Hope
I watch as he leaves to go into the training centre. Did I really just do that? Oh god, things are going to be so awkward between us now. He was so shocked, stunned into silence. I can't believe I just kissed him. Yes, it was on the cheek but still… I KISSED HIM! I sit down and put my head in my hands, taking deep breaths.
It was just a friendly kiss, I tell myself and try to forget the daydreams I've been having lately. Stupid daydreams! I didn't know I had a… romantic side. Everyone says I follow my mom and that's creepy because I found my parent's in bed naked a few days ago and- I'm going to shut up now.
To keep my mind off things I count the minutes that pass. I'm on twenty minutes and fifteen seconds when a Peacekeeper calls my name. I stand up and walk towards the large double door. As soon as I walk in my eyes fall on the feasting Game-makers. My mom told me to calm down and to not let them bother me.
How can I do that when they're not even watching me? One guy is watching me. Wait, that's Plutarch Heavensbee. He's head Game-maker so if he watches me throughout then I could get a good score.
I step forward and look around the room, my parent's advice replaying my head. "Don't do anything stupid. It will put you in more danger when you are in the arena." I guess I can shoot some bows then. I walk over to the bow and arrow section and pick up a large bow. I load the arrow, aim, and shoot. BULLSEYE! That's pretty good for me since I haven't held a bow in days.
I look at the Game-maker's for their reaction… they're just stuffing their fat faces with meat. The head Game-maker is still watching me. Our eyes meet.
He looks at his feasting team-mates and when he see's that no-one is watching he holds up his hand and points to each finger: Five. I hold my hand up too and he nods abruptly. He put the other hand up then: Ten. I put both my hands up and he shakes his head: No. He puts his hands down then back up then down and then back up again: Thirty. I mouth the number to him and he nods again and winks. Five thirty. What does that mean?
I shake my head, deciding I'll think about it when I go back to my floor and head over to the dummies. It's then that the idea flashes into my mind. I find myself grabbing two dummies and standing them up back-to-back in the middle of the floor. I put one of the dummies hand in the other dummies hand and I glance over at Plutarch, he's smiling. He knows what I'm doing. I walk over to the plant section and pick up the plastic bunch of berries. Then I go back over to my parents, I mean the dummies and put a few berries in each of their hands. I stand back and smile at my work but then decide it needs a little more work.
I walk over to the paint section and dip a paintbrush in gold paint. Then I go back to the dummies and paint a large Mockingjay on my mom's chest. Once again I step back. Each and every one of the Game-makers are watching me now. All of them are smiling. "You can leave now, Miss Mellark," Plutarch grins. I smile back; turn on my heel and leave. I didn't expect that reaction. I ride the elevator to the top floor and I'm not even out of the elevator when I'm greeted by Effie, my mom, my dad and Jesse, all asking what I've done.
I smile and step out of the elevator. "You did something stupid didn't you?" Jesse asks and I shrug.
"Oh, Hope," my mother sighs, putting her arms around me. "We told you not to do anything stupid."
"I wouldn't say it was stupid. They were all smiling at me," I reply.
"What did you do?" Effie squeaks.
"I put two dummies back-to-back and put berries in their hands," I explain and my dad… chuckles?
"Your mom did something worse. You should me fine," he says and I sigh in relief. For a minute there I thought I'd get in trouble. I look at Jesse and force myself not to blush when I remember what I did.
"Umm, what did you do?" I ask.
"Nothing stupid," he smiles. "I just threw a few spears and knifes- nothing amazing." I nod.
"You two wash up and then come to dinner. Your stylists will be joining us," Effie orders. We do as she says and head to our rooms.
"About what I did," I start and glance at Jesse. "I don't know what come over me. I'm sorry. I don't want it to be all… awkward now."
"It was nothing," he replies, smiling.
"Yeah," I mutter and then go into my room.
I have a quick shower, washing my body and hair with strawberry soap. Once I'm dry I throw on a pair of brown trousers and a green shirt and then head to the dining room. I greet Cinna and Portia and sit sown and start eating. "We'll watch the scores after this and then you should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big, big, big day!" Effie says. All I do is nod and go back to eating.
Once we're finished we all head into the TV room. I take a seat next to Jesse and try not to blush when Effie sits next to me, making me move up so my shoulders and touching Jesse's.
I ignore the tingling feeling and stare at the screen, nervously. As usual, the careers get great scores and I'm not surprised when Jeremy pulls off a 9. Jesse and I glance at each other and I can here his voice telling me, "Not to trust him." I do trust Jeremy though. He hasn't tried anything and he's kind of… nice!
Finnick pulls an 8 and I sigh in relief and cock my head to the side. I nearly scream when I realise my head is on Jesse's shoulder. I sit up quickly and avoid his gaze. District 12 comes up and my picture flashes on the screen and then… 12! I stare in shock I didn't want my score to be that good. Now everyone in the arena is going to be coming after me. "Well done!" my dad grins.
"That's awesome, Hope!" Cinna cheers.
I sit back and sigh, not wanting to be here. Jesse's picture flashes on the screen and then the number… 3.
REVIEW! What's Hope's reaction going to be about Jesse's score? I'll try to update tomorrow and you can find out!
