When I enter the train, I once-again feel stripped of my privacy. I hate having cameras all around me.

My name is Nate McIalwain, I am the Victor of the 2nd Hunger Games, and today starts my Victory Tour. And, to top it all off, we go to District 12 first, where I'll have to face the families of both tributes, but especially the Archers. I run through the dining cart to the car that I know he likes to sit in.

"Thank God it's you!" I say, running over to him.

"Hey Cupcake," he smiles and provides a small wave, sprawled out across one of the couches.

"Hey," I greet, sitting on his legs, "Aren't you happy to see me?"

He laughs, "Yeah, sure, Cupcake."

I've been spending a lot of time with him back at District One. It's nice there, but I still have family and friends at Two, so I spend most of my time there. Besides, nobody understands me quite like Platinum does, just because the two of us are the only Victors in Panem.

"Ready for your tour?"

"No. Not even a little."

"Don't worry. You can't screw up worse than me."

I'm not sure if I should provide false comfort, but he's right. His soft, blue-gray eyes give me a look that says I don't need to argue him. I just nod and sigh, "I just… I don't want them dying my hair…"

He laughs, "No worries, Cupcake. I'll be there for you this year."

I smile slightly, "You're here for me a lot."

"It's because you're the only one I have to be there for."

I blink, "Oh…"

He smiles slightly, "And you'll do wonderfully, I'm sure."

"I sure hope so…"

He smiles and says, "So, how's your sister?"

"She's alright."

"And Talon?"

I smile. "He and Brandt Manson come over a lot. They're my good guy friends. And you, of course."

"You're a lucky boy, Nate McIalwain."

Now I feel bad. "Oh… I guess…"

"Embrace that luck. Yeah?"

"Uh, yeah…"

He nods, "Good." Then Septimus comes and says, "Nate? Time for us to get you dressed."

Platinum smiles encouragingly at me and I try a smile back before I go to get all dressed up for the first day of my Victory Tour.

We arrive in Twelve early, and I'm told to stick around and wait. Platinum appears suddenly, smiling slightly.

"Hey, what are you doing-"

"I'm gonna help you sneak out of here, just like I did. Come on." He leads the way and I follow, overwhelmed by the smell of the District and the dirt.

"It sure sucks, doesn't it?" he asks.

"Majorly." He frowns and I frown, too. We keep walking through the District together, until he sighs sadly, probably sick of all the dirty looks the two of us are getting.

"Meet me back in the train," he says quietly. I nod and he walks off.

When I look back over, I see a boy around my age running toward me. He has dirty-blonde hair and gray eyes and his siblings stand behind him and watch. He runs at me and I don't know what to do, what to say… He suddenly throws his arms around me and I hug him back, as confused as I am.

He buries his face in my shoulder and sniffles, "N-Nate McIalwain…"

"I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be…" He tries to keep a steady voice. "Y-You showed him, Nate… After everything he put me through, he finally fessed up. Thank you for saving us from him, even if it meant the loss of a life."

I hug him and don't know what to say. He just tries not to cry, and he does a good job at it. He lets me go and sniffles, "Don't feel bad. You did the right thing."

I provide a stiff nod as he walks back to the three girls that are waiting for him. The two older ones look displeased, but the youngest, who's gotta be Nick's age, or close, smiles and takes his hand with a small giggle. I smile sadly and walk back to the train, sneaking in the same way Platinum snuck us out.

My speech at Twelve is a lot easier than I thought it'd be. Then it's off to Eleven with us.

This is one of those speeches that's kept me up at night. I can't believe I killed him. What are they going to think of me? How am I going to face them? How am I going to face Holly's family? Both of them were so young…

There's nothing I can say to redeem myself in their eyes, but at the same time, I don't want to look like the heartless douchebag that I was in the Arena. After all, I promised myself I would be a good Victor, just like Cutter (or, my imagination in the form of the ghost of Cutter) said I would be.

The speech is hard, and keeping my emotions in tact is harder. Bean has a huge family, that all look miserable, especially his siblings. Holly's side has two twin girls that have red hair like hers tied in braids, like hers… I can't stand to look.

The other Districts go well. Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five… They all fly by smoothly with me reading the speeches that Esperanza wrote and, in Seven, adding how brave Birch was and how miserable it was to watch, and how advanced Juniper was with her weapons, and how much I admired her. Cliff killed her in the Arena, not me, but I still commend her.

Four is a little rough, considering how I tricked Melanie. She has an older brother that scowls at me. Flounder's side has a little girl with curly brown hair and green eyes and a taller boy that only looks slightly older than he was. I make a brief speech, saying the same thing for Flounder that I said for Juniper and adding in some words about Melanie.

Then we're on our way to Three, the one that I've been dreading more than a lot of these Districts combined. I dunno what to say about either of them. Boeh tortured me and I killed her later, while Axis was the only tribute that died Day One that wasn't killed by my alliance.

