Exactly One Month before the 127th annual reaping
-Arden Rivendell, District 2-
Arden was more than happy to hear her alarm go off that morning. It had been a really long night for her, very frustrating as well. It was just so hard for her to sleep knowing what was coming today. This was going to be the day that she had been working so hard to prepare for. It all came to this. She had barely slept, but when she slept, she had nightmares, nightmares of making one wrong move, being pinned, losing her only shot at the glory that she so desperately craved. One wrong move, and she would lose everything.
Then, she got so frustrated because she knew that sleeping was necessary for her to be her best in the morning. It was a constant cycle: Stay awake from nerves and excitement, finally doze into a daydream state and have a nightmare about a way that it could all go wrong, wake herself up, and then the cycle began again. When the alarm finally told her it was time for her to get up for good, she was relieved that the cycle was over. Even though it had gone off just as she had finally gotten into a dreamless slumber. Always.
Arden rubbed the sand out of her eyes and immediately sat up. Victors never snoozed. If you snooze in the Arena, you lose. And Arden wasn't going to lose. She slid out of bed and yawned. It was a long night, but this was a new day and she couldn't let the loss of sleep affect her performance. She knew that in the Games, she would be losing sleep, but that couldn't affect her performance there, and it wasn't going to here, either.
Arden brushed her teeth and combed her hair. After she changed into the breathable training clothes provided by District Two, she put her long, dirty blonde hair back in double braids that she put up and pinned back. She had to make sure it was pinned tightly so that it couldn't be pulled on or get caught, or slow her down if it was let down. She had to make sure that everything was just how she wanted for today. Arden bounced on her feet a little bit, trying to make sure that everything was comfortable for the big marathon of battles.
As District Two has grown and thrived, volunteering has become accessible to anyone that could prove they had the strength. With a population boom and increased access to training, the pool to choose just one volunteer for District Two was huge. This would be the day. The top trainees from each Academy around the District would submit people into the pool, proportional to the prestige of the Academy, who would come to the Colosseum (real original), District Two's biggest Training Center, for a day of non-stop judgment until the two volunteers were chosen from the pool. It was a new system that started last year, after a short but significant dry spell of people. Arden was one of three that was sent from her small, private Academy. It would take skills, smarts, and especially endurance to come out on top.
She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the butterflies flying around in her stomach. It was still out of her reach, there were going to be close to one-hundred other people that qualified in the female category that she would have to stand out from. Arden looked at herself in the mirror, and though she tried to stand up straight, her smile looked fake. She could see the nerves in her eyes. She was excited, but also nervous. She had worked so hard to reach the number one spot at her Academy, and while that put her towards the top of the pack already because of its reputation, she knew that she had a lot to prove today.
When Arden came out to the small kitchen, she was surprised to see Dad awake and making breakfast. It had been years since he made breakfast for her. Arden was touched and excited at the sight of it.
"Dad!"
"Good morning," he said, giving her a gentle smile.
"What are you doing up?" she asked happily. He actually had a twinkle in his eye this morning.
"Today's the big day, isn't it?" he asked, giving her a small plate of peanut butter toast. Richer trainees would have eggs, bacon, and bagels for the big day, but Arden was just not that fortunate. She didn't have that life of luxury like other District Two trainees. There was a time when she would have been indignant if she got peanut butter toast, but now they couldn't be choosers.
"Yeah," Arden said. It was hard to believe that was even true. She had been waiting so long for it to come, and now she wished she had just another week to prepare, to clean up the things that were almost there and learn as much as she could. There was always something new to perfect, after all. "I can't believe it."
She sat down and ate the toast, and Dad sat down with her. He looked tired, but hopeful. She knew that she couldn't go home without having that letter for Dad to read. She wanted to bring honor to her family, to her name! It was her name on the line more than anything, but it would help her father too.
Arden's stomach swirled as she munched on the peanut butter toast. It was what she always had for breakfast when she went to train, and what she made for Dad to help his hangovers. He was really trying to break the cycle, and maybe today would be the day for that process to start. He'd almost broken the addiction before, but Arden was sure that this time would be it. As long as everything went according to plan, he could get out of drinking. She knew it was possible.
