President Talen Pov-
"Have you finalized the training scores, Draymond?"
"We're working on them, sir," Draymond answers, swiveling around in his chair. "This is the list we're pretty sure we'll use, but we might have to make a few changes."
He hands me a sheet of paper listing the tributes' training scores. I read the list over and nod slowly.
"I don't think any adjustments need to be made, Draymond" I say.
"Yes, Mr. President. I'll run these over to Caesar right now."
District 1: Declan Benitoit (17) Pov-
"From District 1, Declan Benitoit with a score of 9!"
That's not a bad score. I was hoping for a ten, of course, but I guess some of the careers have to score lower. Besides, I'll almost certainly score higher than my district partner.
"That's a great score. You should be proud," says my mentor, Porcelain. But his expression tells me that he's disappointed in me. He wanted me to score a ten too. I hope I can pull off something ten-worthy in the arena, though I'm not sure what that could be.
District 1: Sangria Ashworth (18) Pov-
"Also from District 1, Sangria Ashworth with a score of 8!"
My mentor Iuna glares at me with a look that says you have got to be kidding me.
"What?" I say, picking up my mirror and gliding the lip gloss over my lips. "That's better than all of the outliers will earn."
"And lower than all of the other careers will earn," Iuna rebuts. But I don't care. Looking pretty is more important than being vicious, in my opinion.
District 2: Nero Ryker (18) Pov-
"From District 2, Nero Ryker with a score of 10!"
I feel a smile creep onto my face, accompanied by explosions of applause from my escort and mentor.
"That's a fantastic score, Nero!" our escort compliments.
"Thanks."
The image of my parents and my brother Clay forms in my mind, and a wave of assurance washes over me that I'll be seeing them again soon.
District 2: Jaehaera Blackfyre (17) Pov-
"Also from District 2, Jaehaera Blackfyre with a score of 10!"
Take that, Daeron. You only scored a 9. Take that, Rhaenys. I'm sure you're back home with steam pouring out of your ears. I imagine her smashing the television and a smile finds its way onto my face.
"Wow!" our escort remarks. "Tens for both of you! One of you will win, I'm sure of it."
I gaze over at Nero. She's right. One of us is going to win. And it's not going to be him.
District 3: Joule Merchiers (13) Pov-
Seeing the scores of the careers makes my blood run cold with dread. Two nines and two tens. That's what I'm up against if I want to make it home.
"From District 3, Joule Merchiers with a score of 3!"
Tears burn the back of my eyes. I'm hopeless. I'm going to die.
Pixel pats me on the back. "I guess you're just acting weak so the others won't target you, right?"
I feign a frown of disappointment. "Aw. You found me out."
"Don't worry. I won't tell any of the others." Pixel winks.
District 3: Pixel Watt (12) Pov-
"Also from District 3, Pixel Watt with a score of 7!"
My mentor drops the snacks he's holding, his mouth hanging open in awe. Silence closes its fist around the room, only punctuated by my soft giggles. Twelve-year-olds scoring as high as I have is extremely rare.
I may look small, but I know more about mechanics than many people know. Taking parts from my grandfather's workshop has helped me a lot more than many people might expect.
"Great score, Pixel," Joule says at last, frowning with disappointment.
I don't say anything about the tears that start streaming down his face. That would only make a heavier situation even heavier.
District 4: Cyan Costas (18) Pov-
"From District 4, Cyan Costas with a score of 6!"
I stare at the screen. 6!
My mentor gives me a fist bump. "Real cool, man."
I pull away, but he insists that we fist bump exactly six times. A testament to the cool element of him that I love.
District 4: Dory Krillgood (13) Pov-
"Also from District 4, Dory Krillgood with a score of 6!"
"Woohoo! Matching scores," I shout to Cyan.
Cyan just nods and smiles back. But it's a fake smile, and not the kind I'm hoping to see. I kind of failed flirting with him in the training center, but it can't hurt to try one more time, can it?
I rack my brain for a few good pickup lines.
District 5: Arthur Wattson (17) Pov-
"From District 5, Arthur Wattson with a score of 5!"
I feel the color rise in my face. That horrible poor girl from District 3 scored higher than me! And that boy from District 4! I don't think either of them have ever washed in their lives.
I cross my arms in front of my body and lean against the back of the sofa, refusing to respond to the congratulations of my mentor, escort, and district partner.
District 5: Adelaide Hampton (16) Pov-
"Also from District 5, Adelaide Hampton with a score of 7!"
"Wow, Adelaide!" my escort remarks. "That's a great score! How'd you earn it?"
I just shrug, thinking about the way I blasted the dummys' limbs off with my dart gun in my private session. "I'm not telling. It's going to be a surprise for the arena."
"I can't wait," she says with a smile. I smile back, and it's a genuine. I'm happy with a 7. I'm sure some of the stronger tributes will score higher, but being among the strongest outliers is a slippery slope. I'm glad to be where I am.
District 6: Lincoln Blitz (16) Pov-
"From District 6, Lincoln Blitz with a score of 6!"
"Cool. Matches the district number," our escort says.
"Thank you."
"Yep. A great score," my mentor Apollo adds.
"Thank you."
For me, survival is second nature. Being an orphan for years has taught me a lot of what I need to survive. And in the end, the Hunger Games is just one big games of survival, right?
