𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘦 , coriolanus snow

ONE.

DON'T BLAME ME.
01. ❛ all routine. ❜

IT WAS ALL ROUTINE. Get up, button the buttons on blue cloth, don't grimace when red hair clashes with red uniform, suck up the ache when stilettos are on, not a hair out of place, and a perfect smile to pull it all together.

Today was different for Seraphina Embry. There were no buttons to be buttoned or no unflattering red-on-red clashing. Today was special.

First and foremost, it was reaping day. It's not like she celebrated the so-called "holiday." She, in fact, didn't like the meaning behind the day. Reaping day was terrible in the districts, but not much of a celebration in the Capitol either. Like most, she took no pleasure in remembering the war that took her brother from her. He was killed in a rebel bombing, and ever since, Seraphina just couldn't stand the day.

And second, the winner of the Plinth Prize would be announced. The Plinth prize was a full ride to the University of Panem, and the top 24 students of the Academy were the candidates who qualified for the award, Seraphina included.

She didn't need the Plinth prize; she didn't need the money, and no one could deny that. But if there's one thing about Seraphina that people familiarly knew, she loved to win.

So, standing in front of her floor-length mirror, Seraphina admired herself for a moment, making sure she looked perfect. She didn't want a hair out of place or a smudge where it shouldn't be.

A knock at her wooden door pulled Seraphina out of her thoughts, and she looked to the side to see her father open it up with a tight pinched, emotionless face. "The car's waiting for you outside, Seraphina. I recommend you take an apple and be on your way." He turned to leave, and the door was halfway closed until he stopped, "Better get a move on; it'd be a shame for an Embry to be late, don't you think?"

"Yes, father." Seraphina pursed her lips and grabbed her purse before walking out of her room with a final look at herself.

Her heels clicked against the marble flooring of the penthouse as she walked down the stairs that led outside. Her father's cold interaction didn't faze her anymore. Ever since the war, he'd never been the same. She tried everything she could to get him back to his once cheerful self but ended up giving up on him halfway through the process. It was of no use anyway. Yes, it hurt, and she wished things were different, but you can't change what's set in stone.

So she adapted. Seraphina tried never to be that way towards anyone, for she knew how much it hurt deep down. A smile was always plastered on her face, and her never-ending charm and charisma were always prominent. Her warm demeanor naturally drew people in, but not too close; it's why she struggled to make friends often. After all, she was an Embry.

What you see on the outside is never what's on the inside.

"HAVE A GREAT DAY, MISS EMBRY." The chauffeur driver smiled as he opened the backseat door to the sleek black car they were riding in.

Seraphina had to grind her teeth together to stop a remark from coming out. He always said that. Sometimes, it made her life feel as if it wasn't real. After all, it's all routine.

"Thank you, Alfred. Hope your day is as splendid as ever." Seraphina passed a nod and was about to get out but froze when she caught sight of a familiar mop of blonde curls. "Snow!"