Her stomach still hadn't settled when she finished her breakfast and had a glass of water to drink. She couldn't help feeling nervous. Besides, she would also feel nervous in the Arena, and she had to figure out a way to cope with it to get home. She couldn't let it get to her.
Arden stood up, realizing she would have to hurry to catch the van that would take the three girls and three boys to the Colosseum. There would be a tram of excited trainees from their Academy following the van later in the day to watch the festivities.
The driver was none other than Chord, the main trainer that had worked with Arden.
"Hey," the man said, grinning.
"Is anyone sitting shotgun?" she asked.
"You're the first one here, so now you are."
Arden grinned as she slid into the passenger side and closed the door. Chord's music was connected and playing quietly
"You ready?" he asked.
Arden's heart was pounding, but she had to keep her confident persona. If she believed that she could do it, she could. If she didn't, she would fail. "Yes sir!" she said.
"I know you're ready," he said, smiling proudly. "If anyone from this Academy is going to earn that spot, it's you."
"Thanks Chord. I've had a really good trainer helping me out."
Her best friend gave her a smile. "A trainer is only as good as the person they're working with you know."
Arden flicked his arm. "Oh, stop that," she said, still smiling. Leave it to Chord to make her feel good about her chances.
The car door opened and two guys came in, both of them making small talk. None of the well-wishes or the luck was genuine. Everyone wanted to get that spot. They were all fake here. Nobody cared about anybody if they wanted to volunteer. She was lucky that she'd found Eva. Having a real friend behind her, along with Chord, got her to this point. She was going to be sure to find Eva in the crowd today, and it would get her through. Seeing her beautiful best friend cheering her on was what she needed.
Another girl vying for the spot entered the car next. Arden didn't know her that well, but knew that she was driven. The last boy came, and the last girl came in behind him. Cece. One of the girls personally dedicated to ruining Arden. She was going to make sure that the bitch was not the one standing up there on the podium. She tried to destroy Arden, but Arden wouldn't stay down. Now she was going to prove herself once and for all.
"Hi Arden," she said, smiling in that fake-ass way of her. "Are you ready for today?" Her hair was hanging down in a loose ponytail. Immediate weakness.
"I'm ready," she said confidently.
"I sure hope that you didn't have to choose between this and caring for your father. Isn't he sick? I've never seen him."
Arden's blood boiled. "He's fine."
"And your mother! I'm sure she must be so proud of you up there. Oh, she isn't dead, is she? She just couldn't take you and left? How sad. Maybe if she was still around you wouldn't have to take tesserae to be here."
Arden turned around. She didn't have to listen to that shit, she was sitting in the front seat. Everyone knew she took tesserae, a testament to how poor her family was. It was embarrassing to be known as the poor girl. The tesserae girl. The outlier, because she didn't have money. She could hear the other trainees whispering and giggling in the backseat.
"You won't be laughing when I'm on that podium today," she said, not turning around to look at them. They whispered quieter. "I'm not going to honor any of you up there. Especially not you Cece."
"You think your cute little face is going to be seen as a threat by any of those Victors?" Cece asked, as Chord silently pulled out. He knew that Arden could fight her own battles, and even liked doing so. It felt good to stand up for herself.
"I know it will," Arden said. Chord gave her a look as Cece gave her stupid little snuff at Arden and the trainees all stopped talking. It was a tense ride. Chord turned up his music slightly, but it didn't do anything to help diffuse the tension. Arden felt annoyed that she had to be the target, of someone she had once called a friend nonetheless, but didn't mind. She was full of energy now, and they were going to regret what they said.
Chord was a good driver, and his smooth stops and accelerations made the ride more calming to Arden. She just had to keep her eyes on the prize, and time and time again, rageful Careers met an early demise.
When the Colosseum came into sight, everyone in the van perked up, craning their necks to look at the giant supercomplex. The largest Academy in the District, it was the perfect place to hold a day of events like this. Arden felt excited, trying to control her nerves as Chord pulled the van up to the entrance to let out all of the prospective volunteers.
