Chapter 7, Showing Off
The two days after that are more or less the same. Zane ignores me at training, I spend most of my time with the minis while I'm learning things that can possibly safe my life. The only time Zane gives me all of his attention is at night… This is sort of disappointing. On the other hand, in a few days we will be spending every second of the day together, so we might as well meet new people while we still can.
After two and a half day of training we have to show the Game Makers what we can do. I am really, really, nervous. We have lunch in our own apartments so we can have a quick talk with our mentors. So Zane has his pep talk with Mags in his room and Finnick and I sit down in the living room.
"So what are you going to show them?" is the first thing Finnick asks.
"I don't know Finnick! I don't know!" I yell at him. I begin to panic. "I can't do anything. I can't do this! Why can't they just shoot me? I'm dead already!"
I start to breath heavily and the room seems to get smaller. Since when am I claustrophobic? This will not come in handy in the Arena. I can't control myself and I start to run circles in the room. I command myself to stop, but my body isn't listening. Suddenly it hits me that I will be going to the Arena in just three days and there is nothing I can do about it. I can't stop it, it's inevitable. All of the sudden Finnick grabs me and slaps me in my face.
"Ouch!"I scream.
"Are you finished?" Finnick asks, he gives me a worried look.
"What did you that for?" I ask with a soft voice, he slapped me really hard.
"You were running around like a headless chicken while whispering things like dead and the end." He gives me a piercing look.
"Oh," I respond. I did even realize that I was talking.
"Rubie, this is not the time to lose your mind," Finnick says, "you have to go in there, and show them what you can do. I know you can do it!"
"But what? I ask. I feel like crying, because I really don't know what to show the Game Makers.
"You said that you were good a throwing knifes the first day."
I nod.
"Okay, this is what you are going to do. First of all, lose that horrible sweater, then let your hair down and then, when you're in the room with the Game Makers, I want you to throw those knifes as sexy as you can!"
Did he really just tell me to throw the knives in a sexy way?
"Understand?" Finnick asks.
"And why do you want me to do this in a sports bra?" I ask him.
"Because the people from the Capitol like to see some skin, trust me, I know all about it," Finnick says and then he gives me that famous wink.
I look at myself in the mirror. This sweater really isn't doing my body any justice.
"Okay," I respond.
Finnick gives me an approving look and brings me to the elevator. Zane is already waiting for me and he obviously got the same advice, because his sweater is nowhere near. Finnick gives me a last comforting smile and then waves at us when the elevator doors are closing.
"I think you forgot your shirt," I say in a seductive voice.
"Well, yeah. I just thought that the Capitol people would like it. Since they loved it the last time… so yeah." I can tell he feels really uncomfortable.
"It's okay Zane, I'm going to take mine of as well." I wink at Zane and now feel like Finnick.
"What?" Zane snaps.
"Is that a problem?" I ask.
"Uh yeah, that is indeed a problem." I can't believe it, he is angry!
"Well Zane, then you're just a hypocrite. You know what? I won't take of my shirt." I say.
"Good," he replies.
"If you go back up stairs now and get yours!" I snap at him.
"Whatever," Zane replies.
The elevator doors open en Zane wants to leave. I use all my strenght to push him back. He won't get away with this.
"Now you listen to me Zane Sorbeck. I love you very much, but I am fed up with this though-guy act of yours! I can't take it anymore! No, shut up and listen! You remind me of a pregnant woman with your mood swings. During the day you're acting like a possive, jealous dick and at night you're the sweetest guy in Panem. I am done Zane. I want the real you back, District five Zane. Because I am not enjoying this tribue version. Do you understand me?"
Zane gives me a surprised look. Probably because I was able to push him to the back of the elevator, what surprised me. But also because I've really been angry with him. Not like this.
I keep looking at him, waiting for his response.
"Sorry," he says. "I didn't mean it like that."
"You better not, so are you done with it now?" I ask.
He nods.
"Good. So, I suggest we go in there and both score at least nine points!" I give him a determined look. I then take of my sweat shirt, throw it on the Floor and take Zane's hand. I decide to give him a smile (I don't want him to be grumpy when he meets the Game Makers) and we both join the rest of the tributes.
"So," the girl from District 2 says, I think her name is Poppie (ridiculous name), while she is looking at me and Zane, "are you guys… together?" She gives me a forced smile.
"Yes, I love him so much," I say with my sweetest voice and I give Zane a kiss.
"How… lovely," Poppie says.
She and I are not going to be friends, she's so fake.
"Are you ready for this, Zane?" the boy from 1 asks. He says it in a intimidating tone.
"Born ready. How about you, Theodone?" Zane replies in the same tone.
Theodone? Are you kidding me? Weirdest name, ever.
The boy nods and then get's called in.
"Where are your shirts?" asks the girl from 1.
"Forgot to put them on," Zane answers casually.
Some of the tributes give us a disgusted look. I would have probably done the same, but I have to do this.
