Disclaimer: I dont own either story
WOW three reviews! At least someone reads my story.
Thankyou to Trinity The Crazy, RuneSabre and newsert! This chappie is extra long just for you!
I am trying to work on spelling and punctuation and things but, I'm crap and tired- so many exams going on at the moment. Maybe I should get a beta...
Read and Review please :D
In the past, very few tributes recieved scores higher than ten. The careers usually get between eight and ten. Actually, now I think about it, our careers didn't do very well this year. Few people ever got a one or two. There was the occasional ten from people other than the careers but that was about it. Katniss Everdeen was the first non career to reach an eleven and the last. Careers have stepped up the game since then but no one has ever gotten a twelve. I was the fifth ever tribute to reach my score and the second from District Twelve.
That night, I fell asleep dreaming of different gaming scenarios. On the one hand, this eleven gives me a huge advantage with sponsors. On the other, it makes me a target. I was hopeful, though. It wasn't often the Game Makers got it wrong.
I was woken up to Valencia impatiently shaking my shoulder.
'Get up! I only have so much time alloted to make you interview outfit perfect!' She hissed in my ear. Grudgingly, I dragged myself up out of bed. Ella, JJ and Sam immediately swarmed me. I half heartedly paid attention to their chattering as they buffed and polished my skin and weaved intricate designs into my hair. Someone placed a plate of roles and a cup of warm brown liquid infront of me. I quickly snatched up the roles and gulped down the liquid to find it surprisingly sweet. When they were apparently finished, Valencia came in. They all hugged me and wished me well, seeing as they wouldn't see me tomorrow. I smiled reassuringly at them, not noticing how attached I had gotten.
Valencia dressed me in a plain black boob tube that showed off my stomach and was backless, with ribbon that tied in an 'X' to show off my tattoo. Sam had spent endless minutes glueing little diamonds to my stomach in everchanging shades of warm oranges and reds. I was wearing a pair of black shorts with shimmering gold fabric wrapped around them like a sarong. She place me in a pair of large black heels and I thanked whatever Gods were out there for Nudge's training or I wouldn't be able to walk in the damn things. Following on with the theme of 'Fiery passion', Nudge wanted me to be coy and seductive but after endless hours of me growling answers at her, I wasn't sure the approach would work.
Any fears I had about being flirtatious or seductive disappeared when I saw the interviewer, Dylan. He was the epitome of Gorgeous; Broad shouldered, golden haired with trusting blue eyes, I just wanted to swoon all over him. It appeared he was a ladies man too as he flirted with each and every one of the tributes. Most of the careers had also gone for a flirtatious air but none of them really managed to pull it off. Gozen, from one had clearly gone for the brawn. He only gave yes or no monotone answers. Ratchette was much more friendly and had a cocky air about him. Holden failed at his attempt to be humble but Dylan worked it with him, making teasing banter with him. Ari had obviously gone for a intimidating edge and Dylan is ether an amazing actor and caught on immediately or was generally scared of Ari; either way, the look worked. Fang answered shortly but with more than a yes or no and each answer he made was elusive and aired arrogance. The girls absolutely swooned. Then, the buzzer went off and he sat down next to me, giving my leg a reassuring brush as he went.
As I walked up to the stage, I felt quietly confident. I was thankful Dylan was good looking, I dont think I could have pulled off flirting with an old man but with this boy, finally all my light banter at the hob came in handy.
When I reached Dylan, he held out his hand to shake like all the other contestants but I laughed, hugged him and planted a kiss on his cheek, like we were old friends. We both sat down on the plushy arm chairs facing each other.
'So, Maximum,' Dylan started. I turned to him, leaning in as he spoke. 'How do you like your stay at the capitol so far?' He asked.
'Well, the companys amazing' I cooed as I leaned closer to him. 'And' I started, before I paused, inches from his face. I gave out a sigh and turned to the audience. Gesturing at Dylan, I added. 'The view's not too bad either.' To which the audience cracked up in laughter.
Dylan seemed dazed and it took him a moment to compose himself. When he did, he smiled at me, his gaze lingering further south than my eye level.
'And what about that eleven in training? You really are something!' I laughed airily.
'Well, I like to think I gave the Game makers a show' I said and winked at the balcony where they sat. The gamemakers laughed and one even shouted 'She sure did!' I grinned and turned back to Dylan.
'Speaking of that eleven, how do you feel about people comparing you to Katniss Everdeen?' I grinned, this was the one question I was hoping for.
'Well, I feel privileged, being compared to such an amazing person. Of course, it helps that I am realated to her.' I paused here, to let that sink in with the audience. 'I like to think that maybe the same fate can come of me as it did her! What do you think Fang?' I shouted suggestively and turned to him. The camera's zoomed in on his face but he remained impassive. 'Hmm, maybe not. Well Dylan. Guess I'm on the market.' I sighed dejectledly and leaned back, exposing my long legs to Dylan. He gulped but before he could continue speaking, I added. 'It helps that my designer's a genius. I mean, look at this outfit. Isn't it just stunning?' I asked and leaped up. I twirled once, prentending to stumble and fall into Dylan. My hand facing the audience grazed his arm.
