"I don't know."
That's my answer to a lot of questions.
"How's your mother doing? I haven't talked to her in a while." "I don't know."
"Is Jeremy still on the wrestling team?" "I don't know."
"That's your answer? I don't know? What kind of answer is that?" Haymitch snarled at me, chugging his glass of alcohol in record time.
"The only one I've got." I shot back, watching the trees morph into each other as the train sped through the districts. It was nice to see a sky that wasn't polluted with smoke.
Putting on a fake smile to pull himself together, Haymitch tried once more, "Well then we'll just see. What about you, kid? Got any special talents?"
I watched Haymitch slouch in his seat as he looked over to my district partner.
"I'm pretty handy with a knife, but I tend to lean more towards hand-to-hand combat. Wouldn't you agree, Mel?"
I rolled my eyes at him, "You tend to lean towards more-"
"Are we playing nice in here?" Effie Trinket barged in at the right moment, shifting her eyes between Haymitch and I.
"Of course, madame." My district partner said, "Everything's just peachy."
Effie let out a sigh of relief that was just begging to be released. "Good. It better stay that way too. We'll be in the Capitol in about an hour or so. I want you both on your best behavior, okay?"
I knew she was talking to me more than my district partner. His lips were permanently glued to Effie's ass right now.
"That's how you play the people, Melody Atkinson." Haymitch told me, pointing to my district partner.
I rolled my eyes at both of the boys and headed to my room. I stripped myself of my simple grey dress with an a-line neckline- the same dress I've worn for special occasions for years- and cuddled myself in between the silk violet sheets worthy of a King and Queen.
I could feel the wheels of the train sprint eagerly to the Capitol, the place that awaited my death and I had to spend the entire time with a half drunk mentor, my archenemy, a brightly colored mannequin who refuses to shut up, and bloodthirsty murderers.
I think that this time when Tyler plunges a knife right in between my ribs it won't be an accident.
"Good morning sunshine." a whisper made it's way to my ear, sending shivers up and down my spine.
I jolted from the strong arms and broad shoulders that held me tight against his body.
I held the silk sheet close to my body, making sure nothing could be seen.
The was off and that was the only thing was wearing. My family couldn't afford anything as expensive as undergarments, so we never bought any.
You can imagine how scarlet my cheeks appeared at this very second.
I watched as Tyler Olsen cockily lay his head down on my pillow.
"Get out." I demanded, gritting my teeth with annoyance and embarrassment.
"I had a nightmare. I thought it'd be fine to come to you. You know, like when you would always come to me." He admitted, a small smile forming on his pink lips.
"You're a big boy now." I retorted, searching for my dress only to realize that it wasn't there. "Where's my dress?"
He shook his head at me.
"Where's my dress?" I repeated, this time more urgently and nervous.
After the second time he shook his head, I lost it. With all the strength I could possibly muster with one arm holding up the silk blanket and the other one pushing him off the bed, I let out a blood curdling scream, "Effie!"
I watched as a blur of pale pink hair scrambled into the bedroom.
"Melody? Are you okay? What happened?" she bombarded, rushing to my side.
"Tyler took my dress and he won't give it back." I explained.
"Here. You have a closet full of perfectly usable clothes. We'll get your dress back later. We'll be in the Capitol in seven minutes. Get dressed!" she instructed and I mumbled a sarcastic thanks.
I just wanted my dress back.
I wrapped the blanket around my bare body and opened up the chest. There was only one dress in it. It was a bright yellow dress that draped to my knees. It made my porcelain skin radiant and youthful.
I felt like a mannequin.
"Tyler, Melody? Are you two ready?" Effie asked us and Tyler nodded. It's not like we had a choice anyways.
The second we stepped out off the trains, citizens of the Capitol flooded our paths. I covered my face with my hands and I felt Haymitch grab a hold of my arm, pulling me towards safety.
"Welcome to your new home."
Favorite line from this chapter: I think that this time when Tyler plunges a knife right in between my ribs it won't be an accident.