The boy from 2 stares at me, I stare back. You like what you see, I think. He eventually gives me a smile and then starts to talk with Poppie. I look at all the tributes. The differences between 12 and 2 are massive. They really should forbid Careers to come on the show. I know that there is a rule that forbids tributes to prepare for the Hunger Games, but everyone knows that there are Careers. They make a good show, so the Capitol ignores the rule.
The girl from 10 really frightens me, she just stands in the corner smiling at everyone like we're food… I nudge Zane.
"Zane?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know who the girl from ten is?" I ask.
"Who?"
"Oh never mind," I reply dissappointed. Maybe I'm just imagining it. Maybe she really is a nice girl and not a total psycho.
I see Rosie and Selwyn talking to District 8, I don't know anything about them. The boy from 7 still looks dangerous. It takes me a while before I remember what District 7 does. And then I remember… lumber. Great, so he can probably throw an axe. I will stay as far away as possible from him. The girl next to him, I think she is his district partner, is really young and short. She reminds me of a twig, easy to break. She will not survive the bloodbath on the first day
District 12 has two pathetic tributes. They're both really tall and skinny. The boy obviously just hit puberty because his face reminds me of a map of mountains, with snow peaks and everything. It's actually really disgusting. You'd think his prep team would do something about it. The girl has long red hair and she looks like she is about to collapse. I wonder if District 12 gets the same amount of food as we.
I look at everyone from head to toe. I am so focused at doing this that I can't hear a sound. Girl district 1, tall, athletic and blond. She reminds of an Amazon, but less scary. District 2 tributes are Poppie and I think Zane told me the boy's name is Lyndon. I think the tributes from 3 are around the age of 16. The girl doesn't look like a killer, but I could be wrong. The boy looks like he's really smart, after all he is from 3. They are usually really smart. Hopefully they're smart enough to avoid the bloodbath… District 5 are the minis…
"Rubie!" Zane pokes me.
"What?"
"It's my turn, and yours after that," Zane says.
"Okay, goodluck." I start to kiss him, such a shame Poppie isn't here anymore.
"What did I do to deserve that?"He asks with a smile
"I just love you so much," I reply. I point at the door and tell him to go. Just before the doors close, Zane turns around and waves at me.
It feels like I have to wait several hours before it's finally my turn. When they call my name I slowly walk towards the doors. When I enter the Training Center I wonder what Zane did. I never asked him, but I assumed sword fighting. At the back of the Training Center is a pile of damaged manikins, I wonder who did that. I hope Zane.
Okay Rubie, this is not the time to start panicking. This is it, you have to show them what you got. Game face on!
"Rubie Sauron, District four," I say with a charming smile.
They give an approving nod, so gather the stuff that I need. I put some manikins randomly in the room. Then pick a few knives and take my place.
Oh, my hair! I almost forgot. I take out the elastic band and start to shake my hair. I hear some captivating sounds from the Game Makers.
Okay Focus! I think about what Finnick told me. Throw your knives as sexy as you can. I have no idea how to do it, I'll just have to fake it. I take one deep breath and then start to throw the knives at all the manikins, I only miss one. I take a bow for the applauding Game Makers. And then I don't really know what to do.
"Would you like to see anything else?" I ask politely. I regret asking that. I don't really have anything else to show them.
The head Game Maker nods. Shit.. I don't know what to do. I can make a fire, but that's not impressing… or is it? No.. probably not. Why isn't there a pool here, I can swim. No one else, except Zane, can swim.
"I think that I need your help," I say as charming as I can.
"My help?" the head Game Maker asks. I think his name is Seneca Crane.
"Yes, you see… I had prepare something in the water. But I can't see any water here. Maybe you can help me with that. Something like a pool. I mean, after all… you are THE head Game Maker."
He starts to blush. Oh.. men.
"Well.. yes. Yes I can. Just give me a few minutes. He gets up and leaves the Trainings Center. In the mean time I play innocently with my hair, which seems to entertain the Game Makers somehow.
The suddenly the ground starts to shake. The first thing that comes to my mind is: Earthquake! My instinct tells me to run. In district 4 an earthquake means tidal waves. When the shaking stops I turn around and see that a massive pool has appeared. I walk back and give it a close look, just to make sure that there are no dangerous animals in there.
The head Game Maker gives me a questioning look. I give him a smile, this is exactly what I need. So, here we go. Sexy swimming. I take my trousers of and dive into the water. Deja once taught me how to come up after you dived in the water. You try to get as much air as possible and throw your hair back. I decide to try this, I don't have much to lose. After that I peddle around for a few minutes and then get out of the pool. They've seen enough.
"Thank you so much for your time!" I say with a big smile. I want to wink at them. Shall I do it… No I can't… But I want to. Okay I'm going to do it. I wink at them like Finnick winks at me, then get my trousers and leave the Training Center. Surely, this must be worth at least a nine?