The Invisible Silver Lining [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

Chapter 30

We are at chapter thirty. AHHHH! :D I'm soo excited to finish this story because I've already started working on the sequel XD

-CFF

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"Will you please hurry up Sharon? He's going to be here any minute!" Sharon grimaces as she finishes putting bobby pins into the long black wig I'm wearing. Tonight is the night of my birthday party. I decided to have a Hunger Games costume party. Since my hair is too short for me to look like any character, I bought a wig. Its midnight locks reach down to my waist when they lay straight. However, since Sharon has put them into several ponytails, they hang down to around the small of my back, just a little higher. I smile when she finishes, dismissing me from the kitchen stool with, "Alright Clove. Go get your outfit on."

I rush into my room, slipping out of my jeans and T-shirt and changing into a tight short-sleeved shirt that is similar to what Clove wore in the Training Center, being careful of my hair. I put on tight black pants made of thin stretchy material as well as a black belt to hold up the pants. I tie shiny black boots onto my feet before looking myself over. I turn slowly in front of my mirror and smile. Clove, or should I say Isabelle, and I are around the same height so I'm as a good replication of the character as it gets.

I hear Sharon call out, "Clove! Your district partner's here!" A massive smile immediately covers my face. Ever since last week, which was the first time I kissed him, we've been together more than ever. I feel the same way about him that he does about me. He's always near me, even when he's gone. He's always in my thoughts, in my mind, in my smile, in my eyes. I see him everywhere. I see things that remind me of him everywhere. And I can only explain all these things into three little words. I love him. Nothing says it better than that. I don't know how else to say it.

When I told Sharon everything that happened on my birthday, she flipped. She was so excited I wasn't able to calm her down for a little while. She kept saying over and over, "I knew it! You two were always supposed to be together! I knew it I knew it!" She sounded like one of Xander's fan girls would have reacted if he had kissed them.

I hurry out of my room, past the living room, and into the kitchen where I see Xander standing. He's talking to Sharon but he stops as I halt beside him. He smiles widely and envelops me in a hug. "Hey." He says softly. I smile up at him. "Hey yourself." I step out of his arms only just and look him over. His hair is spiked like it normally is and he's wearing an outfit similar to mine. "You look like Cato. What do you know." Xander laughs. "Oh yes, took me a long time to look like Cato." He says sarcastically. Then he grows serious again. "You look just like Clove. Except, oh I don't know. There's something different." Did I miss something? I ask him, extremely curious, "What? What's different?" He closes his mouth and just looks at me, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Come on tell me!" I say in a begging tone. I could've passed for a ten year old.

The humor from Xander's eyes reaches his now growing smile. "You really want to know?" I nod, desperate to know. "Yes! Please tell me. I want to know what I--" He cuts me off as his mouth descends upon mine. After a minute, we break apart and he says genuinely, "You're more beautiful." I feel my cheeks heat up. Sharon interrupts uninvited into our little conversation. "Aw how sweet. Now will you two stop cuddling so Emilee can finish helping me get the final party touches set?" She asks in a slightly irritated tone. I blush even more and turn to face her. "Sorry Sharon." She smiles slightly, showing that I'm forgiven and leaves the kitchen.

We still have to set up the Hunger Games DVD trivia game, the actual movie that we're going to watch later, put the mixed CD's into the stereo, set up the food trays, and finish hanging the decorations. We only have an hour before the guests arrive. I turn, about to follow Sharon into the living room, when Xander's arms slip around my waist, hugging me from behind. He plants a kiss on my cheek. I smile as he says, "Tell me what to do. I'm here to help." I lean against his strong figure, replying, "You don't have to help you know." I can hear his smile in his voice as he answers. "I'm going to. That's why I'm here early." I turn around and give him a quick kiss. "Then lets get started." I say happily.

With the three of us, we get the job done with five minutes to spare. We sit on the couches. Sharon sits on one while Xander is on the one opposite, with me curled up against his side. I look at Sharon, admiring her costume. She's dressed as Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of the story. And she, like me, looks very similar to the character. From the boots and cargo pants up to the famous Mockingjay pin and side braid in her brown hair. Sharon and I set this party up so that each of the guests is dressed up as a particular character. We were unable to get a few of the characters, like Thresh, Rue, and Marvel, but none the less, we still have a good turn out if all who RSVP'd come.

And gradually, they all arrive. First is Blake, who is Gale Hawthorn for the night. Followed by Yolo, who is dressed as Effie Trinket, and Christy, who's portraying Foxface. Both girls arrived with their boyfriends who are also dressed up. Christy's boyfriend James is our Peeta Mellark while Yolo's boyfriend Matt is our Haymitch Abernathy. Finally, Taylor arrives. I wasn't too please about her coming, but she and Sharon stayed in touch since Haloween and I didn't think it was right to un-invite her from the party. Taylor decided to dress as Glimmer, the only tribute from District One we have.  I stand up, ready to get this party started, when Xander grabs hold of my hand. "Hold on a sec babe. We're still missing a couple of guests." I look around and count all who are here. "No..." I say hesitantly. "Everyone's here." Xander smiles a secret smile at me. "Not yet." I double count and look at Xander, wondering if he's incapable of counting correctly. "No, everyone's here. Unless..." Xander's smile grows bigger as I realize what he was saying. "Unless you invited other people?!" He nods slightly and I slump back down into the soft couch. I turn to him and ask inquisitively, "When are they getting here then?" I really want to get this party started. Xander checks his watch. "They should get here any minute. Unless they're lost. But, that probably didn't happen. I don't think it did." Oh boy.

But before I can question him, the doorbell rings again. Xander smiles widely at me as he says, "Told you." I roll my eyes and get up to answer the door. I open it fully to see two people waiting. My hand flies to my mouth. Act normal Emilee. Act normal. Xander has invited none other than Jack Quaid and Dayo Okenyi to my birthday. They are dressed like the characters they played in The Hunger Games. My eyes are wide. I reach down to my wrist and pinch myself. Nope not dreaming.

My wonderful, amazing, brilliant boyfriend walks up to the door and stands behind me, hand on my shoulder. He smiles at the guys. "You made it." Dayo nods. "Weren't gonna miss it." He smiles at me and I smile back as he says, "Xander told us how much this would mean to you if we came." Jack jumps in, "And since he never talks about anything except 'how wonderful his girlfriend is' anymore--" Dayo cuts him off, "So we're here." I step back from the door frame saying, "Won't you come in?"

The night passes by and its wonderful. By far the best birthday party I've ever had. There's an abundance of laughter, food and friends. The time together is wonderful. And the best part of all is Xander's with me. With me, belonging to me. Mine. He's wonderful. I look up at him as we watch The Hunger Games. He's too perfect. I love him so much, it still amazes me he's loved me for how long he has and still continues to love me. He sees me watching him and bends down to kiss me in the dark. "Happy Birthday Emilee," He whispers into my ear. I whisper back, "Its happy because you're here."