Cleo Jackson's POV:
I can barely sleep the night before the results show, of course the constant mewing of Gran's cats never helps but it's just exasperating my current insomnia. At about five am I sweep Mrs Tiddles from my bed and she lands on the floor with an angry hiss.
"Bugger off" I growl as I swing my feet out of my bed and give her a kick, the shabby grey cat scarpers but as I make my way for my little bathroom she is replaced by Snoozen. Named for his sleepy nature as a kitten according to Gran, Snoozen, a tabby now seems to be making up for lost time by being as hyperactive as shit.
"Stupid cats" I sigh as I kick Snoozen out of the way and fight past Hunter and Moose to finally get to my bathroom.
A quick shower later and I fight past a different group of cats to get to the wardrobe, as I open my wardrobe I see that Ninny has finally given birth to her litter of kittens, right on the sweater I was going to wear today. Ugh, I'm not in the mood for this today, I have far too much gaming to do before tonight. I'm currently number 26 in the rankings and of course only the top 24 will get onto the show. I'm getting my place this year.
Grabbing a pair of black leggings and a different long jumper I throw on my clothes and finally leave my cat infested room.
The rest of the house is just as bad and I have to fight an over active kitten whose name I can't remember for an apple for my breakfast. Taking a bite I begin to head towards the door before deciding I should probably leave a note for Gran. I don't want her noticing three hours after she wakes up that I'm not here. I mean she probably wouldn't care but I'd rather not come home tonight to find that she's forgotten about me and thrown out my stuff in a moment of confusion.
I grab an old envelope and quickly scribble on it, reminding her of the results show and begging her to at least record it is she's not going to bother showing up. I tell her where to find Ninny's kittens and tell her I won't be back till late.
Leaving her shabby little apartment I'm confident that the only piece of information she'll retain from my note is about the damn cats.
I'm sure she wasn't always this bad; I do have vague childhood memories of a clean lady in a small apartment, someone we'd visit during the holidays and someone who actually cared. Maybe she had one cat back then, maybe not I don't remember. I guess her life ended when mine did too, on the day my parents died. She'd just lost it, started picking up these stray cats and closing herself in. It took social service four years to convince her to take me in. Yeah great role model I have there. At least I have my games to keep me sane, the thrill of a victory and the drive I gain with every loss to improve, that's what's gotten me through the last few years.
The capitol streets are empty as I make my way out of the crowded apartment's blocks of the Silk sector and head to my favourite place in the world. It's normally quite a long walk, as I have to fight through waves of people heading to the shops or to work. But the clear streets and my inbuilt memory of every little shortcut in this city means I make it there in record time.
"Morning Cleo" Sandy smiles as I slip through the back door of the HGarcade on Lilac Street "You're here earlier than usual. I thought you'd be at home getting ready for the big show anyway." I like Sandy, she looked out for me when I was being moved around foster parents and always said she'd have took me in if she'd had the space. She's given me a job though and introduced me to the games systems of her little HGA franchise. I'd never say it out loud but she was the closest thing to a mother I think I'd ever have again.
"I'd rather have a place than a pretty dress" I mutter "am I good to jump on?" I ask, hoping she didn't have any bookings for today, I'd hate to have to go find another franchise for the day, one that wouldn't give me free food and gaming in exchange for a few hours bar work a night.
"Sure thing hunni"
It takes me moments to sit in my usual game chair and log on. I'd had to pause a game last night when my shift behind the bar started but it's all ready to go this time. I quickly memorise this particular games and remember that I'm in the final five with a sixteen year old male tribute; he's the same age as me but taller and stronger. I'd picked District Twelve for these games and their men always have mining muscles, he was a good looking lad too and if I got one like him for real in the games I'd be in for a sure win.
That's if I get in the games of course, before I re-start my game I have a quick look at the leader board. Maximus is on top of course as he's been for about four years now but lower down I can see that it's a close fight for those last few places and I'd slipped to number thirty overnight.
"bugger" I mutter as I hit go, I'm going to have to win at least three games with weaker tributes before tonight, it's lucky Sandy was so good to me or I'd be broke before lunch.
A/N: So here you go the first of the submitted gamers – Cleo was sent in by SeraphinaMalfoy0188. Still 8 spots left, PM me the form on my profile and remember that you're sending me capitol teenagers not tributes from the districts.