130I was struggling with this chapter for a while, which is why I decided to post the train rides in chunks. I tried to write this yesterday and it just wasn't working, but everything flowed so nicely today! I love both of these tribute dynamics and I'm really excited for them.
6 Days Before The Hunger Games - Night
District 3
Quantum Wu, 18
Kinetica and I lean against the sofa as the train bounces along the tracks; we're absolutely stuffed after the giant feast that was laid before us at dinner. I've never eaten so much in my life. I wasn't exactly starving in District 3, but I'm not accustomed to second helpings - and it's not like the food I ever have tastes good.
"That was delicious," I sigh.
"Yeah," Kinetica agrees.
"It almost makes all of this worth it, doesn't it?" our escort, Blick, asks chirpily. My limbs stiffen and I glare at him. I can't believe the nerve of this man. He's toting us off to our death and he thinks having a few pastries makes it enjoyable?
"Excuse me," I mutter, and pick myself up from my couch. I'm worried if I'm stuck with this mindless Capitolian any longer, I'll punch him in the face. The thought is appealing, but ultimately not beneficial for my survival. Kinetica watches me as I retire to my bedroom.
The Capitol has decided to organize our quarters in an extremely luxurious way - animal fur blankets, marble tile in the bathrooms, a ridiculously vast array of clothes in the closet, somehow already tailored to fit us. I suppose they have the same philosophy as Blick; they probably poured thousands of dollars into this room under the belief that it was making up for my inevitable death. I almost wish the Capitol would give us the bare minimum in these compartments. At least they would be honest about what they think about us.
I scoff when I see the painting on the wall. It doesn't seem to be special. Any kid could have drawn this. I've never understood the Capitol's taste in art. This is just a bunch of colors of shapes. But whoever decorated this room didn't bother removing the price tag, which proudly marks the painting as $10,000. If I had that sort of money, I certainly wouldn't be spending it on crappy paintings.
$10,000 would be enough for Vincia and I to finally start our life together. That's what we were supposed to do. We had planned to move in together a few months after our final Reaping, but I guess that's not happening anymore. My heart aches when I think of Vincia without me. What if she finds someone else? I know I should be happy at the thought of her moving on after my death, but the idea just fills me with an acidic jealousy. She's mine, and I'm hers. That's the way it's been for three years, and that's the way it was always supposed to be.
I enter the marble-tiled en-suite bathroom. The giant mirror on the wall is framed with a jewel-encrusted frame. How useless is that? Looking into the mirror, I'm dismayed to see that my eyes are puffy and red. I hope that's a recent occurrence - if that came about at the Reaping, my image of a fearless and friendly guy might be over. My black wavy hair is tumbling in front of my eyes, and I push it back. Usually it's higher and doesn't get in the way. I hope my stylists don't decide to chop it off. I've seen them do that with longer-haired tributes, but Vincia really likes my unkempt hair.
Leaning against the sink, I feel something sharp prick my hip. I reach into my pocket and bring out Vincia's earring. I almost forgot she had given it to me. Seeing it almost makes me break into tears, but I hold them back. If I start crying, I won't be able to stop.
I lean closer toward the mirror and hold the earring up beside my ear. Would it be super painful to punch it through? Probably. But I want that piece of Vincia with me. I'm worried I could lose it if I'm not wearing it.
Deciding to rip it off like a bandaid, I line up the point of the earring with my ear lobe. Realizing I might need something to block the needle when it pokes through, I grab a cotton ball from the jar on the counter and hold it against the back of my ear. It's useless agonizing over the anticipation. Before I can change my mind, I punch the earring through my lobe.
I hiss in pain, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Besides, I'm sure I'll encounter much more pain in the following weeks. I pull the cotton ball away, expecting blood - surprisingly, there's none. I toss it in the trash can.
I step back from the mirror and turn my head from side to side, admiring my new piercing. It doesn't look too bad on me. The pain has subsided to a dull ache. Having a little piece of Vincia with me reminds me what I need to do. I need to win these Games for her. I need to get back home and see her again. But I can't make it through the Games alone.
I re-enter the lounge. Kinetica and Blick look up, surprised to see me.
I start with Blick. As my escort, he's in charge of making me popular in the Capitol and earning me sponsors. I'll definitely need a lot of those if I want to win. As much as I dislike the guy, my life is in his hands.
"I love your wig, Blick," I lie, plopping down on the couch across from him. Blick grins, twirling a lock of his green wig around his finger.
"Of course," he smiles, "It's the newest in fashion. I had it specially designed by Menelaus Cressure before he released his latest wig collection. I have connections."
I have no idea who Menelaus Cressure is, but I nod along as if I'm impressed.
"Not the Menelaus Cressure?" I gasp.
"The one and only," Blick nods. "If you win, I can probably get you a wig from him. You'll need it; your hair looks like a wreck right now. I think a blue one would look good on you - maybe violet. What do you think, Kinetica? Blue or purple?"
Kinetica is smirking slightly at the conversation.
