I wave, confidently. Taking it in turns to look to each side. I give my best smile, even throw some kisses. Then a massive roar begins and I don't know why. As pull up, I notice 12's tributes are on fire but the flames distinguish once they stop. President Snow begins talking, and so do I. To Barney.
"Barney, what did you mean earlier?" I ask, looking at him. He chuckles a little and when he begins, he's interrupted by the moving chariot. The inside of the training centre skyscraper was big. I found myself looking around it in awe. "You look fabulous, sweetie!" Waria runs, as much as her heels let her, up to with wide arms and I'm soon coated by her arms. She babbles on with, "Look at this glitter!" or "What's your stylist's name?" Frenchie and whom I presume is Barney's stylist come up to us. Barney's stylist hugs me, however Frenchie doesn't, which I assume is because of her naturally shy personality. "You did great, both of you. Tomorrow will be your first day of training." She smiles. I look around for Wolff or Bo, or even my new ally. "Shall we head upstairs?" Waria suggests and I nod.
Upstairs, I hear booming, angry voices. "Aha! My mistake! Perhaps we should stay here for a bit?" Realisation flooding Waria, Frenchie and Lola, Barney's stylists, face. Me and Barney look at one and other and walk in, ignoring the 3 women's protests. In the room stands an angry, flushed Wolff and an equally angry and flushed Bo. Bo scoffs and heads to his room like a moody teenager. "Welcome back, guys!" Wolff pants. How does this woman keep so cheerful and happy in front of us. I wrap my arms around her and she immediately bursts into tears. I didn't mean for this to happen. I'm not good at comforting. I rub my arm up and down her back. "Well, who wants dinner?" Waria asks and everyone choruses in agreement. Everyone eats in silence, until I ask, "What's wrong with Bo? He's acting like a child." Wolff drops her cutlery with a clang. "Oh, it doesn't matter, sweetie. Let's talk about tomorrow, when you have training. Many people form alliance during those times, will you two?" Yes. But what about Barney? I never thought about him when I asked the girl from 8. None of us say anything. I think the wrong and right thing: Only one victor. "I'm done, thank you." I say and leave before anyone can stop me.
I feel homesick and stupid for not bringing a district token. There's a knock at my door and I ignore it, wanting sleep. I drift to sleep several minutes later.
In the morning on a coat hanger on my door is what I think is my training outfit. A simple attire with a 10 on it. I change into it and go to the kitchen on our floor. Waria and Bo are having friendly conversation. "I was just coming to get you!" She giggles. "I'll go get Barney." She heads off. So I'm alone with Bo. "Nice outfit, darling." He says looking into his drink. "Thanks." I mutter. "So, what happened with you and Wolff yesterday?" I ask. This question shocks - or annoys - him so much he nearly drops his glass, which he picked up to drink. "Nothing!" He snaps, but you can tell he's trying to be nice about it. When Barney comes, we have breakfast and are headed downstairs with Waria to the training centre. We say goodbye and wait for the remainder of the tributes to come. The last ones are the duo from 12. A woman named Atala tells us about how 23 of us will be dead and the many ways we die in the arena. Once her nervewracking speech is finished I head to the Gauntlet with other tributes.
There's a deep grunt and the boy from 8 has fallen of the rope course. Something rises up in me, laughter. I can't be that cruel and laugh at him. He holds his leg in pain. There's a tap on my shoulder. I turn and see my ally. "Hi, let me formally introduce myself. Savannah." She says and holds a hand out. I shake. "Robyn." I reply. "That's my district partner. Don't let his height fool you. He's not into these games." She says and I nod. A girl from 7 looks like she does this all the time. "She's good." I say and Savannah agrees. Finally, when it's my go, I jump from platform to platform. Occasionally I feel the draft of the padded club swing behind my legs. I finish panting. I wait for Savannah and when she nearly trips I feel myself tense. She completes it and we head other to the knife-throwing section. I'm quite good, whereas Savannah should use something else. "Come on, lets try something else!" I laugh. We go separate ways when I go to the axes and her to the batons. I try throwing the axes in stead and I am more accurate. "Wow." A voice says and I jump. "You're good." They continue, ignoring my reaction. "I'm Mellray." She says, a natural cockiness emanates from her. Despite the 5 or 6 between us, I'm sure she can kill me easily. "Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to be allies?" She asks. I feel as though she'd be good for me and Savannah. I'm sure she'd kill Savannah before I'd have to. "Yeah, it's fine with me," I smile. "But she's my ally as well, so you best check if it's okay with her."
Mellray returns with Savannah's decision. "She said it's fine." Mellray says. "So you gonna introduce me?" Barney says and makes me jump. Mellray walks past me. "Mellray, you?" She says. "I'm Barney, Robyn's district partner." The two smile seductively and I feel anger bubble up in me. "Okay, well I'm going the rope thing. Bye." I say and walk off.
When I finally get a go, I get three-quarters the way and fall. My fall feels cushioned and I realise I've fallen on the monstrous boy from 2 and hurry off him before he can break my neck. "I'm so sorry. I'm really, really, really so-" I babble on but get interrupted. "Shut up and forget it, Ten." He says. I set myself to a fast pace. "Savannah, oh my God." I say when I reach her.
"Training's over for today tributes." Atala dismisses us. I get back to my floor. "That was fun... and intense." I say to Barney and Wolff and everyone else before I slump myself in my in bed and sleep.