Crown Jewels: Cashmere's Story

Chapter 6: With Beauty Comes Pain

My mother always told me that with beauty comes pain. 

But what is pain, if you feel it all the time? 

When I first meet people, I divide them into 4 categories:

1. The Pitiers. They treat me like a fragile beauty, like I'm a helpless 15-year-old that can't do anything.  One that's stupid and can't understand the world around her.

2. The Admirers. They're just disgusting little leeches, suck ups that want to use my beauty, riches, family, brains, talents for their own good.  It's all kindness with strings attached.

3. The Haters. They think I cheat my way to the top, that the only reason I'm where I am is because of my background. I've had to work to get where I am. They do everything they can to break me down.  Wow, jealous much?

4. The Others. The people who actually see me as one of them, as human. They're not ready to manipulate me, or ride off my success, or tear my reputation apart.  And it always pains me to think that I've only met 4 people who fall into this category.

So now I ask myself: who will the Capitol people be? 

The interviews are today.  Once I complete this, it's all over. No more chances to prove myself. No more first impressions.   

Tomorrow morning, I'll be in the Arena.  

Yesterday we already decided on my strategy. Most District 1 girls act sexy and wear provocative clothing, but I'm trying a different approach. I want to show everyone I can win these games without relying on my physique. 

My method will be charismatic, mysterious, witty. And I'll never directly answer Caesar's questions.

"Darling, do try to stay still!" Roxie frets. She fluffs her peach colored hair, pulling on a chain of pale pink cherry blossoms she wove into a single braid of it.  

"Sorry!" I squeak. "I'm just nervous." 

"Nervous! Girl, you are gonna rock it out there! Why are you nervous?" Iggy exclaims, wiggling her hips to an imaginary beat. "Just rock it, rock it! Mm mm mm!" 

The room falls silent, and Orpheus drops his makeup brush (he was taking a break to redo his black/lime green eyeliner combo).   

He swoops down to pick it up, caressing it and cradling it in his arms. "I'm so sorry! Are you ok? Don't worry, you're still beautiful and perfect." 

"Am I the only sane one here?" Roxie demands, yanking on Iggy's oversized disco ball earrings. Iggy's a giant disco ball herself, with her lips and eyelids glittering silver, clad in a rainbow sequined minidress.  

Iggy yelps and leaves to get more makeup, while Orpheus follows her out.

 "No, Roxie. You have me," I comfort her. 

"Thanks, Cashmere. " Roxie smiles almost sadly, blowing on my nails.  She sighs in dismay and takes my hair out of its argan oil hair mask.  

I paint my face into a mask of curiosity and sympathy.

"It's nothing, I'm just so lonely, sometimes, you know?" Roxie asks. 

"Yeah," I reply.  My mom, dad and brother have all won their games. None of my friends are at my level of fighting or intellect. Jasper, the one person who is, is my enemy. 

"Iggy and Orpheus are nice but kind of absurd. My family....." Roxie trails off. 

"Go on," I whisper. 

"They're all too busy with work so I don't see them often. My friends too," Roxie adds. "Sometimes I feel so alone I could just...." 

"Cry? Scream? Throw a knife at somebody?"