I nod to Glimmer and Marvel who are deep in conversation with their trainers, whilst briefly fantasising I am the cause of the discussion. It'd be amazing to stop their conceit for once and show them that I too am a contender in these games. I don't have long to fantasise though because Enobaria stalks into the room.
"I-I know I should have talked it through with you before I did it" I said, trying to back up subtly
"Clove, I'm not angry with you" I blinked at her: "I'm just afraid for you"
Suddenly for the first time in these games Enobaria seems tolerable, instead of terrifying – and it was her reaction to the knives I feared the most. "Why are you scared for me? It was meant to help!"
She explains whilst I try not to be distracted by her teeth, we find another corner opposite to district 1's as I discover I've inadvertently insulted President Snow: "All of the Capitol will sponsor you yes, you've shown your power – great but you need to play it safe for the rest of the games. It's not safe to talk now, more tributes are coming. I'll meet you in the apartment"
How did I offend the Capitol? I just…don't understand.
"What do we have here Glimmer? Looks like the most powerful tribute"
I span round: "Congratulations on your interview Marvel. Glimmer, do you think you really did shine?"
"Of course" Glimmer sneers
"Well great. So long as you felt you did…well that's what counts, isn't it?"
Yimi, the girl from District 4 joins us: "That was...original Clove"
"Thanks. I liked the slightly awkward, nervous persona you displayed Yimi."
They're just jealous of my success. Just jealous.
The crippled boy from 10 stutters his way through conversation with Caesar. I chuckle lightly at him and suddenly the careers unite to actually analyse the other targets.
Cato starts: "I don't like the girl from 5" he grumbled, spitting on the floor.
"Oh please. She couldn't fight to save her life. And that's what's going to cost her"
"Well then who do you think is the target Glimmer?"
"Stop it" I sigh. At some point we're going to have to fight the other districts, not each other, and I don't want their stupidity getting me killed.
The girl from 11 slides her way into our room: "I saw the odds were 40-1 against her last night"
"Anyway Cato I think the real target is Thresh" Glimmer replies, pointing to the screen where Thresh is busy avoiding any type of conversation with Caesar.
"I wish he'd at least considered our alliance" Yimi complains "I mean, we placed him above my district partner."
Marvel burst out laughing at this "You're district partner is tiny Yimi! He's practically five foot"
"Whereas Clove is actually five foot" My mouth drops at this. The first Career I kill is going to be Glimmer, I'll put on quite a show for the Capitol. We watch Thresh continue to be strong and silent and watch as the girl from 11 stumbles on.
"Eleven" Cato murmurs
How did she get eleven? She seems as dim-witted as ever, I just hate how superior her stylist is to ours. Will this cost me the games?
Finally twelve stumbles out into our room, and prepares to watch her partner, who's good, far too good for my liking. Then suddenly he does something. This, this idiot declares his love for Katniss.
I walk slowly to the toilet, lock my door, hope no one can hear me, and let out a sob. The Capitol hates me, and for what? To be completely eclipsed by 12. I'm less important than coal miners. Everyone will talk about this – romantic tragedy. No one will remember me.
I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't – someone flushes their toilet. My eyes snap up and I reach to my boot, silently, silently draw out my knife. I reach to the lock and turn it, ever so gently and hold district 5 by the neck against the wall, knife held next to her face.
"What did you hear?" I shake her body as she stares at me, numb, petrified. "What did you hear!". Then she smiles at me, and pushes my wrist down, I drop it staring at her. She whispers: "Technically illegal" and flutters her way out of the toilet. I throw the knife into the mirror, watching my face shatter into broken pieces.