10th chapter. Phew, lucky to update this.

I have a tightly-knit schedule that I have to follow, else everything will fall out of place. Time is gold- every minute, no every second is important. I am proud to say that I have never been tardy in any class or in school. I was late in one session of my UPCAT review though because the traffic was heavy and I wasn't able to anticipate that. I was still really disappointed; I missed 5 vital minutes from the test and it was geometry.

Anyways, one should always be punctual and in time. It's better to be early that to be late. Also, don't dilly-dally with tasks at hand for cramming will stress you out and ruin your perfectly-planned schedule (unless it is in your schedule to cram)

*Ignore the ramblings about schedules and punctuality.*

Anyways, I received a suggestion from an anon regarding Max's story. Well, I'll honestly have to think things through before including it but it did give me a great idea that I will so thanks anon :D (Yes, you are free to make suggestions regarding the plot and I'll give you credit for it. I will have to evaluate them though)

He was silent all though breakfast. The other three were happily conversing together; joyed by their tearful reunion. They didn't speak to him regarding the earlier encounter but he knows it well. He could still recall their joyous statements and their expressions of love and happiness when they felt each other's embrace.

Their laughter resonated through his ears; giving him mixed emotions of grief, jealousy and happiness. He can recall the times when he laughed with his family; he missed them so dearly.

His mother died when he was still a child. It was told that she died of childbirth when his little sister was born but he always thought that there was more to that story than what was told. His father died in a mining accident years ago; it was the same one that took Mr. Everdeen's life. After the death of both of their parents he had to work hard so that his sister could live but she was reaped at the unfortunate age of 12.

After that he was left alone in the world. He never enjoyed life after that; he doesn't have any friends. He's the type of guy that stays in the sidelines and disappears into the background. He waited for this moment. The games aren't his nightmare; it's his dream come true.

"Okay you two, today's your first day of training. No showing off just yet, save that for when they rate you." Haymitch's loud voice broke him away from his trance.

"What if we don't know our skills?" Amaryllis asked.

"That's a good question sweetheart, try do discover it first then move on to the next station before another tribute notices." he replied.

"So you decided to become our mentor then. What happened to accepting our death, huh drunkard?" Maximillian said.

"Ah wise guy aren't ya? Well, you better fix that attitude if you know what's good for you. You want to live, you need to get sponsors and in order to get sponsors you have to make people LIKE you!"

"What if I don't want to win? What then?"

"It's your choice. A better chance for Maryl then." Haymitch smirked.

"Whatever, I'm done eating. Maryl, I'll see you at training." He stormed off to his room and closed the door shut.

Haymitch shrugged it all off while Amaryllis just stared at his door; wondering what would've made him act that way. Effie felt like she has to say something but she decided against it and held her tongue.

Amaryllis managed to turn away from the door. She couldn't help but wonder what's on her fellow tribute's mind but she knows that she might be able to help him. It wouldn't hurt to try.

"Hey dad."

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"Do you want me to go and talk to him?"

"Maybe you should. If he'll listen that is." He replied. Effie nodded in agreement.

After the their tributes left, Effie and Haymitch snuggled into the couch. Their dreams have finally comturn e true, they have their daughter back but they couldn't help but think that their child will be taken away from them once again, only this time she can never be brought back to them.

"The games, Haymitch we can't protect her from the games..." stated Effie.

Tears started to well up in her eyes. She doesn't really know if she can still stand the pain of having her little girl taken away from her nor does she know if she has a firm enough heart to watch her daughter die on screen.

"I know princess. I doubt that I can get her out of that arena though." he replied.

He told her the truth, that way it won't hurt as much for the both of them. Ever since he has known the truth about his daughter, he has been preparing himself for the inevitable but he is still unsure if he will be able to handle it all when the time comes.

"But you have to try..." she begged.

"Don't worry, I will..."

They walked towards the training center together. Amaryllis look at her fellow tribute with concern in her eyes but he didn't look back at her. In fact, he didn't acknowledge her presence until she spoke up.

"Are you okay Max? Is something bothering you?"

Noticing that she is finally catching on to his strange behavior, he quickly looked back at her with a gentle smile on his face.

"Don't worry. I'm fine, just a little stressed." he lied.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

She didn't quite believe him completely but she decided to leave him alone on that matter for a little while. If he wants to talk, he'll tell her.