"We're here everyone," he said, smiling at them all. "Best of luck to each of you. Represent us well."
The trainees all gave their affirmations as they opened the doors on either side and filed out of the car.
Chord put a hand on Arden's arm as she unbuckled herself. "Go get 'em tiger."
"That's cliché," she said, laughing a little bit as she opened the door.
"You're this Academy's pride, Arden. You got this. Just do what you know you can do."
Arden took a deep breath, trying to memorize those words to take them to heart.
"You got it," she said. She had a lot of people to make proud out there. She hoped she could live up to their expectations. Arden took a deep breath as she slid out of the seat and joined her fellow trainees.
The Colosseum was huge, and there were trainees everywhere. Arden immediately went to her strongest station, to show her fellow trainees that she was a threat like them. The girl that was beside her was hulking, built strong, and had a hell of a hand on her. Arden watched in awe and horror as she hit each target and destroyed it. Her hands shook as she picked up a knife.
If this girl was from District Four, would Arden be intimidated? No way. She couldn't be intimidated now. She picked up her knife and made her first throw.
It didn't take long for Nona Amatore to silence the room and announce the setup of the day. First, the designated female would be training at their weapon of choice as the Victors walked around and watched, eliminating those that don't seem threatening. While they did that, the designated male competitors would be sent to test their survival skills. These would result in the largest number of eliminations.
Arden took a deep breath, shutting out everyone around her. This was about Arden doing her best, and she couldn't let other girls get to her. And next to this girl, she had to look good. She threw knives at target after target. The supply was basically unending for the twenty or so girls at the station. Arden didn't look at anyone, just focused on throwing her knives forward. She watched as the first girl, a young-looking mouse with black hair, was eliminated. After that, it seemed that more and more people were taken out. Arden pushed herself to throw harder, faster, and farther. She hit a target when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Instinctively, Arden whirled around with her knife held up. Nona, who had touched her, smirked. "Nice throw," she said. "Get back to it."
Arden gave a nod of recognition before she turned back around and started training with more vigor than ever before. Nona passed the brute without saying a word. That gave Arden hope. Before she knew it, Glaucia's booming voice calling off the first round of training.
"Congratulations, everyone," she said. "You've passed the first round. Please proceed to the testing room for Round Two."
Arden grabbed her water bottle and ran as fast as she could to where Pluto Nicastro was standing at the door, waiting to lead them to their next location. She weaved through the people so she could be right behind the young Victor, who looked at her curiously before turning around to take the remaining competitors to the next room. The Survival test room had lines of screens. It was a long process and many of the questions were tricks, but Arden felt fairly confident as she selected the answers. Before she knew it, the scores were shown, and the bottom ten percent were eliminated. The brutish girl that had been training with Arden was eliminated.
The next round was sparring. Arden was put with a young girl, probably only sixteen, that was in her weight class. After easily taking her out, Arden moved up and took on the winners. After four matches that Arden won, the round was over, and she progressed. She noticed Cece walking out of the center after that.
The next round was a swimming test. Those that couldn't swim laps or tread water, and there were a few, were eliminated. It was a long day, but Arden found herself in the final round. Only two trainees stood between her and Victory. All of the Victors and all of the trainees' friends watched. Arden found Eva in the crowd by her gorgeous blonde hair. She was smiling excitedly.
"I'm going to make you proud," she said, as her match began. It was the only match going on at the time, and even if she lost one or two of the three rounds, the Victors were looking for technique and drive, for volunteer material. Arden had to show them that she was the total package that they wanted. After one quick victory, Arden finally got a break while the other trainees sparred. While they did, she watched carefully. She would be fighting this person next.
After that girl: a brown-haired, tall girl with a mean look on her face: had won, the remaining four boys sparred. Arden's eye was drawn to one in particular, who had his hair tied back and a wide, confident grin on his face through his entire fight. He was good.
