Chapter 4: Training

I was woken up by the blazing sunlight that was seeping through my window shutters. This morning training would start, and it was now a battle of wits, something that I'm extremely good at. Not that I like to mess with people, but if it helps me survive then I have to do it. I got up and walked, sleepily to the bathroom. I had a shower that made me smell like strawberries and vanilla. Then I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail so that it wouldn't fall into my face as I trained. I wore no make-up because that would be weird, in the training center it no longer matters how you look but how skilled you are. I quickly changed into my training uniform. It was a black shirt with red, grey and white stripes with matching pants, and a pair of black combat boots.

I looked at my clock before leaving the room, it read 7:30am. Training started in and hour and a half later, so I decided to eat breakfast now and then watch the reapings. I ate quickly and alone, then found the theater room and put in the reapings from this Hunger Games. I thought I might as well see what my competition looked like. As I watch the videos, I noted that Districts 1 and 2 were the main competition, Marvel and Glimmer (District 1) Cato and Clove (District 2). They volunteered. But unlike mine it was for selfish purposes. They wanted the fame. Districts 3, 4 and 5 looked strong enough but nothing like the careers, they wouldn't be too much trouble to take out. 6,7,8,9 and 10 would be some easy targets and then there was my District and District 12. Katniss had volunteered for her little sister just like me. Watching her reaping I made an unspoken vow to not be the one who kills her, let someone else do it. I felt at kin with her. We both were because we wanted to protect our loved ones.

By the time I finished watching the reapings, it was 8:30am, I wanted to get in some extra practice. I saw Thresh finishing up his breakfast so I invited him to join me in the training centre. We made our way do the lift, but it stopped in the second floor. When the doors opened, they revealed the tributes from District 2 looking fit for battle. "Hello again." Cato greeted me, stepping into the lift. "Hello Cato, did you sleep well last night?" I asked, trying to seem interested in him. "Yes, you?" "Very well thanks. (I turned to Clove) I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name's Emerald." I said, she took my outstretch hand and shook it. "Clove. Your from District 11, right? I saw you last night, you looked very pretty in your little miss outfit." I smiled sweetly at her. "Thank you Clove, I absolutely loved your gladiator costume it was so empowering. I bet I just looked weak and feeble next ol' Thresh here." I commented, gabbing a thumb in Thresh's direction. "No, not at all. You looked, I don't know how to word this. Cato did a better job at describing you. What was the word you used Cato? Regal? Beautiful? A shining star for all the world to see?" She listed, making Cato look very uncomfortable, and causing me to blush. "No, I just said that did an excellent job at wowing the crowd, and the whole protection thing was great because he's so much bigger than her." He corrected his fellow tribute. "Oh, well I thought you looked rather dashing in you costume." He smiled at me, then we heard a light Ding sound and the lift doors opened. "Well, see you later, Clove. By Cato!" I giggled his name as I left.

I followed Thresh over to the weights. He picked one up and tossed it across the space used for throwing weights. It was very impressive, I clapped lightly, feeling Cato's eyes on me. "Do you one to try little Gem?" Thresh asked me, I nodded. I grabbed the lightest weight, it was sixty pounds, and threw it as hard as I could. The weight landed next to Thresh's one hundred and fifty pound weight. "Very good little Gem. James said you weren't strong. I wouldn't have even guessed you could throw it that far." He applauded, tossing another weight heavier than his last one. "Well I'm full of surprises." I whispered to him, so that Cato and Clove wouldn't hear me. "That you are, little Gem, that you are." He agreed, throwing his last weight. Everyone was down in the training centre now, and we gathered around where the head trainer stood.

She was a dark shinned women, with black hair and wearing the same uniform as us, but instead of a District number on hers, there was the Capital crest. "In two weeks twenty-three of you will be dead, one of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days, particularly to what I'm about to say. First no fighting with the other tributes, you'll have plenty of time for that in the arena. There are four compulsory exercises, the rest will be individual training. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Everyone wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration, exposure can kill as easily as a knife." The trainer instructed us, them dismissed us to train. I stole a quick glance at where the gamemakers where sitting. They were watching us, I really didn't like being watched but I guess I'll have to get used to it.

The fist station I went to was a computer that made you pinpoint what plants were poisonous and what ones were edible. It took me all of five minutes to complete it. "Very good Emerald. Finally a tribute who knows their stuff." The trainer that lead this station praised me. I did it again, this time only taking three minutes instead of five. It felt good to know something. Thresh tried it after me, but it took him a lot longer than it took me. Ten minutes in fact. "Don't worry Thresh, stick with me and you won't eat anything poisonous." I told him, and he nodded knowing it was true. We went to another station, I thought it was a good idea to alternate between survival skills and combat stations so we didn't miss out on any of them. I picked up a spear and began battling the trainer for this site. I was doing pretty well if I do say so myself, I only got knocked down twice, that could be because I was quick, and had really good balance. After me went Thresh as usual, it didn't take him long to win the match. "Don't worry little Gem stick with me and I won't let anyone hurt you." He told me, throwing my own words back at him. By the end of the day it was clear that I was better with the survival skills, and agility courses and Thresh was better at combat, though I was very good with a knife and even better with a bow and arrow. Katniss and I did archery together. I really liked her, she seemed to know what I was going through, just like I knew what it felt like to be in her shoes. She gave me some pointers to help improve my archery skills and I helped her some of the poisonous plants and agility tests. All in all it was a very productive day and I think I stand a chance.

