When I wake up, Corvin is gone.
I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I'm leaning towards good because I remember my promise from last night.
Scanning the perfect white room that I'm laying in, I throw off the covers of my bed and drag myself into the bathroom. I slowly inspect my matted, knotted hair in the mirror and tired face. I slowly tug the hairbrush through my hair, untangling all the knots until it is smooth once again. My hair is wavy in the front where the braid used to be.
I then brush my teeth and wash my face, taking off the smeared makeup from last night with it. After I'm dressed into a simple T-shirt and black sweats that were laid out for me, I head out in search of breakfast. Before I can even step into the hall I'm confronted by Symma.
Today she's wearing a sort of ballgown that looks like something out of a storybook. The bottom of the gown poofs out so wide it brushes the sides of the walls in the hallway. At least a hundred rainbow-colored lacy ribbons spread out around the lavender skirt. The top is a gentle shade of light green with a v-neck that has bows on it as well. Though her dress looks like some kind of rainbow fairytale, her arms are decorated with bracelets that have tiny spikes on them, and on her neck she wears a choker necklace of the same style. Her hair matches, a violent red color and styled to stick out in every which way. I also catch a few metal beads gelled into her hair as well. In the back of her dress is the traditional bright pink feathers sticking down to trail on the floor, and a cape to match.
As I try to wrap my head around her completely irrational costume, she's rushing me to the dining room for breakfast. I can't help but snicker as I realize I'm going to have to walk in front of her because her gown is so big.
When we get to the dining room, we are greeted by a huge oak table that is packaged in tightly with all kinds of food. Eila and Corvin are waiting for us. I sit down across from Corvin and casually select a few foods to eat when I catch Symma struggling to fit into a chair with her ridiculous dress. When she finally gets herself figured out, she starts babbling on about how our schedule is very tight today and we have to hurry to the training center.
"Eila," I say, turning towards her, "Any tips?"
"Remember what I told you last night," she says. "Try to learn new things. And plants are a priority. The Game Makers want a good show, which usually includes starving the tributes. So getting the idea of what is edible and inedible is incredibly important." As she says this, I finish my hot cocoa and biscuit and reach for some toast.
"Anything else?" I ask.
"Not really," says Eila. "Just stay focused and don't get in fights with the other tributes."
Once breakfast is over we are whisked away to the training arena. Stations are dotted around the huge warehouse with every kind of defense mechanism- from knives to spears, and from plant life to archery. I have no idea where to start, so I think about what our mentor said and head over to the plant station.
The teacher working there is nice enough, and teaches me and another tribute- I think she was from 10- about different types of berries. I take note of which ones to stay away from, particularly a deep blue berry that grows on a red bush, and which ones could save my life, especially a small purple berry that I can find growing in fields- if I mix it with some other plants I can create a medicine for burns. Unfortunately I'm still not entirely sure about what I'm doing.
After I'm done learning about that, I head over to archery. The teacher is a tall man with spiky black hair who struts back and forth as he talks about how to hold the bow. I pick it up and feel its weight, and double-check to make sure I'm holding it right. I select an arrow and carefully set it on the bow, and pull back the string.
As soon as I let go the arrow drops before me. I'm not nearly strong enough to pull back on the drawstring. Gently setting the arrow back in the quiver, I head off to learn how to use a spear.
Once again, I'm not strong enough to throw it. I'm really good at aiming, though, and with some serious effort, am able to hit a few targets. Finally, I go to find some daggers. It turns out that though I can't use a bow and arrow, and I'm okay with a spear, I am amazing at throwing knives. I hit every target bulls-eye and even more than half of the moving targets. But will I be able to hunt like this in the arena?
I decide I've had enough of the dagger station so I go to the workout area to get stronger. As soon as I start doing chin-ups I realize how exhausted I am, so I choose to take a break and take some time climbing trees. I can scramble up them like a squirrel and the teacher is amazed how fast I am.
At the end of training, I've learned my strengths: I'm fantastic with a dagger, exceptional with a spear, and trees are definitely my thing. As for other defense mechanisms, I know the basics for making medicines of plants, have memorized at least ten edible and inedible plants, and how to make a fish hook. I feel accomplished- who knows how I could use these skills in the Games? Besides, at least I know I'm better off now that I was before.
As I exit the training arena, I meet up with Corvin.
"So," he says, "I met a few other tributes. Watch out for the tributes from 1-4. Trust the girl from 8. She is great with plant life. Both from 11 would make good partners, as would the boy tribute from 6."
I gasp. "I barely met anyone! All I know is that the girl from 10 is twelve years old and is scared out of her wits. I was with her during the plant station. But she really knows a lot of medicines." I look at Corvin. "So you really know what you're doing."
"I guess," he answers honestly. "I'm pretty strong, but I couldn't climb a tree in a million years and medicines just don't make sense to me. I can hunt, but as for food, medicine, shelter..." his voice trailed off.
We walked back to the Capitol building to eat and go to bed. Dinner was the same as usual- Corvin and I talked about the strengths and weaknesses we learned we had and our plans for tomorrow when we would present ourselves to the Gamemakers. I trudged back to my room, put on some night clothes, and collapsed on the bed.
Tonight I had no visits from Corvin, and I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't want anything to do with him. The only thing he was good for right now was learning about the other tributes. I thought about tomorrow. What would I do for the Gamemakers? I thought of throwing knives and climbing trees. Running was also in my favor. I eventually got to sleep on my mother's lullaby.
Tonight I dreamt about the Gamemakers. I dreamt that they were forcing me to do all the things I was awful at. Every bow and arrow I drew turned into a huge snake and the Gamemakers forced me to run for hours with the snakes chasing me. I woke with a start. Same as last time, my alarm clock reads 3 o'clock. But no Corvin. I start to wish he was here, but dismiss those feelings immediately. I can't afford to fall in love now... I tell myself this will be the last time I will feel this way.
I'm not sure I'm being honest with myself, though.