3/1/15

Hi again! I know I said I'd try to update sooner, but I had another essay. Luckily, that was the last one for a while, so maybe I'll be able to get back on track. I only have an update scheduled once a week, but I'll try to get ahead of my schedule because I have to go to a homeschool conference in a couple weeks. That, and I feel like I owe it to you guys.

Reviews:

Stellaslomp: Ha, yeah. That scene would be just a liiiittle bit awkward. I love the quotes too. The first couple times I did them it was a contest to see who could guess where the quotes came from, but I kept picking quotes from lesser known fandoms (mostly Spectrobes and The Last Unicorn) so no one could guess them, so then it turned into being just a quote.

Lya200: You'll see what happens to the alliance (and how she gets stuck with Wiress and Beetee) in a few chapters. The plan that they have right now is a bit different from the one that ends up being used, but more on that later.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or anything else I may mention.

Chapter Twelve: Training

"Blight," I snap. Blight ignores me and tosses his blanket over his head. "Come on Dad, you've gotta get up. We have training to get to."

"I'll be down later," he yawns. "Just give me some time to wake up."

I let out a huff of frustration. "Atala's going to murder me in cold blood if you aren't there."

"She probably expects it," Blight says. "I bet half of us won't even show up. You know, 'cuz we have better things to do. Like sleep."

I try not to laugh. "Okay, fine. I'll let you sleep in. But don't blame me if you miss training entirely."

"Thanks," Blight mumbles as I leave the room.

I sigh and grab an energy bar for breakfast. I eat it as I walk down the stairs because I don't want to take the elevator. Not after last night's events, anyways.

Tossing the wrapper in the trash can, I enter the training room with a strange amount of confidence. I can do this. I really can. I stand between Shey and Finnick and listen to Atala's instructions. Blight was right, I soon find out. As of right now, about eight or nine of us are missing. I look around and try to decide who it is. I notice the absence of a certain pair of twins immediately, as well as the tributes from 9. Angus isn't here, leaving me and Shey to get at least a little time away from our fathers. The girls from 5 and 11 aren't here either.

I take a moment to remember who was reaped. Cashmere, Gloss, Mikkiena, Blight, Eve, Rye, Angus, and Seeder. That's who's missing.

I turn to Shey and whisper, "Do you know where your dad is?" It's just not possible that all these people wanted to sleep in.

"Strategy meeting with Haymitch and the mentors," Shey whispers. "They only want to talk to a few of us at a time though, to lower suspicions. Haymitch figured that, being the first day and all, not very many of us would show up under normal circumstances."

"Do you think that's where Blight is?" I ask, still whispering.

Shey shakes her head. "He would've told you if that's what it was."

Atala dismisses the group before walking over to us.

"Ladies, I know you've heard this talk before, but you have to listen to me when I'm speaking," Atala says gently.

"Sorry," Shey apologizes. "She was just wondering where my dad was."

"And that would be?"

Shey and I exchange a worried glance. "Just taking some time off," I say coolly. "This Quell thing is making him feel his age, I guess."

Shey nods her head. "Yeah, it's making me feel mine too."

"24 isn't that old," Atala says. "Wait until you hit 40."

Wait, Atala's 40? The wonders of plastic surgery, I tell you.

"Not like that," Shey says. "Just making me feel more grown up, that's all. Before the announcement, I was still kinda stuck in teenager land."

Atala chuckles and leaves us alone.

"Good cover," Shey says.

"Thanks," I sigh. "So, do you want to go to wrestling first?"

Shey's eyes light up, reminding me that hand-to-hand combat is her specialty. She's only about 5'4", so her small size makes it easy for her to dodge attacks, but she's also quite muscular from continuing to work in her district's industry. Due to this, she's pretty good at defending herself.

"Yeah, sure, that'll be fine," she says, trying to hide her excitement. I hold in a laugh as we go over to the empty station.

"You can go first," I offer. I don't have to ask her twice, though. She instantly strikes up a conversation with the Capitol attendant and leaves me to sit on the bench and watch.

I notice Peeta throwing some spears with Brutus and Chaff. I take a look at Shey to make sure that she'll be okay. She seems to be doing fine on her own, which manages to remind me that she's not that little 16 year old anymore. I sigh and shake my head. We've grown up so fast. It seems like only yesterday that I met her on the victory tour.

I make my way over to Peeta, Brutus, and Chaff. I wave at Finnick as I'm walking, who waves back. "Hey guys," I smirk, picking up a spear of my own.

"Hey Jo," Chaff nods.

"I didn't know you could throw," Brutus says.

"Well, I don't, but I was just coming over here to talk. What? Is there something wrong with that?"

"Not at all," Peeta says, probably still thinking about what happened last night. Hey buddy, that almost annoyed me as much as it did you.

"So, spears, huh?" I ask. I give Brutus the "does lover boy know" look. Brutus shakes his head. Shoot.

"Wanna watch me wrestle?" I ask casually.

"There's a wrestling station?" Peeta asks.

"Yeah, it's more of Shey's forte than mine, but I'm not bad," I shrug. "Come on, I'll show you."

Brutus and Chaff give me a curious look, but I shake it off. As we get there, I notice Katniss Everdeen staring at me. I pretend that I'm about to strip to divert her attention. Luckily, it works. I laugh to myself.

"So that was some kind of joke?" Peeta asks.

"Of course. Well, it was slightly to spite my stylist," I shrug. "I meant what I said, you know? About Clio being the biggest idiot in Panem?"

"Right," Peeta says. "Katniss got pretty annoyed."

"Oh, I bet she did. Seeing that she hangs out with Nuts and Volts and all," I shrug.

"Who?" Peeta asks.

"Wiress and Beetee," I explain. Peeta nods his head as I remember that Shey's still playing around. "I guess we'll have to get back to this later."

"Okay," Peeta says awkwardly.

"Feel free to join me and some of the real victors at lunch," I say, as if to remind him that he doesn't belong here. Not yet, anyways.

"Oh… okay," Peeta says.

Satisfied that I've made him uncomfortable, I join Enobaria at the swords station. Neither of us say anything, which suits us just fine. The two of us have an odd friendship based on… well, not talking to each other. Actually, I'm not sure if she'd actually qualify as a friend. But right now, sticking next to her is my best option. I need to remind the District 12's that I'm supposed to be their enemy, after all.

..

I just now realized that it's been forever since I updated Reading The Hunger Games and Metamorphosis, so expect updates on those soon (even if the RTHG one is only another interlude).

Also, I'll probably end up posting Chapter 13 when I get Mockingjay on DVD, and I think that'll be on Friday or Saturday (I'm not sure which one yet, though) but it might be earlier :)

Quote of the day!

"One pair on underwear lasts me 4 days. I wear them in front, then I wear them in back, then I turn them inside out and wear them front and back again. It's called recycling!" –Big Hero 6, Fred (that is his name, right? I always get his name mixed up for whatever reason)

May the odds be ever in your favor,

Spectrobes Princess