I am so SORRY! I feel like I haven't updated in a long time :C

Maybe it's just me. Hehe, read on!

An hour was very long. It's been half an hour and I've already showered, dressed, and looked around.

I sat down on the bed, feeling it was a lot softer than my own back at home. I frown. I did miss my own bed, with clean white sheets and blue blankets. This bed was softer than mine in every way, the comforter even velvetier than my own worn blankets. I stroked the fabric, feeling the warmth it emanated.

My wardrobe had been stocked with every hue imaginable, with an influx of blue. Maybe that was part of my statistics: The color blue was my preference.

I smiled a bit, putting my hands on my knees. I feel my skin's temperature contrast from my knees and my hands. My hands are freezing.

Brushing my hair with a large brush from the bathroom, I think about District One. I never really felt like I could call it home, but now I feel more like that in my hometown of the Capitol than I did in One. I came to terms with the fact that I really did like One. I went through a normal day in One in my head.

I'd wake up wrapped in blankets, either on my own or by the force that is Juniper. Juniper- when she was home- was always on top of whatever it was I did. She would then take me in her car from the edge of One to the center, to the square. At the square, she'd drop me off to walk to school, and she'd go back to the mansion to help mother or something. I remember the square, a large space in town with two large- and I mean large - screens on two sides of the justice building. My dad worked in there. He'd always be there by the time I'd walk to school, and I'd wave 'hi' to him outside of his big window overlooking the street to school.

I wore a uniform, of course. It was a white shirt with a large collar-like front that looked like lapels, outlined in navy blue. The bottom was khaki, and the older kids were allowed variety in bottoms. The younger girls had to wear skirts, and the middle year girls shorts. I can almost feel the grip of my school bag, a canvas tote. The smell of bread wafts from the bakery by the main street. Bright colors from the windows of the dress shops catch my eye. Even the random popsicle guy is setting up his stand by the school gate. School is a blur, even if I do excel at mathematics and science. I'm exempted from Physical Education, also known as CTPA, or Career Training for the Physically Advanced. I'd be a level 9, the last rank before Masters Class, which Demetrius has been in since Seventh Year. After school, I headed home.

I didn't like to go home. I was always alone. Like I said, Juniper was mostly always gone, but she was the closest relative I had. Mom was gone in her mind, always stressed out by her work and fighting with Dad. Dad left in the wee hours of the morning and came back late at night. I only truly saw him when he had guests over, when we had to pretend we were a family. Mom and Dad can't get through a day without a fight, so dinner with guests or parties are always tense. At least for me.

Wincing, I pulled my legs up to the bed to sit cross-legged. I missed Juniper. She and I should've been at home, in her room, sitting beside her as we watched the Tribute Parade. We could've. We would wait for mom and dad to get home. I would worry about these kids already. She could tell me I was okay, that this would all be over soon, and everything would go back to normal.

I stopped. It wasn't going back to normal.

My stomach started to hurt. I felt my eyes get teary.

June would always be there. When mom wasn't, when dad wasn't, she would. Even if she was out of town, she was only a phone call away. She traveled in and out of the Capitol, but didn't waste time coming back just to check on me. She was mom and dad.

A tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly, standing up. My window showed the night sky without a single star in sight. I sighed, and grabbed the curved silver plate by my nightstand. I knew what it was- it was a touch screen remote. Juniper brought one home as a gift, but we couldn't use it because we would have to update our system. I started to scroll down the settings.

I pressed "Forest". It appeared before me, trees higher then my head, the sound of mockingjays singing their songs. It was peaceful, but ominous. I almost expected someone to run out of those trees with a spear in hand.

Shuddering, I canceled. I pressed "Street View", and the screen changed. I saw Capitol people walking in daylight, chatting and laughing away. It was boring, and a little to much for me.

I scrolled down and pressed random, then waited as the screen buffered. I dropped the silver plate abruptly.

It was Juniper.

Her hair was styled in a sleek ponytail with an outrageous hair piece - a side bouquet of spring flowers - with a slimming white dress to the knees and sharp shoulders in light pink with white lace. She was walking down a line in front of other girls dressed similarly, with a look of determination in her smokey eyes. She was modeling, I assumed.

This is what she did when she was gone. This is what she did when I was at home, on my own.

I felt a knot in my throat considering the fact that I may not be coming home soon. I may not be going home…ever.

Juniper winks at the camera, giving a flirty smile and posing. She then walks away.

A weird noise escapes my throat as tears begin to stream. I was most likely going to die. And then June wouldn't have a reason to come home for mom and dad.

A knock sounds at my door. I don't answer. I stand there, watching in realization of my short future as my own sister walks away from me, stomping down a white strip of lighted walkway. I hear the sliding door open behind me, and I look away from the screen. It fuzzes and returns to City View.

Wiping my eyes, I ask, "What?"

"Cornelia says dinner's going to be ready soon so she sent me….are you okay?"

I sigh. It's Demetrius.

"You should knock before you come in." I responded, a little peeved. I turned to him, crossing my arms. I sniffed.