The next day, Thresh and I started with swordsmanship. I hacked at the dummy's that were set up for them, but wasn't the greatest. Seeing that I was struggling Cato came over to me and offered his assistance. "Here Em, your form is good but if you slid you feet a little father apart it'll be better and when your swinging, try not to flail you arms around like your trying to fly." He instructed, taking my hand and guiding it in swift, fluid moments. We move together as one, as if it was a dance, him in the lead and I following. He was standing so close to me that my back touched his toned chest and whenever I inhaled I could smell is intoxicating sent. He smelt of raspberries. "There you go." He cheered, as I got the hang of how to properly handle a sword. Stepping away from me to watch my movements, making sure they were good enough to survive in a battle. He smiled, as his stormy eyes scanned my slender figure. "Beautiful." He muttered and my heart flutter at the thought that he was talking about me. "What was that?" I giggled, giving the dummy's a rest. "Oh, nothing. I was just saying that you learn really fast, its magnificent." He covered, at that point Thresh had joined us and suggested that we go to another station. "Come on little Gem, we can't spend all day playing with swords." I saw that Cato was pouting at the thought of me leaving. "Would you like to join us, we are going to go and work on camouflage?" I invited him, he smirked and shook his head 'no'. "Oh, well that's fine. But remember that those skills are just as important as knowing how to handle a sword." I warned him, before walking off with Thresh right behind me.

At the cameo table, Peeta the other tribute from District 12, was already there and panting his arm to match a tree that had been put there to test how well your camouflage was. "Wow, Peeta, your really good at that." I complemented him. I like Peeta, he was a nice boy, I would hate to see him die, and I was definitely not going to be the one to kill him. I found that Thresh and I bonded with the District 12 tributes, very well. "Thanks Gemstone. Its nothing really. I used to decorate cakes at my parents bakery so I've gotten a lot of practice with making this look alike." He informed me. "That's great, very useful." I heard Katniss, say as she walked up to the table. "Hey Katniss." I greeted her, waving. "Hi Gem." She nodded at me and Thresh. We all stood around the table and camouflaged our arms to match different scenarios.

By lunch Katniss, Peeta, Thresh and I had managed to successfully camouflage our arms to ever different scenario they had set up for us. Peeta had done the best job, but I was very good as well. Thresh had a bit of trouble considering his size and it was a lot to try and hid. "Peeta, I don't know how you do it, but what ever secret talent you have I want it." I joked, and they all laughed. It was the first time I heard Katniss and Thresh laugh. "No secret, just lots and lots of practice." He chuckled, then looked over my shoulder. "Hey Gem, why does Cato keep staring at you, then glare at Thresh and I?" Peeta wondered I turned around to see what he was talking about and sure enough, Cato was staring at me, then he shifted his gaze to Peeta and the back of Thresh's head, glaring at them. I waved at him, the corners of his lips twitched, like he was trying to hold back a smile. I twisted back around to face Peeta again and explained in a hushed voice, "Oh, I've been toying with his emotions to save my hide if he ever tried to kill me, it would be hard for him, if he had feelings for me. And from what I've seen, he's playing right into my hands. He's probably just jealous that I'm always with Thresh and that I'm sitting here with you guys instead of him." Peeta tried to suppress a laugh, "That's genius Gem, I agree, I think it is working." He quietly chuckled.

The third day of training went by in a blur. I improved on a lot of combat skills, some might say that I'm better than Clove with a knife no, kind of like the student surpassed the teacher thing. On the fourth morning we did a quick training session and then were sent outside to wait our turn, to be judged by the gamemakers. I sat by Thresh and the boy from District 10, as I waited. I chatted with Katniss and Peeta, trying to keep my mind off what was to come. Thresh was holding my hand for reassurance the entire time, and then my name was called. "Knock 'em dead, little Gem." Thresh encouraged me, as I left my three friends sitting there wait for their own turns.

"Name." A monotone voice asked. "Emerald Smith, District 11." I said, loud and clear for all to hear. The gamemakers had already drunken an immense amount of alcohol, and weren't paying any attention to me. I showed off my skills in survival and swordsmanship. Thank you Cato. I thought as I beat the crap out of some dummies. They didn't see. I pick up a knife and threw it with suck skill it she right into the dummy's heart, still no one saw. I was getting annoyed now. I felt the adrenaline pumping through my veins and the anger taking hold of my whole body. I picked up another knife. but this time I threw it at the gamemakers instead of the dummy. I had lodged itself into the wall about half an inch away from the head gamemaker head, grabbed a bow and arrow and shot it straight into the center of the dragger's hilt. Everyone was silent. "Think you for you time." I bowed and left the room, fuming with anger.

