand and I help her up, she truly is Beautiful, I think as I help her up then she slips on a patch of ice and fall. I catch her in my arms and laugh a bit. "Walk much sweetheart?" I say as I hold her in my arms and smile with my pearl white teeth shining and look down at her.  

    
             

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

Falling on someone's chest is really awkward, and for a moment we just sit there in silence. He wraps his arms around me when I lose balance, and I'm not sure what to do. He just looks at me with blue eyes like mine. I am paralyzed, and I feel my face burning red."How about I get up first this time?" He asks me, "And then I'll help you up?" I nod, a small smile spreading across my face. "Okay." He stands up, and he brushes the snow off him, like I did the first time. He reaches down with a grin, his teeth a bright white flash against his slightly tanned skin. I take his hand, and he pulls me up easily, as if I'm a feather. I get up, and my legs have stopped shaking, but my heart is still racing. I take a step forward, and my foot slips on a patch of ice. Today is a falling day, I guess.

I feel his arms catch me again, like it's an instinct for him to. He smiles down at me again, and I smile back. He's strong and stable, like a tower I can lean on. "Walk much, sweetheart?" I laugh a little, meeting his gaze. "No, I skateboard." I say. "Guess I have to practice a little more. I don't really trust my feet anymore." But I trust you. I don't feel like I'm going to fall down in his arms, holding me up with such ease. This reminds me of the time when I went rollerblading, and Leo had to keep catching because I was so clumsy on them. "I'm Cleo, by the way." A smile spreads across my lips as I look at him.

[Charmer]

                                                       
   
    "No I skateboard" she says, "Guess I have to practice a little more. I don't really trust my feet anymore" I notice the way she hangs on me and how she doesn't try to get out like she trusts me. "I'm Cleo by the way" she says as a smile spreads across her face. I smile too because I can't help smile when she does. Low class or not she is truly beautiful, I think as I look at her, "Im Paris" I say with a charming smile, "Paris Beauregard, son of the owner of Beauregards beautiful jewelry" I stare at her more closely and admire her face as I still hold her in my arms.

    Oh!, I think Theres a Masquerade at my father's Mansion, a sort of celebration for the companies success. I smile brightly at her, "hey I was wondering, I know we just met and we barely know each other but theres a Masquerade at my father's Mansion tonight and well I was wondering" I pause for a second feeling nervous, "would you go with me as a friend or" I smile showing my brilliant white teeth "a date?" 

                 

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

My eyes skirt his for a second, and I study his face. Handsome, charming, the face that girls stare and whisper about as school. Fine clothes that I've seen when I go windowshopping at the pricier stores. And then there's me, who's hair is messed up in a frizz that won't leave, a sagging hat, her clothes wet with snow, and sneakers that are worn way past their prime. What am I, a lower class girl, doing with him, an upper class boy. It's astounding he'd even converse with me. "I'm Paris." He says, the smile that breaks his face is full of the charisma that seems to be trademarked to him. He looks down at me, and he still hasn't let go of me since my slip. "Paris Beauregard, son of the owner of Beauregards beautiful jewelry." No wonder he's rich, he owns a jewelry store. I'm not even sure where my father works, but any extra money he finds is spent on beer and alcohol. It annoys me. 

"Hey I was wondering, I know we just met and we barely know each other but theres a Masquerade at my father's Mansion tonight and well I was wondering," For once he actually looks nervous and shy. "Would you go with me as a friend or..." Again, his trademark pearly teeth flash at me. "A date?"

For one second, I squint at his face. The last time a boy asked me to a dance, he didn't even show up. But Paris seems serious, I can tell by the way his voice sounded. I blush, my mouth dry and my lips parted with the lack of words. "I- um er I guess-- Sure." I finally say, after fumbling around for a little. It makes me cheeks burn even more. "I mean, yes." Sure sounds like I'm doing it grudgingly, when I'm not. And a mansion, wow. A masquerade. Is that how rich people spend their time? Dances and huge houses. Odd. I'm not even sure I have anything to wear. I'll have to dig around Mother's closet to find something good enough to wear.

welcome to my
silly life
mistreated, misplaced, missunderstood
miss, "no way it’s all good"

[Charmer]

                                                    
    She blushes, Which I find extremely cute, "I- um er I guess- sure" she says as her cheeks turn bright red, I can't help but smile at her. "I mean yes" she finally says in way that sounds like she doesn't really want to go, I hope she doesn't feel forced, I think. Then suddenly I realize that she just said yes and then a million thoughts go through my head, What should I wear she? what if I look too flashy or too underdressed or, I stop myself and smile at her again. "So it will be at 8:00 tonight at Beauregard Manor" I say confidently.

