"Oh come on. You need more than that." Terrance said to Wiress as she walked away from the buffet with a muffin and a small scoop of eggs.
"I'll be fine, Terrance." Wiress said. Terrance shrugged.
"Suit yourself, but you burned way more calories than I did last night." Wiress choked on her food and glared at Terrance. "The night attendant was kind enough to give me some ear plugs so tonight I can sleep in sweet sweet oblivion." Just then Beetee came into the dining room.
"Good morning, Wiress and Terrance."
"Good morning." They said in tandem. Terrance found he couldn't meet his mentor's or his district partner's eyes after what he had overheard during the night. Terrance inhaled the eggs and sausage on his plate before hastily going to the buffet to refill his plate.
"You need to eat more, hon." Beetee whispered to Wiress. She reached across the table and grasped his hand in hers, lacing her fingers around his. She gasped as he wrapped his hand tightly around hers. Both mentor and tribute knew they were two magnets made more powerful by their union and thus felt more compelled to cling to each other. Terrance slurping his fruit smoothie loudly and making as much noise as he could while cutting a slab of ham brought them out of their gaze on each other. They quickly broke their grasp and began eating as the clicking of Eustacia's five inch heels drew closer to the dining room.
"Good morning everyone!" She said cheerily. She sat down and snapped her fingers for an attendant so she could give her breakfast order.
"You know, the buffet is only three feet from the table, right?" Terrance asked. Eustacia glared at him. Wiress kicked Terrance under the table. He rolled his eyes and continued his noisy eating routine.
"Well, I hope your evening went well last night!" Eustacia screeched. This time Beetee, Wiress, and Terrance looked away from each other. Wiress blushed a dark pink and color was creeping up Beetee's neck. Terrance bit his lip to keep from doubling over in laughter. Eustacia either chose not to notice or was truly oblivious to the awkwardness settling around the table. "Well, let me tell you all about the most magnificent sponsor party I have seen in ages!" Her screeching and carrying on went through everyone's head without stopping in the middle. Wiress was dutifully eating and trying not to meet Terrance's gaze. Beetee's eyes seemed fixed on Wiress as if she would dissapear if she was out of the line of his vision. Terrance was trying not to look at anyone and concentrated on packing in the most calories he could before training.
"Ok. Time to go to the training center." Beetee announced looking at the clock. "Terrance - Wiress, get what you need from your rooms."
"That was probably the most awkward breakfast in the history of Panem." Terrance muttered coming out of his room. Wiress smacked him with her stack of plant flashcards and force vector diagrams for weapons. "HEY!"
"Terrance - I don't want to hear it! Ok?" Wiress snapped. Terrance took a step back seeing his district partner clearly upset.
"Ok - Ok - sorry." He paused. "I - I guess I didn't think you'd be uptight today."
"Two days, Terrance! That's it!" Wiress said knowing she was overwrought, but couldn't control her emotions. "That's all I have!"
"Don't give up!" Terrance said. "I haven't given up on you and - and - you know very well - the one you love hasn't." he said choosing his words carefully. Wiress took deep breaths as the logical analytical side of her brain assumed control once again.
"Ok." She whispered. "You're right. C'mon, we don't want to be late."
"Wiress?" Beetee asked concerned. He had come down the hall at hearing Wiress becoming upset. Wiress looked around. Eustacia was on the couch in the living room applying make-up to her face. Quickly Wiress grasped Beetee's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I know both of you will do very well today." He said.
"Thanks, Beetee." Terrance said.
"I'll see you." Wiress said. She locked eyes with him. I'll work hard for you. I love you. Terrance grabbed the stack of flash-cards Wiress was holding and began quizzing her the elevator. He smiled as as he saw his district partner shift into the student-nerd mindset as they entered the training center. Though he wasn't sure he wanted to win because his sister hadn't achieved victory in her Games, he knew he would help Wiress as much as he could. She had the spark of intelligence and determination coupled with the force of her love for Beetee to come home from the arena or die trying.