~*~*~*~*~
I stood proudly as I waited for my opponent - I mean District Partner, to be announced. Today was the day. The Reaping. It was finally here - and I didn't even have to volunteer. My name was pulled out of that large glass bowl, and no one had had the chance to volunteer; I was up those stairs to the stage like lightning. Was I surprised that I would be chosen? Not really. I planned on being in the 74 Annual Hunger Games one way or another. It just so happens I didn't have to put a lot of effort into it.
"Blake Schmit!" the Capitol escort called, her annoying accent ringing through the air. She had bright purple poofy hair, accented by silver and deep purple makeup. Creepy tattoos snaked up and down her arms, and parts of her face were even tattooed with the swirly floral designs that matched her arms. Apart from that, her outfit looked almost normal. Almost. It was a purple (of course) business suit, the only thing different was that the shoulders of the outfit were poofy and extremely hideous.
A boy with nicely toned legs but scrawny arms began stepping forward when a strong, determined voice shouted from the crowd, "I VOLUNTEER!"
I raised an eyebrow and looked around for my competition. It didn't take long. The crowd had parted, and a very familiar tall, blonde, muscular boy was making his way up to the stage with a confident smirk plastered on his face.
The Capitol escort lifted her microphone. "What's your name, dear?"
Cato plucked the microphone from her hands and brought it to his lips. "Oh, you don't need to worry about what my name is. You'll get that later...and more."
He winked at her, leaving her dumbfound, before taking his place next to me, not even glancing my way. It had been at least a year since I had spoken to him, and when I had, it had turned out bitter.
- A YEAR AND A HALF AGO -
We were in detention. Apparently, it was my fault. And with the day's previous events of getting beaten by some jerks, Cato was in a really bad mood. He was currently giving me the silent treatment in which I found funny. Didn't girls usually act like that?
A smile crept onto my face as a picture of Cato dressed in a skirt wearing makeup flashed through my mind. Ick, he would make a horrific-looking girl.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" I demanded, poking him in the arm.
He scowled. "If you value your life you'll quit talking to me."
I almost laughed, but held it in. "Yeah, that whole tough guy attitude doesn't intimidate me. Seriously. Man up. This silent treatment thing does not work for me."
Cato scoffed and turned to me. "Yeah, well, it's not about what works for you. Just stay out of myway."
To be honest, he shouldn't even be acting this way. Sure, I didn't thank him for "saving my life", which, by the way, he didn't, I could have totally handled it myself, big deal. He took on a few guys and stuff, but come on, anyone could have done that. For a bad boy, he was extremely sensitive.
"You can't seriously be mad at me!' I exclaimed, "I didn't even do anything!"
"I saved your life and you blew it off like it was nothing!" he spat, glaring at me.
I laughed bitterly. "What, you want me to give you a handkerchief as a token of my gratitude and then we can ride off into the sunset on a noble steed? Is that what you want?"
Cato roughly got out of his seat, slinging his bag over his shoulder before storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him and leaving me alone in the classroom. The teacher hadn't even bothered to check in on us while we served detention.
What was that all about?
Deep down inside, though, I knew I could have been a bit nicer. But that's not how things work here! You either work with or against everyone, and you don't get anything in return. That includes a thank you.
"What a baby, " I murmured to myself before gathering my things and taking off after him.
He was a fast walker, I'll give him that. By the time I caught up to him, he was out of the school and about twenty yards down the street, sticking to the road that eventually led into the slums of District Two. Why on earth would he be going there? Idiot.
I quickened my pace slightly, and came up behind him. "Stop walking so fast, will you?"
He didn't even glance over his shoulder. "Quit following me."
"Not until y-"
He whirled around. "Look, you and I, we're not meant to talk to each other, got it? I want you out of my life. Don't talk to me, don't look at me, don't be anywhere near me. I don't want to have to look out for you and I sure don't want to be friends with you. So just stay away from me."
I stood there wide-eyed as he blasted me with his little mini-rant. Had he just dumped me?! Oh wait, we weren't even dating - but you get the point! How dare he! His rant didn't even make sense! What kind of person just says that to someone!
My temper immediately rose to a dangerous level, and I clenched my fists tightly, trying to calm myself down. Unfortunately there was no chance of that because he continued, "I could have let you been beaten, you know! Could have left you there to have them do who knows what to you! But did I? No. No, I didn't. And I didn't even get one thank you."
I let out a huff of irritation before my fist collided with his jaw, and a loud crack was heard. Did I just break Cato's jaw?
My eyes widened even more after I saw what I had just done. I was in for it now. Steam practically poured from Cato's ears. His face was red with rage and his eyes looked clouded with pure hatred. Before he could do anything, I took off running down the street.
Call me a coward, but I kind of need to be alive to participate in the Games.
- PRESENT TIME -
"Presenting to you, " the Capitol escort chirped, "your 74th Annual Hunger Games Tributes! You two may shake hands." She gestured to us, and we turned to each other.
The roar of the crowd was deafening. I heard people calling both mine and Cato's names, shouting wild things. They all knew one of us would be the winner. How could District Two not take home the win this year?
Anyone who said otherwise would be considered a fool.
I clasped Cato's hand and stared coldly into his blue eyes. His face looked calm but his eyes told a different story. One that I couldn't even begin to comprehend, and to be honest, it scared me. Slightly.
Peacekeepers brought us apart and led us into the Justice Building, taking us each into separate rooms, which I'm assuming were decorated the same.
The room was not particularly dark, but it didn't hold a lot of light, either. Two plush, velvety-looking chairs were in one corner of the room, along with a circular oak coffee table with a flower pot on it. It didn't have any flowers in it.
A few minutes passed, and no visitors came for me. It didn't bother me, but didn't anyone want to talk to their future visitor? Send her off properly? Even congratulate her?
Ten more minutes passed and the allotted time for visitors was now over. No one had come to visit me, and I had to get over it. It wasn't a big deal anyway. They were probably all waiting outside to watch us be escorted to the train station.
A peacekeeper led me outside the Justice Building through another door, where Cato and the escort, whose name I had learned by word of mouth, was Belinda.
A few feet away from them, was a car. I'm assuming we'd be taken in that to the train station. It was nothing fancy, but it was the first car I'd seen in years, so it sparked excitement in me. However, it was the thought of being in the arena that really got my adrenaline going.
We all got into the car, and Belinda sat between Cato and I, which I was extremely thankful for. Hey, I didn't need an awkward confrontation to rain on my parade!
As we began driving down the street, the crowds of people on both sides of the road came into view. I was right, they were all there, cheering us on, and sending us goodbyes. I laughed to myself as I saw two people seemingly argue over who was going to bring the glory back here. Their fight got violent and I rolled my eyes, losing interest. Their attacks were feeble.
Leaning back in the seat, I began thinking ahead to my journey to the Capitol.
~*~*~*~*~
OKAY! Here it is. I hope y'all like it. If you don't then OH WELL. I'll always try better next time! However, I can't do that if you don't leave me FEEDBACK.
Seriously guys, that stuff is extremely important to me. Just have at it! Tell me what you liked, what you didn't like, anything! It's all spectacular.
I mean it.
I love it.
Give it to me.
Please!
Anyway, I worked on this for about two hours, and I haven't had time to proof read it yet because my break is almost over. Bleh.
I can't wait for summer. Seriously, it needs to come faster.
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If you want to :)