Hellooo, again, guys! I had a great time writing this chapter. I absolutely love writing Paige, so I hope she's how you imagined her, Aurelei. It was also pretty fun to write Dray. So, tell me what you think, 'kay? Now, onto District 2's Reapings!
Also, it'd be really helpful if all y'all would submit to my friend's SYOT. Her author name is ShadowDragon654 and the SYOT is called The 150th Annual Hunger Games SYOT. In my opinion, she's a brilliant writer. If you do end up submitting, tell her I sent you, okay?
District 2: Paige Roberts (16)
"Okay, guys, take 5!" My instructor, Tyler, calls to his group that consists of me, and some other people that I can't be bothered with. Taking a deep breath, I wipe the sweat away from my forehead, and make my way over to where Leona, my closest friend, is waiting for me. Her round face wears a typical lazy and uninterested look on it, but a small smile appeared when she saw me.
"Hey, Paige. Nice job out there." She commented, running a hand through her own sweaty, short white-blonde hair. A prideful smile crossed my face at the compliment. I know that I'm the best in my group with an axe. After all, I've worked for 6 years to get to where I am, now. Leona and I actually met in training, and then I started noticing her around school, so we just started hanging out together. We used to practice together, but her specialty is knives, and mine is axes. A throwing knife against an axe? Please, she'd be on the floor within 30 seconds of starting.
"Tell me something I don't know, Leo." My grey-hazel eyes rolled as she shrugged her shoulders, and stuck her tongue out at me. I laughed a bit at her childish behavior. She bent down and snatched up a water bottle off the floor. I could see the little tempting beads of condensation rolling off of the plastic bottle. I never really realized just how dry my mouth was. Well, the more you work, the more you sweat; the more you sweat, the more dehydrated you get. Point is, I need that water. "Hey, gimme that." I said, reaching out for the bottle, but Leo quickly unscrewed the cap and took a big gulp. I made a face at her.
"Still want it, you moocher?" She had a smug smirk on her face as she held the bottle out to me. Not one to be one-upped, I grabbed the bottle from her.
"No, I'm just going to waste some perfectly good water all because I'm afraid of your cooties." With that, I swung the bottle back, and proceeded to drink until I heard somebody clearing their voice behind me. I lowered the bottle slowly, and turned around to come face to face with Tyler. Well, not exactly face to face since he's a bit taller than my 5'6 frame. Tyler shook some black hair out of his green eyes and smiled a brilliantly white smile at me.
"'Sup, girls. Hey, nice work out there, Paige. You volunteering this year?" Tyler said.
"Oh, no I don't think I will. I'm going to wait until I'm 18 to volunteer." I answered. When I saw Tyler's eyebrows raise in surprise, I quickly added "Not that I'm afraid to volunteer or anything. In fact, I'm sure that I could win this year's Games with my hands tied, but with 2 more years of training I'll be even more lethal." I tilted my head back, daring him to challenge my abilities.
"Right. Okay, whatever." Tyler sounded indifferent…and..what was that I detected? Doubt? Did he seriously have the gall to doubt me! My eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned to walk over to a new person. I flipped back around to Leo, she shared my scowl, I was slightly pleased to see. Well, at least someone believes in me.
"Well, wasn't he pleasant?" Leo remarked, sarcastically. She lowered her voice a couple of octaves, trying to mimic Tyler. "Great work out there, Paige. Oh, by the way are you volunteering this year? No, oh you must know that you're too weak to even make it one day. Oh, no offense. I'm just really jealous that I never used my non-existent brain and volunteered when I was still of age."
