As everyone slept, I went off to find a promising snack. No, not a person, but an animal. Jasper was the lucky, since he got to stay in district seven. Being the district of agriculture, there were a lot of animals to choose from. Here, not so much. There was a small forest near the outskirts of the town, but it had little to offer. I satisfied myself with a deer and luckily, a mountain lion. This, of course, made me think of Edward even more, and reminded me of the note he slipped into my pocket. I swiftly reached into my pocket and drew the smooth paper out. When I opened it, I almost choked up a sob.
Be safe. Was all it said. Just like the time when he'd left a note in my truck back in Forks. I couldn't keep the sobs in any longer, and for the rest of the night I laid in the middle of the forest, cuddled up in the fetal position, wanting more than anything to be in my husbands arms.
When light finally came, I knew it was time to start getting ready for the reaping. Since it was a wealthier district, they had more stores than district seven. The district was nicer and cleaner overall, and I found a public restroom that looked promising. When I looked in the mirror, there was no way you could tell I'd spent the night in the forest hunting. The many years of practice leading up to today have finally payed off. I washed off the makeup I had on to make myself appear younger- I wanted to pass as sixteen. I would be pushing it, but I could do it.
As I stepped out of the restroom and into the street where people were already accumulating, I noticed how under-dressed I was. Here I was in jeans in a tank top, and everyone else has pulled out their finest attire. I cursed under my breath, feeling stupid for not thinking ahead and bringing extra clothes. I reached in my pocket, glad to find the left-over money I had from the other days shopping trip with Alice.
I went to the nearest clothing store and purchased a form fitting blue dress that I knew would compliment my skin. I slipped it on, and hurried at a human pace back to the center of town to find the reaping had already begun. There was an odd-looking lady on the stage in the middle of everyone, and she was currently talking about a video that must have just finished playing. I stopped next to a crowd of girls that looked about my age, and as they turned to look at me their eyes narrowed in envy. I gave them a small smile back, because it wasn't my fault being a vampire made me look insanely attractive.
"It's time to draw our young lady tributes name!" The lady on stage squealed, as if it were her favorite thing in the world. Everyone around me grew silent, and had looks of anticipation on their faces. The woman walked over to one of the two big glass bowls on stage, and reached her hand in. Her hand swirled above the pieces of paper that held the name of every girl from age twelve to eighteen in the district, before finally picking up one I assumed held my name in it. I heard the paper rustle as she opened it, and I read the name through the page before she even had a chance to read it aloud.
"Isabella Swan." I'm glad Carlisle had told Siobhan to use my maiden name, as it would look strange for four tributes from different districts to have the same last name. I went along with the facade and pretended to be surprised. I was almost about to pretend to sob when everyone started clapping. Right, this is one of the Career districts, meaning it is an honor to be chosen to represent your district and fight in the Games.
I walked up to the stage with my head held high, and I could feel the stares on me. I even heard faint whistles from the boys around my age.
"And now our fine gentleman tribute..." Announced the lady, to get the attention back on her, and she went to the other side of the stage to pick out a boys name. It was then that I started thinking about Edward, wondering how the reaping in district four was going. I was so deep in thought, that I'd missed the boy tributes name. When I came back to reality, the applause was going again. I saw an attractive boy with blonde hair resembling Edward's style running up to the stage with an aura of cockiness around him. I immediately knew I would not get along with him.
The lady called us both into the middle of the stage with her, and ordered us to shake hands. As we did, I noticed the shock on his face from the coolness of my skin, and that's when he fully took a look at me. His eyes widened, and I could see the lust in them. I almost wanted to shove the ring on my left finger right in his face, but I took it off so that no speculation could arise because if it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a round of applause to our newest tributes, Isabella a-"
"Bella, please." I interrupted. She looked shocked that I had interrupted her, but I gave her my most winning smile and she looked a bit dazzled before regaining herself.
"Bella and Cato!" She finished, and the crowd went wild. We were then whisked away into back rooms, where we were given fifteen minutes to say goodbye to our loved ones. I, of course, didn't have mine with me, so I patiently waited the time allotted for friends and family out.
When it was time to go, the lady, who's name I'd learned was Carrie Klinkle, rounded up Cato and I and hoarded us on the train that would take us to the Capitol.
"Well, isn't this just lovely!" She squealed, reminding me of Alice. All I could do was smile, afraid of what I'd sound like if I tried to speak. There was an awkward silence that encased the train, and I could tell Carrie was becoming uncomfortable. I decided to break the ice.
