Aloe Mellark: The Hunger Games Epilogue

Chapter 13:

Gale stands, kissing me on the forehead and walks out closing the door behind him. Why does he want to save me? He has a wife and a baby!

I walk over to the curtains and open them wide, letting the light shine in. We are 12 stories up and the view is breathtaking yet unsettling. The people look like ants from this height.
It almost makes me forget about the Games, about my parents, and about Rye.
But it also reminds me that these people are betting on me living or dying. I slide the blinds closed again, and try to decide weather or not to go back downstairs. I pace around and finally walk out the door to where everyone is sitting by the table, just finishing their plates. Gale looks up and gives me a sad smile and keeps eating. Mom doesn't look up, but dad smiles and pushes his plate away.
"Hey, sweetie!" Dad says to me. "How are you doing?" He gives me a look that tells me how much this is bothering him. I try to smile, but it comes off as more of a grimace.
"OK, I guess." I take a seat next to the neon green haired lady, and feel like I'm going to gag at the amount of perfume she's wearing.
"Did you sleep well?"
"No, dad." I say, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone and focus on the slices of bread coated in what looks like egg, but it's got swivels of chocolate and strawberries making this dish look a lot more elegant than it is.
"Shows." The neon lady says looking at me. Her nose shriveled with disgust.
"Excuse me?" I say.
"I mean, you just got black circles under your eyes and to be honest with you, you look like crap." I give a mock smile, despite my feelings. I look over at Effie, and let my anger overwelm me.
"And if I'm perfectly honest with you, you look like a freak." I gesture to her hair and her clothes and continue talking. "I mean, do you really think you look good in neon green and orange." I look at the rest of the table. "Does anyone look good in orange!?"
Effie looks like she might throw a tantrum.
"Where are your manners?!" She snaps.
"Where are your brains?"
"Alloe Primrose Mellark!!!" All heads turn to my mom and see her face is twisted with anger. "Show some respect! What has gotten into you!?"
"Nothing." I say looking down. "I'm going to my room. Tell me when we have training."
"I will." Dad says giving me a sympathetic smile. At least he understands what I'm going through. I walk to my room as quietly as I can and close the door. But as I lie on my bed, the tears begin to fall, and I don't bother wiping them away.