I smiled widely and chuckled. I was glad that Leo was loyal enough to be upset for me. My anger had dimmed a bit, but I still felt like I needed to prove myself to that jerk. Doesn't matter, he'll get his within a couple minutes. "Don't sweat it, Leo. I'll make sure to show him just how much I can't do when I'm paired up with him for practice next." Leona's blue eyes brightened considerably at the news that I'm going to be taking on one of the instructors for practice sparring. I knew she loved to see a good fight, especially if the person had it coming to them. Personally, I don't really like to hurt people, but Tyler needs to be put in his place. He may be my senior, and my instructor, but here at training, I'm the reigning queen; and almost nobody questions it. A minute or two passed, and then Leona was nudging me; telling me that it was time for me to go spar and her to go practice her aim.
"Okay, Paigey, you're with me." Tyler walked up to me confidently. I felt my lip curl at the nickname. Last time someone called me that, I got so mad that I punched them; this time, I'll be doing something much worse. However, in order for my plan to work, Tyler needs to be taken by surprise, so I put on a humble face.
"Oh, please, Ty, go easy on me, okay? I'm not a real killing machine yet, and you're just so strong!" I said, contradicting my previous statements, but Tyler didn't seem to notice. He was too busy having his 19 year-old ego inflated. Perfect. The more confidence, the better. I'll make him sorry for crossing Paige Roberts.
"Okay, Paigey, I get it. Why don't you re-tie your hair back? Your pretty little face might distract me from my task..but probably not. You can hope." He winked at me, and I resisted the urge to barf. My grey eyes darted over to the knife throwing section, and saw that Leo was watching along with some of her other friends. I widened my eyes and jerked my head towards Tyler. She just shook her head in disbelief. My eyes traveled around the rest of the room. I wasn't surprised to see most of the trainees watching my exchange. Good, good. Everything's going according to plan. I turned my attention back to Tyler, and maintaining my sweet, and weak front.
"Alrighty, Ty. Whatever works for you." Yeah. Whatever works for you, you ass. I hope you like the floor as much as you like my 'pretty little face'. I loosened my high ponytail, releasing my long dark-blonde hair. I ran my hands through my side bangs and swiftly pulled it back up into its' place on top of my head. Then, I smiled sweetly at Tyler, and he motioned for me to go grab my weapon while he pulled on some padding. Once I grabbed a training axe and got back over there, he suggested that I put on some padding as well. I cannot even tell you how much self-restraint I put into not punching him out right then. Instead, I just told him that I'd rather not have padding slow me down. He smirked at me, then, as if he was calculating all the different ways he could bruise me within the 5 minutes a match lasts.
I looked back over to Leo, and she nodded at me, urging me on. I smiled a- what I imagine looked like- sort of cruel smile. I heard a bell ring, and I turned all my attention to my opponent. Tyler had no weapon since he was a trainer, and he was supposed to only be a practice dummy. However, I wasn't stupid enough to think that just because he was weaponless, that meant that he couldn't injure me. Tyler started moving to my left, he knows that my best side is my right. I maneuvered quickly around him; he did the same. We were in a stalemate, just circling each other; both of us were waiting for the other to make the first move. I heard somebody clear their throat, probably Leona urging me to get on with it. So, I did. Swiftly, I tossed my axe up, and caught it by the blade in such a way that I was taught, so that I wouldn't get my arm chopped off. Before Tyler had time to react I swung the handle at the side of his padded head. While Tyler was stunned and stumbling around, I kicked out at his legs, hooking my right ankle around his right leg, and pulling hard. He fell like a ton of bricks, and I moved over him, smiling down.
"You know, what Ty? I think that I'd be just fine in the Games this year, after all. Oh, but I'm still not volunteering. You'll be seeing me a lot 'round here for the next 2 years." I spat at him, and then looked up. Everybody looked awestruck. Nobody had taken down a trainer so quickly before. I felt strangely pleased at that. "Well? What was the time?"
"2 minutes even. That's amazing Paige!" A voice called out, I didn't know which voice, though. I turned on my heel and walked towards the door.
"I know." I called over my shoulder. Ahhh, nothing like hurting an egotistic man's pride before a good Reaping, huh?
