The Victor tour, the moment waited for so many. Six months after the Hunger Games, the Victor was supposed to visit every district and present a speech than festivities for the night before the next morning direction a new district. The finality was the Capitol, there they were applauded for their courage.
Aria regretted that moment, she had promised herself to stay in District 8 for the rest of her life since her victory a few months ago. Today, her promise was no longer valid because whether she wanted to or not she would have to leave home for the next few weeks. To her misfortune, Cecelia was not going to accompany her on this journey. Her pregnancy being too far advanced, would not help the Victor. She hoped to see Wright by her side. For the past few weeks, they had been spending most of their time together.
At first she used Cecelia as an excuse for coming and as time went by Aria realized that he was a funny and loving person. He was nicknamed Woof as a dog who barked at others, but this rumour was false.
Jonathan, her other mentor, was going through a rough patch in Aria's eyes. He stayed locked up in his house without ever letting a single light shine on him. Cecelia had explained Jonathan's sad story to her one night after his first debauchery. Several years before, Jonathan had a little girl. His girlfriend was executed for reasons unknown by the Capitol, leaving him and his daughter alone. When she was about five years old she developed a disease. Despite the money Jonathan had, nothing can cure an inoperable tumour. Since her death, as soon as winter gives news of him, he closes himself up to become an unconquerable man.
Aria didn't want to bother him so she turned to her new sidekick, Kit Wright. He refused, laughing at her for daring to think he would ever get back on that cursed train with people who he hated without exception. When Cecelia and Jonathan won their game he retired, he was no longer an interesting Victor in the eyes of the Capitol. His house became his burrow and Wright would stay there.
"You know what will Cecelia do if she learns that I will be alone. Even if she's tired, she will come with me. If you are not doing this for me, do it for her. You are her mentor after all." The redhead said.
"Taking me by the sentiments won't work, Ginger."
"Oh, please. It's just for three weeks. I don't want to be alone, you and I hate being alone. You will miss me so just come, old man."
"Your departure will be my vacations. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I resent them and I will never go back. Never. I promise it to myself."
With that she left his house slamming the door. She wasn't angry that no one wanted to go with her because who wanted to relive their nightmares. Her annoyance came from the fact that she was going to have to smile and be happy in everyone's eyes. Her luggage had already been packed by her parents. They thought that one less stress wouldn't hurt.
She would have liked someone to accompany her from District 8, but Aria figured Clove would be waiting for her at the entrance to the station. Because yes, the two Victors had to film their "first" meeting since the games. The young Victor was glad that their first meeting had not been in the public eye, because it would not have been the most beautiful. Cecelia had asked her to show eternal love to Clove at the Capitol for the sake of everyone. Her performance had to be impeccable if not blood will be spilled. Never was there two winners since the creation of the games, and that had not only made people happy.
Her house door knocked. As she walked towards the entrance, she took a deep breath knowing full well who was on the other side.
"Oh Aria, my darling I missed you so much." Petunia replied by kissing her on the forehead before letting the prep team in. "We don't have much time before the live and our departure for District 12. We need to be quick to make you the prettiest Victor we ever seen for the tour."
With that in mind, the preparation began. Makeup, clothes and shoes were flying around as they tried to find the perfect match. When a stylist approached her with ribbons, her heart leapt. She didn't wear them anymore, because it brought back bad memories.
"Do I have to wear ribbons? I don't think it suits me anymore."
"My dear, putting ribbons in your hair is the new fashion because of you. You must honour your signature. Don't worry, they know what they are doing." Petunia may have been right, but her anxiety was not. Her hands grew sweaty and she tried harder than anything to keep her breathing as steady as possible. Not being able to say no, how the next three weeks would be?
The walk to the station was quick. Her team didn't like the poverty and smells of her district. Aria waited outside while Clove had to be inside. Cameras and lights had already been assembled. Petunia told her not to worry and to focus on one thing: Clove.
"We're live in three, two, one..now!" A man shouted.
The train doors opened and Aria walked towards them. Clove Kentwell stood before her with the confidence of a true career woman and her popular smirk. Her hair was slicked back for the occasion and fell to her lower back.
"Hey-"
Aria tried to say, but Clove cut her off by placing her lips against hers. It was strange to kiss someone with whom you'd had an affinity after so long. They had never given themselves a label.
"I miss the taste of your lips." Clove whispered to her, enough for Panem to hear when they broke apart.
"I-I miss you." Their gaze never leaving the other.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt our lovebirds." They left each other eyes to look at the camera from where they heard the voice of Caesar. "I am sure both of you are excited for the up-coming tour. How has it been in your district?
"I've been surround by glory and I am honour to have represent my district and my family. The Hunger Games build you to become a strong and exceptional person. Because of them I met Aria and I will never be more thankful." Clove's speech was impeccable. Aria hated when she did that. Transform herself to the career she was, she didn't seem to mean every words she was saying, although The Capitol won't notice it.
"Thanks to the generosity of The Capitol. I've never been great." She didn't know what to say. An awkward silence was set before Caesar explained their journey from district to district.
Inside the train, Clove's mentors were talking to her and her expression showed that she wanted to be anywhere but here. Petunia and the rest of the team were talking about the new fashions of the Capitol, things the redhead didn't want to know. Since everyone was busy, she decided to wander around the train from car to car until she landed at the last door that opened onto a giant window that showed her home one last time. How was she going to make this journey without support? The mentors in District 2 didn't seem to like her, especially the woman. Outside, the citizens were doing their chores for the day without much thought that the girl was sad to leave.
"Is that a tear I see running down your cheek? Do you want a hug?" A voice said mockingly
Aria thought she was hallucinating at first. A smile appeared when she realized it was real. A laugh like that, as dark as it was funny, belonged to only one person. Behind her was her moral support, her helper, her friend.
"How? I thought you'd never get on that train again."
"Only fools don't change their minds." Joy radiated around her. She jumped on his arm. "Ginger, you know how I hate hug."
The redhead heard her heart beating a thousand times a minute and saw her body shaking. Wright tried not to show it, but getting on that train scared the hell out of her. Every place reminded him of the Tributes he trained not to return. The remorse was even greater here.
"What about your promise?"
"Promises are meant to be broken."
Author's note
It's been a long time!
All the votes and comments on both of my books really motivate me to not discontinued the sequel hahaha, I hope you enjoy and thank you for everything.