strings that snap | larry

four

"where we're from, there's no sun."

"It's ridiculous Jeanine." He huffs into the phone. He was always such a child when it came to telling the older woman his problems. She was a miracle worker and Louis trusts her with everything. 

"I don't know what you want my to tell you, Lou." She sighs on the other end of the phone. "I'll be there soon. I'm getting on the train now."

Lucky for Louis, District 5 was close. Today was the day all the Victors were headed to the Capitol, except District 1. They'd arrive in the early in the morning. 

"Can I please pick you up?" He says into the phone. The suite was suffocating him. He wanted to get out but wandering around without a destination was always bad news for him.

"Lou, you know I'd love that but-"

"You don't want me getting into any trouble." He smiles, already knowing what she was going to say. He isn't too upset, but it was worth a shot. "One of these days, Jeanie!" He laughs. "You'll let me one of these days."

"When I'm so old that I can't get down the station's steps." She says in response. A win for Louis, because the answer is usually over my dead body.

"You don't look a day of twenty, so I have a feeling that won't be anytime soon." Louis loves joking with Jeanine. "I'm aging twice as fast."

"Now, don't you go saying that!" She scolds him. "But if you are, you should spend your whole life talking to me on the phone."

"Okay, but I'm waiting for you. You better be on time." He says sternly, like if he's a father. 

"Would I ever let you down, Lou?" She says with a chuckle.

"Of course not." He says. She hangs up on her end of the phone.

He really didn't realize he was lonely until then. Between clients, he was picking up the phone to talk to anyone. He started talking about himself to someone who pays money to see him. 

"I'll be fine." Louis says as an affirmation to himself. His friends would be there soon and they could go out for drinks and catch up.

The days of clients and parties and speeches all lead up to his favorite family reunion. He didn't like all of them, some from the Career districts were too intimidating, some were a little off their rockers. He loved all of them though.

He goes to the kitchen of his suite and begins to rummage through the fridge. Clients weren't completely useless. They brought tons of gifts, which were great to have when Louis was expecting company.

Bottles of champagne, candy, he didn't even have to order flowers when clients came over. A few dozen are already on his table from the last.

He's getting nervous as the clock ticks on. Will anyone mention the other night? Would they at least be understanding if they did? He'd been the first Victor in a while to break down in public.

He preoccupies himself by cleaning. Dusting, vacuuming, cleaning out the pantries. He has people that are hired to do it for him but he's just so anxious. When they judge him, at least his house won't e a mess.

An hour passes and there is a knock on the door. "I'm coming!" He throws down the duster and practically runs to the door. "Who is it?" He says, hand poised above the doorknob.

"Who do you think, Lou? I told you I don't disappoint!"

Louis swings open the door before he can take another breath. "Jeanie!" He's hugging her. His head barely matches her shoulders, she's a whole head taller than him.