District 2: Drayk Fodian (17)
"Ouch! Watch it, Noff!" I hissed in pain at my best friend, Sarnoff Feryk. I felt the cloth that Noff had drenched in antiseptic move away from the raw skin on my back.
"Sorry, sorry! You came to me, remember, Dray?" Noff's deep voice responded. I grimaced. Right. I did come to Noff. I always come to him after a particularly bad beating from my father, Dolpious. Normally, I don't really seek out help, but I guess Dad was really mad today because I barely had enough energy to drag myself to Sarnoff's after he had finished the beating. See, Sarnoff's mom was our Districts best healer before she died of a heart attack 2 years ago. That's actually how I met Sarnoff. His mother died a week after mine did, so their services were held together. Apparently, Sarnoff had been really interested in his mom's work, so he learned some tricks of her trade that quite possibly have saved my life a couple times.
"Yeah, sorry, man. Just- Jesus! Could you be a bit more careful?" I yelled as a felt a big band-aid slap down on my back, followed by two others. I scowled as Noff's coffee-bean black face and icy blue eyes swam into my vision.
"Sorry." He apologized once again, "But the worst part's over. Now you just need to rest, and let yourself heal. You okay, now?" I rolled my emerald green eyes at that last part. I never got why people would ask you if you were alright when you obviously weren't, but I wasn't about to admit that I felt like shit; even though Noff knew it already.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I grumbled, trying to sit up, and wincing as I did so. Damn, okay that hurt. I felt Noff's large hands try to push me back down, but I painfully shrugged him off.
"Drayk, man, you need to rest! Don't stress yourself!" Sarnoff typically was as wild as a buffalo, and just as spirited, but whenever he sees someone hurt, he goes into obsessive healer mode. It's kind of annoying, really, but I know he cares, so I endure it. Plus, you know, I kind of need an obsessive healer on hand, but the Reapings start in 15 minutes, and I'm not even dressed.
"Noff, chill. I'm fine. The Reapings start soon; I need to get dressed. You got anything I can wear?" I knew that Noff was okay with lending me clothes because we're the same size, and it's not as if I could go back to my own house to get some clothes. He nodded, and his bulky form disappeared for a moment, only to reappear a minute later holding a pair of black dress pants, and a long sleeved red button down shirt. He placed them on the table I was sitting on, and stuck his calloused hands in his own pair of dress pants.
"Long sleeves to cover up the cuts, and forming bruises. You can change on your own, right?" He asked.
"No, Noff, I'm gonna make you dress me like I'm a three year old." I smiled sarcastically. He grinned back at me and held his hands up while he walked out. "Oh, and thanks again…I dunno what I'd do without you as my best friend." God, that sounds so cheesy, but whatever. Noff paused at the doorway.
"Yeah, whatever, ya big ole softie." He laughed, and continued walking out, closing the door softly behind him. I breathed out heavily. Well, this is going to be a fun task. I might as well get it over with. I stripped carefully, but as quickly as I could without causing myself too much pain. I saved the red button up for last because it was mainly my upper body that was injured. Wincing once, I slipped the shirt on and fumbled to button it up. I hate buttons. I really do, but Noff loves them for some reason, so whenever I borrow his clothes I have to deal with the little devils. I swear, I will destroy them one day. I left the last 3 buttons opened; I was sick of straining what skin was left on my upper half just to button some damn shirt. The door opened once again, and the bulky form of my best friend walked through, carrying two pills and a glass of water. Oh, thank God, painkillers. I hoped the relief didn't show on my face.
"Here, I figured you'd need them. Now, let's get going, you took, like, 10 minutes." He remarked, giving me the pills. I threw them back and swallowed them down with some water.
"It was more like 5 minutes." I responded while walking towards the door and trying not to show how much pain I really was in. If I did, Noff would go ballistic, and probably try and make me stay home from the Reapings; and, that would just lead to Peacekeepers coming to find me, which in turn, would lead to questions about my back. "And I could've been still getting dressed when you walked in." Noff snorted and shook his head as he lightly shoved me in the shoulder.