'Uh huh' Dylan stuttered just as the buzzer sounded.
'Give a big round of applause to Maximum Ride' Dylan shouted and the audience burst into applause. This time, he embraced me in a hug and once again, I kissed his cheek. Walking back to my seat, I saw the camera alternating between me and Dylan. I paused, looked back and winked at Dylan when the camera was on me before walking back to my seat, swinging my hips more than usual. I looked up to see Dylan blushing on the big screen. Next to me, Fang muttered 'You looked cosy.' I looked at him, startled. His tone sounded bitter and jealous, almost. But that was crazy! I quickly shoved the thought aside.
Nudge gushed when we watched the replays. On screen, my performance was just as seductive and flirtatious as I imagined it to look. However, the diamonds covering my skin were so expensive, I was forced to take each one off hand by hand and deposit them in a tray. In the end, Nudge had to come help me take the diamonds off of my back. I changed into pyjamas and joined the other back in the sitting room to say our goodbyes.
'You two were amazing!' Chloe gushed. I hugged her and she wrapped her arms around Fang. Nudge did the same but Fang managed a small pat on the back for her. He and Chloe left shortly after. Nudge turned to me as Fang exited.
'We're going on a shopping trip when you get back, okay?' she demanded. Before waiting for a reply from me, she left. I didn't point out that I probably wouldn't see her again.
As I made my way down the corridor to my room, Large hands grabbed me and pinned me up against a wall. I knew it was Fang as soon as his lips touched mine, attacking me with the same, vigor and force he used when we kissed in twelve. I melted into his kiss quickly, my brain shorting out from the passion. My hands found their way to his chest and I grabbed handfuls of his shirt. His hands stayed either side of me, leaning against the wall so he didn't crush me. This realisation, that I was being blocked in to the wall by Fang caused me to unlatch my hands and push his chest ever so lightly. He was the Enemy, I reminded myself.
'Fang, what are you doing?' I asked breathlessly when he pulled away. His lips traveled down to my neck and he planted kisses along my collar bone, making me almost moan in pleasure. He stopped above my breast and sighed before looking back at me.
'I'll probably be dead within a week.' He paused. 'You, on the other hand, Mockingjay. I'm sure Nudge will get that shopping trip, after all.' Wait- he heard? Mockingjay? Okay... crazy.
'I have just as much chance as you Fang. The game's not over yet.' Fang didn't show signs of budging. He shook his head stubbornly before pausing suddenly. Slowly, seductively, he brought his eyes to mine. When he spoke, his voice was much deeper and huskier.
'Well, if that's what you think, I'm sure you wouldn't want to die a virgin.' I recoiled, as if i'd been slapped. So thats what he wanted...
'Fang.' I said, all hints of breathlessness gone. This was badass Max, out for the kill. 'I'm not sleeping with you. I dont care what you think of me. All that today was just a show. In several hours, you'll be trying to kill me. What, tomorrow, will you want a quickie in the bushes before you drive a knife into my back?' Suddenly, I was engulfed in fiery hatred. To him, all girls are is sex toys, a knotch on his bed post. Well, not me. He volunteered to go against me, I reminded myself. Maybe i'll look forward to killing him in the arena after all. With that, I shoved him roughly into the wall opposite and sauntered off to bed.
Let the games begin, Fang Walker.
I woke at six in the morning. I felt stangely calm which was odd, considering in a few hours I would be sent to impending doom. But I didn't dwell on it. I ordered a large glass of water (Not knowing when I would next get any in the arena) and manged to drink two before Valencia came and got me to help me get ready. Without a word, she braided my hair into my head in tiny french plaits that strated on my hair line and trailed all the way down to the ends of my hair. She didn't bother with any make up and I stayed in my pyjamas as we wouldn't get my outfit until we were at the arena.
Valencia held my hand all the way to the roof and stayed with me after I got my tracker shot. We didn't bother making small talk, just sat in a humble silence. I drank another two glasses of water and ate a large serving of breakfast. I needed ever advantage I could get in the arena. I didn't notice the windows on the hovercraft go down and so when we landed and I was led to my holding area, I felt slightly calm. When Valencia came in with a light blue jumpsuit and lightweight trainers, it hit me exactly what I was about to do; this is it. I had only a small hope of surviving in the Arena.
'Get away from the cornucopia as quick as you can and try not to get noticed by the careers' Valencia whispered as she pinned my token on my jumpsuit.
'This got quite a few glances from the GameMakers- wasn't it Katnisses?' I simply nodded.
'It's beautiful. I hope it brings you the same luck it did her.' Again, I nodded. My breath started coming out in short gasps. I'm going to die. I'm going to die... Valencia grabbed my hand and rubbed soothing circles on my back, causing me to take deeper breaths.
'I have every faith in you Max. Remeber it's only a game. Your just in this for the ride, the ultimate, Maximum Ride' She chuckled and embraced me in a hug. A small tube engulfed me as I was plunged into darkness. When light once again reached my eyes, I was met with the beauty of the Arena.
