Felix made quick work of making sure my costume would fit me like a glove. He let me get dressed once he was finished, although he pouted that I had to cover up my "Perfect Ass". Felix was another one of those rare silver linings. I felt as though I had made friend. I mean he was a little brash, but overall he was a good guy. I mean he had made sure our costumes wouldn't be awful or tacky like they had been in the past.
The next day we were ushered back to the makeover center and fixed up and put into our costumes. Felix was a genius! His costume was so simple it was beautiful! And it was edgy as well. All he did to my face was even out my skin tone into one great tan color and add silver eyeliner. My outfit was simple. Brown slacks, brown boots, a shirt that had many different ribbons in shades of green that flowed off me like a tree, yet not quite. But my favorite part was the belt. It was silver and it was kind sharp. It looked like a blade was around my waist. Almost like a tree getting cut down!
"This is where it gets a bit dangerous." Felix warned Madeline and I as they were loading us onto the chariots. "Keep your hands away from the belts. They will spin and if you touch them you might get hurt." Madeline and I shot each other worried glances. "Don't worry about it though! If you heed my warning you'll be fine!" He yells as our chariots start to move towards the doors. Madeline and I look towards each other keeping our arms above the belt as they begin to spin and flying off them comes color sparks. They light us up! I take a glance at Madeline and she shone beautifully with all the colors coming off the blades.
I turn towards the cheering crowd as excitement fills my veins. I smiled and waved at them, as I heard my name go through the crowd. Madeline's too. District 7 seemed to be the favorite as I looked at the screen, my heart stopped. There I was looking better than I had in a while shining from the colors coming off my waist. I grinned broader. My face seemed so handsome. Don't get me wrong as far as men go I'm fairly sexy, but this... This incredible.
About halfway down the street, Madeline stumbles and grabs my shoulder for support. Thinking nothing of it I help her stand back up with a charming smile. I noticed her costume was different from mine. Her ribbons seemed longer and she reminded me of a willow tree.
"Careful there little willow." I whisper to her helping her keep her balance the rest of the way until we reached the circle.
Once we got down (I had to help her get down. And I see why she needed it, she was in heels) she whispered
"Thank you." before walking away. I realized that was the first thing she had ever said to me.
"Ahhh~ Toni like that was totes fabooo!~" Felix squealed coming up to me. "You and Mads looks totes A-MAZ-ZING~~"
"Thanks Felix." I said smiling.
The next morning I woke up in a daze. The haziness of my dream still clinging to me. I looked around in a panic looking for Lovino. After a few moments of panic I remembered where I was. Lovino back home probably missing me as much I was missing him. He probably went to stay with his father instead of staying in our house. It must have been more of a reminder I might ever come. I quickly shook the thought out of my head. I would be coming home. I would not leave him all alone again.
I kind of felt responsible for him. When the two of us really got to know each other I discovered he was in a dark place. His mother had recently passed away, and his father was a busy man. His brothers didn't bother with him much and he didn't really have any friends. The poor kids were jealous of how well off he was financially, and those who were rich much prefered his brother Feliciano. When he was 14 he reach a low point. He was alone and isolated. I know he had reduced himself to self harm just so he could feel something because his emotions were all but there. He felt nothing. And that slice to his wrist was the only thing that made him feel human.
When I met him he was angry all the time. Or so he seemed to be. Either way I was intrigued. He was so cute. The sweetest eyes I've ever seen paired with smooth silky skin and the softest hair I've ever felt. I had to know him. So I ended up erm... "stalking" him as he put it. But in the end I got him to let down his walls and slipped into his life. I remember when I found out he was hurting himself. It was shortly after my 16th birthday and right before his 15.
I came into Lovino's house without knocking. I had grown into the habit and it didn't bother me. The house seemed empty but I knew Lovino was home. I walked up the stairs of his house and was about to knock on his bedroom door when I heard sobbing from the other side. I furrowed my brow and walked in. The sight would forever be burned into my mind.
He was sitting on the floor, a sock in his mouth ( I later found out he was using this to prevent himself from crying out.) his sleeve rolled up and a blade pressed into his forearm. He was crying. He looked over at me the sock falling out of his mouth as he opened it with shock. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding fell to the ground so I was level with him.
"Oh Lovi..." I said quietly. He shook his head whispering frantically in a language I didn't recognize.
"Don't look..." He said softly but I ignored him. I took the blade setting it aside. I studied his arm and saw many cuts, some new some old. I did the first thing that came to mind. I kissed his arm right on the newest cut. He squeaked, but I kept kissing. I kissed each one. Then I kissed up his arm to his neck and up his jaw to his cheeks then I kissed his lips.
Despite the horrifying situation the kiss was magical. Our first kiss tasted like blood and tears but I didn't care. I just cared that I was there for him. As we kissed the reality hit me. I was in love with him. Head over heels. When we pulled back I whispered sweet words of comfort to him.
"Never again will I let you hurt..." I whispered. He cried in my shoulder. I realised this is the first time I've seen him cry. It was so beautiful and sad. I kissed his tears off his cheeks and I held him for a few more minutes. He told me everything. How he had hurt for so long and I decided that I would be his light. His cane, his support. I would always be there for him.
