Hi there! I've finally updated so please review, and also if anyone can guess who this escort is based after you get a fake cookie!
Excellence "Lexie" DeLaurier POV
"Good Lexie, very good! Hit! Punch! Kick! Princess, work harder! Block those punches!" yells my trainer, Apple. She's watching as I fight my sparing partner, Princess, on a big blue mat in the centre of the gym floor. My peers watch intently. Well, most of them do, anyways. Those who don't are applying make up or reading through gossip magazines. I shake my dark ringlets and smile widely. Today is the day! Today is the day that I'll go into the Hunger Games, and emerge victor. Of course! I'll be excellent. Hell, my name is Excellence.
I can easily block a weak punch from Princess and nail her in the stomach. The blow seemed to have taken all the air out of her, and she doubles over coughing and gasping for air. While she is recovering, I sweep her legs out from beneath her in one fluid motion, and deliver a final blow to Princess' nose. I hear the definite crack of broken bones, and blood starts to trickle from her left nostril. Princess lets out a soft cry, then slumps down to the ground unconscious, her long red hair spewing out of either side of her head, making it look as if she is lying in a pool of her own blood. I stand back up and punch a fist up into the air. Victory!
"Let me introduce you to our three time campion of the annual Pre-Hunger-Games tournament. Beating out all 20 of you losers, give it up for... Excellence Scarlet DeLaurier!" Apple cheers, clapping her two spidery hands with vigor. I'm her favorite student, mostly because I show up for every training session and stay overtime. But really, who can blame me? Being a tribute is the greatest honor anyone could ever give to a child.
"Sorry, Princess!" I say as I scoop her up and set her back on her feet. "Sometimes I just don't know my own strength."
"Just leave me alone! Don't touch me!" Princess snaps, now fully conscious and wiping blood off her upper-lip. Jeez, sore loser much? I hop down from the mat, and high five a jumping 12 year-old boy.
"Great job, girl!" says Rouge, who is siting next to the 12 year old. She applies more mascara to her blonde lashes that she is desperately trying to make darker. "I'll meet you outside. I'll be with Glamour, Vigor and Pulchre, 'kay?"
"Yeah, see you!" I yell as I dash out of the training centre. Running is a great exercise, and it's always fun to push yourself during running sessions. While running, I try to calculate the time it'll take for me to change, shower, put on my make up, and eat breakfast. If I skip breakfast I'll get a good hour, I think as I round the corner to my large brick house. "Hey, Daddy!" I yell to my dad. He's in the kitchen, absentmindedly munching on a doughnut while watching television.
"Can you believe this, darling?" he asks. I sit down at the dark mahogany table, and grab a strawberry glazed doughnut from the small pile on his plate. He grabs it back from my hand, and gives me an apple instead. I shrug and take a big bite. "Watch, Lexie!" He gestures at the screen and clears his throat before he continues. "Girl in District 11 starves after refusing to put her name in for tesserae! Terrible!"
"I know!" I said, nodding in agreement. "It's every child's greatest honor to participate in the Hunger Games here in District 1, why can't the other Districts embrace this? It's a sign of celebration and joy!"
"Exactly!" said my father, as he leans back in his chair. "I would like to tell you how important the Hunger Games are. The DeLaurier family has had one victor, and we all want to make it two. We have trained you for years to do-"
I cut him off. "The DeLaurier family proud, for the second time, Daddy I know, I've heard your speech only 20 million times." I cross the table, and kiss my father on the forehead before I dash upstairs to prep myself for the big day. I start with a long shower, dousing myself in hot water. Next I move on to make up. I rub silver glittering eyeshadow on my eyelids. I put on the rest of my make up, making sure to cover the discoloration on the forearm with extra concealer.
Throwing on my fluffy pink bathrobe, I make my way from the bathroom to my walk-in closet. I have almost too many dresses to chose from, however, I am able to narrow it down to three: a bright blue asymmetrical mini-dress, a silver and pink striped full length dress, and a sleeveless dress with an empire waist and a luscious silk bodice.
"Satang!" I yell. The minute my maid's name leaves my lips, Satang is at the door. She's originally from District 3, but somehow she left. She never talks. Sometimes I wonder why, but as soon as the thought crosses my mind, I dismiss it. Maybe she's just naturally shy? "Satang, what dress should I wear?" I ask her. She puzzles over this for a few moments before pointing at the sleeveless one.
"Thanks, I agree!" I say. Satang beckons me back to my bathroom and starts touching up my makeup. When she's finished, I look even better than before. She has a hand with make up, I guess. I pull the sleeveless dress over my head and smile.
"Oh Satang, I look beautiful!" It's true. I do, the silver in my eyeshadow matches with the rhinestones on the tulle, and the dress clings to my figure. I actually have no figure, but the dress has padding, so I seem to have gained a cup size. I glance down at a digital watch on a shelf.
"Oh, my! Is that the time? I've gotta get going! Bye, Satang, see you after I win!" I call as I force a pair of silver heels on my feet. I give her a quick hug and make my way downstairs. My parents and my eldest brother, Arrogance, are waiting for me at the bottom of the staircase, and the moment I step down from the final step, my mother breaks down into sobs.
