The last few days have been hectic, final goodbyes, tears, and the stabbing pain in my chest from knowing that I will never see my family again. On my wrist I wear my district token, a bracelet woven out of dry grass with colourful beads intertwined and the pretty lights of the glass playing off the train window. My mother made it for me. My eyes fog over once more as I think of them.
There have been several knocks on the door, none of which I have answered. I sit curled up on the double bed in my quarters, not crying, just thinking. I sit up and decide to take a look around the room. The room I am in at the moment is bigger than my house at home alone. The walls are lined with some sort of soft material, judging from pictures I have seen of Capitol people, it is velvet, something that we could never afford.
I open one of the cupboards, which turns out to be a small door. I have to actually take a step back to take in the whole picture. Inside the room are shelves and shelves of clothes. I pull my yellow dress over my head and swap it for a loose fitting white top, long baggy pants that gather around my lower legs and a pair of boots, similar to the ones I have at home, with the laces stopping just before my knees. Now curious, I decide to have a look around the train.
"Eve" I turn around. Alistair is standing behind me, also changed into Capitol clothing.
"Hello", I say in reply.
"I knocked on your door, you weren't there, I thought you might want to talk"
"What is there to talk about?"
"Family, the Games, I don't know."
"Why would I want to talk about them?" I snap, getting angry. "It's not like I am ever going to see them again, is it?" A tear rolls down my cheek; I swipe it away with my hand.
"Don't talk like that" He says.
"Why shouldn't I?" "At least you stand a chance in the arena, if you win, look after my family, ok?" I say, tears now streaming down my face. I turn, embarrassed, and start walking the other way, but he stops me. I turn. He is holding out his arms. I hesitate, but walk into them, we are both crying. We may not know each other but he is my last piece of district eleven.
He feels like Home.
We walk into the dinner compartment together. Angela, still blue, but sporting a crazy blonde wig and changed into a red dress that trails along the floor, takes my hand and Alistair's with the other. She introduces us to the staff, and a man who I recognize as our mentor, Mark. He must be going on fifty, I notice the dark rings around his eyes as I shake his hand. Three bright pink women bustle into the room. They squeal when they see me and introduce themselves as my prep team. Another group of women, this time a blinding shade of blue, turn out to be Alistair's prep team.
Cardboard stands of paper with our names written on them in dainty writing mark our spots at the dinner table. Alistair sits down opposite me. I take a look down at my plate; it is surrounded by a scary assortment of knives and forks. Angela sees my puzzled look and laughs.
"Start with the knife and fork on the outside, Dear", she says kindly. I pick them up, and Alistair does the same.
Soon enough, the food starts arriving, and I realise how hungry I am. By the time that everybody has found their place around the table and sat down, there are so many dishes I don't know where to start. Soups, salads and every type of meat. Most of the stuff I put on my plate is unfamiliar. I take a bit into a piece of foreign meat, and my eyes widen at the amazing taste. The juices dribble down my chin and I quickly wipe them off with my sleeve. Angela gives me what she thinks is a disapproving look, but I soon notice that she can't frown. Alistair sees me and laughs, choking on his orange juice, causing me to laugh as well. I realise it's the first time I have smiled since my name was read out at the Reaping. He sees my troubled face.
"Hey, lighten up." He says with a smile, taking a huge bite into a leg of chicken. "We only have a few weeks to live anyway so make the most of it," he chuckles. So decide to make the most of this meal and fatten up for the arena. Alistair and I stuff ourselves until we cannot eat another bite, then we retreat to my room, order more food, and watch the Capitol TV all night.
He turns out to be quite a nice boy. We talk for hours about home, all the good and bad, how good the food is, and wonder about what the Capitol will be like.
It is getting close to two in the morning, and I am nearly asleep, curled up on the sofa on his lap. He doesn't seem to mind, and plays with my hair. It's almost like we have known each other forever. He sighs and gets up.
"I'm going to bed now", he says, stretching his arms and yawning. "Rest up for tomorrow, you know." I nod, give him a quick hug, which surprises me more than him, and crawl into my bed. After I close my eyes, I can feel him standing in the doorway for a bit, and then goes back to his room. My eyes shut before I can think anymore.