Well, I guess it's too late to turn back now. I keep walking and some peacekeepers have formed a box around me, prohibiting my escape. I'm marched up the stairs and I stand next to Lacey, who is all smiles. I remember to already be confident so I tilt my head a little higher.
"Hello, darling! What's your name?" She asks, handing the microphone to me.
"Clove Potter," I respond, putting a little tone in my voice to make it sound like everyone should know my name.
"Now for the boys." She walks over to the bowl filled with boy's names and puts her hand in. I already know who is coming, so I don't even pay attention when she calls the name of someone.
"I volunteer!" shouts Cato. He runs up the steps and stands next to Lacey.
"And what is your name?" She asks, adjusting the microphone so it is in front of him.
"Cato Marais." He says, simply. He as the same expression as I hope I do, cocky and ready to win.
"Wonderful! Now, shake hands," she instructs us. We turn to each other and shake hands. It's the first time I've actually touched him. He is strong.
We are escorted off stage by some peacekeepers. I am taken to a small room somewhere within the government building. I take a seat on the couch and wait for my visiting time to begin. First, my family, minus my dad, comes through the door. They aren't crying too much.
I get up and give each of them a huge, long hug.
"We don't want you to go!" My sisters cry. I kneel down to their height. I feel bad for a moment again when I look at them. I didn't have to go. I could've stayed. That other girl could've been in my position. But, I'm doing them a favor. This is what I was meant to do, to kill, to survive, to bring glory.
"I will be back. I promise. And just remember, even if I don't, do what you think you should, what feels right," I tell them. I stand up and walk a few steps over to my mom.
"Let them." I tell her. Then, the peacekeeper comes in and tells them that it is time to go. I give them each one last hug and then sit back down on the couch. Kayla comes in the room next and sits next to me on the couch.
"You're going to win. Don't doubt that for a second," she tells me. I laugh.
"Here, I brought something for you." She reaches into the pocket of her pants and hands me a small pink box tied with a white ribbon. I open it up to find a wood bracelet that is the same color as my knives. It even has the same texture as the handle.
"Thank you so much." I give her a hug.
"Win it, bestie!" She shouts as she walks out through the door being held open by the peacekeepers.
Another girl walks in. I don't know her. She isn't from school or the training arena. She looks very young, maybe 12. She has brown hair that hangs in front of her face and she looks skinny in her dress. Her arms have no muscle on them. She must be from the poor side of 2. She walks over with her head down. She looks up at me and pushes her hair out of her face.
"I'm the last one. My name is Maria. You probably don't know me, but my name was called before you volunteered. I just wanted to thank you for saving me. I wouldn't have made it a second in the arena," she quietly says. I'm not sure what to say next.
"Um… well, you're welcome." I feel very uncomfortable right now. No one has ever thanked me for something this huge before. It feels like a huge weight on my shoulders to win, now more than ever.
I have to win for my sisters and my mom. For Kayla. To prove my Dad wrong. For Maria. For District 2. For myself. It is so much more now.
"I should go now." She turns to leave, but I run after her. I reach into my pocket and pull out some money that I earned. My family doesn't need it, we have enough.
"Here." I press the coins into her hand. She stares at them, confused.
"Thanks," she stammers.
"No problem."
After she leaves, I sit in the quiet for a while, collecting my thoughts before it is time to leave. Cato's last person must have taken longer than mine. Then, the Peacekeepers open the door and motion for me to walk out. I follow them out the back door of the government building and around to the train station. I take one long look at home and then board the tribute train. Cato enters behind me.
The train starts with a lurch forward as we make our way to the Capitol.