District 7

Chance Alector

Victor of the 233rd Hunger Games

Most people who meet me first assume that I'm a narcissistic asshole.

That's a fair assumption and one that's 100% true.

I'm not a complete jerk or anything. I love my family. I have a sweet side. But most of the time, I completely meet everyone's expectations of me. A lot of people don't spare any feelings and make it very clear that they despise me. One of these lovely people is my fellow District 7 Victor, Dara Bayard. Unfortunately for her, we're neighbors in the Victor's Village and I'm too lazy to remember to buy groceries.

I woke up at three in the morning, craving a hot cup of coffee. After several minutes of tearing my kitchen from top to bottom, I came to the conclusion that I was out.

When I want something, I won't wait to get it. I decided that I would not wait until morning, when a shop would open in town and I could go and buy coffee. There's only one other place I know I can get coffee. Dara always has a fair supply.

I'm not wearing anything other than my underwear right now, so I wrap a bathrobe around me. That should be enough cover. If I was actually going a far distance, I'd throw on some clothes, but Dara's right next door. Nobody will even see me. I'll just pop in and out, so technically I don't even need a bathrobe. I'm not that confident she won't wake up, though, so I'll keep it on.

I don't even bother putting on shoes before I exit my house through the backdoor. I tiptoe my way over to Dara's house, which is only a few meters away, because the sound of pine needles and fallen leaves are quite loud, even when I'm barefoot. Dara's a light sleeper, as well.

Dara's backdoor is locked, per usual, so I try the windows. I find one cracked open conveniently near the window, and pull myself through it. It's a little high, so it's good I'm still in such great shape. I'm easily able to lift myself up and through. The real struggle is not making any noise when I enter. I try to be as quiet as possible, but I'm still a heavy guy and make a loud thud when I fall through.

I freeze for a moment, expecting Dara to wake up and come bounding down the stairs. After a minute of no Dara, I decide she must have not heard me, and continue on my quest for coffee.

I begin shuffling through her overflowing pantry for coffee grounds or something. Unfortunately, Dara has way too many boxes and bags and bottles in her pantry. She's one of those people who save everything up to years past their expiration date, and forget it's there. I don't think she ever throws anything out, just keeping loading new boxes in front, so she forgets it's there. I'm sure if I went all the way back, I'd find gross peanut butter from the 230th Hunger Games or something.

I eventually stumble across a bag of coffee grounds. I carefully check the expiration date and am relieved to learn that it's only a month or two past, and that's fine.

I tuck it in the pocket of my bathroom and begin to head toward the window from where I entered, when some silver goes flying past my head. I automatically duck, and it hits the wall behind me. It's a pot. I look at where it was thrown from, and there stands Dara.

Her hair is a mess and she too is wearing a bathrobe. Her eyes are bloodshot and she looks exhausted.

"Chance?" she asks, astounded.

"Why did you throw a pot at me?" I ask.

"Why are you sneaking down in my kitchen at…" Dara checks her watch, "4 AM?"

"I was looking for coffee?"

"Did I give you permission to sneak into my home?"

"No ma'am," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Don't come into my home without my permission again, okay, Chance Alector?" Dara asks angrily. I nod.

"Why do you look like you haven't been sleeping?" I ask, changing the topic. Dara looks a little surprised at the conversation's twist.

"That's none of your business," she says gruffly.

"Are you nervous about mentoring?"

Her silence is enough of an answer.

"You'll be fine," I assure her. "After all, you mentored me and I turned out okay." Dara scoffs.

"That's a stretch."

"Whatever," I sigh. "You'll be fine. Now, can I use your coffeemaker? Mine's broken."

What'd you think of Chance (and Dara too, I guess)? Don't forget to review these - just because they don't have tributes, doesn't mean they're not worth sponsor points.

- Lilah