Chapter 9
I kept my promise and not start or get into a fight. I wandered through different stations and ignored the evil glares I was getting the Careers. Atala stopped us and asked to form a circle around her. I was in between the girl from District 9 and the boy from District 3.
"After lunch, the evaluations of each tribute will begin and you will make your way to that doorway there" She pointed to a door near the sword station. "You will go in individually and as usual we will start with District 1" indicating to a tall boy with brown hair and a beautiful girl with flowing blonde hair, but both with smug, arrogant looks on their faces. "This is your last chance for training so use it well and good luck to you"
I was quite nervous for my private sessions I didn't know what to show. I promised my father that I wouldn't show my real talents until I was in the Games, but now would be a good time as ever to show how 'weak' I am. However, Atala was right, this is my last time to train so I need to get in as much as possible. After an embarrassing hour of showing myself up of being a weak opponent, we were stopped for lunch and as usual, the Careers were the first in, first to attack the buffet and the first to sit down. Again, I was accompanied by Rue and we sat down and ate our lunch in silence, both of us too nervous to speak to one another. Soon enough, it was time for the evaluations and like Atala said, we were all brought into the room near the sword station. We found a chair each and sat down in silence, a minute later a voice appeared from nowhere
"Marvel. Please make your way for evaluation" I lowered my head so no one could see and smirked at such a preposterous name, surely people don't name their children like that, but to my greatest amusement, the boy from District 1 got up and walked away. Of course, District 1 is luxury.
One by one, the room thinned out and it was finally Rue's turn.
"Good luck" I said, she smiled and we received a snort from a corner. I turned and saw Burnett there, and since she was from my district, she will be the last to go. I wish I could have gotten mine over and done with. I didn't have to wait too long after Rue had gone in.
"Tyson Galloway. Please make your way for evaluation" a voice rang out. I got up and walked away silently.
"Don't fall flat on your face, pipsqueak!" another voice called out. I didn't turn round and kept walking. I walked back into the Training Room where I saw multiple stands from swords to snares, weights to wall climbing and painting to plants. The Gamemakers were sitting, laughing and drinking, completely oblivious that I had arrived in the room. I stood for a couple of seconds and still nothing, I couldn't wait any longer
"Tyson. From District 12" I shouted. That got the Gamemakers' attention, they all looked down at me as I walked over to the spear throwing station. I picked up one and threw it. I easily could have the spear straight through a dummy's head however it got to halfway and fell to the floor. The sound of laughter was clear to hear, my face burned with humiliation. Each stand I went to, I failed miserably, I fell off the climbing wall, I couldn't throw any weights and my accuracy was terrible. To the Gamemakers, I was another weakling. They had all given up watching me and continued to drink. However one stopped drinking to speak to me.
"You may go, Mr Galloway" and that was the end of it, he went back to drinking and laughing. I didn't even bother bowing, I just walked out. I didn't care that I was disrespectful to them because half of them were as good as drunk and most likely won't remember what happened today.
I walked into one of the elevators and pressed 12. I shot up to the top floor. When the doors opened, there was no-one to greet me, so I went into my room, took off my clothes and took a shower. Once I got dressed, Haymitch and Effie burst in.
"Obviously, the word knocking didn't spring to mind" I said
"Attitude" Effie snapped, but instantly put a smile on her face "So how did the private session go?"
"Lousy. I failed at everything I did, I gonna be a laughing stock with the other tributes when my score comes up. Especially the Careers" I said
"Don't count yourself out yet, kid. There is still the interviews" Haymitch added. I was again shocked that Haymitch had given another piece of helpful advice. I was going to answer but there was a sound of a slammed door to stop me
"Well, I think your fellow tribute is back" Haymitch said. I raised an eyebrow at the remark. We all walked out to see Burnett with a smug and satisfied look on her face.
"It looks like your private session went well" Effie smiled
"Yep, I'm gonna get a really high score" scoffed Burnett "What about you?" I realized she was talking to me
"Rubbish" I told her
"Better get used to it, pipsqueak. Cause you may have won over the Capitol crowd with your pathetic little smile but I just won over the Gamemakers" she smirked
"Yeah, you may have. But it is more likely that I will get more sponsors cause people like me" I retaliated
"Enough. Both of you, to your rooms. Dinner will be served at 6 and the results will be shown at 7" Haymitch pointed to our rooms
I stayed in my room till Effie told me that it was time for dinner. I got up and walked out, to be greeted by the delicious smell of dinner. I was one of the first to arrive, excluding Effie, soon followed by Haymitch and the stylists and then Burnett. We all had the first course in silence, but Effie was the first to be break the silence.
"What do you think your score will be?" she asked. I wasn't so sure, surely I couldn't get a 1, I mean I was bad but I could be that bad, could I?
"I am gonna be a 10!" Burnett said proudly
"I'm not so sure" I mumbled. We had the rest of the meal in silence and we walked over to the TV, where I was offered a cup of hot chocolate, I took a tiny sips whilst the commentator, Cesar Flickerman was warming up. He was wearing his usual twilight blue suit and this year, it was blue hair and every year, it's a different colour. One year, he had his hair dyed yellow, I'm no fashion expert but it was hideous.
"After 3 days of evaluation, the Gamemakers have decided on each of the tributes scores" Now was the time to see if it had all paid off. Normally, the Careers score 8-10, although one year, a Career scored an 11 and was one of the first to be killed. The score just helps with who the sponsors should keep their eye out on. Clearly, it won't be me.
"From District 1, Marvel, a score of 9"
"District 1, Glimmer, a score of 9" I snorted silently at such a name. No one heard it.
"District 2, Cato, a score of 10" There he was, tall, dark hearted and scowling, however, there he was smirking arrogantly.
"From District 2, Clove, with a score of 10" I had seen her throwing knives during training and she never missed her target. She would have been good looking, if she wasn't there with a face on like she had just stepped in something.
There you have it. All the Careers scored high, meaning that they are gonna have more sponsors. The girl from District 5 got a 4, Thresh got a 10, which was really surprising, he didn't do any training as far as I saw and tiny Rue pulled up a 7, another major surprise, she must have shown her climbing abilities.
"From District 12, Tyson" Here it comes "A score of 6" Yes, I was relieved on such a score, not getting a 1 was now banished from my head. I received a few pats on the back and a grunt from Burnet.
"Finally, from District 12, Burnet. With a score of 9" I thought Burnet would have tried rubbing it in my face, but instead, she lobbed her drink at the screen, which went straight through and smashed against the wall behind, dripping hot chocolate down it.
"What was that for" Effie screeched
"I deserved a 10, they conned me" She stormed out, leaving a dead silence in her wake.
"You better go to bed, Tyson. We need to get you prepped for your interview." Effie said
I wasn't going to object, I was feeling slightly sleepy after the hot chocolate, I bid everyone goodnight, I walked past Burnet's room, I could hear her tantrum unfolding, first the screams and then things were getting thrown at the walls.
I got in my room and I don't even remember falling on my bed.
Thanks for reading. To recap, the first day of training begins and Burnet gets into the Career pack and the boy who was glaring at Tyson at the parade, named Cato, asks Thresh from District 11, if he would like to join the Career pack, which Thresh refused and to Tyson's amusement.
Thanks for reading. I hope that you liked it and you keep reading
-Writer1698
