A/N- I decided to skip a bunch of stuff, to get right to the 74th Hunger Games!
I jump up, looking around. Oh, just another nightmare.
"I hate this." I say, sitting down on my bed. I turn on my fan, letting the cool air calm me down. Some victors use drugs, or alcohol to make the pain of the arena go away. But I'm not like that. The Reapings are tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to that. I check the clock. Its 2:00 am. I know that I have no hope of getting to sleep. I grab a book at random from the shelf, hoping that will distract me. After skimming through some pages, I throw it against the wall. It's no use. I go downstairs, pressing a few keys on the piano. Nope. Nothing helps. I'm trapped inside my own mind, feeling extremely claustrophobic. I throw a pillow against the wall. Nothing.
I'm actually glad to be able to go to the training center soon. Maybe throwing some spears would help. I go back up, somehow falling asleep.
Sunlight hits my face, waking me from a rare, nightmare-less state. I glance at the clock. Crap! It's 1. I have an hour to make it to the Reapings. I jump up, throwing on black leggings and a gray and black striped shirt. I quickly run a brush through my hair, and tie on some sneakers. Running downstairs, I through some frozen waffles in the toaster. I wish everyone could eat like this. While they cook, I try what I do everything morning. Making an Iris message. I give Chiron's name, location, and the year, because apparently, I'm in the future. And just like every morning, it doesn't work. I run back to the kitchen, grabbing a plate and a glass of milk. I scarf that down, and have just enough time to give my hair one more brushing.
Running out of the house, I give a quick wave to Beetee, and run down to the square. I take my place onstage, right behind Serena-Prue, the blue haired escort. Everybody arrives, the Mayor gives his speech, and Serena-Prue gives hers, the tiny bells and lights on her dress clanging. Then, it's time to pick the names. A hush falls, and the air is even more nervous than before. She reaches her glittered hand in the girls bowl, pulling out a slip of paper.
"Metalia Swanson." A small girl comes up, shaking, her family yelling behind her. "Now for boys." She pulls out another paper, this one bearing the name
"Copper Downsome." Another small person comes up, although no one yells. They shake hands, and take a seat next to me. I can tell the girl is trying not to cry. Once the Reapings are over, I go into the train, feeling like I did last year, although I won't be in the Games this time. The tributes come onto the train, and we talk.
"Hi." I say, giving them a reassuring smile. They try to smile back. "Do you know anything about weapons?" I ask, getting right to the point.
"I know how to shock people." Copper offers.
"I got nothing" Metalia looks grim. We make small talk for the rest of the evening, and go to bed. Now, it's time for the tributes to ride chariots around the Capital. Metalia comes out dressed in a golden dress that looks like it's made of wires. So does Copper, but in a suit. None of the others are special, until District 12 comes out. Last year, the boy and girl had miner outfits and headlamps. But, these costumes are amazing. The girl, Katniss, is holding hands with the boy, Peeta. Their faces glow in the fire that covers the capes on their backs, and headdresses nestled into their hair. I hear the Capital people calling, throwing them roses and cheering. Both tributes look athletic, and I have a feeling they'll go far.
When they leave, I head to the training center; ignoring the fact that mentor's aren't aloud. I was right; beating up a punching bag does help. I hack at a dummy with a sword, and shoot some targets with bows and arrows. I decide I've had enough, head up to bed. The next morning, I talk to Metalia and Copper about training.
"Do something you've never done before. Learn to make a shelter. Practice sword fighting. Try going to all the stations if you can."
"I think I want to try camouflage." Metalia says.
"I want to see how I am with throwing knives." They go down to the center, and I sit down, head in my hands. Images and memories flash through my mind, of Annabeth in the fire, Percy trapped under rubble. But the one that hurts the most is Nico, killed by tracker-jackers. It was my entire fault that they attacked us. Because I had to go and kick the stupid wall.
"I'm so stupid!" I yell, tears trickling down. I bang my fist on the table, and end up spilling orange juice. Serena-Prue, who was walking my way, gives me a nervous look and scurries off. I grab a napkin and mop up the juice, still almost-crying. The next two days are the same, and now it's time training scores. Metalia got a 6, Copper a five.
"That doesn't mean you won't be good." I reassure them, and walk around the building. I a door marked ROOF, and find refuge in the cool air. I hear people come up, and can't help but hide when I see it's the twelve pair. Listening to their conversation, I decide that if my tributes don't win, I hope it's one of these two. I know exactly how Peeta feels. I wish the Capitol didn't own me either. After their footstep fade from the stairwell, I walk back to my room. Tomorrow, I'll be helping Metalia and Copper prepare for their interviews. But right now, I'm going to focus on getting to sleep.