They continued to walk in silence. All the while, Maximillian can't help but notice how similar Amaryllis is to his deceased sister. They're both small in stature, have fair skin and both of them has the smile that can make the whole world smile with them. He suddenly has this need to protect her and he knows well that she has to win the games. It will do everyone good if that happens.

They were able to get to the training center without any problems. They were briefed on how the games worked; what could kill them, what their priorities were and other basic stuff. They were also informed of the rules of the training center; no fighting, no one can take any sort of equipment from the center, respect authorities and no one is to destroy or damage any of the training equipment.

After the orientation the tributes quickly scrambled from one station to another. Amaryllis and Maximillian have both decided to train together. They both went to the knife-throwing station first where Maximillian has discovered his lack of hand-eye coordination. Amaryllis on the other hand was doing average for a first timer but kept her new-found skill to herself and moved on to the next station.

The next one that they tried was archery and that's where they both discovered their lack of skill for such a field and that prompted them to go to a non-combative station- camouflage.

They were able to learn the basics of the craft but neither of them would actually qualify as experts. Maximillan decided to move on to the ax and sword station but Amaryllis decided to remain; thinking that deception might actually be the only way for her to survive the games. They both agreed to eat lunch together and continue to train together.

She meticulously tried to paint her forearm with different shades of gray and brown so as to copy the visual texture of rocks.

"That's really nice. It sort of looks like a piece of sandstone." an unfamiliar voice broke her away from her concentration. She looked up and saw a girl, who was approximately sixteen years old with straight brown hair and green eyes. She was the girl from 9.

"Hi, you're that girl from 9 aren't you?" Amaryllis asked.

"Yes, and I am positive that you're the tribute from 12; the one with the burning garments."

"Well, I'm just lucky it didn't burn all the way though." She joked.

They both laughed and then they introduced themselves. Amaryllis learned that the girl was named Bailey Meller. She was a scientific researcher in her district. She assists her superiors in developing new transgenic grains and she would sometimes help in the field.

"Don't you go to school?" Amaryllis asked.

"I did. I've graduated already. At age 14, I think."

"Really? That young?"

"It's really no big deal. 9's standards are pretty low. I honestly prefer the Capitol's education, I've read books about it but I guess you already know why I can't really study here." she replies.

"Well, I guess it's expected for the Capitol to have a higher quality education compared to the districts. You want to train together?"

"Sure"

They both moved to the plant station. Amaryllis learned a few more herbal plants that could help her out. It was a lot more than the Everdeens could've taught her but nevertheless her lessons with Prim and Mrs. Everdeen will serve her well in the arena.

They both remained in that station until it was time for their lunch. Bailey invited Amaryllis to eat lunch with her fellow tribute from 9, who was a lanky 18 year-old boy with messy red hair. Amaryllis signaled Maximillian to eat with them and they all made small talk.

"Well Maryl, I see that you have made friends." Maximillian stated matter-of-factly.

"I figured that maybe we can all team up once we're in the arena." Amaryllis replied.

"That sounds like a good idea." said the boy from 9.

"Well, I'll ask our mentor about it. You, you're um Bailey right?"

"Yeah." she replied.

"Oh, Maryl told me that you're really nice. That's cool I guess..." he smiled at her.

"I threw a wish in a well, don't ask me I'll never tell. I looked to you as it fell but now you're in my way!"

Maximillian's eyes widened into the size of dinner plates and quickly turned his focus towards 9's female tribute. "Erm, what was that again?"

Bailey quickly turned red once she noticed her 'mistake'. "N-nothing! It was nothing!"

Amaryllis and 9's other tribute looked at them with amusement. They both snickered at them.

"Wha-what so funny?" they both asked.

"Oh nothing..." they replied sarcastically.

After lunch they all split up and trained separately, except for Maximillian and Amaryllis who went to the fire-making station together. After producing a couple of bonfires they both returned to the knife-throwing station so Amaryllis could practice.

She kept throwing knives at the target while Maximillian told her about his new-found talent in swing axes and swords. They stayed in that station until they were dismissed.

Maximillian went ahead while Amaryllis stayed for a little while. She walked slowly so as to observe her surroundings more carefully. She examined the smooth marble floor and the ornate gold-plated railings of the building. She looked up to look at meticulously crafted chandeliers that were constructed out of expensive diamonds and glass and looked down to the smooth varnished mahogany tables. She ran her fingers across the smooth delicate surface of the finely-grained wood. "Mhhhmmm this is mahogany..." she sighed.

She suddenly felt something bump her hard on the head. She fell against the hard marble flooring but she was quickly helped up by someone.