I rode on the lift up to the roof, I need to clear my head and I figured that some fresh air would do me some good. I stepped out of the lift and moved to the edge of the roof, holding onto the railing for support, I felt as though I would collapse at any minute. What have you done! My mind shouted at me. I don't know! I yelled back just as silently. "You okay?" A familiar voice wondered. I spun on my heel to see who had talked. Cato. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just need some air. Its been a stressful day." I brushed off his worrying. "I bet. So what did you do in you presentation?" He asked, curiosity filled his eyes. "I tried to kill the head gamemaker." I said nonchalantly, turning to face the city once more. He whistled slightly, like he was impressed. "Wow, I didn't know you had that in you." He came up behind me and wrapped his strong arms around my tiny waits, placing his chin in the hollow of my neck. "What are you doing?" I questioned, craning my neck to see his angelic face. "Honestly, I don't know." He sighed, locking his gorgeous stormy eyes with my bright green ones. We leaned in and soon our lips met. The kiss was soft and gentle at first but as time wore on it grew hotter and more intense. You better not be falling for him! A voice in my head scolded, I ignored it. The gaps between each kiss became further and further apart, my lungs were screaming at me for more oxygen, but I didn't it to end. After what seemed like only a few moments of pure joy, he pulled away, breathing just as heavily as I was. "Damn." I breath, he chuckled slightly at my reaction. Then reality hit me. My plan worked, he wouldn't be able to kill me even if he had a million chances, but I wouldn't be able to kill him either. Just let someone else kill him instead. My mind instructed me. The thought sickened me, enough for it to show on my porcelain face. "What's wrong, Em?" Cato panted. "In two days time we'll be thrown into an arena, force to try and kill each other, or have others try to kill us. You'll be with the other careers and I'll most likely be with Katniss, Peeta and Thresh. We won't be able to see each other again." I felt hot tears spill down my coffee toned cheeks. Cato wiped them away gently with his thumbs. "Don't say that. I won't hurt you. I can't. It would kill me, and I won't let any of the other careers hurt you either. As for being separated, the gamemakers are bound to bring us together again, to make their little show more interesting." He promised, I hugged him and told him that we better get back to our apartments, they'll show the scores soon. "Okay." He took my hand and lead me to the lift. I pressed button number 11 and he push the number 2 one. "I'll see you tomorrow." He whispered to me, as the lift doors opened.

Not a moment after the lift doors had closed again, did Thresh, James, Andromeda, Topaz and Thresh's head stylist Sandstorm, race to greet me. "Where have you been Emerald! The scores will be up any minute." Andromeda demanded. "On the roof. I need to clear my head." I explained, before Thresh pulled me into a protective embrace. "What did you do in your presentation little Gem?" Thresh asked, changing the subject. "I showed my survival skills, killed a few dummies with sword, pierced a dummy's heart with a knife and shot a knife and an arrow at the head gamemaker's head, well I almost hit his head." I informed them. Andromeda almost had a cow. "You what!" She hollered. "Great job Gem, that will show them ho skilled you are." James praised her. Andromeda was about to argue that point when Topaz interjected, "Its on! The scores are up!" We all ran into the T.V. room. Thresh and Topaz sat next to me hold my hands. District 1: Marvel- 9, Glimmer- 9. District 2: Cato- 10, Clove- 10. District 3... The announcer- Cesar and his pale that I didn't bother to remember his name, continued. My heart was beating loudly in my chest when it came time for Thresh and my scores. District 11: Thresh- 9, Oh my God! Is this right. Emerald Smith the shining, our shining gemstone- 12! I heart stopped. How the fuck did that happen! I didn't move, while everyone jumped up and down with glee. "That's amazing! Well done Gemstone!" James congratulated me. "What! Well done! Everyone knows that I'm going to be the first one dead because of that score. All the careers will go after me and that means that Thresh dies to while he's trying to protect me! That's the worst score in my mind!" I cried, my head in my hands, feeling sick with worry. "It'll be okay, little Gem. I'm sure there aren't many people that have the ability to kill me, except that Cato guy. "Oh, look Katniss Everdeen got an 11. Good for her." Andromeda said in her high-pitched Capital accent. "You know what. You're right it is a great score and I'm happy about it. I knew that Thresh is practically invincible so everything will be fine." I told everyone. "Well 'm hungry, so lets eat." Thresh declared, we all agreed and went to the dinning room.

That night I lied awake in bed, thinking about everything that happened. Twelve. How on earth did that happen? I wondered, rolling over and shutting my eyes. Tomorrow I wouldn't have to get up early. I could sleep in just as long as I was up before noon, so I Topaz and her crew could help me get ready for my interview with Cesar. It was my last chance to win over sponsors and get people to really like me.