"Yeah, you could've; but, you seem to be forgetting, Dray, that I've been fixing you up after beatings for 2 years now, and I've seen a bit more of you than I would really care too." Noff stated, running a hand over his dark brown-black buzz cut. I shook some of my blond hair out of my eyes and smiled wryly.
"Yeah. I would've preferred you not see that much of me, either, so don't think that you're alone there, buddy." In response to my words Sarnoff let out a loud laugh.
"Wouldn't ever think that, Dray. You're too manly."
"You wish you were as manly as me." I threw back at him. Noff noticeably rolled his light eyes.
"Oh, you're so right. I can only wish to be as manly as the Drayk Fodian." He had a wide smile on his face, showing his teeth when we reached the town square and signed in. We were about 10 minutes late; not long enough for the Peacekeepers to take notice, but long enough for the girl tribute to already be chosen. She looked somewhere around my age or a bit younger, and had dark blonde hair and startling stormy grey eyes. She also looked really familiar. I nudged Sarnoff and nodded towards the girl on stage who was listening rather uninterestedly to our escort, Amelia, prattle on and on about something or another.
"Hey, do you know who she is?" I asked. Noff shook his head, and a boy that I recognized from school turned around to look at us.
"You don't know her? Dude, she's Paige Roberts." He told me in a sort of awe-struck voice. I guess she must be a really important person or something. Maybe she's the mayor's daughter, and I've seen her at some kind of event or whatever.
"Paige Roberts?" I asked, hoping for more explanation on why this girl was so special. My classmate didn't let me down.
"Yeah, man. She's, like, the most bad-ass girl in the District. She's wicked with an axe and completely and totally 101% pure lethality. She's been training since she was 10 years old." I widened my eyes at the boy's words. Oh, yeah. Her. I remember her from when I went to training before mom died. She was in the year below me, and always challenging me to duels, and stuff. It always ended up being a draw. After about a year of competing we developed a sort of friends-rivals relationship. I feel bad that she was Reaped, but then again, maybe I shouldn't since she's been training for so long. Maybe she volunteered; either way she'll probably be our new victor.
"Okey-dokey, and now- the boys!" Amelia chirped and flounced over to the boys bowl. I scanned my eyes over the crowd, wondering who would be picked. My eyes drifted over to the adults section, and I caught sight of my father's tall form. I tensed up, half expecting him to feel my eyes on him and shove through everyone just to strike me again. Well, I guess I just jinxed myself because slowly his sturdy build form turned and I had a full view of his cropped, blond hair, like mine. His eyes were an emerald green as well; however, they were not mine. They were hard, and filled with hate. I imagine my eyes just look sort of…emotionless. I don't like to show a lot of emotion. His eyes narrowed to slits and I saw him curl his hands into fists. He must be upset that I'm up and walking around instead of cowering, half-dead on the floor. I was feeling a bit daring, so I smiled hugely, and waved at him. His body started trembling in anger ; the veins on his neck stood out. He opened his mouth and mouthed the words "You're dead" to me. I could swear to you that my whole world slowed down right then. I felt a bit disconnected from everything to tell you the truth. I wonder if this is how weak people feel in the Games; knowing that they're going to die. I know my father wasn't joking. He's been getting more violent with each passing day. I watched as a sick, twisted smile turned up the corners of his mouth, and panic started to take hold of me. I needed to hide somewhere. I needed to get away from him.
"Annnddd our male tribute is-" Amelia paused to read the name, then looked up and smiled, "Nathanial Olson!" I didn't know him, but I couldn't stop myself. Hell, I didn't even know what I was doing!
"I volunteer! Drayk Fodian volunteers!" I shouted, and felt a large calloused hand clamp down on my arm. I looked over to see fear and disbelief all over Sarnoff's face. I grimaced internally at his expression. It's now turning a bit angry, but the disbelief and fear for me is still there.
