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"Please, feel free to eat whatever your little hearts desire!"
Cornelia stood at the foot of the large dining table, gesturing grandly as servers filed in behind her. They came and stood beside us, serving us the first course: A light soup. Cashmere and Gloss thanked the servers, as did I, but Demetrius stared at his plate with an incredulous look. I chuckled and leaned in, whispering, "Haven't you ever seen chicken soup?"
He broke out of his daze and scoffed. "Of course."
We dug in, and Cashmere and Cornelia made small talk about some sort of new trend from the capitol. Something about a mockingjay. I didn't listen, even while their conversation carried on to the second course, smoked ham with mashed potatoes and a side salad. Gloss and Demetrius began to speak about the availability of a sword at the Cornucopia. They exchanged tips during training, all while eating monstrously. I slumped in my seat, feeling a little left out. I shook of the feeling quickly, knowing the feeling wasn't new.
I ate little. Cornelia noticed.
"Aren't you hungry, Lillianne dear?" She asked, peering over the big piece of flowers in the middle of the table. I smiled sheepishly, shrugging as a server took my half-eaten plate and replaced it with the final course: Vanilla ice-cream with silver sprinkles. Cornelia shakes her head disapprovingly, about to say something when she is interrupted by a server.
"Excuse me. The Reapings are to be broadcast in five minutes. Would you like to take your dessert to the viewing area?" The woman asked uniformly. She never met our gaze.
Cornelia jumped up, ecstatic. "Yes!" She turned to us, gesturing us to get up. "Come along, children! Let's see your competition!"
Servers were immediately at our side, ready to take our small cup of ice-cream for us. When I beat my server to my cup and grabbed a spoon, I bit my lip. "Uh-thank you, but I'll take it." The server was confused for a few seconds, then changed back to a frozen smile. He moved back slowly, and I walked behind our assembly line as we walked to this 'viewing room'. I almost dropped my spoon in awe.
We entered a room that was large enough to be a whole train car. It was warmly colored, with oranges and purples, with one large couch that rounded in a semi-circle. Pillows comfortably sat in every available spot. In front of the long couch was a raised but small wooden coffee table, then a large black screen I ruled out to be the television. I blinked, then followed lamely behind Demetrius. Both obviously struck by the awesomeness of the room, we stumbled together and I punched him lightly for getting in my way. He chuckled and moved over, sitting beside Gloss. I looked up to see Cashmere patting a spot beside her. I shimmied my way to that spot. Between Gloss and Cashmere, I felt a bit more at ease. The screen belting out the Capitol anthem makes us pay attention. I put my feet up beside me.
Ceasar Flickerman, this year sporting pale pink hair with matching everything announces the Games and how excited he is that we are so close to them. I shudder, and turn my attention back. He begins the Reapings, and the first ones are obviously Demetrius and me. I see myself waver and almost fall back onto Demetrius, my eyes wide and my body paralyzed. The commentator says how this was a twist of events. He makes sure that everyone knows I am the President's granddaughter. The other commentator adds that I look fabulous in my pencil skirt and curled hair. Cashmere nudges me and gives me a smile. When Demetrius walks up, he has some swagger in his step, and instantly the commentators say he is quite the looker. It's official. We just might be the best looking tributes in this year's games.
The rest of the tributes are a blur, but some remain in my head. The blue-eyed redhead from District Two who literally ran with glee to the stage. The District 3 boy who wore red glasses that looked like goggles. The twins- a Hunger Games first- from District Seven were small, twelve year olds surely, but very optimistic. A towering girl from District 11 with dark skin and wild hair who stared down her escort as he introduced her.
I can tell that Gloss and Demetrius are keeping tabs, but I ignore their constant comments on the physiques of the tributes. I just watch as the last District, Twelve, shows their reaping. Their District isn't as fancy as ours- in fact, it was literally scraping to survive. The District 12 girl isn't a complete standout. She is afraid, and has peacekeepers literally push her to the stage. With light brown hair and brown eyes, I dismiss her as just another tribute.
That is, when I see her counterpart.
My heart skips a bit as they call his name. "Alexander Romulus."
I would've overlooked him, like Demetrius and Gloss. I would've dismissed him like I did the female. But I couldn't.
He was tall, with a lanky build. He was dark skinned, but not so like the girl from District 11. His eyes were stormy grey and determined, almost concealed under his messy and curly black hair. He gave a slight grin at the crowd when they clapped solemnly.
"Not a big deal," I hear Demetrius whisper. I shush him.
I couldn't understand what drew me to him, but instantly I knew that he was important. I wasn't sure if I should look out for him, or like him- all I knew is that he was important. He could be an underdog, for all I knew. He could have secrets, just like I had mine. I cocked my head to the side, considering the boy. We could be allies-
Woah, I say to myself, freezing. You haven't even met this kid. How can you trust him?
The screen goes blank. Cornelia sighs and turns to us.
"I believe that you two are the prettiest tributes." She confides in us, licking her spoonful of ice-cream. Demetrius shrugs.
"The career tributes aren't very amazing this year," He says. Gloss agrees.
"You guys have this," Gloss replies, "Sponsors will be on your side, surely."
Cashmere laughs. "And if looks could kill..." She trails off, eating some more of her ice cream.
"What do you think, Lillianne?" Cornelia asks.
Four eyes turn to look at me, expectantly. I don't know what to say. Not keeping tabs and only watching, I have no response. I put the now melted cup of ice cream on the wooden coffee table absently and get up.
"I- I think I'm going to sleep now." I say, messing with my shirt to fix it.
Before protests or 'goodnights', I run out of the room, unsure of what to make of the reapings. While Demetrius is already ruling out allies, I'm suddenly hooked on some kid from District 12. I shouldn't care about him! I shouldn't even give him a second thought. He'll be dead in a few weeks!
I close the door swiftly, leaning my spine on the cool surface. I bonk my head backwards, closing my eyes.
Alexander Romulus! The male tribute from District 12!
It's amazing how far first impressions will go. I learned that quickly.
