Chapter 7

I wake up, studying the white ceiling of my bedroom. A few of my memories from yesterday comes into my mind. The fight, Finnick, Linden, Marcie. Lucas. Did he leave? I roll to my riht and hear a scrunch of a piece of paper. I hoist myself on the elbows and find a note.

Hey, you were sleeping like the Sleeping Beauty so I decided to wait till the prince kisses you.

Lucas

Smiling, I get out of the bed, and strip to take a shower. After showering, I meet Linden, Marcie, and Trey at the living room, still awkward from yesterday's fight.

"Hello Johanna. Beauty sleep doesn't seem to work on you, so why did you bother?" Marcie says rudely as always.

"Oh, to me, it seems like it's working," Lucas says, walking toward us from the dining room. I'm not blushing. I'm not blushing. I'm not blushing. When he's close enough, ne mouths who was the prince? and I roll my eyes.

"Guess I'm too used to myself," Marcie mutters quietly, but I know that we were supposed to hear it.

"Weird... Wouldn't you think she's beautiful if you are used to yourself?" Okay, now I'm blushing.

"Okay guys. Let's not make Johanna blush anymore," Linden says, chuckling. "Johanna, can I have a few words with you?" Umm.. Let me think. No.

"Maybe later," Lucas says. "She will be late for training. I'm sorry, I ate earlier. I can't help my appetite, I guess. You hungry?"

"No. I don't wanna be late."

"Alright, then. You guys can head to the training room. We'll catch up with you later. Have a few things to discuss," Marcie says.

"Okay," Lucas says, grabbing my hand and turning to leave.

"Wait, before you go, I need to give you some tips about the training. I wanted to do that yesterday, but... Anyway, first off, don't let them know what your specialties are," Linden says.

"Wow. Always teaching me something," I say, keeping my face firm.

"I'm serious. And Johanna, please don't cause a fight with other tributes, okay?"

"I'll try my best."

"Meaning, she will fight with someone," Marcie interrupts.

"Whatever you think b*tch," I say, using her new nickname and dodging her death glare, "see you later everybody!"

So we walk to the elevator in silence, me feeling uncomfortable with our linked hands. Heck, we shared bed last night! What is your problem, Johanna?

...

They are good. Really good. And I'm not just talking about the careers here. Even Renesmee is showing off a few talents. Figures that she's good at climbing and really fast.

While everyone's training so hard, I'm just watching them, not knowing what to do.

"Scared?" A voice makes me jump.

"No," I have to remember that he's the District 4's mentor. Never trust him.

"You should be. Unless you have some kind of super power underneath that small body of yours."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be having meetings with people?"

"I find that kind of things very boring... While I find you very interesting... Especially since yesterday's drama," and that's my cue to blush. "Also, you looked very pathetic, just standing here and doing nothing."

"I'm not pathetic. It's just... Linden told me to stay away from my specialties," I say in my defense.

"Oh, and what would your precious specialties be?"

"I'm... I'm strong," I confess. Wait what? What's wrong with me?

"Oh please, see that guys over there? They're called careers. You know who they are?"

"Of course I know who they are. I'm not stupid."

"If then, you'll know that they've been training for years. Try comparing your strength to theirs."

Silence.

"You can stop biting your lip, by the way."

I stop instantly.

"Come here, let me show you some knot skills," he says, draggin me toward the knot station.

"Wait, are you even allowed to train other tributes?"

"Oh, don't worry. Most of the trainers here are female," he reply, winking at me.

The knots are difficult. When I keep fumbling with the knots, he sighs and hugs me from behind. What? Why? My heart beats fast at the thought of his chest against my back. Oh, wait. He's just reaching toward the knot and helping me. Hey! I'm not disappointed, okay?

"You are definitely not cut out for this, Hanny."

"My name's Johanna."

"And...? Your point is...?"

"Don't call me Hanny."

"Why not?"

"I don't like it."

"Another reason for me to keep the nickname, Hanny," he says, sending warm breath to my back.

"Ugh," I grunt, concentrating-but not successfully-on the knot.

"Seriously? Are you trying your best? Cause if so, don't go for snares in the games. You might just strangle yourself," he says in exasperation after a few minutes of more fumbling.

"That's because you're not giving me the easy ones."

"This is the simplest one!"

"Okay, got it. Never use ropes."

"Hey, Johanna. Finnick."

A familiar male voice comes out from behind me.

"Lucas," Finnick says, unwrapping his arms around me.

"I see you're spending some bonding time together."

"Driving me crazy as always," I say, trying a smile.

"Anything you learned about each other?" He asks, giving Finnick a pointed look. I think that he thinks Finnick's here to spy on us.

"She's horrible with knots."

"He's the most annoying guy I've ever met," and he gives me butterflies in the stomach.

Then, I realize I'm starving.

"Hey, Lucas... When's the lunch hour?" I ask.

But instead of answering, he tosses me a muffin and I almost miss it in surprise. I give him a confused look.

"I knew you would be hungry," Lucas answers my unspoken question.

"Oh! You're the best!" I yell in joy, making Lucas smile.

"I thought we already had this talk yesterday."

"You must know a lot about her," Finnick says, slightly interested.

"I know more than what she's bad at," he answers, keeping his voice straight.

"I'm starting to think that you don't like me which is very unusual."

"You're not exactly a pleasant company to keep," Lucas says without hesitating, shocking me with his honesty. He was always so nice. I guess not to everyone...

"Well, I need to go anyway, so... Yeah. Bye Hanny. And Lucas."

Then he starts walking away.

"Hanny?" Lucas asks me, arching his eyebrows, amd I just shrug.

"You wanna try the camouflage?" He asks, trying to change subject.

"Sure. But let me finish this lovely muffin first."

"Huh, I wonder who brought it for you. I'm sure he wants to have a piece but too shy to say a word."

Laughing, I tear a piece and hand it to Lucas.

"Oh thanks! You didn't have to, but..."

And he munches the piece, making me laugh.

Guess I can feel better for a few minutes...

Okay, that was chapter 7.

I'm really sorry if I wrote anything with past tense. I'm just reading a new book, and you know... I'm really confused. Anyway, don't get confused!