"Oh, Lexie, we're so proud of you! So, so proud. Honey, you look beautiful! I know you'll win, Daddy has already ordered the welcome back balloons and banners. We're going to have a great party, honey!" she sobs, and brings me in to a crushing hug.
"Mom... can't breathe... let go!" I manage to choke out. She stops hugging me, and wipes her green-grey eyes on the back on her hands, then gives me a shaky smile.
"Lexie, ever since you were born we've known. You're the one, you'll be the second victor for the family. You're strong, brave, and beautiful. Knock 'em dead, honey!" my dad says, giving me a hug and a reassuring pat on the back. Arrogance smirks and swaggers over to me.
"Looking' good, Lexie, babe. Spin for me?" I spin for him, and he gives a long whistle. I hit him on the arm jokingly.
"Perv!"
"Hey, I just call like I see them, honey," he says, as he plants a wet kiss on my cheek and winks at me.
"Okay, I'll see you guys later!" I yell as I readjust my hair, then skip out the door in the bright sunlight. Today is a beautiful day!
Rodney Hamish POV
I've been awake for almost 2 hours now, according to the clock by my bedside table, but I don't want to leave the comfort of the own bed. I've just been pondering over my strategy for the past 2 hours that I've been up. Play the innocent part, little cute boy, nothings going to go wrong, and then... BAM! You're all dead. I turn my head, finding a new space for my head on my small pillow.
My life was great, almost picture-perfect. Me, my mother, my dad. All working in harmony to create a perfect family life. Then, two years ago, my dad died when a tree trunk crushed him during a freak lighting storm. Down came the tree on my father, and down came my life. My mother had become depressed, and the source of our money was cut off, so I worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week, trying desperately to earn money for my mother. When you come down to it, my reason for entering the games was a damn tree. Lame. I stood shakily from my bed. It was bitterly cold in our house, but I let the cold air wash over me, and I walked to my mothers' bed, only a few feet from mine.
"Wake up, Mother," I say as I shake her gently, her eyes slowly flutter open.
"Good morning," she says in her monotone voice. Ever since my dad died, her voice has taken on a monotone form. I leave her to dress, and enter the bathroom, stripping down to my underwear and dressing in my dad's Sunday best: A long sleeved grey button up shirt and dark dress pants. I brush my blonde hair, and slip on shoes that are two sizes too small before I exit the bathroom.
The minute I walk out in my dad's large clothing, my mother bursts out into tears, burying her head in her hands, she hunches over the dining room table. This is my first Reaping but I'm not crying. You'd think my mother was the 12-year-old, and I was her parent as I patted her on the back.
Maybe she won't be able to take the fact that she might lose me too, I think. Maybe it's too much to ask of her too survive both my dad's death and mine. I quickly push these thoughts from my mind. But I won't lose. I won't take no for an answer. I will kill anybody who gets in my way. Fight them. Kill them. A flame of anger seems to be ignited inside me and suddenly I feel angry at the other Tributes, as if they had been the lighting, killed my dad, and destroyed my family . My mother lets out a small whimper of pain, and I look down at the hand on her back. I realize I'm pushing down way too hard.
"Oh, sorry, Ma. Listen, please don't cry," I say comfortingly. "It was 2 years ago. It's the past now, and it's never coming back. Ever." I try to keep my tone reassuring, but my mother only sobs more. This is useless. I stomp out the door, and into the bright sunshine. Although it's sunny outside, it's still cold. There's an hour until the reaping, so I wander around town, brooding. Everything is closed for Reaping day, so I decide to leave the town and wander over to the training centre, it's usually open in the mornings. The door is locked, but I quickly pick the lock and enter into the gym. The gym is huge, I love it. Knifes are in one corner, bows in the other, swords behind a thick layer of glass.
I walk to the knives and grab the closest one. It's long and thin. I throw it with all my might at the target at the other end of the room, when the knifes blade digs deep into the red layer outside the yellow. I scowl. I throw the second one, short and thick, it sticks in the gold. I throw all the other knives. They all land in the yellow.
"Wow. You're good. I've never seen you here before, though," says somebody from behind me. I whirl around angrily. It's a middle-aged woman who almost looks like she should be from the Capitol. Her hair is short, spiky, and purple, and she has brilliantly glossy turquoise blue eyes that are huge compared to her small, elf-like features. She stands at what I'd assume to be a good six feet, and she's very muscular.
"It's because I never come here," I say cooly. This is a lie. I'm always here after hours.
"Yeah, sure," she obviously isn't sold. I don't like this woman. She has a cocky smile. "What's your name?" she asks.
"Rodney," I say simply, glaring at her from under my bangs.
"That's an odd name..." she ponders, "Mine is Apple, nice to meet you!" She holds out a long, thin hand for me to shake. I look at the hand for a few seconds, then glare right into her fake looking eyes. She drops her hand.