Once the boys were decided, Arden was up again. The room was silent as she and her opponent squared up. The first match was a quick loss for her, but she couldn't give up! After a long, grueling second match, Arden was victorious. The third one was another long one, but Arden could watch her opponent's stamina failing. At just the right moment, she got her fatigued competitor on the ground, ending victorious. She knew it didn't guarantee her spot, but she was starting to realize how close she was to her dream.
The same boy Arden had been watching easily disarmed his opponent twice in a row. She studied his face, ready to meet him.
The deliberation took forever. Arden felt like she was dying. Finally, Pit Kensy came forward to announce the volunteers.
"Hello competitors! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, District Two is great, blah blah blah. Our two volunteers are Miss Arden Rivendell and Mr. Remus La Rocque!"
Arden could hear Eva yelling in the crowd as the two of them went up to the podiums, where they would be displayed for the District for all to see.
It was really happening. Her dreams were all going to come true!
~.~.
Exactly One Month before the 127th annual reaping
-Kelwyn Murdock, District 4-
Kelwyn was having trouble sleeping recently. There really wasn't a reason why, which was the most frustrating part about it. For some reason, he just kept tossing and turning. And the more that he tossed and turned, the more his mind would think, thinking about what happened in the day. With so many people watching his every move, Kelwyn was prone to wondering if he did things right that day. There was no such thing as a perfect day of anything, especially not training, and while he knew that, he couldn't help but feel worried. Especially as it was going down to the wire about them choosing the volunteers. How was he supposed to know what mistakes the Victors were looking for? He couldn't. But that thought worried him.
He was a… Perfectionist, he supposed. He always pushed himself to perfection, and was never happy: not even content: with anything else. And that made training especially frustrating for him.
But more frustrating than anything was the fact that he just wasn't getting enough sleep. And today was the most important day of all for him, because it was the day that the volunteers would be receiving their letter of recommendation from the Victors themselves. Kelwyn so longed to have that paper in his hand by the end of the day. Or, well, that's what he had always wanted.
Kelwyn flipped over in bed, laying with his eyes closed for just one more minute. Training was the only thing he had to do today. Just train and then he'll be able to come home and crash. Then he would go to bed and do it all again. The days just seemed to go by, each after the other. Perhaps because he had such a repetitive routine nowadays. Or perhaps because he was just so nervous, because he wanted to do a good job training and be chosen to volunteer. He wanted to do a good job so badly that he was nervous and terrified to mess up. And that made the thought of going into the Training center terrifying to him.
That just meant he was doing a good job, though. Being humble enough to find and fix your mistakes is a worthy quality to have when training. It was a good thing that Kelwyn stayed up thinking about everything that he did. He was just trying to improve himself… If it kept him up and made him feel worried, that was just part of the process of improving. It had to be. Hopefully if he won the Games, he would finally feel that joyful fulfillment that he had been searching so hard for. He had spent his whole life working towards this goal, after all, and he was probably just really burnt out right at the finish line. He just had to keep sprinting.
He just didn't want to go to training today, though. The thought of it made him nervous and anxious. He didn't want to go exert the effort all day. In fact, he didn't want to do anything. He just wanted to lay in bed. But, like every day, he had to fight the pit of anxiety brewing in his stomach and get up. He knew where the clock was in the Center, and if he really got bogged down, he would be able to keep track of the time. Hopefully it went at least somewhat quickly today. Then he would know if he would be volunteering or would have to find an alternate career path for his life. He wasn't totally sure which one he was hoping for more. He wasn't really excited about either. He wasn't excited about anything like his friends and family were.
He was just more subdued, he guessed.
Kelwyn took a deep breath and got ready. He took a cold shower to combat the sticky, hot, humid air of District Four. He combed his hair and brushed his teeth, avoiding looking at himself in the mirror for two long. For some reason, he just didn't really like to look at his own face.
When he came back, Chester was coming into Kelwyn's room from his bed in the foyer. When Kelwyn saw his dog, he hurried over, still in his PJ's, to greet him. "Hi Ches," he said, a smile spreading across his face as the big brown dog's tail started to wag. "Good morning," he said, patting his head, "Good boy." Chester panted, both from the humidity and from excitement at seeing his favorite human awake. Looking into his soft, warm brown eyes melted Kelwyn's heart. The boy gave a quick kiss to his dog's snout, laughing as Chester licked his face. Seeing his best friend and companion always made him feel better.
