Author's note

I've fixed chapter two, since I had posted chapter one twice instead of it. So, before reading chapter three, make sure you have read the previous one ;)

Chapter 3

My idea is so unusual that I've left Michelle speechless. She can't speak but staring at me as if she is looking at a U.F.O.

"I have to admit. You managed to surprise me, even if I've a lot of experience with Tributes; I've seen everything, believe me. But that's an intriguing story, and maybe we could gain sponsors, if we work on it." she smiles "The most enjoyable thing is that you'll ruin Chloe's interview. Her turn comes after you, you know. Between your interview and Chloe's there's just one Tribute that have to talk. Wow… I wonder how it will end."

"I can answer your question, Michelle." I'm looking presumptuous, but I won't say my idea isn't brilliant. "She'll freak out. She has a bad temper. I guess she'll reject my feelings with anger but also embarrassment. The audience will go crazy." I laugh, pleasured.

I'll win the Hunger Games. No matter what. I won't die because of the fate. And… at the same time… I'll do everything I can to save Chloe as well. And maybe Warren, but I'm not too hopeful, honestly.

I wouldn't expect me alive at the end of the Games either, but I have to believe it, or it won't end well.

"I've never seen a lesbian relationship at the Hunger Games. Not between Tributes. That's interesting, Max. Good shot."

I'm really happy about Michelle's approvement, and now I'm motivated to do my best. I've also skills, I'm not completely harmless… I can do it.

I'll surprise everyone.

Since I've talked in private with Michelle, Warren is now doing the same. I can't complain about that, he has the right to do it; so I decide to make another walk on the train's coaches. However, there's Capitol City's staff hanging around right now, so I can't go far.

I choose to go to the bathroom of my coach to brush my teeth, and guess who I find there?

Chloe.

She is clearly drunk. I can tell by her smell and by her unstable posture, arched above the sink.

Since there's the light of the sun, now I can notice her short, light blue hair with a purple shade on the top covering her neck.

I can't help but admit she has become a beautiful girl. I dare say… hot. She's slender, maybe underweight, but with a perfect muscle definition, that I can notice because she's wearing a white tanktop and short jeans that barely cover her thigh. Besides, she's a tattoo on her right arm that make her look tough: it's a skull on a twist of spiked roses and a red ribbon, that ends (on the top) with some blue butterflies flying on her collarbone. They match her hair's color.
Since it's too expensive getting a tattoo at our Districts, there doesn't exist any tattoo studios. I wonder how she made it.

When she turns, I gasp. Even her face is pretty. Her light blue eyes intrigue me… I'd love to stare at them for more than a moment. Even her lips look beautiful.

She smirks at me, and starts talking in a funny way because of the liquor in her body.

"Here you are, Maximus decimo! How creepy you was in your Reap! When I watched you on the TV, I thought you would have killed that motherfucker that called your name!" she laughs

I was actually looking creepy?

"But now you're not pale anymore. You look pretty, actually. I wonder how your stylist will change you for the Ceremony. You are s-o a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e right now!" she seems enthusiastic, and very different from how she was just two hours ago. Reminding how she has treated me make me feel to punch her idiot face, even if it's a dear friend of mine. "Listen to me. I'm really happy to see ya. Believe me, Max. Do you?"

I roll my eyes, then I nod. I'm about to leave exasperated, but suddenly an idea come up in my mind. I have to play this game to save us, right? Maybe this is my opportunity.
I make a provocative smile, and I get close to her, playing a role in her game, until I can feel her breath (that smells of alcohol); she seems intrigued, because of that. I can see her interested stare on me.

"Of course I believe you, Chloe. I was waiting this moment for a long time..." I tell her speaking slowly. Then, I touch her jaw bone with my fingers. "You know… I really would like to play as a pirate with you again…" Even if I've said something really stupid, I don't esitate. I'm slowly getting close to her lips, and I feel her excitement: the rhythm of her breath has become faster and I think she's shivering a little.

"I'd love it to…" she replies, by now on my lips.
I can't help but kiss her.

I know, that's my plan. I've to convince her to become my partner during the Hunger Games. She's one of my dearest person in my life, and I don't want to lose her again. Especially now, that I'm risking my life, I want to fix the things between us. I don't wanna die like this.

On the other hand, I can't deny that kissing her makes me feel good… and warm.

Her lips are soft and wet, and I adore to feel them against mine's, mixing our wetness in an exciting kiss. Soon, our breathes fuse together, and I unconsciously put my arms around her neck. Then, I pull her down, closer to me (since she's taller), while she gently touch my waist with her hands.

Ok, Max, stop. You are going too far, you were suppose to kiss her just one time or two to make she feeling confuse. What the fuck I'm doing? She's so pretty that I can't help but wanting to kiss her more. I want… to feel her hands on me…

But now I have to go, before someone finds us and ruins my plan.

