strings that snap | larry

five

"I guess so."

They sit in silence for a bit. Her eyes are scanning something above. "Would it be weird to ask you to lay next to me Louis?"

"No, I don't think so." He says in response, and Porter pats the spot next to her. He gets out of his chair and lays at the other edge of the bed.

When he opens his eyes he sees what she had been staring at. 

Landscapes.

Mountains, hills, cliffs, and rivers all mapped out of her expanse of ceiling. It was some of the most beautiful artwork Louis had ever seen,

"I wanted to be a geologist when I grew up," says the middle-aged Victor laying next to him. It's wistful. "But sometimes life throws a curveball."

"And sometimes the curveball hits you right in the face, Porter." When it came out of his mouth, he realized it was a little inappropriate. "Sor-"

Porter laughs. "You're quite right, Louis. See, I knew you were smart." Louis enjoyed how laid back the woman was, even in her circumstances. "You've just got to make do with what you're given."

He still can't see why Jeanine sent him here, but he definitely didn't regret it. Porter talked for hours about all the landmarks on her ceiling. The salt water bay from District Four, the mountain from District 2, forests from 12.

The bright lights on the streets flick on when he realizes how late it is. "I've got to get home." He said getting up.

"You'll visit me again?" She is expecting the answer to be yes. He nods and gives her his biggest grin.

"Well, I hope she gets better." Louis knows that she won't. Her health had been deteriorating for some time, but he always held out. He would be crushed if anyone at their little get-together was gone for good, but he would be able to get over it eventually. It's finicky business because he knows all of them will be gone one day. He just isn't ready to let go of Porter yet.

"I'll send her your best wishes when I get back." He pats Louis on the back.

"I'm hoping to get some leave time soon." Louis says. "I've been doing pretty good as of late." Carlen doesn't say anything about the program on television.

"Everyone!" Beetee is waving his hands. He is far more outspoken than his counterpart Wiress.

"What's it Volts?" It's Niall, one of the few District 9 Victors there are. Another loud one, but he had some sense and it was always in good fun.

"Wiress wants a picture." He waves Wiress' infamous camera in the air. Every since the girl had won the games and joined their group, she insisted on a picture everytime they got together. It was a new thing, something Louis' thought they wouldn't do.

"It's just..." She stops and blushes, realizing just how many of them there are. 

"A tradition." Beetee finishes for her as he pushes his glasses up on his nose and straighten his jacket.

It takes a while but they all managed to get some organization among them. Louis stands between Jeanine and Haymitch on his tip toes so he can throw his arms over their shoulders.

Beetee is up front messing with the camera to set a timer. "You've got five seconds!" He says as he presses down the button. "Smile if you can." He's shuffling to the edge of the picture.

The flash goes off and everyone relaxes. They wait for the line.

Jasmine, one of the older Victors from 1, fixes her hair. "Can we do it again?" It's like clockwork every year. Everyone laughs and disbands.