Chapter 29: Training Scores
24 tributes remaining


Isabella Spearman, District 2

Perhaps we were rather intelligent to decide on meeting up at the rooftop. Together, the other Careers and I followed Reagan's interesting suggestion to watch the announcements of the training scores with our allies.

"Keep up with threats and all, you know?" Reagan said with a cocky ear-to-ear malicious grin.

In times like this, Reagan lost his kindness, and finally became an appreciated Career like the rest of us. I have to give to him, he has the appearance of a monster.

That's rather helpful, for Amethyst seems to be a beauty queen. Her long blond hair and emerald-green eyes compliment her clear, smooth skin and bright smile. With one peak at her, she would seem so delicate, but I've learned not to judge someone over their figure.

Zane looks much like a demon with his dark shaggy hair, always in his pale blue eyes. However, his skin is pale for some reason. I would have expected that after his 'ten long years of training', he would have tanned skin from being outside constantly, not to mention it would affect his build (which is simply lanky). Either he's lying, or there's something wrong with him.

And Ebony seems to be cold and lifeless, as her chocolate wavy hair is quite neat, and her body is neither bony nor obese, her upper body rather strong. Even though her tanned skin is warm, her curious green eyes is what might give her away to the other tributes. She says that she is always trying to figure out how someone works, so is that why she is often watching Zane and I? Just because we're from what is known as the 'brutal' district? I sense no trust, Ebony..

I, myself, give off the air of an innocent child. It's always entertaining to acknowledge the terrified glares from the citizens of District 2, however, people like Zane expect to see even the smallest children showing pride in their district. I'm proud to be an example of such.

However, the night is all but arrogant, evil, or unemotional. As the many lights of the Capitol shine over the Town Square, revealing the tiny kids bounding amongst the crowd of ridiculous styled Capitol people, the area gets a new mood. It is no longer the scary, entertaining place Jessica Haydel and I fantasized about when we were younger. It is now dark, beautiful, and celebrating for the arrival of the tributes. But while the citizens watch the opening ceremony to gather a look at each of the tributes, my allies and I await to see our enemies.

Even though it won't do us much of a good, Amethyst still argued that we needed to be on alert with certain threats. Zane was offended, of course, for Amethyst had distantly explained that his flawless strategy we were to use was worthless.

It was a totally different approach from what the two shared back moments after training. Zane had shooed the rest of us on, staying behind in the training center as he called for Amethyst Dann, the girl he just so happened to despise when he would speak to me and ignore the rest of his allies. At first, I had believed it was an apology he wanted to share with Amethyst, but I've known Zane for so many years, despite his four full years ahead of me, and Zane never muttered anything of respect. It's too perplexing, though, as Zane was raised to be respectful and determined by his strict parents.

But it never seemed to show.

Since they're talk, Amethyst certainly displayed no interest in Zane, excluding him from anything that came out of her mouth. And, unless provoked or insulted, Zane did not mind, treating Amethyst the same. They often say that such actions reveal love, but if this was an act of flirtation between the two, it was a rather sick way of showing feelings.

Moments later do the training scores appear among a large screen, surrounded by buildings of glory. Names, ages, and districts follow after a small caption containing a detailed photograph of the tribute. And immediately, I scan the list for my name.

'Isabella Spearman
District: 2
Age: 13
Score: 10'

My eyes linger on the ten, a sense of pride rising in my chest. A ten. I'm thirteen, normally too small, according to all the kids back in District 2, to earn such a score. I can imagine all the shocked expressions my friends have now. Wonderful, I'll have to rub it in their faces when I get home. Jessica and I could have a laugh for a while about this.

Th rest of the scores don't stand out to me that much, as the only other ones I could care for are my allies. All relatively nice, if I do say so myself.

'1
Amethyst Dann- 8
Foxy Merrin- 10
2
Isabella Spearman- 10
Zane Scott- 10
3
Axis Rether- 7
Phillip Whitley- 9
4
Ebony Rhaine- 8
Reagan Machot- 8
5
Svetlana Noria- 8
Lybbe Vixen- 5
6
Melane Cornelious- 6
Obel Moore- 5
7
Kallista Thorns- 10
Ruke Halseen- 7
8
Cynthia Charlez- 8
Corey Rebmann- 7
9
Filloma Sparks- 4
Jet Myers- 3
10
Jaqueline Thorn- 7
Cade Parker- 6
11
Topaz Nyght- 7
Nix Palais- 7
12
Moira Jackson- 7
Kindal Holmes- 6'

"Wow," Amethyst broods, "an eight..." she seems not to be impressed with her own score, but lightens with a soft smile, "But a ten, Isabella!" she says this happily, "That's so good! If I'm not mistaken a ten is the third highest!"

All I can do is compliment her score and show gratitude, however, not before I note that she does not congratulate Zane. Very typical, Amethyst. But what did Zane do to deserve a ten? He's proved to be lucid so far, showing that he basically thinks of himself as fearless. I've trained with knives all my life, but Zane is so lanky...

"There could be a problem..." Reagan says, scowling even though he has proved that he was correct: we do have an issue. "Kallista Thorns received a ten, as well..."

Zane laughs at this, "At least we know who's going on our list now." he must have accepted the fact that we do need to watch out for certain tributes... "Hasn't the girl ever heard of Johanna Mason? Play it weak. Damn, she must be futile and ignorant."

"Don't forget Phillip Whitley of District 3," I add, "He's only a tad bit behind her with a nine. And then there's Cynthia Charlez of District 8. She has an eight, another Career score."

Perhaps we have more enemies than we thought.

"And Foxy could be a problem..." Amethyst says, quietly enough to be a new side of her words, "See, Ebony? I told you that he could easily kill someone."

Zane is first to smart back at her, forcing Ebony to only watch, "Likewise, Princess. We've discussed this already: he can change his mind. Surely, even you know this."

Amethyst mutters a quick "asshole" before clamping her mouth shut.

And Zane is pleased, "Kallista, Phillip, Cynthia, Topaz, Kindal, and possibly, Ammie, Foxy?"

Reagan yawns, clearly uninterested with this, "Guess so."

"Nice, then," Zane says, "Interviews aren't too far away. And then..."

"...we acknowledge just who belongs on our list." Ebony finishes.