My heart and stomach gave a swirl of pain. I wasn't there for him... Oh god I hope hasn't gone back to self harm. I pushed the thought out of my mind. He wouldn't. Not yet at least. During the games he might... But I would cross that bridge when I came to it.
I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I played with the soap again trying to get my mind off my depressing thoughts from this morning and tried to think of happier things. I remembered my 18th birthday and the treat Lovino gave me that night. That was definitely a memory I didn't mind reliving. Plus it helped relax me a bit. After I climbed out of the shower, my mind and body flooded with endorphins. I made quick work to dry myself and get dressed before we were taken to the training center.
Nothing much happened during the training. I tried to learn some useful skills, like identifying poisonous plants and how to set food trap. I already knew practically everything about wood and starting fires but I decided to take a bit of a refresher. It was easy enough for me but I noticed the boy from 12, the one with the white hair was having some difficulties. And this was either the smartest or dumbest thing I could have done. I forgot that in a little over a week we would be trying to kill each other in the wild I sat by him and I helped him learn how to start a fire.
"Its about the friction and it helps if you use string." I said showing him.
"Why are you helping me?" He asked halfway through. I stopped for a moment. Why was I helping him?
"I guess... Because I like helping people." I said slowly.
"That might get you killed in these games." He said.
"It might also save my life. I'm certain if I help the right people they'll help me in return." I said smiling. He didn't return it but eyed me warily
"You're an interesting one..." He said softly.
"Antonio." I said suddenly.
"Huh?" He asked rather confused by my random outburst.
"My name. It's Antonio."
"Oh... I'm Gilbert." He said
Gilbert turned out to be a useful friend. If that's what you call him. We trained for the rest of the time together. Sometimes we talked about tactics but mostly we talked about our homes.
"Ludwig, my little brother, often said I had a big head. Which I don't get, my head is pretty average sized!" He said and we both laughed.
I like talking to Gilbert. He made me feel like this thing was a bit more normal. Another add-on to my list of silver linings. All through the training I was sure to avoid anything that involved battle axes and aiming. I didn't want any of the other tributes to know of my secret weapon. When the week was over it was time to show off our stuff to the game makers. We all sat in the hallway and they called in each of us separately, first was the boy from District 1 who's name turned out to be Francis. It took a bit but it was finally my turn. I stole a glance down at Gilbert who flashed me a helpful grin. I came in and I saw every thing spread out.
I decided to warm up by throwing axes. I made sure the gamemakers were watching as I picked up an ax. I tested it weight and adjusted my body for the best aim. I used my body weight to throw the ax hard at the dummy some odd feet away landing what would have been a killing shot. Right in the forehead. I smirked to myself before throwing another, this time hitting the middle of the chest.
I stole another glance at the gamemakers and most of them seem interested. I smiled and headed towards the battle-ax. They had 4 of them in range of sizes. I picked up the one closest to the one I grew up using. It was the biggest one. It was rather heavy but about as so as mine back home. I made sure I was surround by 5 or 6 dummies and quickly started to slice the ax around. With a few smooth strokes all the dummies were in pieces. A few decapitated, a few cut in half and some with chunks cut off.
I gave a small bow of my head before taking my leave.
"And they looked impressed?" Blight asked me.
"I would hope they did..." I mumbled.
"I'm sure they were! You must have totes amazing~" Felix chimed in.
"Very good show! I'm sure you got a high score!" Bevolia said happily, clapping her gloved hands together. One glove red the other white.
"What about you little willow?" I asked Madeleine. I had taken to calling her that.
"Oh... I just made a dent with an ax. Nothing impressive." She said softly.
"Oh oh! They're giving out the scores!" Benvolia said happily looking towards the TV. And so they did. I took notice that the tributes from the first 2 districts all got either a 8 or 9. When District 7 came around, I was pleasantly surprised.
Antonio Fernandez- 11.
I got the first 11.
"Oh good show!" Benvolia cheered. The Madeleine came up and she got a 7.
"7, nothing to be ashamed of!" Blight said with a small smile.
But I wasn't paying attention. I watched intently as finally Gilbert came up. 8. Not bad Gilbert. I noticed the girl from his District, Elizabeta? Also scored an 8.
My mind drifted back towards that 11. I got the highest score. This was great! I could win this! I might go home and with that thought I suddenly became excited. Bring on the game! I'll win, and I'll go home to my Lovino.
And for the first time since I left home I slept like a baby my dreams dancing of me as the winner of the Hunger Games, my Lovino by my side as I receive glory and wealth for being the best.
But even in my dreams the thought that if I did win would mean someone's blood would be on my heads. Like a stain that would never wash off. They would become my burden to bare, but for Lovino I would carry the whole world. And even more.
Oh my this is a little monster isn't it? Now I wold like to add that the production of this will go down to once maybe twice a week in updates. Sorry loverlies. But I had a four day weekend so I used it to my advantage. If time would allow I might be able to get the 5th chapter up tonight (Which by the way I'm not sure how I feel about) But anyway drop a reivew they modivate me. Tell yo friends, tell yo kids, tell yo wife and tell yo husband I want everybody readin up in this joint. I don't care who you tell as long as this beauty gets the attention it deserves.