"I should get dressed now," Kelwyn said quietly, rubbing the pooch's head affectionately. As if he understood what his master was saying, Chester sat obediently as Kelwyn got dressed. When he looked over, Chester's ears twitched and his tail gave a single thump. Once his training jumpsuit was comfortably secured, Kelwyn tied his shoes and then looked back at Chester, who panted and looked at him expectantly, knowing what he would say next. "Are you ready for some breakfast?"
Chester waited for Kelwyn to leave the room, then followed him, staying close to his heels. He waited patiently for Kelwyn to put some food in his dish before promptly ignoring it to beg for the sausage Kelwyn was cooking on the stove. It didn't take long for his sister Nereida to bound into the kitchen. When Chester saw her, he perked up and walked over to say hello, his tail swooshing. Nereida knelt down to say hello to him, but soon he left her side to go back to watching Kelwyn make the sausage, just in case he would drop something.
"Morning bro," Nereida said, taking a seat. "Is mine there too?"
Kelwyn smiled at her. "Yup, there's some here for you."
"Thanks!" She swung her legs around the table. "So, are you ready for today?" she asked.
Kelwyn felt that cold fear sink in his stomach. He really didn't feel ready at all. He didn't think his skills were up to par, he hadn't worked hard enough. He hadn't done enough to prove to anyone that he was a worthy volunteer. He really didn't think he was going to get the spot, but if he didn't Brizo would be so disappointed. All he had done to make his family proud would just be in vain then, and he would get all those pitiful, sympathetic, disappointed glances for his friends and family… Kelwyn couldn't stand the thought, he didn't like thinking like this, he didn't-
"Kely! Earth to Kely."
What was at most a slight annoyance set him off. "Don't call me that!" he snapped at her.
"Okay, okay, sorry," she said.
Kelwyn immediately felt guilty. Why was he such an ass like this? He always made people feel bad about themselves, especially the people he loved.
"I'm sorry," he said. "It's really fine."
"It's okay," she said, but her tone wasn't the same. Not even at the Training Center and he was already starting to fuck up. This was just going to keep going and going, he was just going to keep messing up all day, and he was going to lose it all… Kelwyn kept having thoughts like this as he dropped the sausage on a plate and both siblings took some for themselves.
Soon, Mom came out of her room. "There he is!" she said, grinning and hurrying over. She put her hands on his shoulders and gave them a tight squeeze. "It's your big day!"
Kelwyn wished he could feel as energetic about it as she did. "Yup," he said, forcing a smile. He just wasn't the type to excite easily, he supposed. It was his personality.
"Are you ready?" she asked, giving him a large grin.
Kelwyn hated to disappoint his excited family by saying no, so he just gave a small smile. "Mhm."
"Oh, I know you are! You've worked so hard for this, and I am so proud of you!" She gave his fine brown hair a ruffle and took a seat. "Eat up, kiddo. You're going to use lots of energy."
"I know," he said, taking another sausage for himself. He soon realized that he didn't have much time. He had to leave! If he was late, there could be disastrous consequences. He couldn't lose his chance to fulfill the promise he made to Brizo… He had to go. "I have to go," he said. "Is Lyle awake?"
"I checked on him and he was sleeping," she said. "Probably for the best. He'll see you this evening when you get back."
Kelwyn sighed. He knew it was probably for the best. Something about his relationship with his brother seemed to have change. Then again, many things changed throughout Lyle's life, and yet many stayed the same. The world of autism was one of both routine and unpredictability. This would all pass after Kelwyn's life settled down, which it would today.
Kelwyn took a deep breath and kissed his mother: and Chester: goodbye. Nereida hurried up and tied her shoes so she could follow, anxious to see her girl friends and those few boy toys she'd been flirting with. Each second she spent tying those shoes felt like a year to Kelwyn, who was getting more nervous by the second and just wanted to leave, but knew he couldn't go without her.
