DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES BY SUZANNE COLLINS.
This is my FIRST EVER fan fiction so please review and tell me what you think! Thanks!
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD if you like this story so far (and you know you do! :D) PLEASE REVIEW!
Chapter Seven (my favorite, clichéd lucky number!)
A water bottle dropped into Shalimar's lap and a tall, tanned boy with Asiatic features sat himself down besides her. He pushed his long black hair out of his eyes and unwrapped his tuna sandwich while chugging down half a bottle of water. With Hudson and Shalimar's confused eyes still on him, he unbuttoned his shirt, showing off his sweaty abs (ew…) and unselfconsciously starts eating.
Deciding two (or rather, three, counting Hudson) could play at that game, Shalimar resumed eating her salad while talking to Hudson. The stranger remained silent, finally cleaning up his plate thoroughly, even licking the crumbs at the bottom. He then heaved a huge burp and Shalimar couldn't stand it anymore.
"If you have to pass gas, go pass it elsewhere. Unless you have some business with us, please leave."
The stranger smirked. "Well then, little missy. A bit touchy today aren't we?" He picked up all his garbage and walked over to the disposal bin. "Relax," he called, "I only wanted to make you an ally offer."
Hudson looked up, his curiosity piqued, but Shalimar's restraining hand made him look back down.
"Look, stranger creep, we don't know you. Would you at least introduce yourself first?" Shalimar stood up too, not wanting to be at a vantage point lower than the guy. His brown eyes were so smug she wanted to slap him. Hudson slowly got up and walked over to the guy, which made Shalimar give a small noise of protest, which he ignored. "I know who you are. Max, right? From District Four? Welcome to the Careers." Max smiled broadly and shook Hudson's hand, flicking his eyes over to where Shalimar stood, rooted to the spot in the mortal embarrassment that came with not being in control of the situation like usual.
There was a sudden bang and the disposal bin rattled as Shalimar shoved the rest of her lunch in and then she was striding out the door, followed by the stares of most of the tributes and the rest of the Career pack as they headed to join Shalimar and Hudson for lunch. He flushed with embarrassment at Shalimar's sudden behavior and rushed out to join her.
"Shalimar? Shalimar, wait! Don't leave!" The sudden nostalgia of that single line brought her to a sudden halt. She turned around but the person chasing her this time bore no resemblance to her adorable little cousin Amethyst (remember her from chapter one, people?).
"What? Go back and make connections with that Max guy from Four, alright? I'm fine," she turned her back on Hudson for a second, seeming to brush her hair back from her face. "Go back in there and rein the group in before Bilge tyrannizes them with his annoying talk. I just need to…go to the bathroom."
"Bathroom's the other way," Hudson jabbed at the air towards the Training Center. Shalimar pursed her lips and walked back in with him at her heels.
"Shalimar."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"You don't always have to be in control. I can help, Shali. Let me take some of the burden off you, I'm here now. You're not the lone stylist from the Districts in the big, scary Capital anymore. I want to have you feel comfortable with me, Shali," he softly walked towards her, a small step with every sentence, his voice velvety and persuasive.
Instead of what he was hoping, which at least was some sort of smile or smirk, Shalimar stiffened and when she spoke her voice was frosty and closed off, her "I don't like you but I don't want it to show too much because I might be able to use you" Capital voice.
"We're in the Hunger Games, Hudson Rivers. Maybe I'll be the one who kills you." Hudson froze, his hand inches away from squeezing her shoulder. Shalimar heaved a sigh so quiet it sounded like she was taking a mere breath and walked towards the "bathrooms", head held high.
Hudson blushed crimson with anger and then emptiness at what his best friend-and lately someone who he had developed feelings for- had just said. She had snubbed him. She had rejected him. Maybe that was for the best since he owed a debt for her because of protecting their childhood friend, Topaz, and maybe because he didn't want her to die, not when maybe they could have a future together. But that was stupid too, Hudson realized now. The Hunger Games allowed room for one tribute. Only.
He didn't know what to do anymore. Sacrifice his own life and let Shalimar live, maybe even go so far as to help her? Or act like she was a complete stranger in the Games?
How much did he love her?
It was too complicated. Hudson took a breather and then headed back into the Training Center. He stopped when he saw Shalimar, her eyes glittering fakely, a broad smile plastered across her face, talking with Max, the rest of the Careers scattered around them, like satellites orbiting a celestial body. They were both laughing softly and Shalimar's face looked flushed. Hudson crept up softly to them and hung around, wondering with another emotion boiling in him what they were talking about.
"And then I said, 'Well of course I need that piece of silk, you piece of ****' and realized I had been talking to a telephone pole the whole time!" they laughed again, and Max crossed his arms confidently across his chest.
"I've heard that's what Capital alcohol does. Especially that one you took, Synopsys or something, was especially good in the hallucinations department." Shalimar nodded her head and they smiled at each other, quiet for the moment.
"Yeah? Well how do you know about Capital alcohol? You live in Four. Unless you've been bootlegging it or something…huh?" Hudson inserted himself into the group, forcing Max and Shalimar to jump apart.
"Hudson!" Shalimar's face flashed with hurt for a second and then rearranged itself into a very detached expression. "You have no right to say rude things to Max. Or…anyone else. Max, I want to try out tridents. Will you help me with that?"
Hudson watched with growing irritation as Max seemed to melt into Shalimar's private space and the two sauntered off towards the trident section, where the instructor was delighted to find two good looking, charming tributes ready for action.
Annjou spoke up from Hudson's left side. "Maybe you want to try out the technicals section? I could help you with that and maybe we could get to know each other a little more."
Hudson stared at her, her voice so soft and…cutesy that he wanted to laugh or go "awwwwww". She blushed a delicate pink and started backing away. "I only meant get to know each other because we're going to be allies."
Hudson got over his initial amazement at hearing the shy Annjou speak and smiled at her. "Yeah, sure! I would like that. I'm perfectly helpless with technology. Almost got electrocuted to death when I was eight…"
Annjou brightened, hearing something to relate to. The two walked slowly and amiably to the technicals section, forming a friendship. Now isn't that dangerous. In the Games.
Oooh…complications! To their friendship, to their potential romantic relationship. Now isn't that interesting!
Hope you guys liked the chapter. It's short but I got better at updating! (mainly because it's short…)
Anyways, as always, the million dollar question (2nd prize is million and one dollars): do you guys like more romance or more HG training/blood/gore/fight/intense stuff?
Thanks for reviewing and thanks anyways if you don't. Thanks for reading this far anyways.