My eyes open from sleep. Lentle hovering over me saying something, I don't know what.
"Neal! Wake up! It's time to get you ready for the dinner party tonight." I rub my eyes turning my head to the clock, it's three in the noon. Oh crap, I slept in again.
I lift my feet out the covers and slowly walk to the door. I yawn and walked towards my stylist. This is going to be a long day.
A long time later.
I'm wearing a sleek black jacket and black dress pants. I stand in the elevator with Thera at my side. Before I know it, the elevator dings and the doors open. I come to see that half the tributes are already here, to my left; I see a huge table filled with food, deserts, and snacks. On my right, I see a slightly shorter table covered with all types of drinks… mostly whiskey. I look around and everyone is paired up in two. Then it hits me, everyone is talking to their matches, with the exception of Thera. I gulp and see that Saffra is sitting alone in a tight red dress that ends in inches after it starts. Thera nudges me in the stomach,
"You disgusting pervert." She says jokingly.
"What?" I ask her.
"It's obvious what you're looking at. Be careful, there are cameras everywhere." She walks off to the drinks but stops halfway and turns her head around, "And by that, I mean everywhere."
Before I could think of a reply, I hear a voice from the balcony,
"President Snow." I whisper under my breath.
"Hello tributes! I hope you all enjoy this extra day before entering the arena. Go ahead and mingle and enjoy our luxury items!" He says. I hear sounds of applause coming from other tributes. Then drunk Ducain wraps his arm around my shoulder and says,
"Saffra's your match. Go talk to her… now!"
"But I have a girlfriend, dude!"
"I don't give a damn!" He says, "Being her match can give you sponsors. Now GO!" He leaves me and goes the elevator. I guess I have to suck it up like a man. I slowly walk towards her, struggling to breath every of the way.
"Hi." I say to Saffra.
"What the hell do you want?" She asks me.
"Well, good greetings to you too." I mock her. "Can I take a seat?"
"Just because you're my match, doesn't mean anything… Roven."
"Well, I guess this isn't going to work well. And by the way, I have a girlfriend already, you know." I smirk.
"Oh really? How much do you pay her?" She laughs.
"Haha, very funny. What are you doing here all by yourself? Aren't you supposed to have men all over you?" I joke.
"Let's cut the crap." She stares at me.
"Let's go get some drinks." I told her, I give her out my hand. She hesitates for a second, then accepts and we walk towards the drinks. "What do you want?" I ask.
"Grape juice? Whatever, anything's fine."
"Okay, I'll get grape juice." I look around the table to see if there were any grape juice. I spot a purple looking liquid in a punch bowl. I take to cups and fill them up with the grape juice.
"Wanna see who can gulp it down first?" Saffra asks me.
"Sure, why not? 1…"
"2…"
"3…" I say as I drank it all down. "Whoa, I feel… dizzy." I feel light headed so I sit down on one of the benches with Saffra.
"You idiot, are you sure that was grape juice?" She asks looking weary herself.
"Honestly, no." I smile but she just smacks my head. "Ow..."
"So... Dear god, whatever. Lets just cut the crap and make out." What she said took me by shock, am I drunk or just dreaming this? Before I can answer, she pulls me by the jacket and shoves us in a supply closet. She closes the door and lets down her hair. She bites her lower lip and starts backing me against the wall. Then, our lips crash together. My eyes are still wide open. Her kisses are rough, unlike Katri. Her kisses are wet and hot and... seductive in a way. Her hands holding on the his shirt, his hands on her back pulling her closer than they already were. Her lips tasted like chocolate and sugar, while her tongue distracted him for most time being. No, no, no! This is wrong! I love Katri, no one else. I quickly push her away.
"I'm sorry, I have to go." I speed walk away and exit closet.
What the hell just happened? Did I just... cheat? Well tetchily she made the first move. Snap out of it! Why did I do that? I'm an idiot, I threw it all out the window.
Guilt over takes me. My stomach turns to knots. My chest pounds like a drum. I need to figure out how to fix this. If there's still hope. I have to think. If we were in a closet, there can't be any cameras right? Yeah, I'll believe that for now.
I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Ah!" I yell.
"What?" Oh thank god, its Thera.
"Nothing." I say.
"You seem... jumpy. Did something happen with Saffra?" She gives me a devilish grin.
"No!" I say too sharply.
"Ha! You two were... screwing, weren't you?" She laughs.
"What? No, your crazy."
"Says you." Thera gives me a nudge and walks away. I was being to obvious, they'll figure out for sure.
I look down to the floor, with a strange feeling. That feeling when you were five and would lie to your mom about only one cookie from the jar and not the hole thing. I did such a stupid thing, a sin, that's what Gracy would call it. The worst part is I embraced it! Oh jeez, why am I freaking out so much? There no cameras in a closet, that's what i agreed on.
I look up and find a bench to sit on. I look around seeing if there's any action going on. Guess I better be more careful with what i wish for. I see several make out sessions going on. Journee is standing alone, I feel kinda bad for her. I mean, she didn't get matched with anyone, even though that gives her a huge edge for the audience but can have its down sides. My eyes skirt to two guys fighting over Hash. Its the two male tributes she got matched with.
Out of surprise, I hear a yell. Byle's yell. Ha! Thera just poured a punch bowl on him. Hes soaked. I can't help but start laughing, and everyone else joins in. He runs to the elevator and presses the button and the doors shut with a *ding*.
Hours pass and I'm on my way to my apartment. I'm tired, my feet ache and my eyes are heavy. I slowly walk out the door and make my way to the room, I'm like a zombie.
"How was the party, dear?" Lentle says.
"Good." I close my room door be hide me. Finally, this day can be over.