"I am terribly sorry m'lady. I was in a hurry and I didn't notice you there. I hope I caused you no harm." said an unfamiliar voice.

Amaryllis looked up and noticed a boy with blue eyes who was approximately 3 to 4 years older than her. If his voice didn't give it away that he's from the Capitol his clothing and hair most certainly does. He wore a black suit with a sky blue tie and his hair was dyed a dark shade of blue- so dark that it can be mistaken for black at first glance.

"I-it's fine!" she stuttered in reply. She was leaning against him; still trying to gain balance from her fall. She's never been so close to a guy before.

The boy from the Capitol looked far off into the distance and panic suddenly appeared into his eyes which prompted him to hide in the nearest closet, dragging 12's female tribute along with him.

"Wha-what the-" she was quickly shushed by him and in a low soft voice he whispered "I'm sorry m'lady but we must remain silent for a while, else I'll be caught."

She didn't question him any further; whatever his running from must be quite terrible for him to dart off so quickly. What could scare him? she wondered.

The closet was dark and small, the two of them could barely fit in such a tiny space. She was pressed against his body and she could feel his chest rise up and down in accordance to his breathing. The sweat trickled down their faces and the small droplets merged before they could fall against the cold ground. Neither one of them spoke, they just remained still for half an hour.

Haymitch and Effie remained in the couch for a long time;thinking of a way for their daughter to win the games. Neither one of them liked what's coming, the pain of sending her off into the arena was too much for them. They didn't know what to do.

"We can't let her die." stated Effie.

"I know sweetheart but I cannot promise you anything. I'm really sorry..." Haymitch replied.

"Will you at least try?"

"Yes, I've told you before and I'll tell you again. I'll do everything I can to keep our little girl alive." he assured her.

"Okay, I trust you Haymitch..." She really did trust him; more than he could ever trust himself. He's quite doubtful of his abilities but he knows that he should at least try. Maybe it will help or maybe it won't and he may let everyone down or he may not. One thing's for certain though, he'll have to play her games like it was his.

The automatic doors slid open; taking Haymitch away from his concentration. They were both shocked to see that Maximillian came back alone.

"Where's Maryl?" Haymitch asked.

"I went ahead. She said something about exploring the place a little and she also said not to worry, she won't be gone long." he replied.

"I most certainly hope not." stated Effie.

He looked towards the door to make sure that his fellow tribute is not going to walk in. He immediately spoke up when he's confident enough that she won't be walking through those doors soon "There's another reason why I went ahead."

"What is it then?"

"An offer you won't refuse. Something that will be able to save your daughter perhaps?" What he has to offer was something that's unusual for a tribute.

"Y-you know?" Effie gasped.

"Yes, I'm not deaf nor am I blind. I saw your little reunion earlier. Quite touching really."

"Are you being a smart mouth again?"

"I'm not. Listen, this won't guarantee her absolute safety but it might help. I'll try to protect her in the arena. I don't care if I die- death is my friend. All you have to do is train me to protect her. No catches. Do we have a deal?"

Haymitch closed his eyes for a little while; contemplating on whether he should say yes or no. Who's to say he might betray them once they are in the arena but then again it might help. Maybe she can survive with a bodyguard that's capable enough to win the games.

"Why? Why are you offering this? Don't you want to win?"

"Maybe I do if I actually have a reason to win- if I can actually share my winnings with others but what reason do I have? My whole family is DEAD! She has a reason to live. She has you two. Me, I have nothing." he stated.

Haymitch sighed before replying "Sure"

"So we have a deal then?"

"Yup."

They all conversed on a good strategy and they all agreed that a non-aggressive approach is the best one. A little while later Amaryllis came back from her little trip. She looked tired and was dripping in sweat.

"What took you so long sweetheart?" Haymitch asked her.

"N-nothing at all. Just explored a little." She didn't tell them about the blue haired boy and how they hid inside a closet together. Her parents would freak if they find out.

"I hope you didn't get into any trouble, young lady." said Effie.

"Don't worry Ms. Trinket. I didn't."

"You don't have to hide it. I know that their you're parents." Maximillian stated.

"Well, that's a good thing I guess..."

"Anyways, we need to get back to formulating a plan. Maryl, you will team up with Max, stay close and back each other up okay?"

"Okay" they replied.

Two heads are better than one...

It's 3 in the morning and I'm wide awake! Anyways, please review when you have time. Thanks :D