13
Prostitute
About six months later.
"Annie, help Echo," Pearl barked, pointing to a pile of white ropes. We were preparing for Pearl's wedding this week, and the stress was insurmountable. It didn't help that Pearl's temper-which she rarely showed restraint with-apparently ran on the tap when she was under a deadline. Stephen kept out of the way for the most part, only appearing to deliver food or a short kiss. He always left Echo and me with an apologetic grin right before escaping. I sat down on the floor and helped Echo make the net that would drape over the couple's shoulders during the ceremony.
Pearl bustled about, making guest lists and muttering things I couldn't hear. It was going to be a simple wedding; we never held grand ceremonies here unless it was a particularly rich couple. Stephen was a successful fisherman and his family was used to a slightly higher standard of living then we were, so I think she felt the need to prove herself.
"Finnick is going to District Two on his Victory Tour today," Echo said conversationally. She seemed to have developed a little crush on him ever since he won the games. It was that-plus a little bit of guilt-that merited Fin an invitation to the wedding. He didn't know he was invited yet, but it didn't really matter. All he'd have to do is throw on some nice clothes and walk to the beach.
"That's nice," I assured her, pulling the rope through a knot. It was then that a boy walked in, completely unannounced. I recognized him and tried to pull his name from my memory. Raff, I think. Raff Clegerdy. I didn't like him very much; he smelled like sweat most of the time and didn't shave his whiskers enough. He looked older too, in his late twenties or early thirties. Older than Pearl's usual friends anyway.
"What do you want?" Pearl asked rudely, "I'm a little busy."
I also didn't like the way he looked at her with those beady little eyes. What was his deal again? He owned a ship I think, which mean money.
"I just wanted to stop by and say hello," he explained in his raspy voice. He moved in front of the table and put a hand over the paper Pearl was writing on. "Don't you want to say hello?"
Pearl clenched her jaw and slammed down her pen, looking up at his face, "Hello."
He didn't look happy with her lack of enthusiasm. He put both hands down on the table and leaned down in her face. She swallowed nervously and stole a quick glance in our direction. The tension in the air was tight enough to snap. I realized I had frozen and then busied myself with the net again. Pearl looked back to the man with a set expression.
"Can I help you with something?" she asked, a little softer than before. His angry face stretched up into a creepy, impish grin.
"Could we take a walk?"
Pearl frowned, "I told you I was busy."
"With what?" How could he sound so oily?
"My wedding, Raff. It's in a month and I have a lot to do, so if you could just back off-"
He grabbed her arm and pulled her up roughly, "Come on, we're going for a walk." She tried to resist but his fingers dug deeper into her arm and she yielded. "You seem like you could use the fresh air."
She looked at me and then back to him. For one second I saw the fire ripping from her eyes and then she sighed, steadied herself, and straightened up, "You're right. I could use a break from this. I'll see you in a few, girls. Keep working on that net."
They left after that and I couldn't stop the rage bubbling inside of me. It was Echo that kept me here, instead of chasing after them. I had no idea what was going on, but it made me angry. Pearl shouldn't be going for walks with anyone besides Stephen, and that man didn't seem charming or nice. I never understood what Pearl did when she wasn't with us, but I didn't ask. It wasn't my place. But every day I got older and every day it bothered me a little more.