"Where are our rooms?" I asked.
"Oh, yes!" She piped up in an instant, walking towards a mahogany colored door and waving for Cato and I to follow. "Right this way." I couldn't help but be amused by her accent, even though I've heard many in my many years of existence. Mine and Cato's rooms were adjacent, and there was even a door leading to each others rooms. How awesome. I saw a smirk grow on his face from my peripheral vision, and I had to hold back the growl that was rising in my throat.
"I'll leave you two to get situated, and I'll call when dinner is served." Her chirpy voice brought me out of my sour mood, clearing my mind from the menacing thoughts towards Cato. I began thinking about how I'd get out of eating. And if four tributes strictly refused to eat, there would be much conspiracy. I made a mental note to force some human food down to not draw too much attention to myself. I could always throw it up later while hunting.
"Didn't bring any personal belongings?" I heard a deep voice- definitely Cato- ask." I turned to look at him, and he had a cocky grin about his face. I debated not answering, but I assumed since were from the same district, I might as well attempt to get along with him.
"No. This was kind of unexpected."
"Isn't it to us all." The fact that he wasn't the least bit caring or understanding made me reconsider my decision. I didn't reply, and went to lay down on my bed. I crossed my arms behind my head, and crossed my legs. I heard him grind his teeth together, and move to sit in the chair across from my bed. "I've never seen you before. Did you just move to district two?" I could hear a hint of curiosity, so I felt I at least owed him with some eye-contact.
"Yes. I just like to keep to myself a lot." And in a way, that was true. The Cullens and I hardly ever interact with humans unless need be. We'd never put ourselves in a situation that could expose us unless totally necessary, hence the Games.
"Looks like the Games are gonna be a big change for you." He contorted in a smart tone.
"I guess so." I replied curtly. I wonder if all the tributes got annoyed with their consecutive district tribute. It was then that Carrie's voice trilled up to our rooms announcing dinner was about to be served. Cato ran from the room, leaving me slowly trudging along.
I was shocked at how much food these people could eat. Back in my human days, Charlie and I never had this much food, and we survived on full stomachs every night. And the way Cato could shove down all the food he could in a single sitting made my stomach church even more than the food itself. They must really starve these people in the districts. Of course, it doesn't really affect me...
"Is that all you're gonna eat?" Cato shot at me. I couldn't help but glare at him for getting all in my business.
"No. And I don't see how that concerns you anyway." I threw back with twice as much acid in my voice.
"You're gonna need the extra meat in the arena if you want a chance at winning."
"The way you shove all that food down isn't going to help you if you can't even find your own food."
"Alright you guys, that's quite enough." Carrie injected with her sing-songy voice. I picked up the piece of, lamb, I think, and shoved a big huge bite in my mouth, all the while never breaking my glare with Cato. The food tasted like crap, but I held it together just to really throw it in his face. If anyone kills him, I want it to be me. But, what am I even thinking about this for? The whole point of me being here is to save these tributes, not participate in the madness. The thought of me giving up the many years of non-killing humans for this pathetic little teenager made the anger swell up inside of me. I politely excused myself from the table, and went into my room to mope.
All night long, all I wanted was to be in Edward's arms. I sat, curled up in the covers, closing my eyes and even tried to breathe evenly as if I was really sleeping, just to amuse myself. It was the first time ever as a vampire where I wished I could actually sleep, just once. When I heard the footsteps coming towards my room, I threw the cover over my head.
"Arise, the sun is out and it's going to be a beautiful day!" Everytime I heard Carrie's abnormally happy voice my mind always drifted to Alice, making me miss her oh so much more. I groaned, making it seem like I was one of those teens who absolutely hated getting up. For the heck of it, I swiftly ruffled my hair, making it seem at least a little that I'd spent a night filled with nervous nightmares. As I was walking to breakfast like any other starving district teenager would do when they first woke up, Carrie mumbled on about how I could use the shower and wear anything I wanted from the drawers. I found Cato already at the table stuffing his face when I walked in.
"Well you look attractive." He said, his voice full of amusement. I considered flicking him off, but that would only make me seem more immature then him. Instead, I gave him the most dazzling smile I could manage. I saw his macho-man facade slip ever so slightly, but he hurried and put his front back up. I politely ate half the eggs put on my plate, and one piece of bacon. The juice was easier to get down, and I downed it in only three gulps. With one last glance at Cato, I confidently got up, and pranced back to my room to get ready, and prepare myself for the best and worst that life could possibly throw at me.