"I hope I see you more often, then, Rodney. You're really good at knife throwing, although may I suggest that you-"
"I don't need your advice," I snap. "I don't want advice from anybody. In the future, just leave me alone, it's easier for both of us." I storm out of the gym, leaving Apple standing there confused and hurt. I don't care. I don't care about anyone, really, except my mother. There's only half an hour until the Reaping now, so I walk back to the town square. I sit down in one of the chairs marked "12" and watch as other people fill into the square. A small boy being teased sits down beside me, and a boy so huge I thought me must be at least 16 sits on my other side.
"How-w are y-you?" the small boy manages to stutter out to me. I don't answer. I see my mother walk into the square. Her light brown eyes scan the 12 section for me, once she finds me, she waves and smiles. I wave and grin back. She has cleaned herself up since this morning, and her hair is now in a long braid going down her back, but her eyes are still red and puffy.
I turn back to the stage. At two on the dot ,the mayor starts his boring speech. I zone out for the most part of this, and I'm surveying the crowd, looking for obvious volunteers. There's a boy built like a tank in the 16 section, and another boy who has red eyes and sharp pointed teeth, who I can tell is just dying to go into the games. There are a few more, but other than that I don't see anybody who looks really excited. When I turn my attention back to the stage, I see my soon-to-be escort, a man with pale skin, and black hair that came to his shoulders in a string bob.
"Oh my! What the devil is going on here?" he squealed, I could tell he had trouble moving his stiff face. One of his hands was, literally, a hook: probably one of the latest Capitol trends. He reached into the girls bowl with his normal hand, and, after digging around a bit, takes out a long piece of paper with a flourish.
"A Miss Axel Dilanche!" he said. A small girl rose from the front of the 13 section. Her grey eyes were as wide as saucers, and she was holding back tears. She hadn't even taken two steps towards the stage when a voice shouted, "I, Excellence DeLaurier volunteer as Tribute for District 1!" Axel rushed back to her seat, to her friends hugs and kisses and a girl in heels and a pink dress prances up to the podium, she surveys the audience with her light eyes.
"Go Lexie!" yells a blonde girl, who is clapping for her friend. Ew.
She might be an issue. She doesn't look like much, but her eyes say differently.
"Ooh! Exciting! This is soo magical, and beautiful!" my escort gushes in his ridiculous Capitol accent. I roll my eyes, he's going to be a pain in the neck to deal with. He prances over to the boys bowl like a deranged unicorn in a black cape, and picks through the bowl with his gloved hand, he pulls out a piece of paper and giggles.
"Ooh! Isn't this curious! For the boys it's... a Mister Wheel Dilanche!" The boy built like a tank from the 16 section stood. My hopes dropped, and I frowned. However, I felt my hope rushing back to me as I saw a little toy bunny in his arms and the tears streaming down from his baby blue eyes.
"I volunteer!" I yell before he can step onto the stage. Wheel turns around, and runs back to his family and friends sobbing. Gasps come from the crowd as I step onto the stage. My head is held high, but I can hear a small giggle from someone in the stadium.
She thinks I can't do this. She thinks I'm just a 12-year-old searching for a way to end my miserable life. But she's wrong, and I'll show her. I'll show them all.
Excellence "Lexie" DeLaurier POV
The mood in the yellow room that I was being held in before I could get on the train was as cheery as the buttercup yellow walls. All my friends came in to congratulate me, then my family filed in. We were spending the time joking and talking. Vigor had given me a kiss, and Glamour had given me a hug. I was talking to Glamour about strategies, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Lexie?" someone says. I turn around and am surprised to see Princess looking down at me. "I, um, came to say good luck," Princess says, pulling her tanned fingers through her red hair. "And I'm sorry about earlier today, I just lost my head."
"It's okay," I want to say something more, when a burly peacekeeper from the door barked out his orders: "FIVE MINUTES!"
My dad rises from a velvet chair, and walks over to me. "Miss Excellence DeLaurier," he says in a booming voice that quiets everyone in the room. "I knew, from the day you were born, we'd have a second winner, a second hero, a second victor in the DeLaurier family. Now, I think, it's time I give you this. Please wear it in the arena, and use it as your token." Daddy reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful heart necklace. My fingers feel the large 'E' engraved on it.
"It's beautiful, thank you so much," I say, as I fasten the necklace around my neck, letting it fall onto my chest. My parents give me hugs, Vigor gives me a long kiss, and all my friends pile in around me for a group hug.
"Okay, sweetie, time is up! Everybody out!" yells the Peacekeeper. He roughly grabs my by the forearm, and jerks me out towards the bright flashes of cameras and the trains. As I leave I can hear everybody chanting.
"Lexie! Lexie! Lexie! Lexie!"
Then, their yells fade away, and I walk into the blinding flashes with my District partner, smiling widely.
After a painfully long wait (sorry about that) y'all get a chapter. Please review, and also I have another SYOT story that I need some characters for, it has vampires, death and drama in it, so I promise you'll like it!
Thanks for your patience.
~ Molly.