So I slowly pull away from her face, with our lips wet because of the saliva.
Wowzers, this is the most exciting kiss of my life. Not that I've ever kissed more than one or two guys, by the way.
However, even if we haven't used our tongues… I… I'm really thrilled by that, and I'm not sure why. After all, Chloe is just a friend that I haven't seen for years.

Right?

I raise my eyes, and I notice Chloe staring at me, confused but… amazed, I believe?

I really want to say something to have an effect on her, but I really can't find the words right now. But I have thought about them! I swear I did! And now I presume I forgot because I loosen up. Fuck. I hope I haven't ruin my plan because of myself.
Embarrassed, I turn my back and go to the door. But suddenly, Chloe's hands stops me taking mine's. When I turn again, she's closer than I expected. I'm getting lost in the deepness of her eyes.

"What are you doing, Max? Do you…" she's making an effort to talk to me "Think that I'm so stupid? You won't bring me on your side just because you kissed me."

I don't blink, hearing that words. I just instinctively reply: "You have misunderstood my intentions. I just did what I felt. At least, if you'll die in the Games, I can say I've kissed my best friend before it has happened. Best friend… or what you are supposed to be for me." I'm serious saying that words, believe it or not.

Then, almost angry for that conjecture (even if at the beginning it was right), I run away from the bathroom, and I go straight to my room, ignoring the eyes of my companion staring at me.

Why am I bothered for Chloe's supposition?

After all, didn't I planned to kiss her just to make her feel confused and maybe to give her a hint for what I'm going to do on the show?
After all, I was trying to have her by my side.

But… that kiss has been so intense. It actually meant something to me. Crap.

I touch my lips, living that moment again in my thoughts.

Damn, Chloe. I wanted to fuck up your mind and I end up fucking up mine's…

Finally we have arrived to Capitol City.

Wowzers, it's amazing. Everything seems to have come from the future! It's all Hi-tech, and I feel like to know how everything here works.

As we get off the train, people starts taking picture of us. We are surrounded by a big crowd and I'm confused, but I have to keep my creepy mask and become a character. So I just give them a smirk, and then I continue to act mysterious and tough.

When Chloe gets off, she acts like she doesn't care at all because she know she'll win the Games. For her it's like going on a school trip. She seems not to be drunk anymore, and she's a great appearance.
She looks like a greek statue, sculpted just to be admired from high rank people. She's so cool. She smiles fearless to everyone, and she even signs autograph!

God, she's such a dork. Chloe the superstar; I bet she's already one of the favorites of the audience just because of that smile of hers.

Well… for that reason, she's in my heart as well, after all.

Someone tries to bring my attention, but I just give them a dark gaze. Instead, Warren is kind with everyone, and shake the audience's hands.

Looking around me, I see the other Tributes; I notice a slim, blonde guy, not tall at all, but with a sly smile. He's in pair with an haughty girl, who's also blonde, and that's wearing a dress which costs at least ten times my father's salary. I suppose they are from District 1. The two act like they have already won, but not as Chloe; they are presumptuous, like they was famous actors who have won a special prize.

When I had enough of staring at the Tributes, I go on with my mentor and Warren. We are taken to a beauty center, where they treat our bodies from the top to the feat, to prepare both of us for the presentation on the floats in front of the public.

The stylists make my hair, and when their job is completed, I feel like an ancient princess. They make my make up and shave me, then I'm ready for the dress. It's the most feminine thing I've ever worn.

When it's "turned off", it's gold and bright, and you can almost see your reflection in it. But it's enough to push a little bottom in the interior part and it becomes something similar to a screen, where dragons appear while they are flying and moving on my body. Pushing another bottom, they come out in 4D, and do the same thing but around me. It's the perfect representation of the Electronic District.

Me and Warren have matching clothes, and both of us are amazed. Our stylist made a great job.

We are almost on the floats, when Michelle call me to talk in private.

So we walk away from the others, and when we are sure no one can hear us, she whispers: "I've talked to the TV staff. To show the world your crush on Chloe, they'll follow you with flying cameras and record your expressions when she's around you. The cameras are little like insects, so they won't bother you. From now on, remember your role. They'll use everything they record for the show. "

I stare at her surprised; I can't believe that such an innovative technology is possible! I hug her, enthusiastic. "It's a perfect support. Thank you, Michelle." I'm sincere; I really feel gratitude.

"Do your best, Max. I believe in you." I stare at her eyes, but suddenly the sound of a trumpet calls me, and I get on my float.

It's the time of the show.

Horses tow the floats on a long street surrounded by Capitol City's people. When we are in the middle of our path, the dragons come out, and the audience explode in cheering. Someone throws me roses and confetti, and I have to say I'm proud of myself.

I'm enjoying the audience, when I remember Chloe is behind me on another float. When I realize it, I can't control myself.