   You did good Paris, I tell myself. "Oh and when you get there tell the Guys at the gates that you are with me ok don't want to get any confusion" I say as I kiss her on the cheek and walk away with a smile on my face. You did good Paris, you did good, I think as I walk. Once I get back to my house I walk in with a big smile as my sister, Glam, her name really fits her I guess she, like I was attractive, long blonde hair that was beautifully curled, mesmerizing blue eyes, like I. She always had her make-up on perfectly with no eyelash out of place. 

   "Hello brother why are you so happy?" she says staring at me. "Guess who got a date to the masquerade tonight?" I say proudly. "Brother!" she says happily, "Well then let me help you get read ok, because I will make you irresistible" she says as she smiles and puts her hands out presenting her body. "I mean look at me i'm gorgeous" she says brightly, "ok" I say, "work your magic."                             

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

For a nervous moment he looks at me, as if he's shocked and lost. Then he smiles, bright and wide. What am I going to wear? I only have a little bit of makeup, what if I don't look pretty? Oh Cleo, you've never been pretty, no amount of mascara and eyeliner will make you attractive. This is going to be a disaster. I zone in just in time to her him say, "So it will be at 8:00 tonight at Beauregard Manor."

I nod, making a mental not of the time and place. "Oh and when you get there, tell the guys at the gates that you are with me, ok? Don't want to get any confusion." I open my lips to say 'okay', when I feel his brush against my cheek. It was quick, a butterfly kiss, and it turns my cheeks red. He turns and walks off without another word, and I just stand there for a second. The ghost of the the kiss still tickles on my cheekbone. I fetch my skateboard and head for home.

To my relief, Leo was out of the apartment when I returned. I didn't have to lie to him about where I was going. He was probably doing tricks and dares with Peresei. Or just by himself. He's pretty dedicated, I'll give him that. I wave my way past the table and down the hall, and I can feel importance seeping to the place I stand. My hand opens the door to my mother's old room, which none of us touch anymore. Except me.

I find a dress in her wardrobe, which she told me was off limits before. No wonder. I slide on the white fabric, which feels soft and warm against me skin. A wide belt stretches across my stomach, and the flowing skirt tickles my legs. It cuts out at the knees in the front, but trails to my ankles like a cape in the back. In the dimness, it looks like I am wrapped in light. My feet are bare underneath me, and I find some blue flats that match my eyes. The mirror sitting in the corner projects my reflection, and I stare at myself for a second. I need to brush my hair.

About ten minutes later I finally worked it into a knot, with no fly aways visible. It's only a matter of times before nerves take over. What if I trip in this dress? What if I keep stepping on Paris' toes? What if people stare at me? What if I don't look rich enough to be there? What if... what if.

Paris' blue eyes are still fresh in my mind as I wait. The way he caught me, the way he held me in his arms. His grin. How his voice had some sort of music to it--

Crap. Now I can't get this boy out of my head.

It is 8:00 the next time I check the clock, which is startling. I think I fell asleep. I rush to put on some makeup, and I can't tell if it makes me look better or worse. Or if I just seem the same. I rush out of the apartment, no skateboard, my shoes tapping on the pavement. The faint memory of Beauregard tickles my mind, and somehow I make it to the manor. I take a deep breath as the mansion comes into view.

welcome to my
silly life
mistreated, misplaced, missunderstood
miss, "no way it’s all good"

oops it's really long sorry

[Charmer]

                                                     
    I walk out of my room dressed in a all white Tux made of fine fabrics, a silver tie that complemented it perfectly and silver shoes to finish it off. My hair done perfectly, I think it looks a little weird but my sister says its the latest style in the capital so I went with it, I smile at my sister as she looks at me and smiles too showing all pearly white teeth,"How do I look?" I ask looking down at my outfit. My sister smiles brightly and tear runs down her face, "You look so grown up" she says, "Mother would be proud of how you turned out." I can't help but hug her, but then of course she pushes me back. "Lets not wrinkle my dress" she says as she smooths out her dress, she truly is a beautiful woman like mom, I think. She's wearing a long flowing white dress, her beautiful long hair cascaded down her back, her blue eyes sparkle. "Better not keep the guest waiting" she says as she opens the door to the great room. 

