The Capital was far greater than I imagined. It was huge! And the colors were just fantastic. Buildings jutted into the blue sky, reflecting the sun. And the people. Oh, the people were just the epitome of letting loose. People had green and pink and teal hair, sometimes even with a matching skin color. Gold and silver tattoos spiraled up the arms and along the faces of the Capital citizens. It made them all quite festive.
I hated it.
As awesome as it was, it was way too far away from the ocean. The air was too dry; it wasn't saturated enough and it didn't smell right. The breeze was too light.
Not to mention the Capital escorts kept us cooped up in the Training Center. After the initial entrance into the banquet hall and the first dinner we had here, all of us were herded into elevators and up to corresponding floors pertaining to our districts. I was herded into one elevator with the girl tribute from District 3 and the tributes from District 5. The District 5 tributes chatted softly and I stared at the number moving at the top of the door.
"I'm Electra." I startle, looking at the District 3 girl. She smiles softly, but there's something I don't like about her stare. It's like she might eat me alive.
"Echo," I say.
"Are you excited for the games? I've heard that the Capital promised that the winner would never have to work another day in their lives!" I nod, wondering where she had heard that, and wondering, again, how such a privileged character would care if she had to work or not, because she obviously didn't work in the first place.
"That's cool," I say coolly. I wasn't here to make friends, and I actually liked working.
"Yeah, I thought so too," she says softly. "My parents might just respect me once in awhile, if they weren't so busy being themselves." The door opens at her floor and she smiles at me again, only it isn't the same predatory one she gave me a few seconds before. "See you in training tomorrow," she says and exits. I'm kind of blown away. I guess I shouldn't make assumptions.
The door closes and we are at my floor. I accidentally brush the District 5 girl as I pass and turn to apologize, except it kind of catches in my throat. Her eyes, a deep shade of green, are depthless, and she has the most gorgeous shade of red hair; she's lean and tall. Long legs. And already I was going against the grain because I had decided to not make friends. With this girl, maybe, I needed to make an exception.
"I'm sorry," I say, managing a charming smile. She blushes. It adds a beautiful tinge to her pale cheeks.
"It's okay, Echo," she says. "I was in your way."
"No, it's my fault." She smiles shyly. As I turn to leave, I think that I have to know her name. I turn around and manage "I didn't catch—" but the doors are closing.
"Pepper," she says before the door is closed and she's gone. I smile to myself and enter the apartment that I will be sharing with the other tribute from District 4.
She's lounging on a couch as I enter a living center. She's dark-haired with caramel-colored eyes, a small figure. Not particularly pretty, to me anyway.
"Hey, Echo," she says, tipping her head back. "Isn't it just fantastic here? I've never been in such luxury in my entire life!"
"It's okay," I say, sitting in a recliner. "I don't like being so far from the ocean."
"Yeah. I kind of know what you mean. I miss the brine on my lips," she says, touching them softly.
"And I'm not too excited about these games," I continue quietly. "There is something that isn't quite right. I don't really get it. I keep trying to find their angle, but I haven't gotten it figured out yet."
"Did you ever think they might really be giving us a great opportunity? Some people at home would have died to get the chance to come here."
"Yeah, well, I'd die just to go back home. I like it in District 4. There isn't anything that appeals to me here, and it makes me restless to be trapped in this building. I like being outside, in the water. Besides, the people here are so shallow."
"Maybe. I think they're nice." I roll my eyes. She had always been a defender of people.
"Hello, dearies!" I turn quickly to see our handler trotting into the room. "Sorry I'm late, sorry I'm late!" Immediately she annoys me. Her skin is a normal color, but her hair is bubblegum pink and her voice grates on my ears like a touch to raw nerves. "My name is Delia," she says, dumping a folder of papers onto the table. She turns to us. "And you must be Echo and Haven," she continues, reaching to shake our hands. I exchange a look with Haven as I shake Delia's hand. Her skin is smooth and cool. I don't like it. All hands should be hard and calloused.
"And how are you liking the Capital so far?" She asks, bustling back to the table. She obviously isn't truly interested as Haven and I mumble answers and she replies, "good, good." Again she turns to us, scanning an orange piece of paper. "Now, tomorrow you begin training. Be sure to be up early and you want to have a hearty breakfast."
"What exactly are we training for," I ask.
"Oh, the rules will be told tomorrow down at the training center."
"That doesn't really answer my question," I reply, irritated.
"You will be training for the Games, silly," her own irritation is showing in her voice.
"No one's told us what these games are even really about," Haven jumps to my rescue.
"That will all be explained to you also. Later. As I was saying, tomorrow you start training early in the morning. And in the afternoon, you will all be presented to the Capital. Your prep teams will be meeting with you just after lunch and then your debuts will be made just before dinner." She gives a winning smile. "But for now, off to bed! Chop chop! You have a big day tomorrow!"
Haven and I rise and retreat to our rooms as Delia turns back to the table and mutters to herself.
"Well, she's a winner," Haven says under her breath. I laugh softly.
"Mmhmm. Can't wait for tomorrow!" I say in my best falsetto, peppy voice. Haven laughs. I've known her for a long time, though not well. We have the same circle of friends. Maybe she won't be so bad either.
I sigh, realizing that my "not making friends" plan isn't working.
"Goodnight, Echo," Haven says quietly as we reach her door. I smile softly.
"Goodnight, Haven." And then she's closed the door, and I'm retreating to my own room.
The bed is huge. Silk sheets and a sea-blue down comforter. Maybe I could get used to the Capital after all.
I sigh again. I guess I really need to make up my mind, I think, sinking down onto the bed. It's so soft and as I lay back, the silk and down swallow me like the ocean. It's relaxing and soon I am asleep.
So, I realize that this isn't the most exciting chapter, but I promise that the next one will be much better.
And, in case you were interested, I'm tired of my penname and I am changing it to EchoDeltaNine