Finally, she was ready, and together the siblings headed out the door. Kelwyn was nervous about those lost seconds and made his sister jog with him to make up for the lost time. Nereida didn't love it, but she didn't mind, and soon they were in the Center. Nereida gave her brother a big hug once there were there. He could see the group of girls all watching them and waving at her. "Good luck!" she said. "Love ya."
"Love you too," he said, watching her skip over to the group of girls who are among the hundreds of trainees watching them.
He barely had time to exhale before Brizo crashed into him, giving him a large hug from behind.
"Kely Kely Kelywyn!" she said happily. Kelwyn was so happy to see her.
"Hi Brizo," he said, turning around to face his cousin.
"This is it!" she said, awkwardly bouncing on her prosthetic.
"I wish you could be a Victor already like we said," he said. Just thinking of her dreams being shattered by that shark made him feel cold and sad.
"Hey, don't worry about that right now Cous! I had an epic battle already." Leave it to her to be so optimistic. Kelwyn wouldn't call himself an optimist, but he admired her attitude. "Now it's your turn. Go out there and chase the dream!"
Kelwyn smiled, feeling even more determined. "Right. Chase the dream."
"You got this," she said, as Varana headed over.
"Hey Bri!" she said, and Brizo grinned at her best non-related friend. "Good luck today Kelwyn." She held up her hand and Kelwyn gave her a high five as the girls headed off together.
Kelwyn started to stretch, trying to calm his nerves and push down the feeling of anxiety and dread that was pushing up at his throat. He had been here before, so often. But there was so much pressure on today that he couldn't keep the nerves in.
"You got this man," Redford said, just walking past. The two were friends, unofficially family as their parents were dating, but Redford knew he would want to hear from others. He got well-wishes from another slew of trainees for whom he had served as a mentor, especially Styx. Kelwyn felt good that he could help the young man train better so that he would find some form of favor with his parents, but it was still a shitty feeling that he could never fully stop the abuse, no matter how many nights Kelwyn spent with him… Kelwyn tried not to focus on that, but he couldn't help but feel dejected at the new injuries sported by the boy as he wished him good luck.
Kelwyn got a little bit of time to himself, but in reality he hated being by himself. When he was with other people, he had a purpose for that moment. He had purpose for his life. He had something to focus on which wasn't his own thoughts. And sometimes it was nice to be rescued from that constant self… Criticism.
Kelwyn was relieved and excited when he heard the familiar footsteps of Lamar, his best non-related friend. He gave Kelwyn a hearty high five and a pat on the back. "You got this man!" he said excitedly. "I saw the other guys. They're just dumb brutes, they don't know anything about strategy. And as for Freedman, you already fought him once and come out on top, so there's nothing in your way!"
Kelwyn knew that wasn't true, he had to keep taking his competition seriously or else he would slip up.
"I won't keep you because I think everyone else is hitting the mat, but good luck."
Kelwyn started to feel nervous, watching the first couple of trainees going to start warming up. "Thanks man." The friends fist bumped before Lamar hurried off. Kelwyn was about to go to the mat when he saw Avie coming towards him. Kelwyn would normally be very happy to see them, but he just felt so anxious seeing other trainees on the mat. Surely he had to be there too, if they were there. He couldn't afford to lose this chance, and they had already talked and agreed that the Games were going to come before their relationship was allowed to blossom.
"Hey Big Shot," they said, giving him a wink.
"Hi," he said, not paying attention to his friend.
"It's the big day," they said, grinning up at him, but he wasn't looking in their eyes. He was looking where the other trainees were picking up their weapons of choice. He wished they would let him go join them.
"Avie, I can't talk right now," he said, annoyed that they were holding him back. Did they not want him to volunteer? It would make sense because the two of them were still talking about the whole relationship thing. "Please, I'll see you after I have the letter."
He walked past them, noticing how their eyes drooped and realizing that he'd done it again. What's wrong with me? Why did I say that to my friend?
