It doesn't take long for them to separate us, moving us to small rooms where we will say our goodbyes. I am not sad about leaving my mother, my friends behind. But, as I think about this, I can't help the feeling of a small stab of pain when I picture Stefan being left behind. I banish the thought, reminding myself he will be there with me.
My mind doesn't have time to wander again, the door opens and my mother is there. She just gives me a look, one I can only assume is pride. Her daughter will be competing in the Hunger Games. I know she has faith in me to win this, to come back home. After all, it's what I was raised to do.
I take a few steps in her direction, watching as she does the same. We hug, briefly. My mother was never one for showing her emotions, at least for long. She tells me I can do this. I shouldn't be nervous. She also tells me to make it a good one, I can only assume she means the games.
I tell her I will, although I know that's not up to me. There's a new head Gamemaker this year, and I hear he's going to be going all out. I don't even have time to picture the mutations and disasters he will throw my way before the door opens, and peacekeepers are taking my mother away. I give her one last wave, flashing her a smile, before the doors close again.
A few moments pass, and I realize I didn't have anyone else to say goodbye to. I sigh as I wait for this part of today to end. Once Ariana comes in, she just claps her hands a few times, and motions for me to stand. I follow her out of the room, I see Stefan already standing in the hall. He's not much taller than me, but I still have to look up when talking to him. The way he fixes his hair adds extra height, making him seem towering when he stands next to me.
She glances back, urging us to follow her. I realize we're heading for the train. I increase my pace until I am standing next to him. I glance up and lock eyes with him, they're a dark hazel and I feel like they're piercing into me. I blink, turning my gaze back to the front of my path. In no time, we're boarding the train.
The ride to the Capitol is not long, at least not for us. Our District is closer than others, so we should be there in a matter of hours. I glance around at the train car we're in. Everything is so lavish, so bright in color. I hold my tongue, not letting my words fall out. All I can think is how beautiful it all is.
We move towards a table, it's covered with food. I sit down, smiling as I see Stefan sits in the chair opposite of me. I hear a clinking sound and I glance up to see Ariana, tapping her knife against her glass. She clears her throat, and I almost roll my eyes. She's only speaking to Stefan and me, yet she acts like the train car is full of people.
I give her my attention, if only a moment, to hear her begin to speak, going on about our schedules, and how busy they will be. I give her a nod, just to be polite. I already know how this goes, I don't understand why she has to tell us again. I think she has to do it every year and I can only imagine how boring it must become.
I pick up my fork, spearing a piece of fruit with the prongs as she talks on. The fruit is sweeter than anything I've tasted, it's too sweet, and I remind myself to not try that again. I eat until I can't eat anymore, I see Stefan doing the same. We may come from a District with more than the others, but I've never eaten so much food in my life.
Ariana continues to go on, talking about the Capitol and how we'll love it. She finally introduces our Mentors as they walk into the car. Nathaniel Clark and Pepper Scrount. I've seen them around our District a few times. They don't come out much. I can only think that the Games have taken its toll on them. They look tired, and I can swear I see a glint of paranoia in their eyes.
I try to give them a polite smile, watching their eyes as they examine their tributes for the year.
I keep my eyes on them, trying to understand their expressions. They sit, in silence, just watching us. After a few moments, Nathaniel lifts his chin, taking in a quiet breath. "I am assuming you're well trained when it comes to weapons" he states. I nod, reassuring his thought.
Stefan and I were practically top in our class, at least when it came to weapons. Nathaniel turned his gaze towards Stefan, giving him his attention. "What weapon were you strongest with?" Stefan pauses for a moment, I can tell he is trying to recall his favorite. I remember him enjoying the battle ax the most.
It's like he can read my mind, giving Nathaniel and Pepper the exact same weapon I just thought of. They turn to me, asking the same question. I take a moment, thinking about the ones I was best with. There were a few. "Knives." I reply. Before they can ask another question, I speak again. "An ax, and a bow, as well." I could think of a few others, but I bite my tongue. Pepper raises an eyebrow, staring me right in the eyes. I simply shrug.
They move on to the next question, as well as presenting us with tips they deem worthy. Already things we know. "find water, sleep in trees if possible, watch for fires" they go on and on. I fight back a yawn.
When it falls silent, I excuse myself and head to the car playing the recaps of the Reaping. I watch the tributes being selected from the other districts, committing their names and faces to memory. I think about becoming allies with the tributes from District One, I feel Stefan would agree with this. Once it's over, I push a button on the control panel, making the room go dark. It only lasts a few seconds, before I see the lights from the Capitol starting to stream in from the windows.
I stand up, walking over to the side of the room, glancing at the buildings. It's nothing like I've ever seen, at least in real life. I've seen the Capitol through broadcasting, but never like this. I smile at its beauty, it's breathtaking. As we pull into the station, I see the crowds pouring in, all screaming and waving. I can't help waving back. I promise myself that I'll make them bet on me, they will want to bet on me.
Just then, Ariana comes in to get me. We exit the train and make our way to the building where we'll stay, where we'll meet our stylist and do our training. If I said I wasn't excited, I'd simply be lying.