I spent the rest of the days after the reaping in anxiety. No matter how hard I try, my mind always returns to the Capitol. Even though Peeta is still in the training center, I know the day of the launch comes closer. I wish they'd just get it over with. It's cruel, how they feed the tributes, and clean them up, knowing that it may be the last time they get a decent meal. I think it's all unnessecary, and if it were me, I wouldn't bother. But of course, the Capitol sees it differently. They show off how good their lives are, without poverty or hunger. Brag about what they have, and we don't. The only good thing is the extra training they give. Tributes can pick up a lot of helpful things there. The training sessions are private, and no camera's are allowed, so I don't know what they teach, because it might give away too much about the arena. The arena is just as big a mystery as the training sessions. A new one is built for each Games, and it's different every time. From desert, to frozen planes, to volcanic. One games, the tributes had been dumped on icy open planes, with sharp, cold wind, which ruled out any chance of starting a fire. Most of the tributes froze to death. It was probably the shortest Games ever. I hope, for Peeta and Katniss' sake, that the arena will have at least some consealment. With that, their chances of survival rise substantially.
The days drag on. With no school to pass the time, the hours pass so slowly I wonder if the clock would stop ticking. How easy it would be if time could jsut stand still. That way my brother wouldn't have to face imminent death. When the day before the start of the Games finally arrives, I find myself eagerly watching the tv screen, willing it to spring to life. My eagerness is rewarded, as the Capitol seal appears, the anthem plays, and the ever excited voice of Ceasar Filckerman welcomes all of Panem. He goes on about the training sessions, and explains that each tribute has had a private training session, in which the game makers could see their skills. Then a score is awarded, from 1 to 12, 1 being really bad, and 12 being really good. He then starts listing off the tributes. The scores aren't so bad, which makes me grimace.
"A lot of good candidates this year." my father says airily, but I can hear the worry underneath the facade. The girl from Eleven, Rue, gets a 7, which is very surprising.
"Impressive score for district Elevens' Rue." Ceasar says.
Then, finally, Peeta's face appears on the screen. I imagine my brother in the training centre, anxiously waiting for his score to be revealed.
"From district 12, Peeta Mellark, with a score of..." Ceasar waits for a minute, building up the tension.
"Say it, say it!" I practically scream at the television.
"A score of 8." he finishes. I cheer and jump up. My family has done the same. Together we cheer and clap, repeating the number over and over again. Then we settle down to see Katniss' picture appear on the screen.
"From district 12, Katniss Everdeen, with a score of..." I hold my breath.
"A score of 11." I jump up again, cheering with my parents. We all smile at the television, watching Ceasar give his last comment. The anthem plays again, the Capitol seal appears, and the screen goes black. But this time, it does nothing to ruin my mood. My brother got an amazing score! He will win, I think to myself. He will come home.
My father dissapears into the kitchen for a moment, and then comes back with an over stocked tray of cookies.
"Let's go to the square." he smiles. We all follow him out. On the square, most of the people from the village, but also from the Seam, have gathered, celebrating the good fortune of this years tributes. There's music, food and drinks, and everybody is laughing and singing and dancing. I even see Prim and her mother, nervous as people congratulate them on Katniss' outstanding score. When Prim meets my gaze, I smile and wave at her. She waves back, but then her attention is diverted by Gale, who lifts her up and spins her around. I smile and turn around. My parents are talking with some of the other townspeople so I decide to wander of and look for some of my friends from school. Before I find any, I come across Leanna, who is having a heated discussion with Mayor Undersea. I step closer, and try to pick up what it's about.
"I just don't understand why it is of importance..." Leanna interupts him.
"It is of importance because I believe that the children have a right to know exactly what is in the treaty. They get shipped off to the Capitol every year, without knowing the exact reason. I think it's only normal it is fit into the curriculum." she says the last part in a whisper, as if scared someone might hear her. Mayor Undersea gives her a sceptic look.
"Please Mayor. I you don't want me to use it in class, then fine, I won't. See it as personal study then." her eyes are pleading, and I can see the Mayor's resolve crumbling.
"The Capitol won't be happy if they find out." he shakes his head.
"Maybe they will. I'm showing a healhty interest in their beloved Games, and I help them by teaching the children everything about the importance of the Games."
"You have an answer for everything don't you?" The mayor is smiling by now.
"I know you have a copy." her last try is met by a bark of laughter.
"Fine. You can pick it up in 10 minutes. But if I find out you're using it in class, you will be in trouble." he points his finger at her.
"I can't keep covering for you Leanna. They're watching you."
" Because of my unorthodox way of teaching?" she asks with a cheeky grin. The Mayor laughs again, and pats her on the head. As he walks away, I turn around to walk back to my family. A hand on my shoulder stops me.
"Eavesdropping again?" Leanna beams at me.
"What was that about?" I ask, unable to keep the curiosity caged.
"The treaty of Treason."
"The what?" I ask, baffled.
"Exactly my point. The Treaty of Treason is a book, written after the dark days. It's sort of the rule book for the Games. It mentions everything, from who decided to start the Games, to hwo the tributes will be selected. The original is signed by all parties who had a say in the making of the treaty, which is very interesting, I've been dying to get my hands on the Mayor's copy ever since I heard he has one. It's so unfair."
I blinked as she babbled on. She talked about the book as if it was a sacred artefact. I still didn't know what exactly it was.
"Can I see it?" i ask innocently.
"Only if you can keep a secret. I'm not supposed to show it to anybody, especially my students. It's quite informative, but on the list of forbidden lecture for educational purposes."
"There is a list for that?" i interrupt her, baffled.
"Yes of course there is. Did you think I cold teach you whatever I wanted?" she raises an eyebrow.
"You don't even teach History." I says, grinning.
"I might start that, Miss Hayshire is thinking about retirment."
"Take over another class? How are you going to do that? You already teach Music and Language. How are you going to combine a third class with that?"
"I don't have much choice, there are no other candidates." she says, sounding tired.
"Besides, I love teaching you things, and History has always been my favourite. I might drop Language." she muses. Typically Leanna, I think. She sucks up information like a sponge, and does nothing better than teaching us.
"Well, whatever you do, you're still my favourite teacher." she smiles.
"Thank you Penny. Anyway, I have to go. Gotta pick up my precious books." she waves, and dances off. I turn around and walk back to my family. The rest of the evening goes by quickly, and when night falls, people saunter back to their houses. We stay until most people are gone, but then my mother hoards me and my brothers back to the house while my father talks with some of the villagers. As I crawl in bed, the realization of today's happenings finally hits me. The scores have been given, the last day is up. Tomorrow, my brother will be launched into the arena, filled with danger, boobytraps and other stuff.
Tomorrow, the Games begin.
A/N: Not mine, Suzanne Collins', except Penny and Leanna
sorry for the long wait, internet was shut down.
Inspirational song: Simple Plan- Summer Paradise