Two guards came barging into her room. One had perfectly tousled light brown hair, gorgeous green eyes, and looked about her age, while the other was much older, with gray hair and aging brown eyes. The younger one looked a little familiar. Maybe a son of an important figure? Or maybe an old District Twelve guard that had been upgraded?
"Who is in here?," the older one barked, jerking Rose from her questions, "We heard two voices and laughter."
"No one is in here." Rose replied, keeping her gaze on the younger one. How old was he? Sixteen? Seventeen? Those dazzling green eyes…
"Well then, you wouldn't mind if we checked the room, no?" The older one asked, although it was more of a demand.
"Go right ahead." Rose said, only half listening. The guards split up, and Rose kept her eyes on the boy, watching as he checked her closet, her bathroom, and behind her curtain. Certain that he finished the task, he stood by the door. His eyes flitted in a circle around the room and met hers. Rose smiled and gave a little wave. The boy looked a little surprised, but then he smiled back. He walked over to the bed where she was sitting and looked around to see if the older one was watching. Then, he slipped a small, folded note under her pillow. Then he walked over to the door again. What was the note? Rose could hardly refrain from reaching under the darn pillow and ripping the folded paper open.
"All good Ray?" The older woman asked, "And you checked under the bed?"
Rose's eyes widened in panic and looked into Ray's eyes, silently pleading for him to keep quiet.
"Yes, ma'am," Ray replied, winking at Rose.
They exited the room, the older one muttering how she was sure that she heard something.
Rose waited a moment then quietly whispered to Beren, "You can come out now."
Beren slowly slipped out of the bed and stood up. "What was that about?" she asked, "That Ray guy didn't check under the bed, so why did he lie?"
"I don't know but he was amazingly cute," Rose gushed. Her face started to grow warmer as she continued, "Light brown hair, green eyes… He even came close to the bed and left a note. It's here, under the pillow."
Rose reached under and carefully read the note silently.
I'll come by later. 8 pm after dinner. -Ray
Her heart beat faster and faster.
"What is it?" Beren asked. Rose needed to respond, but she couldn't form the words. "What is it?" Beren repeated.
"Uhgerump," Rose managed.
"What?" Beren asked. Beren ripped the note out of Rose's hand and quickly read it. "You're going to let a random Capitol guard in your room? At night?"
"It's a cute Capitol guard," Rose defended, "And no one's gonna notice. He's a guard; he'll know his way around."
Beren sighed heavily. "Fine." Beren stood up and walked over to the door.
"Wait!" Rose cried, "Please don't go. I wanted to tell you about something else!" Rose wanted to confess the truth about it being her fault that Beren was in this situation. Rose should have just kept her mouth shut when she had been captured. Rose pleaded silently with eyes, hoping—begging Beren would stay.
"No," Beren replied coldly.
Rose watched as Beren silently closed the door without turning back. Rose sighed.
After a few aching moments, Rose slowly let herself drift back into her thoughts about Ray.
Caroleene's voice found its way into her room, "Rosemary! You'll need to get dinner in your room. We had um… an accident happen. Oh and then shower after you eat. And get some sleep. Don't be a grouch in the morning."
Rose sighed heavily, "Okay." Rose got off of her bed and walked over to the food machine, skimming over the options. Rose ordered a lemon pepper chicken that was delicious. The tangy flavor flooded her mouth, making her sigh in contentment.
Rose cleared her plate and took a warm shower. Then, she sat on her bed and fidgeted, waiting for the mysterious guard named Ray.
There was a small clock on her bedside table, and Rose kept glancing at it, counting the minutes until eight. The clock kept ticking, and soon, Rose found herself wondering what Beren had been doing since she left her room.