"Definitely violet," she decides.
I take Blick offering to get me a wig if I win as a sign that he likes me. Blick has a tendency to favor the tributes he likes, and I want to be favored heavily when my time in the arena comes around. Mission complete… for now.
Next, I turn my attention to Kinetica. Time in the arena can not be spent alone.
"Kinetica, I've decided that we should be allies," I state. It's not really a question. I'm confident she'll accept my offer. Kinetica looks very surprised by my suggestion.
"W-why?" she asks.
"You seem smart," I shrug. "I don't think I can survive alone, and there's no one I trust more than my District partner."
Before Kinetica can respond, Blick jumps in.
"Yes! I love this development!" Blick exclaims. "You two will be an unstoppable nerd duo! I can sell that to sponsors."
I raise an eyebrow and grin at Kinetica. "What do you say?"
"Okay," she smiles. "Let's be an 'unstoppable nerd duo'."
District 5
Adrienn Lowell, 12
Growing up, Bobby always made fun of me for my "hopeless romantic" tendencies. Bobby's a bit of a realist, so he never understood how I could just look at a picture of an actor or something and form a giant crush on them and suddenly imagine what my life would be like with them. I've never had a boyfriend or my first kiss, and yet I have a giant portfolio of people I'd imagine myself in a relationship with. Most of them are famous actors or models, but a handful are boys from my school.
One of my favorites is Glint Pythan, a famous actor from the Capitol. He has really beautiful brown eyes. Despite his vast catalog of films, I've only been able to see a handful. My family never had much extra money to spend on films, so I've only seen him in a few different movies. My favorite film of his is "To Capture A Ring" an absolutely fabulous romance movie where he plays the rugged and romantic love interest. I've seen it about thirty times. I kind of think the protagonist looks like me, so I like to see myself as the one marrying Glint.
When I got out of the shower earlier, I sat down on the couch and started looking through the selection of movies to watch. To my delight, I realized the streaming services on the television carried all of Glint's movies. Suddenly, I had his entire catalog at my fingertips. For a moment, I forgot all about the situation I was in and I was able to curl up under a fluffy blanket on the couch and binge the best of Glint Pythan.
Intending to have an entire marathon of Glint Pythan films, I've selected a playlist of about half a dozen films I've never seen before. There's way more I haven't seen, so I'm hoping my room in the Tribute Center has a television where I can watch them. I've already watched "The Dragon's Eye", a film where Glint plays a rugged archaeologist. To be honest, it wasn't my favorite. I liked Glint in his costume, but there wasn't any romance. It also kind of reminded me of last year's Hunger Games. I don't like the Hunger Games, but my parents made me study a bunch to prepare for when I went in.
After the credits rolled, I switched to a movie that seemed much more up my alley. It's a romantic musical featuring Glint and an actress that I've never heard of, but who kind of resembles me.
I'm so invested in the movie, I barely even notice when Zack enters. It's not until I hear the crash of a glass breaking that I spin around and see Zack staring in surprise at the shards of glass at his feet. He backs up before the spreading puddle of orange juice soaks into his socks.
"Whoops," he says, and flashes me a lopsided smile. He starts to try to pick up the pieces of glass, but an avox runs over and ushers him away. The avox gestures that she'll clean up the broken glass, and Zack shrugs. He turns away and exits the car, probably returning to his room. I watch him as he leaves.
Zack has the most gorgeous blonde hair. It sits on his head like a wave of gold and sometimes it falls in front of his beautiful brown eyes. His eyes are almost the exact shade as Glint's. I sigh at the comparison. I wonder if there could be a relation?
Zack seems so sweet. I could imagine us spending the rest of our lives together. He seems like he'd be a wonderful husband. He's sweet and funny and I bet he'd be a great father.
My nice fantasy crumbles when I remember where we are and where we're going. I'd never have the chance to get married to Zack - I doubt he'd even like me anyway. I'm too shy and dorky, and Zack's so cool. But maybe…
I know we may be going to the Hunger Games, but there's a chance Zack and I could be together. After all, there have been countless star-crossed-lovers in the Hunger Games. I may be going to my death, but perhaps I could get my first kiss?
I feel my face heat up at the thought of kissing Zack. The avox has finished sweeping up the broken glass and gives me a weird look when she notices me staring longingly at the door where Zack exited. I snap my head back to the screen, blushing even more.
Glint is now doing some sort of dance and singing a song. His voice is nice and his hair is swinging around in a gorgeous swoop as he sways back and forth, but now I can't focus much on him anymore. When I look in his eyes, all I can see are Zack's.
Adrienn's crush on Zack is meant to be a bit cringe-worthy btw. XD
ALLIES
Mira/Bear/Setsuna/Gladius/Varuna/Arty
Kinetica/Quantum
SOLO (so far)
Adrienn
Zack
Amber
Newt
Erida
Sycamore
Ivy
Bodhi
Red
Siro
August
Corbin
Adelissa
Avens
Calytrix
Flake
- Lilah