Chapter 5-Nettie

After our chariot ride to the training center, Effie forced me to go to bed, and of course, I couldn't sleep. I waited until the floor was quiet until I started wandering around. I ended up on the first floor which was dark and quiet. I saw a silhouette sitting around on the couch not far off. Then the figure realized I was there. She watched me for a minute before stepping into the light where I could see her face.

It was the girl from District 10.

She looked like she was about to be sick.

"A-are you alright?" I asked stepping closer. I know we weren't allowed to talk to the other tributes before the games and she knew this too, because she froze. Other kids did too. So I guess it didn't matter.

After a second she shook her head and I realized she was crying as she made an agonized sobbing sound. I didn't know her that well, but I went over and hugged her. I held her while she cried, even though I had no idea why she was crying.

"What's wrong?" I finally asked.

"T-the Peacekeepers...shot m-my brother!" She finally got out. She was crying so hard, it took her a minute to say.

"What? Why! They have no right!" I shouted. I covered my mouth and looked around panicked. We'd be in a lot of trouble if we were caught up this late, with each other. After we were sure no one heard, she looked back to me.

"My brother tried to kill Twinkle Eversbee to keep me from the games..."

"Who?" I asked confused.

"Our escort..." She said. "So they shot him."

I honestly didn't know what to say to her. He kind of deserved it. "They were only trying to protect her." I whispered to her. "I'm not defending the Capitol, I AM sorry about your brother. No one deserves to die..."

She nodded and leaned her head against my shoulder. We sat like this until a large tan boy stepped in. The boy from ten. The one who was dressed like the sheep.

"Hey, it's time we all got to sleep. Before we all get in trouble."

The girl went over and wrapped her arms around the boy. "Alright, Jake."

"Hey!" I said as they turned to leave. "I'm Nettie."

"I'm Jacob." The tan boy smirked at me.

"I'm Aria." The girl grinned.

"Good-night, guys. See you in training." I whispered as I walked toward the stairs. I climbed all the way to the twelfth floor by myself in the dark. Still not tired. It would a long night...

I paced my room all night and didn't end up getting an ounce of sleep. Effie came to get me, so I quickly showered and dressed and went to breakfast. I ate my eggs in silence. After that Peeta led us down to the training room. We waited as we got the number twelve pinned to our shirts. And then we all split apart. I stayed clear of Jareth as long as I could.

I went to each station numbly, learning and absorbing, but I couldn't really take in the moment. It seemed a blur or a dream. Probably from the lack of sleep...

I was at the knot tying station with the boy from District 5 and the girl from District 1. I tried to focus on my knots but they didn't keep my interest. I kept watching everyone else and how good they were!

Rei, the girl from One, was especially good with knots. Fang, the boy from Five. Moved onto the weights. He was lifting 160 and he was so tiny! The girl from Seven, Rose, was good with camouflage. Then there was the boy from Four. He was working with a sword and I couldn't help but shiver. He was taking down his trainer with ease. And then when he got a trident in his hand... He turned into a monster. He was terrifying. I saw Jareth walk toward the fire making station. The one I would avoid. I decided to move onto weapons.

I worked with knife throwing for quite a bit. And I actually wasn't that bad. Then I tried a sword and almost chopped my foot off dropping it. I heard snickering and looked over to see the girls from 3, 5 and 9 laughing at me. So they were making alliances already. I tried to pick it up again and almost dropped it when hands caught the sword easily and handed it back to me. He pulled me up straight so I was standing correctly.

"Hey, be careful! You've got to lift with your legs not your back." The boy from District 4 said, smiling down at me.

"Thanks. It's not that I'm having trouble lifting it... Well, okay I am, but it's just too heavy for me."

He chuckled and took my sword. "Here, this one's lighter. Try this one." He handed me the sword he was wielding. It was as light as a feather.

"Wow, thanks!" I said swinging it in a circle over my head. I almost hit him but he ducked down. "Oh, I'm sorry!" I squeaked. We both broke out laughing.

"It's okay. Hey, I'm Liam." He said sticking out his free hand.

I smiled and shook it. He was deffinatly the nicest one here, even if he was terrifying. "I'm Nettie."

I stuck around with Liam, going to different stations with him, talking the whole time. He was an interesting person to talk to. As we were at the fire station, I noticed he was watching Rose quite a lot, which made me smile. She would look up every once in a while too, and smile. Finally, she came closer to my side and joined our conversation. She was pretty nice too. After a while, Rose got her fire started and we all cheered, causing the other tributes to look at us.

When they called for lunch. Liam invited us to eat with him. Rose and I agreed almost immediately. About halfway through lunch, I saw that girl Xara sitting by herself. She looked almost grumpy. I knew how she felt. I used to sit alone every day at school. I stood and dumped my tray and walked toward her. She didn't look up as I slid into the empty seat across from her. She was even more beautiful in person...

She looked up at me for a second. "If you want my food, take it and leave." She said shoving her tray toward me.

"No no! I don't want your food! You just look lonely is all." I smiled at her laughing nervously.

She raised her eyebrows at me crossing her arms. "I can manage fine on my own."

I sat forward in my chair boring my eyes into hers. "Well, you survive longer with a team."

"I meant eating alone. And I'm sure I can manage the Games alone too." She said shoving out of her chair.

I stood too. "You'd have a better chance if-"

"I'm as good as dead anyway, so what does it matter?" She yelled toward me. The other tributes looked toward us. "Just leave me be." She said walking away. I shrank back from the acid in her voice and felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Rejection?