strings that snap | larry

three

"you are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side."

The only reason Louis got up that morning is because he had something on his schedule. He wanted to hide under his covers forever.

Prudence calls to remind him that his appointment is in two hours and everything should be tidy, including himself. He always felt like a mess, no matter how prim and proper he was.

After turning on the television, he instantly regrets it. He was hoping last night was just a dream.

"Louis Tomlinson--" He flips the channel. "At a party last night--" He flips it back,

"Panem's Pretty Boy," Louis cringes at the nickname. "Was seen last night at Gamemaker Prius' biggest party of the year. Too bad the Victor didn't get to stick around and enjoy it."

Absolute garbage. What they were saying didn't even happen. He assumed this went through some kind of approval, and they had to change the story so he seemed more "bad boy" than "sad boy".

He gets up to get more medication. Louis doesn't really understand. He should have been fine and empty last night. 

It must have been all pent up inside him. There hadn't been a meltdown like that in a while.

The bathroom tiles are cold on his feet. He has ridiculously priced slippers somewhere in this house, but he isn't a fan.

Looking in the mirror, he is a mess. His client might not be so happy with his bloodshot eyes, raspy voice, or sunken face. He hadn't eaten since he was at home. Capitol food was too sweet. 

"Who are you?" He says to the mirror. "Really?"

His reflection is silent.

"You're a disgrace." He spits. "How could you do something like that? You have a family to look out for.You're putting them at risk!" His voice is rising.

His reflection is on the verge of tears.  

He downs his pills before going to sit back on the couch. He wants to fall back asleep so bad, but he had things to do. Louis knew he should have done them before downing his pills.

Shaking, he tidies up the front table as the nation's emblem pops up on his television screen. District Three's turn to have the spotlight up on the television. Louis tries to ignore it as he organizes his magazines in neat stacks.

"Syr was the best I've seen at what he does." He hears Harry's voice and his blood is in this constant state of boiling. When were his tributes named in one of his dumb speeches? "He knew a lot about trip wires. And he was nice in training. Always telling us how great we were all doing."

He grabs the remote and shuts off the television. He'd rather watch the trainwreck of a news channel.

****

After his client that day, he got a call from Prudence.

"Your invitation has been revoked for the dinner party tonight." Prudence sounds disappointed. Those were her favorite to attend, Louis remembers.

He rubs his face ferociously in frustration. "I'm sorry, dear." Mostly because Prudence would hold this against him forever.

"It's quite okay," She says, keeping her composure. A little static came over the other end and someone was in the background. "You're free tonight, but you might have a call in. Don't get too crazy and go making any plans. Stay at home."

"You can tell me I messed up, you know."

"I've just got things to fix. You did nothing wrong, Louis. Keep being your darling self!" The phone clicks on the other hand and Louis sighs.