He shrugged. "I did. You didn't answer."

I scoff. "I could've been doing something."

"Then you should've yelled at me to leave." He retaliated. I sighed again.

We stand there awkwardly. I see he's changed out of his costume, and his face is clear again with no traces of the make-up from today. He opted for a light blue button up shirt rolled at the sleeves and khaki pants. He crossed his arms.

"You look…normal now." He remarked uneasily. I looked down at myself. I had changed into a pair of stretchy black pants and a short, creamy green tunic-like shirt with thick tank sleeves. My hair was still humid, laying on my shoulder.

"I guess I do." I answered, nodding. He scratched his head.

"Your hair is…really pretty down like that."

I blush, but stare at him with confusion in my face. I don't know if he's playing me, making nice with me, or he just doesn't know what to say. I don't question him however, because I remember that I, too, need a strategy.

"Th-thanks." I step forward. "Dinner?"

He looks up and changes his face from awkward to thoughtful. "Yeah. Dinner."

"Right on schedule!" Cornelia shrieks.

Demetrius and I emerged from our living quarters without a word, and I took a seat beside him. He out-of-characteristicly pulled the chair out for me. I obliged, and soon Gloss and Cashmere joined us. Gloss and Demetrius exchanged strange looks with each other, but I ignored them as Cashmere tossed her hair to the side and turned to Cinna and Jaques, who had just taken their seats.

"So, I think a congratulation is in order?"

"No, no," Cinna said, scooting his chair in, "It's Demtrius and Lillianne who should be congratulated. They did excellent."

The people at our table clap in approval, and Demetrius and I nod in thanks. The avoxes come to our side to serve us, revealing our course for the night.

Dinner is a blur, not only because I was lost in thought over Demetrius's strange behavior, but also by my lack of interest in the table's topics of conversation. Gloss and Demetrius openly talked about his skills, as training did start tomorrow morning. Talk of his great skill with a sword and crossbow was a little terrifying. Cashmere and Cornelia talked about a "retro comeback" in fashion, and Cornelia applauded Cashmere for her taste in outfit choice for the opening ceremonies. Cinna and Jaques were talking about a palette for Demetrius and I that would serve well for the interviews. I heard matching in his sentences, and I shuddered a bit.

I chewed my chicken alfredo in silence, staring absently at the table. Cinna nudges me from under the table after a few minutes.

Looking up, I meet his gaze. His eyes ask me without using words, "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, smiling half-heartedly. I go back to my food without another look at him.

In my head, I was debating over things. Many things. Like if Demetrius was suddenly starting to like me, or if it was mere strategy. Or the fact that training is tomorrow, and I really don't have a plan for myself. And maybe even the fact that come tomorrow, I'll finally be able to talk to the kid from Twelve. I smile genuinely at the thought.

"Hey."

I look up, a trace of my smile still on my lips as I felt the nudge beside me. "What are you smiling about?" Demetrius asks.

Smiling again to myself and wiping my mouth, I answer.

"Oh, nothing."

With that, I folded the napkin and placed it on the table. I rose from my seat. "May I be excused? I'm done, and I need some fresh air."

Cashmere stood before anyone could say anything.

"I'll go with you," She said, hinting at something I honestly didn't catch on to. I nodded to the people at the table, didn't dare look at Demetrius, and then whispered a thank you to the avoxes as we passed them onto the elevator.

"Are you sure you aren't going to watch the tribute parade replay-"

"We'll catch it later!" Cashmere interrupted. She slid us into the elevator quickly, and pressed the button to go up.

She took us to the roof top, and we walked to the edge of it, passing a small garden, a bigger garden with a gazebo, and finally reaching the thick balcony's edge. I could sit on the railing, and still not fall over.

"So training starts tomorrow," She says. I nod, feeling the shivers down my spine. My fists ball up.

"It helps if you're not afraid," She adds. I laugh a bit.

"That's kind of irrevocable." I remark, crossing my arms over my chest. She smiles.

"Well, at least pretend you're not."

I shrug, and sway quietly for a few moments. Cashmere is the first to break the silence. She turns to face me. "Listen to me. I want you to follow my instructions, so listen very closely."

I move my body to look at her, a little taken aback from the urgency in her voice. I nod ever so slowly.

"You will not touch a knife. Not until the game makers see you. I'll personally request a private practice for you, but I can't promise you anything. Tomorrow, hit the survival skills. Make friends with the Careers, but don't get to friendly. Remember that they'll eventually want to kill you. They'll get you to the final eight, and they'll have to ally with you because of who you are. District Two has already confirmed an alliance with you."

"Two?" I interrupt, shocked. "With me?"

"You're a Career, remember?" She winked, and continued on. "Hit as many survival skills as you can, okay? No dummy kicking or stick slicing or target shooting. I don't care how much Demetrius or any other Career tribute wants you to train with them in combat. Lay. Low."

I take in her instructions, a thoughtful look in my face. After a moment, I whimper out a reply. "And what happens then?"

She sighs. "Then we'll let the odds decide."

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