Chapter Seven:
We walked home in silence. Honestly, there was nothing to say.
"Do you really love me?" Cedric asked, refusing to meet my gaze.
I said cautiously, "I was just playing along. That's what you and Haymitch wanted, right?"
Cedric didn't change. He said in the same tone, "Yeah. Right." He disappeared in to his room, and I could hear the door slam.
"What's wrong?" I asked, turning towards Haymitch, mom, and dad.
"You wouldn't believe me," growled Haymitch. "But it wasn't a game where you play along. He really likes you."
"All you care about is sponsors!" I shouted at him.
"He wanted to keep you alive, but he wouldn't say he loved you if he didn't!" Haymitch grunted. "At least he was honest!"
The last statement hurt so much that I whipped away, refusing to show Haymitch my tears. I ran up to my room, slamming my door as hard as I could, and fell on my bed, crying. I don't know why the comment hurt. Maybe because it was true. Haymitch is the most insufferable, stupid dolt I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. And as I laid there crying over some stupid thing Haymitch said, something else came over my mind. Tomorrow. Hunger Games.
There was a knock on my door. Mom, Dad, and (unfortunately) Haymitch walked in.
"Any last minute questions?" asked Mom.
"Wh-what?"
"We're not going to see you tomorrow before the Games," Dad said softly.
"What should I do?" I asked.
Mom and Dad exchanged looks. Mom said, "Look at your surroundings, get a weapon, and run for shelter. Try to find water right away."
"No, run directly for shelter," growled Haymitch. "And then find water."
Mom and Haymitch glared at each other.
"Advice?" I asked.
"Stay alive," Dad, Mom, and Haymitch all said at the same time.
I looked at the opposite wall, scared to admit everything. In a stupidly weak and squeaky voice, I whispered, "I'm scared."
Mom gave me a reassuring hug. "Trust Ronan and Faren. Not only that, trust Cedric. Now, go to bed. You need your sleep."
I watched them leave. "Mom?"
They paused at the threshold to my room.
"Goodbye."
Tears came to my mom's eyes, and she gave a brief nod. My dad mumbled a goodbye, and they shut the door. I closed my eyes and laid on my back. I could feel tears leaking out of my eyes. I couldn't believe it. This was the last time I would have a comfortable bed underneath me. This was the last time I'd get to talk to Haymitch and my parents. This was the last normal thing I would ever do.
I tossed and turned all night, but when I woke up in the morning, I was feeling fine. Adeon helped me dress in this year's tributes outfits, which were a dark green. They were easy to move in and Adeon said they were waterproof.
I went downstairs to breakfast after sharing a teary goodbye with Adeon.
"Hey," Adeon said just before I walked out. I turned around to see his sad face. "If...If I had...money, it'd all be on you."
"Count me out," I whispered tearfully. I walked away, but not in time to hear him say, "Too late for that, sweetheart."
Haymitch is rubbing off on him. If one more person calls me sweetheart, I will-
"Good luck," Effie told me as Cedric and I swallowed our small meals. I drank plenty of water.
I closed my eyes and didn't open them until I heard Claudius Templesmith's voice announcing the beginning. "WELCOME TO THE 80th HUNGER GAMES!"
A gong. Waiting for a minute. I glanced around. There was a beautiful meadow, a large jungle, and a big lake. I remembered my mom's advice. A weapon, water, shelter. I glanced at the weapons. Closest to me that I was interested in was a beautiful silver bow with a quiver of arrows. I glanced at the other tributes. Ronan and Faren, Cedric.
I nervously shifted my weight to my other foot, preparing to bolt to the bow. Another gong, and my feet were sprinting off down towards the weapons. I wasn't the first to get there. Cedric smiled weakly at me, handing me the bow.
"Good luck, fire girl," he told me, turning to grab a spear.
I took a backpack, and finding Ronan and Faren, Cedric and I bolted in to the jungle. Thus began our Hunger Games.