Even if everyone is looking at me, I turn back.

And I feel like I'm going to faint.

I'll be straightforward: she's half naked. She's wearing a beautiful armor made of gold, decorated by starfishes. That armor covers just her left arm (the one untattooed) and her breast, and barely hides her waist. I can't see if she's something on her feet. At the end, she's a badass crown on her head, but not like a princess crown, but like a king's ones.

I think her body is covered by a special oil, because she's shining, and her defined muscles are the first thing that I notice, especially the one tattooed, that is firmly holding a sort of trident.

The right part of her head has the hair kept on a braid attached to her head skin, and under that one she's almost shaved. In fact, her locks are really short.

"My God…" I whisper. I know the cameras will record this.

My expression says everything: I could jump on her right now.
And… this is not just part of the show. I'd really love to touch her in this moment. Or better… to have her touching me. How can she be so beautiful?
Comparing me to her, I seem a trash can.

I meet her threatening eyes with mine's, and after a second of eye contact, I turn back again.

I'm really enjoying my role, even if I really care about my friend. I'm avoiding thinking about the kiss we had, because I can't accept I like Chloe. I just want her to get out of this shit alive… with me. I love her as a best friend, after all. Right?

Can be a best friend make you drool because of her beauty?

I'm hopeless.

We soon stops in front of the balcony of the President's house, and wait for the other Tributes to come. Since Districts 8 and 12 has been destroyed, we are just twenty Tributes. Just about thirty years ago we were twentyfour.

However, slaves are sent everyday to the 12 to mine coal, and clothes are made in District 9, now.

When we are all there, the President comes out. She's the grandchild of the ex President Snow, who died many years ago because of a disease.
That monster… I wonder if Snow was evil as his grandchild. She soon comes out, beautiful as always. She's wearing her blonde hair in a perfect braid; I can't see any flaws in that. Her eyes seem made of ice, even if she's smiling mellifluous at us. Her dress is wonderful, obviously. It's a long, purple dress with a lot of frills, opened on her abdomen to show her perfect feminine muscles. If I could wear something like that, maybe I'll be loved by everyone as well…

She's also wearing a mantel and crown, just to be admired more.

After have enjoyed all the applauses, she starts a boring speech about the war we had lived, and what has taken Capitol City to make the Hunger Games. It's something I hear since I was born, so I don't listen even to a word of what she's saying. Instead, I distract myself looking at the very beauty of today: my best friend, Chloe.
Even if I couldn't do anything for her, I'm sure she'll be fine, and she will reach her target.

After the speech, we go inside and the staff takes care of us. It's the first time that all the Tributes can talk to each other. I'm so close to Chloe, one more time. But this is my opportunity to look at the other Tributes, too. I see the Tributes of 1 again; the haughty one and the dark one. This last guy it's curved on himself, and it seems it's talking to himself. It reminds me Gollum of Lord of Rings. I smile at this thought, but I change expression when I see his mentor. Oh my God. I know him! He's the most famous Victor of these age!

He's a tall, fascinating man with well-groomed black hair, a short beard and elegant glasses. He's wearing an expensive black suit, and even his movements are elegant.
He won the Hunger Games twenty years ago, at the age of eighteen. All I know is that he's famous because he killed ten Tributes using just a camera and syringes with drugs and poison. He worked totally on his own. Since he was in an a period where the arenas were brutal (once they put also guns!), when he found the drugs, the poisoned berry and a camera planned something really disturbing, and killed half of the Tributes without a blink of an eye. So he's a legend, for the History of the Hunger Games.
However, a lot of Tributes of District 1 won the next editions of the Hunger Games, so I wonder why he's the mentor this year…

While I'm thinking about it, me and Warren are brought through a long corridor, and then on an elevator. The staff give us comfortable clothes, with the number of our District sew on them. I understand what's going on. They are tracksuit for the training.

And in fact, the next hour, after have ate something, they took us to the gym, where I can see an arsenal that could supply an entire army.
The staff explains us what we are going to do the next two hours, and that then we can go at our apartment to rest, while tomorrow we'll be busy all day training for our preparations for the Hunger Games and for the judgement of the Strategists. And will go on for the next three days, until the day of the marks.
We can practice with everything we want: weapons, knots, traps, fight with bare hands with instructors…

I look up at Chloe, again. She's looking at the spears with a wicked smile on her face.

This is the preparation of the massacre.

Author's note

I want to thank my reviewers Kummer156 and C.K.1997, you make me feel like writing more and more of this fanfiction. I hope everyone is enjoying Life is Hunger Games, that is my first story in english. On my mind there are a lot of ideas ready for you, and some of them are already written on my documents.
Tell me your impressions on this fanfic, if you feel like to; it's always a pleasure for me. Thank you also for the follows and favourites, I couldn't be happier!

See you soon, Tributes! ;)