Or at least, there were no snickers, scoffs or stares as I moved onto knot-making. None that I notice, anyway.
I'm washing the camouflage the girl from 6 is teaching me to do when the leader of the Career pack, Daven, approaches me. He has a swagger to his walk, and certain cocky look that makes me hate him with just a single glance. I feel completely alone as I see him set his large hands down on the cart in front of me.
"So," he says. "You're good."
I look up at him, and reply with a simple. "Thanks."
He raises his eyebrows. His hair is blonde and spiked, and his eyes are an emerald shade of green. "Where did you learn to train, then? No one has natural skill like that. I didn't think District 12-"
"It doesn't." I cut him off.
"Then where did you learn?" He asks me, lowering his head down to my level, moving nearer as he does so.
I try not to give him a dirty look. I don't need a career for any more of an enemy than they already are. "I made sure I was prepared. Never know if you're going to get reaped."
He nods, seeming impressed. "I like that. That's good. I like what I saw there, too." He looks at the knife throwing range, where they're carting away and dummy I had skewered. "And what you did with that spear. And the bow and arrows. And apparently your camouflage is good too." He looks down at my still brown arm.
"Thanks." I reply, washing the water over my dyed skin. "But it's nothing compared to your..." Gang. Mob. Posse. "...group."
He gives a laugh, as if shrugging me off, and I feel my hatred for him rise. "Actually, that's why I'm here. I want you to join us."
I look over to the five kids in the center of the room - the careers. Last year had seen only 4, this year saw 6. I had no doubt that they would band off into threes' once we got into the arena, but for now they seemed solid. There were three girls, and three boys: Jasper and Garnet, from 1; Daven and Cora, from 2; and Fisher and Aqua from 4. They were vain, superficial and arrogant. I do not want to join them.
"I can't." I say. "I have pre-existing alliances."
"Already?" Daven raises his eyebrows. "Well, sweetheart, if you change your mind at any time, come find us. I'll try not to let the others kill you."
He shoots my a deadly grin, and rejoins his gang, who all ask how it went.
Unsuccesfully. I think to myself. I wait until the've moved off into the elevators before meeting with Cole and Effie, to go off to our suit.