District 6: Lexus Beltran (16) Pov-
"Also from District 6, Lexus Beltran with a score of 5!"
I set my jaw. A 5 isn't the score I was hoping for. I guessed that I would get a 6. 7 was too high, but not completely out of the question.
Anyway, I suppose a 5 won't be the worst score this year. It would have been nice to outscore my district partner, though.
District 7: Erik Nordskov (18) Pov-
"From District 7, Erik Nordskov with a score of 8!"
My mentor and escort burst into applause.
"8? That's the highest outlier score yet!" our escort bellows, shaking in her seat like it's covered with ants.
But my brain drowns out her compliment. I'm just thinking about how proud Rhiannon must be right now.
District 7: Cerise Yew (15) Pov-
"Also from District 7, Cerise Yew with a score of 7!"
I can hardly believe my eyes. I blink hard to make sure that my eyes are working. But the number 7 is still there, spinning and flickering on the screen.
Erik's taught me a lot over the three days we've trained together. I just hope he's taught me enough.
District 8: Caden Yarnn (16) Pov-
"From District 8, Caden Yarnn with a score of 4!"
Oh, well. I was never expecting a high score anyway. No use crying over spilled milk.
The first thing I do is run over to the cookie machine and stuff two lemon-flavored ones into my mouth. Might as well make the most out of my last moments.
District 8: Twilla Weaver (13) Pov-
"Also from District 8, Twilla Weaver with a score of 3!"
"You tried your best," Caden smiles. He leans over to give me a reassuring pat on the back, but I pull away from him. I'm just too sad to talk right now.
I just hope the other outliers will be strong. Kids who can do all the hunting while I do all the hiding.
District 9: Luc Everett (16) Pov-
"From District 9, Luc Everett with a score of 8!"
I'm happy with that, more than happy, actually. Only one other tribute has scored an 8 so far.
The other people in the room compliment me, but I just rest my chin on my hands, thinking hard about what I'm going to do once the games begin.
District 9: Harper Lamb (12) Pov-
"Also from District 9, Harper Lamb with a score of 3!"
Oh well. I was never going to get a 12. Tears burn the backs of my eyes as I cover my face with my hands. Understanding truly dawns on me for the first time that I will never see my family again.
But I might get to see Dad soon, at least.
District 10: Orford Shaw (18) Pov-
"From District 10, Orford Shaw with a score of 7!"
A scowl tumbles from my lips. I was at least hoping for a 9, or at least an 8!
I lock the door to my bedroom. Someone knocks, but I don't answer.
"Come out. You can't stay in there forever." It's my mentor, Margaret.
"Fine," I scowl, getting out of bed.
"That's a good score, Orford. You shouldn't be disappointed," Margaret says, peeking in through the doorframe.
I just sigh and walk to the fridge for a glass of water.
District 10: Mavvi Levist (17) Pov-
"Also from District 10, Mavvi Levist with a score of 6!" my interpreter Jenna signs.
I feel my eyes open wide. I was never expecting a score as high as a 6!
I stand up and give Jenna a big hug, thankful for the help she's been giving me across my days in the Capitol.
District 11: Jaro Veldt (15) Pov-
"From District 11, Jaro Veldt with a score of 5!"
I imagine Cora watching the scores on our television back home. I hope she's doing better than she was the day of the reaping. She looked worse on reaping day than I'd seen her in months.
And I hope she's proud that I earned a 5.
District 11: Adelia Faye (15) Pov-
I'm jealous of Jaro. He's attracting all the attention for being the only volunteer outside the career pack. Being his district partner means that I'm overshadowed even more.
"Also from District 11, Adelia Faye with a score of 5!"
So we both earned the same score. I guess that's a step, but I still can't help feeling a bit bitter.
District 12: Hopper Vigo (12) Pov-
"From District 12, Hopper Vigo with a score of 1!"
I'm a bit disappointed. I was hoping to get a 0. I suppose you can only get a 0 if you don't show up to your session. Like that boy last year who slept through his. I think he's the only tribute in history to earn a 0.
"Hopper, that's…" our escort looks mad to say the least.
"Incredible," I finish. "Imagine the headlines. 12 boy scores 1. Has a nice ring to it."
District 12: Remi Gardner (17) Pov-
"Also from District 12, Remi Gardner with a score of 7!"
"That's spectacular," Hopper remarks, grinning.
"Yeah, hmmm… good," Haymitch mumbles, sucking the last few drops out of the glass bottle he's just finished.
I'm happy with that score. It places me in the top half of the tributes. And it's seven times what my district partner earned, so I suppose I've achieved something worthwhile.
Recap:
0:
1: Hopper
2:
3: Joule, Twilla, Harper
4: Caden
5: Arthur, Lexus, Jaro, Adelia
6: Cyan, Dory, Lincoln, Mavvi
7: Pixel, Adelaide, Cerise, Orford, Remi
8: Sangria, Erik, Luc
9: Declan
10: Nero, Jaehaera
11:
12:
Here are the scores! Any favorites? Any that surprised you? Next up is a little bit of interview prep and then the interviews.
Question 1: What training score did Daeron, Jaehaera's brother, earn in his games?
Question 2: What is Mavvi's interpreter's name?