Chapter 3 - The Train Ride

Laven and Skene (and Eula) were brought to the train station by car. They didn't speak at all. They just looked at each other. I wonder what Skene's thinking, Laven thought. After their short car ride, they were at the train station. They've never seen any of these trains before, except for the time they say them on TV. Before Laven could admire the trains, her and Skene were rushed into a train. They held the other's hand. They didn't let go. Since they were on the stage, recently reaped, their hands were seperated. Laven saw Eula getting in the train with them. Cameras flashed at them. People were screaming. Skene squeezed Laven's hand and started walking to the the train, Laven trailing behind him. Eventually, the got inside of the train. It was on of the most luxurious things they've ever seen; padded seats, drinks and food whenever you wanted, and lots of room so you could do whatever you wanted. They had their own rooms, too. Skene and Laven just sat down, still holding the other's hand.

"So, I'm guessing you two know each other?" Eula asked, smiling.

"We're friends," Skene replied. Laven looked at Skene.

"Did you two meet your mentor yet?" Eula asked again. The train was already in motion.

"No, not yet." Skene answered. He noticed that Laven wasn't looking happy, so he decided to do all the talking.

"Well, I can bring her in right now, if you want," Eula took a look at her blue nails. Laven nodded.

"That would be nice." Skene stared at Eula.

"Okay, just wait here for a bit." Eula walked off. Laven and Skene were silent until Eula was out of sight.

"So... Kern?" Skene asked Laven. At first, Laven didn't answer. She picked at the seat she sat on.

"Kern." Laven spoke quietly.

"Miss him already?" Skene asked. Laven nodded. She looked at the floor. "It's okay. He'll be safe." Laven stared at him. He stared back.

"Hello, are you the District Twelve tributes?" someone asked. They both looked straight and noticed a woman with blonde hair was staring at them.

"Yes, we are. Are you our mentor?" Skene asked. He sat straight up.

"Yes I am. I'm Adiale Wellwood. Nice to meet you." She gave her hand to Skene so he could shake it. He did.

"Skene Kincardine," Skene spoke. Adiale put her hand in front of Laven, expecting a hand shake. Laven just inched closer to Skene and did nothing else.

"Is she shy?" Adiale asked Skene.

"No. Laven's.. sad." Skene felt Laven move closer to him, so close that she touched him.

"Well, all tributes are sad, or at least unhappy once reaped." Adiale looked at Laven. Laven laid her head down on Skene.

"Laven's extremely unhappy. Well, depressed, actually." Skene stared at Adiale. He felt like she was being a little rude to Laven.

"Hmm. Well, you must be famished! Want anything to eat?" Adiale asked them. She obviously changed the subject, just so she wouldn't have to deal with Laven, Skene thought. Well, I guess that leaves me to care about her, and I'm fine with that. Skene nodded.

"Okay then. Avoxes!" Adiale called out. People flooded around their table and placed bread rolls on the table. They looked exquisite. The 'Avoxes' fled out the room.

"Wait. Are we seriously allowed to have these?" Skene asked. Adiale nodded.

"I forgot you've never actually eaten food like this before," Adiale spoke as she looked at Skene and Laven. Skene ate one and picked up another and looked at Laven.

"Want it?" He whispered. She nodded. Skene handed it to her. She removed her head off his shoulder and ate the roll. Her eyes sparkled.

"Good, right?" He asked, still as silent as a whisper. She smiled and nodded. Skene was happy to see her smile.

"Has Eula given you a mini tour or the train? Like, where your rooms are?" Adiale interrupted.

"No. No she hasn't. She went to find you and then she left." Skene told her.

"Mm. Maybe she's doing something relating to the Games, or the Capitol," Adiale suggested.

"Well, can you show us our rooms?" Skene asked. Adiale nodded.

"Just follow me, you two!" She started walking. Skene sneaked a bread roll into his pocket. Shortly after, Laven followed. They reached two rooms.

"Skene, your room's right there." she pointed to his door happily. She walked away as if she forgot about Laven. Laven frowned. Skene noticed she was upset. So, he thought of something.

"Laven, maybe you should wash your hair, put some clothes on and meet me outside later?" Skene asked. He tried to hide the fact he was going to do something special.

"Okay." Laven spoke silently and walked into her room. Hopefully my little 'plan' could make her happy, Skene thought. He walked into his room. It was pretty plain. A little yellow and grey bed, different from any other beds Skene saw in his district. It spoke capitol. There was also a bathroom.

"I need a box." Skene looked around. No boxes. Maybe Adiale has some boxes. Or cloth, anything like that, Skene thought. He walked out his room.

"Adiale! Adiale, where are you?" He called out. Seconds later Adiale appeared.

"Skene, need anything?" She asked. He gave an awkward smile.

"Do you happen to have... a box or cloth and a ribbon?" He asked.

"Oh, yes. The Avoxes probably know where some of those are. Want them?" She asked, as if she was oblivious to what he wanted the items for.

"Yes please." He smiled. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay then. I'll ask the Avoxes." She walked into another room. Skene heard only Adiale's voice. Soon enough she came out with a box, a ribbon, and a red piece of cloth. She handed them to Skene. "Here you ago. If you need anything else," she looked at the items, "ask me." She walked away. Skene smiled a huge smile. Time to make this gift. He opened his bedroom's door, and before he entered, looked at Laven's door. For Laven. He entered and closed the door. He placed his materials on his bed. Box. Ribbon. Cloth. Skene grabbed the bread roll from his pocket, perfectly undamaged. The same type of bread roll Laven loved. He opened the box and put it in it. He put the cloth over the bread, hiding it like a surprise. Then he closed the box and wrapped the ribbon around it and tied it in a perfect bow. Done. Skene looked down at it. A beautiful gift for a beautiful girl, he told himself. He smiled. He exited his room and knocked on Laven's door. He heard sounds coming from the inside of her room. Laven opened the door.

"Hi Skene." She was still speaking quietly. Her hair was wet, suggested she showered, and she wore clothes he guessed were from the closet in her room. He hid the gift behind his back.

"I have something for you... It's kind of small, though." He showed her the gift.

"Skene, the size is perfect," She smiled at him. Skene handed it to her. She delicately removed the ribbon as if not to damage it. She removed the cloth and revealed the bread.

"See? Not mu-" Skene was cut of by a big hug from Laven.

"Skene, it's perfect. I didn't even expect a gift at all," She told him. She squeezed him.

"I didn't really think you'd like bread, Princess." He looked at her.

"Skene, shut up! It's wonderful." She squeezed him harder.

"Okay, okay. Now can you stop squeezing me?" He squeaked out. Laven stopped. And she yawned.

"Tired?" Skene looked at her. Laven nodded. Skene didn't realize it was already kind of late.

"Welllllll, goodnight Princess." He winked and started to walk into his room. Before he did, Laven pulled his arm and placed the gift on the floor. Skene turned around. "Something wrong?"

"Thanks for the bread. Made my day." She blushed.

Without thinking, Skene kissed her forehead. "Now go to sleep, okay?" He looked at Laven, her face red due to her blushing. She nodded and walked into her room... with the bread. Skene put on some comfy pants and just as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.

In her room, Laven put her gift on her nightstand. Goodnight, Skene. She blushed with just the thought of him and got under her blankets and fell asleep.