That evening, we board the train to the Capitol. There is Capitol cameras on us as we board so I make sure to smile and wave, making it look like I'm happy to be going. It's so luxurious inside I can hardly believe it. My room has a plush carpet and piles of cushions scattered over the bed with luxurious silk blankets. It's not like anyone even lives here, it is just a means of transport, but its the most amazing room I have ever seen. Not that I'm really in the state of mind to appreciate such things. I sit on the edge of the bed and put my face in my hands, relishing the silence. My peace is soon interrupted by a knock on the door and Milo lumbers in without waiting for a reply.

He sits down beside me on the bed. 'So this is pretty awesome, huh?' he grins at me.

'What exactly about this is awesome, Milo?' I ask, exasperated.

'What isn't awesome! Look at this place! We're off to the Capitol, we are going to be on TV, everyone is going to love us!' He smirks and moves closer to me. 'And even better that I get to go with you.' He moves to put his arm around me but I hit it away.

'Milo, please keep your hands to yourself.'

'Oh come on, it's not like you're going to be seeing that boyfriend of yours anytime soon!' I glare at him and he seems to get the message. 'Aw, I'm only kidding anyway, Jude. We're friends, right? Allies for the Games?'

I look him right in the eyes and reply, 'Of course! Career pack and all that.'

'Awesome, I'm so excited, Jude, you have no idea! Anyway, let's go for dinner, Minnie said it would be ready soon!' He bounces out of the room. Ugh I already hate myself for lying. How am I going to follow through on my promise to Luke to kill these people? I get up and wearily follow Milo out of the room.

When I reach the dining room, Milo is already chowing down on a huge mound of food, watched disapprovingly by Minnie, who is nibbling delicately on a salad. I go to the buffet and stare in disbelief and the array of food. Every type of meat, fish, vegetable and sauce ever invented seems to be on that table. Suddenly I'm ravenous and I pile my plate as high as Milo's before settling down at the table. As soon as I sit down, Finnick Odair, our mentor, strolls into the room.

Finnick won the games four years ago when he was only 14. It's hard to believe that he is still only 18, he has been in the limelight ever since his victory and his face is as well known to me almost as my own. He's Luke's cousin, but I've nenver met him as he spends a lot of time in the Capitol with his apparently numerous wealthy lovers. He's extremely handsome and has always seemed charming and friendly on TV, but now I guess I can find out for myself. He fills a plate with food and sits down beside Minnie, who has been watching him with a hungry look in her eyes ever since he came in. He winks at her and she actually giggles. Stupid Capitol girls.

Then Finnick turns his gaze to me and I can't help but blush. He is the most handsome man I've ever met. Then his face lights up. 'You're Luke's girlfriend!' he exclaims. 'The one he's been with, like, forever! He has talked about you non-stop since he was about three, I'd say.' I blush even more and nod. Luke and I have known each other since, well, since we were born. We've lived next door to each other our entire lives. He was my best friend when I was a kid and everyone says it was always clear that we would end up together. Finnick's face falls. 'He must be just devastated that you're here, Jude.'

Milo raises his eyes to heaven and gets up to restock his plate at the buffet. Without him there I'm comfortable enough to reply, 'Yeah, he hates that he can't be here with me.' I can't stop the tears from brimming in my eyes.

Finnick reaches across the table for my hand and gives it a squeeze. 'Well, lucky for him, his dear old cousin is, and I am going to do everything I can to keep you alive for him. I promise you that.' I smile and squeeze his hand. Then he ruins the moment by adding. 'If he never gets to sleep with a hot thing like you again because of me, I will never forgive myself!' He bursts out laughing and I roll my eyes.

'Charming.'

'That's what they all say, sweetheart!' he smirks.

.

.

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After dinner, we watch the recap of the reapings on television. Finnick says it's important for us to see what we're up against. Milo's eyes are glued to the screen from the start so I try my best to focus too. It's a terrible thing watching 24 teenagers picked, knowing 23 of them will be dead in a matter of weeks. I might have to kill some of them. I'll probably be one of the 23 that die.

The District 1 and 2 tributes are fabulous, as usual. Both beautiful and menacing, both very happy about being picked. I cringe when it comes to District 4 and I'm shown practically being carried up on stage by the peacekeepers. The other tributes are definitely marking me as an easy target. Although I probably gain a little credibility when it shows my refusal to let another girl take my place. Finnick picks up on the way I'm feeling and pats me on the shoulder. 'It's alright, you can make up for it in the interview.'

None of the other tributes really stand out, good or bad, until it comes to District 11, where two kids who have to only be twelve are picked. I'm slightly surprised that nobody volunteers to take their place, people usually don't take it too well when one twelve year old is picked, never mind two. Then it's over and the seal of Panem is on the screen.

Finnick stands up. 'Right, guys, you should both go and try to sleep. Big day ahead tomorrow and you want to make a good impression.'

I return to my fancy room and crawl into the bed, even though I know there's little chance of me getting much sleep.