Splintered

Chapter Eight: Dinner and a Snow

Two worlds were colliding before Hazel's eyes, and she wasn't entirely sure her mind could take it. The sight of Senator Snow standing in her living room was something she truly wasn't prepared for. His coiffed blonde hair, the crisp suit, the ever-present rose, and, of course, those all-seeing cerulean eyes—all of it was out of place. Like a shark joining a family of sparrows for dinner, he didn't belong in her world. Yet, here he was. And it didn't help that her family was gawking at him like he was both a beautiful but terrifying rare creature.

Snow was leaning slightly forward, staring at the picture frame she knew all too well. A maroon coat was draped around him, and it stood out in the earth-toned living room. This one was even deeper in color than the one he'd lent her. Did he have an entire closet full of those? 

 She stumbled as he straightened and it became apparent there were two packages tucked under his arm. 

"I told you that ankle is unstable." Sable's annoying voice called from behind her as she caught herself. 

Hazel volleyed a quick glare at the peacekeeper. He was still beaming from his victory with the Capitol doctors."Pytash, I swear to everything that is holy-"

At the sound of her irritated voice, Snow's eyes snapped to hers, and her next words died on her tongue.  "Good evening, Miss Marlowe."

While her mind was drowning, her throat had gone as dry as the forest during fire season. "Senator."

Their uncomfortable stare-down was broken by Dr. Savi and Dr. Calyx moving past the two, inching closer to the doors.

"Will you not be joining us for dinner, doctors?" Fern asked

"I'm afraid duty calls, ma'am, and we need to head to the Capitol."

Dr. Savi turned back to Hazel, "Remember what we talked about. We will see you in a few weeks, but if you need us sooner, your peacekeepers can send word."

"See you in a few weeks, Sir." She sent another stern warning glance in Sable's direction.

Dr. Savi's face wrinkled into a small, stiff smile while Dr. Calyx kept his gaze glued to his shoes. The two offered practiced nods of respect in Snow's direction, "Senator Snow."

Snow acknowledged them, "Safe travels, gentlemen."

With that, the two disappeared into the rapidly approaching night. Hazel let out a shaky breath. At that moment, she was no longer the fish out of water. Instead, the outside world and its inhabitants were flooding the nest she called home.

Another round of unease settled over the aromatic space as the front doors thudded shut. The sound rippled through the room like a twig snapping in the woods, capturing the attention of all living things within earshot, none daring to move. The question now became whether a predator awaited them or not.

Snow cleared his throat, jolting Hazel back to the present. They were waiting for her to lead the introductions. "Oh, um, Senator Snow, this is my family." Hazel introduced Oren and Fern, who were hovering in the kitchen, then Sage, Lily, and Linden on the couches. Finally, she motioned to Rowan, seated at the table with his arms crossed and eyes as hard as bricks. 

Hazel fixed her attention on the statuesque man. "Guys, this is, well, you know." Was there anyone even left in Panem who didn't know who he was?

Snow bowed slightly, curling his lips in a way that oozed charisma as he surveyed the most important people in her world. "Pleased to meet you all."

Oren's lips were a hardline, a muscle in his jaw jutting at an unnatural angle. Fern rested a tight, white-knuckled hand on his arm, though her voice gave away none of her tension, "Welcome to our home, Senator."