"Well, come on up, Drayk Fodian! Let us all see our brave tribute!" Amelia sounded beyond happy. I don't know why. This kind of thing happens every single year. Noff ripped his arm away from me, and started walking away through the audience, back towards the street our houses are on. I don't think my mind fully registered what I just did until that moment. I felt somebody take my arm and shove me roughly towards the stage. My indifferent mask struggled to stay emotionless, and bored as I walked up to the stage. The cuts on my back burned like fire. I can't believe Noff just left me; or maybe I can. After all, he did just spend about an hour trying to heal me up from one of the worst beatings in my life; and what do I do? I immediately go and volunteer myself in the shape that I'm in. He just doesn't get that I had to. My father would've killed me if I didn't.
District 2: Paige Roberts (16)
I'm seated on a velvety, grey couch, waiting for somebody to come visit me. I'm still a bit surprised that I got Reaped; it wasn't as if my name was in that glass ball a bunch of times. Nobody volunteered for me, just as I was expecting. Why would they? Everybody knows that I have the best chance out of all the girls in the district of winning. Leona had looked like she was going to volunteer, but then she probably figured that I'd be mad at her if she did that (and I would), so she just starting crying. However, none of this was what had shocked me the most. What had shocked me the most was the male tribute, Drayk Fodian. Drayk Goddamn Fodian. Why on Earth did it have to be him? I can't kill him! He was one of my first sort-of friends I had made when I was almost 14 and he was 15. When he had stopped coming to training, I felt kind of..empty and alone. I had no idea why until when I saw him again at the Reapings this year. I finally realized it, then, looking at his handsome tan face, and guarded emerald eyes. I realized that I, Paige Roberts- the infamous badass and killing machine, had a crush- a damn crush- on Drayk. Well, that's not going to work out. Not at all. I'm just going to have to stay as far away from him and his shaggy golden blond hair as much as I possibly can, and hope that he's killed by somebody else because I don't do romance. Nope.
A sharp knock jolted my out of my thoughts; I was up and grabbing at my belt for a weapon of some sort before you could say "Happy Hunger Games!" Needless to say, you don't want to be the unfortunate soul that sneaks up on me. Fortunately, or maybe it was unfortunately, I had taken off all my weapons when I slipped on a blue tank top and my jean shorts for the Reaping. The thick, wooden door creaked open and Leona's face appeared. Her typically bright and happy blue eyes were rimmed with red, and dull. Her pretty, round face had tear stains going down it. It hurt me to see her in such a state. I wasn't sad, so why should she be? It doesn't really matter if I go into the Games this year or not…I would've just liked a bit more training, but whatever. I can still win this thing hands down.
"P-Paige?" She asked, as if she had no idea whether it really was me or one of the Capitols ghastly muttations. I thought about trying to reassure her, and be sweet and nice, but I'm not used to nice-ness. So, I went to my default setting: Sarcasm.
"No, Leo, it's Paige's evil muttation twin come to eat you." I said, rolling my eyes. This seemed to comfort her in some way, so I guess that's good. She tried at a small smile and walked fully inside of the room.
"I'm really sorry, Gee-Gee." If anybody but Leo had used that rare nickname for me, I would've seriously hurt them. It was Leo, though, so I let it slide, and smiled, showing my teeth.
"Don't be. I'm not upset or anything; it doesn't matter." I sat back down on the couch, and my closest friend walked over to join me. She muttered an "Oh, okay" as she sat down. We just sat in silence until Leona spoke up.
"Your mom and dad wanted me to tell you that they're really sorry they couldn't be here to say goodbye, but the factory wouldn't let them off work. Your mom says 'I love you, sweetie, and I'm so proud that you're going into the Games, and that you wouldn't allow anybody else to volunteer for you. You're such a strong girl.'" Leo smiled at my mom's words. She had always liked my mom. "-and you're dad says 'I always knew that you would grow up to be someone very special. I just want to tell you how proud your mother and I are of you, and we can't wait to see you in all your victor glory when you get home.'" I couldn't help but get a bit moist in the eyes at their words. I had really hoped that my parents would be able to get off work, but that's okay. I'll see them when I come back. I will come back.