Platinum helps me sneak out of the train again, and I separate from him. I just need a quick walk to clear my mind. I wear a black hoody over my head so that nobody recognizes me, because District 3 is a lot busier than 12.

Suddenly, I'm taken by the waist and pulled through an alley to the middle of nowhere. I shriek and jump back, but when I look at my abductor, I see… Me.

No, I can't be in more than one place at once! But… He looks exactly like me! Slightly dirty blonde hair, swept across his forehead and blue eyes that look a little green, but still stay close to my shade. He looks just like me, except maybe a little older.

Maybe it's me from the future!

"You're Nate McIalwain," he says.

I just stare at him and the words accidentally exit my lips, "You're Nate McIalwain, too."

He bursts out laughing. "You're so cute!"

"What!?"

"I'm not you! Though I do come kinda close, though. 'Cept I'm a lot more bisexual than you are, I'd assume. And a lot less a virgin."

"O…Oh…"

He holds out a hand, "Vander Link. It's nice to meet my long-lost abandoned twin."

I blink and go flying back to the Arena with Boeh. I still have nightmares about the torture, but I remember specifically her mentioning someone… God, what'd she say!? I think of the whole scene as it unfolds in my head, fast-forwarding until I remember that yes, she did mention someone named Vander.

"B…Boeh mentioned you…"

"She sure did, didn't she? Very good, Nate McIalwain. I didn't think you'd remember after all this… Time."

"I'll never forget."

"I'm sure you won't."

"So… You knew her, then?"

"Bingo," he says, smirking and pacing in a circle around me. "She was my bitch."

"Yeah, and she wanted to see you cry."

"Agression is Boeh's way of showing love."

"Really? So she stabbed Axis's face in out of love, then?"

He laughs, "Wow. You sure are clever, aren't you, Nate McIalwain?"

I scowl, "Sure. But we were talking about Boeh."

"Ah, yes. My bitch. You know what, I never really cared about her. Guess it showed, didn't it?"

"Then what the hell is your problem!?"

"Nathan, did I ever tell you I had a problem with you killing Boeh?"

"My name's not Nathan. It's just Nate."

"Answer my question."

"No. You never said it."

"Thank you. I don't have a problem with it at all, actually. In fact, I'm glad. She's no longer a burden to anyone. Isn't that nice?"

"Sure."

"Wanna see some quality ass, my friend? Take a look at her brother, Drew. Now that's a man."

I don't know what to say. "Right."

"But he's mine. Or will be, someday. Got it?"

"Uh, sure…?"

"Got it, Nate McIalwain?"

"Yes, I got it."

He smiles crookedly, "Wonderful. Have a nice afternoon."

"Right…"

And with that, I decide that's enough adventuring for today. I go back to the train where Esperanza is anxiously waiting, and give my speech at District 3, only glancing at the families once or twice. Then we're off to One.

When I walk into the room, Platinum is hunched over something in his hands. "Maybe I should've tried harder," he whispers. "Maybe I should've tried harder to save him… I'm so sorry… I've let you down again. I never got to apologize, either. He died thinking I wasn't sorry for any of it…"

"Platinum?" I whisper.

He looks over.

"Who are you talking to?" I ask him.

"Uh…" he says quietly, "Cutter's sister. Heart."

I never even took a second to think about Cutter having siblings! I must look terrified.

"Th-there's another Atchison child?!" I squeak out.

"No. There was." He gets up and quickly walks out of there.

"Platinum!" I call, but he doesn't turn around.

I'm left on my own to plan out my speech.

District One hurts. It hurts me terribly, but I keep it together. Make my speech from Esperanza's cards. Say how Azure was a real fighter and how sorry I am for what happened, and then swallowing my pride and telling them everything about how sorry I am for Cutter. Azure has one older brother and a sister that can't be much older than she was. Cutter only has two parents, and they both look exhausted and sad. I can't stand it.

After my speech I walk calmly back to the train but the tears come as soon as we pull out, on our way to the Capitol. I don't see Platinum again until we're pulling in, and I'm all made up picture perfect. There's a quick chat with Octavian before I'm sent to the Presidential Mansion for the party. I don't see Platinum at all in any of that time.

"Ah, Nate! The volunteer, the Victor!" Esperanza gushes. "Tonight is for you, so be sure to enjoy it!"

I sigh but nod, as she says, "Put your chin up now, dear. You've won the Hunger Games!"

She walks through the huge gates and I follow her, staying a good distance behind.

"There he is!"

"Nate McIalwain!" I hear at least six different people call.

"The second Victor!"

The people part for me and I easily walk through them, trying to ignore the people that shout my name.

"Nate! Over here!"

I blink and look every which way, noticing a kid in purple with a video camera that giggles, and the flashes of cameras taking pictures as we walk inside the mansion.

"Well?" Esperanza asks, "What do you think, dear?"

