Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 43: Burning Bonnet

After a long, nowhere calming bath where I almost drowned myself, I get dressed for the day. Noviana sent some high-dollar creams and mists for my curls, directions on how to use all of them deep in my mind as I follow step by step. I'm about done when a knock sounds at the door of the old bathroom.

I ignore the jump that rocks my body, the memories of cannons sounding through the air making my heart skip a beat. My hands grip the old counter as my eyes close. I take a few deep breaths before calming my mind best I can.

"Yeah?"

My voice is slightly shaky. My palms sweaty against the old wood. Aurelia pokes her head in, a stack of clothes clutched to her chest. She eyes all the products before meeting my eyes.

"Atlas said I need to bathe before we leave today..."

"Okay. The water isn't warm anymore, you want me to go warm some up?"

"Please?"

"Sure thing, Buttercup. Just give me a moment."

I grab the large metal pot we use to warm up water, filling it with some of the somewhat clean water. Thoughts of the showers and baths out in the Capitol make me sigh as I start for the kitchen.

Crates of our belongings already line the hall, all filled and stacked neatly. The bare walls and empty shelves make me sigh in a gloomy way. No more memories will be made in this place once we're fully moved out. The ones that already exist will be the only connection we'll have to this place and even those will fade.

"Hey, Blondie...did you sleep well?"

I ask the younger girl as I walk into the kitchen. Both her and Briar are filling more crates with whatever is left in the wall of cabinets. They both look up as I set the pot onto the stove. Thankfully the fire is still going ont the inside so it can quickly heat the water.

"Good, I guess..."

"You took your sweet time, didn't you?"

"Well, it takes more than rolling out of bed to look this good, B."

Sloan laughs, her sister rolling her eyes as she moves to place the full crate onto the table. I don't miss the small smile on her lips as she passes me. Neither has looked away from their tasks yet, making me sigh while folding my arms over my chest.

"What else needs to be done?"

"We're almost done in here and then, we'll be moving everything to the new house. Some peacekeepers agreed to let us move everything earlier as long as you don't go. Apparently they want you to be the one with the biggest reaction. The camera crew was delayed a bit and they decided to send someone else to ease you a bit...what is on your head?"

Briar stops as she finally looks at me. My hand reaches up to touch the burning hot cloth tied around my head. I almost jump as I remember what Noviana told me. I glance towards the clock, sighing as I realize it's only been three minutes.

"It's a drying bonnet. My stylist gave it to me so my curls will be ready for the cameras."

"A drying bonnet? What?"

I nod, bending over to slip it off before fluffing my now-dry curls. The bonnet immediately cools as I set it on the counter before standing up straight. I look between the two girls who now stare at me, a questioning look on my face.

"How does it look?"

"Great..."

"Yeah, there's no frizz at all..."

I give them a confused look before turning to the mirror that still hangs on the wall near the back door. My curls look immaculate, perfect even. I sigh before turning back towards the two. The water is close to boiling meaning it's almost ready for the cold water of the bathtub.