Disclaimer: This is my work, but my inspiration came from reading The Hunger Games which isn't my work…therefore I do not own The Hunger Games

Author's Note: Thanks to my reviewers KL10X, HL98, Amber and JB

Chapter 34

Make it Count

I always seem to fall asleep in the damned suede chairs! Tracker and Tracer are shaking me awake as Oliver is having something to eat.

"Do you ever use the bed they give you?!" Perusse asks haughtily

I rub my eyes and seriously want to flip her the middle finger, but now is not the time to pick fights.

"Let her be Perry" Tracker sighs, "if she likes to sleep in chairs at least she sleeps"

Perusse humphs and sits with Oliver who is tasting hot chocolate for the first time.

"Man I wonder how you stay thin Madame Perusse" he says, "this stuff is so rich I'm surprised you're not fatter"

Perusse takes this as a complement to her figure. I know why the food is rich, why they overload the tributes with food until they are full and gained a few inches.

It's so they don't starve to death within a few days in the arena. It's the only thing that makes sense. Otherwize they would all be stick figures by the time the gong went off.

"I read a few chapters of 'the bible'" Tracer says

"Trace you were supposed to wait for me!" Oliver says annoyed

"I have to go over it again anyway Oli" she sighs, "but there is so much I don't know what I should focus on"

"I'll guide you guys in it after training" I reply, "by the time you guys run off your platforms you will be ready I promise"

Crap, I just used a word I never wanted to use again.

Promise.

Because if I start I never know when to stop and last time it ended with maverick being incinerated and placed in an urn that is buried in the earth of district two. I get a headache just thinking about that and close my eyes from the sun.

"You okay Ari?" Tracker sounds concerned

"Just a headache" I reply, "I'll be fine"

The cabin goes dark and then light and it explains that we are now in the capital.

Oliver and Tracer head for the window as we roll in. They wave at the citizenry, and they wave back until we pull into the station and stop.

Tracker and I head for Victor's Hall. I have to remind myself no one knows my plan so I shouldn't show my hand just yet.

Enobaria is no where to be found, and I breath a sigh of relief. I can't waste energy on her right now. I can't on any of the victors.

I see Raul hasn't left and I go over. He doesn't say a word but places a virgin daiquiri in front of me. I'm grateful I don't have to speak with him.

"Ariana!" I hear and Seeder comes over with Chaff.

"Ms Seeder" I smile, "Mr. chaff its good to see you!"

"Always the polite one isn't she Seed" Chaff says

"You can just call us without the niceties y'know" Seeder smiles

"It's hard to when I have respect for someone, or if I barely know them" I reply

Chaff just messes up my hair.

"Where is the live wire?" I hear Finnick

"She's too small she could be anywhere!" says another voice I don't recognize until Finnick O'Dair and Johanna Mason sidle up.

"Another year another games" Finnick sighs, "will they ever learn we get their point?"

Seeder sighs and covers her face and Chaff elbows Finnick in the ribcage.

"I don't think we met" Johanna says offering her hand, "but I feel I know you already twerp" she smiles and it's not the frightening thing as Enobaria has but there is a feral aire to it

"I'm hardly the twerp now aren't I" I shake her hand, "well done on your games last year by the by"

"So you approve? Even with me killing that mess of tributes?" she looks a bit shocked

"Well you killed the ones that killed mine so yeah I approve" I reply.

Finnick smiles, "wow a gold star from the angel of mercy!" he jokes and notices my drink, "virgin I hope"

"Yes Finnick I'm not turning into Haymitch" I play along

Johanna's likeness is placed beside mine and we all head for the stable not long after.

Tracer and Oliver are in glow in the dark clothing again, only this time it's not the fluffy skirt I was in. Tracer is in a sleek number that shows her curves and Oliver is in pale pants and bright yellow shirt. They will definitely glow in the dark now, they also have a headdress each other small metallic atoms encircling their head, and they both have sparklers to wave around.

It almost feels like Darwin. I stamp down that thought, every time I think of him it leads to unpleasant thoughts of Hellen and then Seneca.

All leading to Snow.

"Any final thoughts?" Oliver asks and Tracker nudges me because I've gone off into my own mind. I blink a few times then smile.

"Enjoy your moment, THIS is where you pull the most eyes make it count" I reply

They nod and no sooner have I given that advice than they are gone out the door.

It takes a few minutes but soon we hear a gasp then thunderous cheers and when I run to the doorway I see Oliver and Trace lip locked!

"They seemed to take your advice literally" Tracker says he sounds uptight, like any good brother should be.

"Damn" I hear Brutus behind me, "what did you tell them?"

"To stand out" I reply

We get to the level five apartments and eat. I look at my tributes. I can't be more proud of them or more confused.

"Who wanted to kiss?" I ask

Tracer has a faint blush because Oliver speaks up.

"I did, I kinda took her by surprise" He says, "sorry Trace"

She shakes her head, "no it's okay….it's just well…."

"Well what?" Oliver asks and it dawns on me

"It was her first kiss" I say softly almost imperceptible except since the room is so still everyone reacts.

Tracer gets up and leaves, followed by her stylist and Perusse.

Tracker looks shocked and angry and Oliver and his stylist head for his room.

I head for Tracer.

She is sitting on the end of her bed, face red as a ripe cactus pear.

"There is nothing to be ashamed about Tracer" Perusse says

Armand our new stylist agrees, "there is a first for everything"

"At least you've had yours now" I say from the door way leaning on the frame, "can we have a moment Armand? Perry?"

They bob heads and head out.

"Pathetic aren't I?" Tracer says sniffing and wiping her eyes

"Pathetic? No. Shy to let other see your real feelings? Yes" I reply and sit beside her, "there is nothing to be ashamed about"

"Except there is Ari" she says, "now I don't want him to die"

I knew this would happen, I didn't want it to but I knew it.

I try and think of how to rationalize love, but since I have no ground to work with I have to wing this.

"I wish I could save you both Trace" I say softly, "I guess this is the hard part of being a mentor, you have to choose the ones you're saving, pick favorites and guarantee a win"

"Why can't there be two" she says

"I don't know it was never tried before" I reply, then sigh, "I don't want you trying to save the other, okay? Once you hear the gong go off the only thing I want you to think about is how to get yourself out of this alive"

She nods, "I guess he hates me"

"I think he is more shocked than angry, unless you mean Track" I tease

She laughs, finally I have broken her mood, "god do I ever care about worrywart?"

I chuckle

We decide to do individual trainings, I take care of Tracer and Tracker takes Oliver after the four days of group training are over.

She and I are up crazy early running laps together, climbing the wall, she lifts light weights and her and I do push ups and sit ups until our arms are jelly and our backs ache, then we practice with weapons.

All in the span of a few mere hours.

Then she is off to prep with Perusse for posture and then her and I study the book together, and talk of interviews. We decide if the kiss comes up to play it straight, to say it was her first kiss, to say how she felt this rush and that she felt she could glow without the special fabric.