"It's… It's amazing!" I say, smiling. To think that this is all for me!

Esperanza gushes, "Of course it is! This is the Capitol!"

She continues walking through the pretty rooms, and all I can do is marvel at all of them. Wow…

Soon, my escort disappears and leaves me on my own.

I hang out by the table of food, amazed at how much of the District's hard work can be wasted in just one night of partying. I decide to not let it go to waste, taking a plate for myself and eating food.

People galore come to talk to me, so many that I lose track of smiling faces and names. All of them congratulate me, some ask me to sign things and others quiz me all about my Arena, claiming to be my biggest fan. It's extremely overwhelming.

Excited girls in pink take me by the hands and drag me out on the dance floor and spin me around, and it's a little terrifying. After a while, I get exhausted talking to people, and I see a speck of black in the corner. Platinum catches my gaze and sticks his tongue out at me, waltzing over in that dramatic way he does when he's in the Capitol.

"What's up, Cupcake?" he says, noticing the girls from before waving to me and flashing me a smug smirk.

"Hating people," I mutter.

He laughs, "Ah, they all love you! Just think, you could get married to one of them, someday!"

"Not happening," I assure him.

"Sure, sure. Just think about it."

"I don't want to."

A waltz starts just then and Platinum's entire face lights up. He holds a hand out to me excitedly and I roll my eyes, walking to throw my food away at a trash can. "Not happening, Cupcake. I don't dance."

"Aw, come on, Cupcake! I've always wanted to take someone waltzing!"

"You did. Ashley, remember?"

"Shut up and come on!"

"No. I'm not dancing with you." I say it with a small smile, but I'm totally serious.

"So what, I mentor you to Victory and you won't even dance with me!?"

"That's right."

"Come on! I've saved your ass enough, can't you do it for your old mentor that has no friends at home?"

I sigh, "Using the sob story, Cupcake?"

"Yes."

I sigh, taking his hand, "Fine. But it's not my fault when rumors start to fly."

He laughs, "It's normal for friends to dance around here." He puts a hand on my waist and I sigh.

He laughs again, "Wow, this is actually pretty funny." He walks in the one, two, three pattern that I can't exactly synchronize with.

"Come on, Cupcake, are you even trying?!" he asks, grinning.

"Yes! I can't dance, I told you!"

"Look, it's easy." He tightens his grip on me to guide me through, "Look. One, two, three." He does it slowly and I try to move with him, causing him to laugh, "Okay, good enough. Just try to keep up if you can, Cupcake."

I feel determined now, trying to keep up. He just keeps looking down and laughing, "Good try, I'll give you that."

"I can dance just as well as you!"

"Oh, please. You can't even keep up with a simple waltz."

"Let's change the subject," I huff, defeated. "I never did thank you for having my back through my time in the Arena."

"That's right, you never did. Well, go on now."

"Thanks, Cupcake. Really. Everything you did for me helped me to live. Including the apple juice."

A group of dancing Capitolites around us laughs. I didn't even know they were listening.

"Yeah…" Platinum says, reading my thoughts, "Being famous is weird, isn't it?"

"Sure is," I agree.

"Hey!" he grins, "Look at you go without even thinking about it!"

I didn't even notice that I managed to keep up with his waltzing.

"Isn't it relaxing, when you get the hang of it?" he asks, spinning me around.

"I guess…"

He grins and says, "I'm so glad you won, Cupcake."

"Yeah. Me too, trust me." He puts his chin on my head and I let him, smiling slightly and taking in his scent.

"Also glad you're straight as a ruler."

I laugh, "Me too, trust me."

The group around us laughs, too.

The song comes to a close and Platinum smiles at me. "Enjoy the rest of the night, Cupcake. By the way, there's an apple juice fountain on the corner of that table over there."

I blink, "Is there?"

"You think I'd joke about that? To you, of all people?"

I laugh and he grins at me. "Talk to me later, if you're sick of people. Maybe we can salsa!"

I burst out laughing at that ridiculous comment, but the temptation of an apple juice fountain proves too strong for me to overcome and there's a whole hoard of people there, just waiting for me to succumb to it. A lot of them look to be 18 or 19, and they're all different combinations of colors. I get swarmed with people again, talking to girls in blue, orange and red, and black, and boys in dark green, blue and gray, and even one in white.

Oh, the things I'll do for a cup of good apple juice. But I think it was worth it.

After the Capitol party, I have to make a speech in Two, still. Standing in front of those people I love so dearly, speaking on Priscilla's behalf… It's a hard thing for me to do. I read one sentence off the notecards from Esperanza and then completely abandon them, spilling out all my feelings about Priscilla and what happened. Then we have the dinner and a party. I warm up to it as it goes on, spending time with Talon and Brandt and Cassia, and even with Valentina, Trevor, and Nick.

It's a good time to be a Victor, I think.