Amber and I walk to school in silence. When we get there, we split up.
I walk in and my schoolmates part, letting me through. I hear echoes of people saying things like "I'm sorry." A few people pat me on the back.
I nod politely but keep my eyes on the floor.
I sit down in my first class.
"Hello, everyone." Mrs. Kilos says cheerily. "Hope you had a great weekend."
How can she say that?
Anger boils inside me but I turn away.
I don't pay attention.
I go to my next class, my annoyance gone. Sadness replaces it.
I sit down. Jake sits next to me. Another of my schoolmates. He's not really a friend.
Instead of participating, I think about Kailey. How long will she last?
It doesn't matter how long she lasts if she's going to die.
That's when I realize I'm crying.
"Mrs. Brunge," Jake raises his hand. Mrs. Brunge walks over.
I'm a little embarrassed that I'm crying in front of my classmates but I couldn't care less.
"Keep under control." Mrs. Brunge tells the class, leading me out into the hall.
After I calm down, she asks, "Would you like to go home?"
I shake my head. "I'm fine."
"Your sister went home about an hour ago."
I go back to class.
At lunch they bring up a screen. They're showing the tributes in the Training Center.
I see many tributes fighting dummies or pixilated tributes in a caged-in room.
Finally I see Kailey throwing a knife at a dummy. She misses, as does the girl next to her. They both laugh and try again. The boy on Kailey's other side looks at them with a disgusted look on his face.
When the school day is over I wait for most of the students to leave before grabbing my things and walking out of the building.
"Kembrith," someone behind me calls quietly.
Mirlu.
I turn. "Oh, hi Mirlu." I say quietly.
"I'm really sorry about your sister."
Now what do I say? 'It's okay?' No I can't, because it's not.
I nod. "I guess I'd better get home."
"Where's Amber?" Mirlu asks.
"She went home early."
"I see." Mirlu nods. "See you tomorrow, Kembrith!"
I wave and climb onto a nearby roof.
...
8 spaces, remember! 3 girls and 5 boys.
Please send in tributes. (Sorry, Mintysplash, but you've already sent in 9 tributes. I think that's my limit :()