"Thanks, Leo…" I trailed off. I didn't really know what to say. Heartfelt moments aren't my thing, like I said before. Leo bobbed her head and pulled something from her jeans pocket. It was a silver charm bracelet with an axe, a throwing knife, an oak tree, and a heart on it. I smiled, and a tear ran down my face, but I quickly brushed it away. Leo took my left wrist in her hands and locked the bracelet around it, so that the charms didn't get in the way while I was fighting. It was so beautiful.
"It's your token, okay? The oak tree is from your father, to represent how strong and sturdy you are." Leona said, snorting a little at my father's charm. My smile widened. "The heart is from your mom; to remind you of just how big of a heart you have and how much we all love you when you're in the arena. I picked the throwing knife and the axe out for you. The throwing knife is kind of lame, I know, but it's just something to remember me by. Finally, the axe is so that you never, ever forget yourself while in the arena. It's also so that you remember that huge ass whooping you gave Tyler today." Leo smiled humorously, her eyes crinkled around the edges.
"I love it. I absolutely love it, Leo. Thank you so, so much. There's no way I could ever forget any of you." I felt kind of awkward saying that, but I wanted to show her how much I appreciated the gesture. "And tell Mom and Dad that I love them, and I can't wait to pick out our house in the victors village."
"I will. Promise to bring me along when you go house shopping?" She asked. I rolled my eyes once more. Did she really have to ask that?
"No way, Leo. I was totally just going to let all the fame go to my head, and completely ditch you when I get home." I said sarcastically, and nudged her shoulder with mine. I felt her laughing. "Of course I'm going to let you help pick out a house. After all, you'll be staying there too, if your parents will let you." Leo squealed in happiness.
"Oh my god! That's awesome, Gee-Gee, thank you so much! You're awesome!"
"I know." And with that, a Peacekeeper came in and announced that I was time for Leona to leave because the train was ready. I gave my friend a tight hug, and told her that I'd be back before she knew it. She nodded, and went willingly.
District 2: Drayk Fodian (17)
The train was moving so fast that I didn't feel a thing. I fingered my token, a golden cross on a matching chain, which had been my mothers. I had sat in that room in the Justice building just an hour before, not expecting anybody to come say goodbye to me, but I was hoping that Noff would show up so that I could apologize. I had just about given up hope after 15 minutes when he had strode in, and shoved the necklace into my hand. When I had stupidly asked where he had gotten it he replied that he had gone to my house and got it from my mother's old jewelry box, of course. I cannot even tell you how many emotions swelled up in my chest then. I had the worst time trying to keep them all from showing blatantly on my face. I tried to apologize, but he had just smiled and told me "You can apologize all you want when you win, okay? Trust me, you're going to have a lot of explaining to do." Then, two Peacekeepers came in and told Noff that he had to leave. He looked like he was wavering about fighting them off, or just going quietly. I guess he had decided on going quietly because next thing I know, the door is closing, and the last thing I hear is my best friend saying "See you, soon, Dray. You had better come back."
So, that brings us to current time. I'm sitting in a small luxury compartment that has a bunch of really plush and cushy couches in it, and a huge array of food sits on a glass table. Paige keeps looking over at me, and then looking away really quickly. I wonder what's up with her? I mean, she was never this twitchy when we hung around each other during training. Maybe the great Paige Roberts is actually nervous about going into the Games? I've tried to start up a conversation a couple times, but I don't think she fully recognizes or remembers me yet because she just stared at her silver charm bracelet on her left wrist and gave me one word answers. Oh well, I guess it's best to not be too friendly to each other seeing as within a few days, we'll be rivals yet again.
