[8] - August

Rochelle gives me a look-over before wordlessly stepping aside and letting me in. The door clicks behind me as I pass her.

I take a look around Rochelle's quarters as I enter. It looks exactly like mine, but... smaller. Or is that my imagination?

"Well, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Rochelle muses, sitting at the foot of her bed. "So soon, at least."

I just stare stupidly at the small girl in front of me for a moment. This is so foreign to me, so unfamiliar, that I can feel a sense of terror creeping up my back. I shouldn't be all the way up here in the District Eight quarters, talking to this peasant girl. What was I thinking?

Decimus' words keep my feet planted, though. I've never seen him as scary as he was this evening.

"Get that girl on your side, August. Get her at any cost. If you want to win the Hunger Games you'll have to fight for it. That's what you signed up for in the first place."

Decimus is right, and I know that. The only chance I have of surviving in the Arena is to keep Rochelle close to me.

Panic wells up in my chest as I think about my death in the Arena. A death that isn't even mine... out of my control. I have to keep Rochelle under my protection, or I'm a dead man walking.

"I'm sorry," I say, the words rushing from my mouth. I can feel my face getting red already; Rochelle's watching me expectantly, her eyebrows raised. "I haven't been treating you with respect since we were paired together, and that's not fair to you. So I'm sorry. But I need to work with you to stay alive in the Arena. We have to become a team, it's the only way. I've worked too hard for this just to... throw it away like that. Please."

Rochelle stares at me for a moment, taking in my plea. "I appreciate that," she says, leaning back on her bed. "It hasn't been easy for me, either, you know. To have your fate tied to another person isn't easy for any of us."

"That's true," I concede. "And you were right earlier. I need you as much as you need me in the Arena. That's the beauty of the Gamemakers' twist. We both have to depend on each other. Which means that the only way that I can keep myself alive... is to protect you."

"I'm glad that you've come around to the idea," Rochelle says. "If we can work together, we'll be quite the team. Nobody will see it coming, that's for sure. But how do you plan on 'protecting' me? I haven't felt very protected so far."

"Sorry about that," I reply sheepishly. Man, I'm really swallowing my pride tonight. "The only way that I can keep you safe is if you stay with me at all times."

I take a deep breath before continuing. My whole alliance could be out of the window because of this, but I have no other option. "You need to join the Careers."

Rochelle laughs a bit. "Your partners don't seem like they'd be too keen about adding another member," she says, her eyes staring out the window.

"Princess' partner joined us today in Training," I argue. "It would be fine."

"Who, the boy from Four? That's different and you know it," Rochelle says, crossing her arms over her chest. "I have a feeling that they won't be too happy with me around."

"Well, they'll have to deal with it," I insist. "You're staying, and if they have a problem with that, they can leave. Their lives aren't dependent on you being in the group."

"That's true," Rochelle mutters. "Fine, I'll join. We need to learn to trust one another."

I can feel my whole body relax. I've done it; Rochelle's on my side. I overcame my own ego and saved myself.

"Perfect," I exhale. "Do you have any combat experience or training? Get into any street fights?"

Rochelle stares at me, amused. "I'm a textile factory worker," she informs me. "And I'm tiny. So no street fights."

"Surely you've picked up a weapon at some point..." I struggle, "right?"

Rochelle just shakes her head. "Unlike you, I didn't expect to be here," she says with a mellow look in her eyes. "Sorry to disappoint."

"That's okay," I manage to choke out. What am I going to do with this girl? With a weak frame like that and no fighting experience, she'll almost certainly be the first to die in the Arena. "I can try teaching you some tricks," I reassure her. "We'll start tomorrow."

"Awesome," Rochelle says quietly. "I'll see you down there, then. We should get some rest for tomorrow."

I check the clock, and she's right; it's getting pretty late. I give her one more awkward smile before practically running out of the room.

I let out my breath as soon as the door shuts behind me. I feel better now that I know that all is forgiven with Rochelle, but despair is taking over my mind. The odds are stacked against me right now, and it feels like there's no way to tip the scales in my favor with a partner like Rochelle.

I rush back to the elevator. Luckily, everyone has retreated to their personal quarters; I wouldn't want word to get out that I was down here. I told Princess that I was exploring the Training Center to get her off my case; I didn't technically lie, but I'm sure she's getting suspicious as usual.

As the elevator takes me back to the District One suites, one thing is certain in my mind: my training for the Hunger Games is far from over. I may be ready for the Games, but it is now my job to prepare Rochelle for the Arena. My own life may depend on it.