    My Brother, Cazz like us he has blonde hair and blue eye's and handsome, not as handsome as me though but he is polite and protective, since mother died he had to take over the family while father went into shock for a while he really held us up. "Ready?" he says coolly as he extends his arm for Glam and she takes it. "Yes" she says as she extends her hand and grabs mine and we walk down the grand staircase into the great room. Its decorated beautifully truly, with servers around every corner serving the guests and there's a place in the middle for Dancing and there is lounge areas in every corner."Masks on" my brother says as we walk down, his mask is Bright blue with white lace. Glam's mask is Pink with white lace, and mine is black with white lace. "Chins up smiles on" Glam says as we enter the party.                            
                                                           

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

Darkness swallows the setting sun, and I'm glad to have the shining lights of the manor to guide me to the gates. As Paris had informed me, guys were waiting at the gates. They filter through the guests, giving nods of approval as they pass by. I know I should be worried about getting in, but I can't help but realize how many people there actually was. Two couples in front. One couple in front. My eyes meet with guards, and I open my mouth to say 'I'm with Paris', but he nods anyway. The knot in my stomach slowly starts to untie itself, but it tightens again when I actually get inside. This place was so... big. An overwhelming amount of voices ring in my ears as I weave my way through the crowd. Paris, Paris, Paris. None of the faces are his. I make it to the other end of the room, which took much longer than I would have liked, and there was still no sign of him. I am starting to wonder if this was just going to happen all over again; the the boy I met wasn't actually Paris Beauregard, and that there was no one here for me. That was until I saw three bobbing blonde heads exit off the staircase. At this distance even, my heart races. He's there.

I start to make my way to him, avoiding eye contact with anyone else. I find myself staring at my dress, watching as the light struck at different angles, making it glow a purple, then a pale blue, and a pink. Like an opal. I look up just in time to see him standing a few paces away, just as I had remembered him, but better. The white tux on him matched my dress somewhat, accented by a silver tie and shoes. Next to him I see two other people, a girl and a boy. All siblings, I would guess. I say a couple 'excuse me's and I find myself right in front of Paris. "Hi Paris!" I give him a nervous smile, and my eyebrows tilt up. "Do I look okay?" I ask quietly, meeting his dazzling blue eyes. I add, "I don't have a mask... We don't have many masquerades at my apartment."

welcome to my
silly life
mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
miss, "no way it’s all good"

[Charmer]

                                                     
    I see Cleo making her way towards me then suddenly I don't feel so hot and feel nervous. Wow she look's great I think, not too over dressed like half the people here, but not to underdressed, I guess you could say she was perfect. "Hi Paris" she say's and smile's, "Do I look ok?" she says quietly and looked down at her dress, "I do have a mask..... We don't have many masquerades at my apartment." I notice my sister Glam watching us, she walked past me and whispers, "Beautiful girl" then she glides to the dancefloor. My brother, Cazz, on the other hand seizes her up then walks away.

    "You look amazing" I say with a smile as I hand her a mask I have been holding, its a silver mask with white trim. "This mask hasn't been used in a while" I say looking down, then I look back up and smile. 'It was my mother's, she wore it all the time before she got sick" I smile at her and laugh a bit. "Look's better on you than it did in the box." I take her hand and bow gracefully, "May I have this dance?" I ask with a charming smile.  

                 

[Dreams]

cleo blize
district one
seventeen
female

I don't really believe my ears when I hear, "You look amazing," pass through his lips. "Not as amazing as you, though." I grin at him, and we all knew it was true. His angular cheekbones, hair that looks like it has been treated time and time again, blue eyes that make you feel like you're falling, and a pearly smile that shines like the sun. He hands me a mask, and by the way her does it, I can tell it is precious to him. So I take it gingerly in my fingers, staring at the silver mask, accented with a trim of white. "This mask hasn't been used in a while." He says to me, and I take my eyes off of it. It feels cold as I fasten it to my face. Amazing how it actually matches my dress, the silver bringing out the silver in the belt and the white having an iridescent touch like the skirt.
 
'It was my mother's, she wore it all the time before she got sick,"  He says with a smile and a laugh. I don't think it's something to laugh about. I'm about to say I'm sorry about the tragedy when he cuts off the word with, "Look's better on you than it did in the box." I smile at him, feeling the edges of the mask press against my cheeks, which burn with blush. "I would hope so." The words  sound meaningless in my mouth, but I hope they mean something to him. It's been a long time since I've heard a compliment directed to me. Leo doesn't really keep in mind that I have feelings, he just gives me encouragement and tells me to do better. He takes my hand gently, as if he did it so many times, and looks into my eyes. "May I have this dance?" He says, not before graceful bow. I curtsy back, clumsily and filled with inexperience.

The ghost of Leo's warnings ring in my mind. Never trust pretty boys. They may seem innocent and honest, but they will manipulate you and play you like a doll. Paris couldn't be like that, could he? And Leo, oh, what alibi will I have for him when I get home tonight. How he holds my hands brings me back to life. My feet stumble after each other, playing tag. It's a miracle I haven't tripped yet. "I um... I don't know how to dance..." I say quietly, because I'm pretty sure people find it a disgrace here. I feel the dress lap my legs, making me feel like a willow. The knot resting on my head makes me feel lopsided, and the flats feel odd on my feet. How Paris could live like this, fussing about what he wears and who he'll be dancing with. I trust this pretty boy, though. I do.

welcome to my
silly life
mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
miss, "no way it’s all good"