~ LAST DAY AT THE ACADEMY ~
"Indie!" Aunt Cashmere screeches up the stairs. "Marvel's here!"
I dash downstairs and practically leap into the arms of my best friend.
"Marvel! I haven't seen you in ages."
"You saw me yesterday morning."
"Yeah that was ages ago." I say in a 'duh' tone.
Marvel just snickers at my childish antics and gives me a tight hug.
"Whatever you say, squirt."
"Do NOT call me that!" I huff in a dangerous tone.
Marvel's been my best friend since we were 5 and we got put in the same class at the Academy. Unfortunately, we got paired together and I've been stuck with him ever since. I'm glad I was, I don't know what I'd do without him now.
"Are you two going to have some breakfast?" Aunt Cashmere asks us.
Marvel looks at me and then answers for the both of us.
"Nah, I think we'll pass. Anyway-"
"We best get going if we want to get to the Academy early. It's our last day at the academy after all." I finish Marvel's sentence for him.
"It's creepy when you two do that." My aunt mutters under her breath.
"Okay but make sure you two eat lunch." Uncle Gloss says in a fake stern tone.
"Yes sir!" I mock salute.
"Don't take that tone with me young lady." He chuckles, I giggle and give him a kiss on the cheek.
Yelling goodbye, I loop my arm through Marvel's and drag him down the path to the Academy.
"Oh yeah!" I whoop victoriously as I pin my mentor, Jamie, to the mat again.
Top of my class in hand-to-hand combat, knives and archery. I've been trained by my aunt and uncle since I was 3, they wanted me to be more prepared for the Games (than the Academy prepares us) in case I was ever picked.
Luckily, this is my last year. I've just got to make it through this Reaping and then I'll be safe.
"Well done Indie." Jamie groans in pain. Offering him my hand, I yank him up off the mat.
"Up next, Finn and Marvel."
I smirk because I know Marvel will annihilate Finn, especially because they despise each other after Marvel beat Finn to a bloody pulp during a brutal training session.
"Alright guys, listen up!" Jamie bellows.
The whole class are breathing wearily and sweating after a challenging day of training.
"It's been an honour to teach you all and it's been a joy to see how well you've all progressed since you were tiny 5 year olds who didn't know how to make a fist. I'm thrilled to have seen you all try 100% and come out on top.
I'm upset to say this is your last training session in the Academy but I'm delighted to say you're the best students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching.
Tomorrow is your last free day before the Reaping, and then the rest of your lives, but the Academy is open for your use.
I'm confident that if one of you get picked for the Games, then the next time we see you, you'll be moving into a mansion in the Victor's Village.
I hope to see some of you becoming mentors at the Academy after these Games are over, and if not then good luck in the future. Farewell and may the odds be ever in your favour."
Our mentor starts to tear up and we all give him a huge round of applause.
Marvel and I collect our stuff from our lockers and thank our mentor on the way out.
"I'm gonna really miss this place Marv." I whisper sadly.
"It's okay. You're top of the class, they already have a mentor position reserved for you." He laughs and hugs me tightly.
"That's if I don't get picked for the Games."
"You won't. Remember my promise? Nothing bad will happen to you as long as I'm alive."
"Yeah.." I trail off in thought.
"Want to stay over mine tonight? We can stay up all night and watch films and talk." Marvel says trying to lift my mood. It works.
"Yes! Let me just get my stuff and shower."
Skipping along the path, I can hear Marvel sniggering at how weird I am.
Glancing around at District One, I hope that tomorrow won't be my last day here, I know everyone feels that way but even Marvel's more scared for me than himself.
I mean, me being the niece of two Victor's, well wouldn't that opt for an interesting Games.