"What a day." James yawns and stretches his arms backward when he is sitting next to her in dinner. The moment she walks to the living room, James jumps out in front of her.
"Good job, you got an 8." He folds his arms.
"Did I miss the announcement?"
"No one can really wake you up. You looked like you were having bad dreams."
"More like bad memories." She murmurs.
"What?" He leans out.
"Nothing."
"Well then. Let's go celebrate."
"Where?" Thalia isn't in the mood to celebrate, but she needs distraction from her thinking.
"Come." James grins mischievously. She doesn't know her heart is pounding this quick.
James walks with her out of the building. They don't get to go free, so the peacekeepers are following them from behind. It's late at night. Thalia and James stop at a park just right outside the apartment, lying down on the grass.
"I didn't know we are allowed to walk outside." She turns to James, smiling. Her curly black hair spreads on the grass.
"Me too, but since the Game is coming, I'm pretty sure we can do anything." He sighs.
"Tell me, why do you seem so fine about this?" She can't hide her curiosity anymore. She doesn't feel afraid because fighting is something she has done her entire life.
"Life is about adventures. I don't want to live my life in the district." He shrugs.
"How about your family?"
"My parents died in an accident when I was little. Or at least that's what they told me. I have no brother and sister. My neighbor adopted me and raised me since."
"I'm…sorry." She never thought he had such a tough life.
The starry sky brings Thalia to sleep. But James wakes her up, telling her they will have an interview tomorrow. So she and James walk back to the apartment in silence. They wave goodbye and walk back to their home. And it's the first time Thalia doesn't have any nightmares. She sleeps through hours and her mind is completely blank.
Next morning, Thalia decides to stay in her room resting. A knock on the door startles her. It's James. He is wearing a gray jacket outside his shirt like he was going back from somewhere.
"Peaceful." He looks at the Pine Forest scene on the window, nodding. "I didn't know you decided to stay in your room."
"Where are you going?" She asks.
"I'm training with Anna and the others."
And Mike pops up in her head. She should talk to him about teaming up. He said he has refused to be in team career, so it will be more convenient if they team up together. She wears the training suite and walks with James to the center.
"New friend?" James seems to notice the way she looks at Mike, he tilts his head to her ears and whispers.
Thalia nods, raising a brow when Mike walks by and ignores James. "Are you finish? I was hoping we can talk." She asks. James tries not to be disappointed when he watches her conversation with Mike.
"I was hoping we can team up in the arena." She shrugs, not knowing if Mike will deny or not. He motions his head to James, who is glaring at Mike with an unhappy look.
"Sure." He answers shortly and leaves.
"What are you doing, James?" She snaps at James. "I was trying to fit in and make friends."
"Not with him." He frowns. "I don't trust that guy."
"I don't care what you think, James. Don't look after me."
James seems to realize how angry she is, but he even looks angrier than she does. He scowls and walks away, leaving her standing there.
Thalia is in a black dress with matching color heels. She hates the way she looks, without the black jacket and combat boots.
"So tell me, are you excited for this year Hunger Games?" Caesar asks, laughing to the crowd.
She can feel Kane from far away, telling her to smile.
"Of course, who doesn't?" She lies. The crowd is cheering louder. Caesar chuckles, bringing the microphone closer to her.
"Any special someone at home?" It's his usual question. Thalia shakes her head slightly, smiling at the crowd. Caesar looks surprised. "Let's see if anyone will win this girl's heart!" Caesar stands up walking around, signaling the crowd to shout and cheer harder. Thalia glances back stage and catches James's eyes. His face looks exactly like Caesar before.
"To Thalia Grace from District 5." He twirls Thalia in his hand. She walks off the stage while James continues after her. She hides behind the curtain, watching James and Caesar through the screen.
"You must be the male tribute who came along with Thalia Grace. James Castellan, everyone!" Caesar claps his hands while James gives the crowd his charming smile.
"Is it hard to be around her, a beautiful girl? It must be distracting." Caesar teases him.
James blushes, he nods, waving at the crowd. He sits back straight, looking at the camera like he knew Thalia is watching.
"She is a special girl." He smiles. The crowd shouts and some of them even throw roses on the stage. Thalia doesn't realize her face is just as red as him. She ignores the looks on everyone around her and walks straight back to her room, skipping his interview. She quickens her pace, rushing through the door. The game is tomorrow, can't be distracted.
"Hey there." Kane is sitting in the main room, his hand holding a bottle of alcohol. She skips through him, about to walk to her room.
"Stop. I need to talk to you." Kane calls out. Thalia stops herself, turning her head back, still wanting to go.
"I'm sorry for not being a good mentor." He says, half drunk.
"It's fine." Thalia sighs tiredly.
"James is a good boy. I hope you two can protect each other in the game."
"Like you and the female tribute in that last game?" She snaps. And Kane stays quiet, continue to drink from his bottle. She heads back to her room. The game is tomorrow. She turns the knuckle of the door, walking inside. There is a small box with a note saying "Good luck tomorrow.-J" She smiles slightly, open the box. There is a small trinket inside, with the shape of the moon. She walks by the mirror, pulling it to her neck and secure the necklace. Lady Artemis, she thought.
"Thank you James" Thalia whispers. She turns off the light and falls onto the bed, closing her eyes.