Kelwyn hurried back over to her. "I'm so sorry Avie," he said. "I… Don't know…" He was so often saying shit like this. How could he face his friends knowing he was such an asshole like this!?
"Don't worry about it," they said, hurrying off. Kelwyn felt upset watching them go but even more worried about starting to train. He certainly couldn't be the last one on those mats. Kelwyn hurried over to the racks of spears, and his day of sparring and training began.
…
Walking home with the letter in his hand was something Kelwyn honestly never thought he would do. Sweaty and bruised, the boy knew that this was only the beginning of the work he would have to do in order to come home a Victor, just as he promised his friends and family. But it was a very important step.
Brizo, Nereida, and all of their friends and his were walking back home with him, each of them chattering excitedly.
"That was so cool how you disarmed him right away! They thought he had a chance against you!?" Brizo said, detailing the first of many fights that Kelwyn won that day.
"It was so epic!" Nereida said. "I was on the edge of my seat on that Freedman fight, though. He almost got you!"
"Almost," Kelwyn said, feeling good and natural as the big group segmented off.
"We're going to have a hell of a story to tell Mom and Lyle! And Dad… when we see him next weekend."
"It was crazy," Kelwyn said. He wished he could feel electrified like they all felt for him. Brizo followed them all the way home.
"Let us go first!" Nereida said excitedly. "Brizo! Let's go in and look sad and we'll totally fool them!"
"Okay okay!" she said. The girls put on their sad faces and came in the house. Kelwyn followed slowly, holding the letter behind his back discreetly.
"Oh, you're back!" Mom said, hurrying in, and immediately deflating when she saw the three faces. "Oh, I'm so sorry… Kelwyn…"
"So sorry for what!?" Nereida asked. On cue, Kelwyn held up the letter for all to see, sealed with gold, signed by all of District Four's living Victors.
"I got the spot!" he said, and Jordana squealed and hurried over to hug Kelwyn, jumping up and down.
"I'm so proud of you honey!" she practically yelled.
Kelwyn grinned. "Thanks Mom," he said, grinning.
"Lyle, do you see?" she asked, gently to avoid overstimulating him. "Kelwyn is going to volunteer!"
She moved aside, so that Kelwyn could have the moment with his brother without all the distraction in the background.
"I did it Lyle," he said, smiling. "I'm going to the Hunger Games! See?"
Lyle was quiet for a few seconds before his hands balled into fists.
"Ugh!" he said, his mood changing immediately.
"Lyle?" Kelwyn asked, frowning.
"I HATE YOU!" Lyle shouted at him, waving his fists in the air and kicking his feet. "I HATE YOU!"
Kelwyn jumped back, shocked and a little scared. Lyle jumped from his seat, face scrunched in anger, and ran back to his room. Kelwyn just stared in shock, his heart falling to his stomach. An all-too familiar feeling nowadays.
"I…"
"It's okay," Jordana said softly. "He's been difficult all day. I know you want him to be excited for you honey, but…"
Kelwyn gave a half-hearted smile. "I know. We can't always understand him or hear what he really wants to say, so we can't assume the worst."
"He'll cool down and come out for some cake to celebrate. Until then, how about you all come sit and tell me all about it?"
At the promise of cake, all three teens perked up. "Yes!" they all said together, hurrying to the table to reflect on the day.
But Kelwyn knew that while he reflected happily now, it wouldn't last. He would toss and turn tonight, thinking about every silly move he made that could have been his doom. He would wonder if they made the right choice, wonder if he could even win the Games.
His happiness never lasted anymore.
~.~.
A/N: This is a surprise update, even for me! I didn't think I could do it today, but Kelwyn was just too fun! These POVs are longer than 2500 words but there was just some tying of loose ends and worldbuilding for me to do in each so I hope you forgive me for the longer update.
Two chapters left of intros and they're going to be a lot of fun so stick around! Then I'll be doing a check-in to see who's reading as well.
CQ: Same. Thoughts on both tributes? If I wrote one of yours how did I do?
Drawings aren't done yet, so expect them tomorrow. That's all I have, see you hopefully soon for the last four tributes!