Though now she lived in the districts, she was capitol born. She knew all of his hardships and never looked at him any differently. She handled him with such gentleness, and kindness. She was a rare bird, His Nightingale. Just like he had been for h...
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Startled, Sejanus was quickly at his feet, rapidly brushing the dust from his uniform. Billy Taupe, on the other hand, slowly rose, almost lazily, to confront them.
"Well, look who's finally decided to come and speak to me," he said, grinning at Juniper. Was this the first time they'd spoken since the Hunger Games?
"Sejanus, Maude Ivory's growing impatient," she said. "Please, go help her."
"Oh, y-yes, of course." Sejanus held out his hand to Billy Taupe, who returned it with a firm shake. "Nice meeting you."
"Sure, you, too. You can find me around the Hob some days, if you want to talk more," Billy Taupe replied.
"I'll keep that in mind," said Sejanus, making for the house.
Juniper tighten her grip with Coriolanus's hand. "Go away, Billy Taupe. Just go away and don't ever come back."
"Or what, Juniper? You'll sick your Peacekeeper on me?" He laughed.
"If I have too," she said. "But I think we both know I can take care of myself at this point."
Billy Taupe glanced over at Coriolanus. "Seems like a pretty tame pair."
"You don't get it. There's no walking this back. There's no undoing what you did," said Juniper.
Billy Taupe turned angry. "I didn't try and kill you."
"Oh? So you just so happened to run straight to the girl who's hated me from the moment I stepped foot in this district. Who has been waiting for the day to get rid of me," Juniper shot back. "I hear you've made yourself right at home at the mayor's."
"And why was the reason I over there in the first place? Makes me sick how you're playing the kids. Poor Juniper. Poor lamb," he sneered.
"You tried to force yourself on me!"
Coriolanus's shoulders tensed up. If June wasn't holding his hand he'd tear Billy limp from limp.
"You could just never take no for answer! I have never. And will never. Feel that way about you." she spat out. "You just have to expect it."
Billy Taupe's hand whipped out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up against him.
Before Coriolanus could intervene, Juniper sank her teeth into Billy Taupe's hand, causing him to yelp and release her. He glared at Coriolanus, who'd stepped up protectively beside her.
"I'm guessing this is the reason you could never be with me? This the Capitol boy you could never let go of? Chased you all the way here I see? He's got a few surprises waiting for him."
"I already know all about you." Coriolanus didn't, really. But it made him feel at less of a disadvantage.
Billy Taupe gave a disbelieving laugh. "Me? I'm the rosebud in that dung heap."
