Chapter 3 (Nate POV)
She always was stubborn. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed her up until now. But I wasn't ready to tell her why I left. I stood too and left our escort staring after us. I decided not to go and find Nadz she'd be on her way to the train by now. Even if I did go after her she wouldn't want to see me, she hated being shown up. From what I remember anyways, I hadn't seen her for 2 years. I found myself outside the train station. I was early since I didn't really have any family, just my mother. She didn't come to say goodbye. But I can't blame her, since he died she hasn't really been there. Since my father died.
(Nadia POV)
I had stormed off down the street and ended up breathing heavily outside the train station. I sank down and watched as the train doors open. What if I just don't get on? Would they leave me alone? It appears not, my escort walks up to me from her seat a few benches away. "Come on to the choo choo train!" She chimes and clutches my arm pulling me with her onto the train. This will be a long journey.
I'd had enough of Ammie's gushing about Capitol fashion and how the Districts should be more fashion conscious. "Oh, I'd love to stay and talk but I really need the loo." I said then dashed off before she could speak again. "Ouch!" I'd hit someone whilst in my rush to get away. They were sitting on the floor rubbing their head. I offered my hand and they took it to help them up. It was a girl she looked older than me by about two years. "Sorry!" I said
"It's fine, really. I'm okay. Katri Hawthorne. Nice to meet you." She shook my hand
"Nadia Sterling." She was really pretty, dark hair in a braid grey eyes- oh my God she looked like Katniss! Seeing the look on my face she guessed what I was thinking "She's my grandmother." Well that'd explain it then. "She was in the rebellion, it's hard being related to them. I wouldn't excpect you to understand."
"Finnick and Annie are my great grandparents, I do understand."
"I didn't mean it like that, Nadia. Sorry."
"It's okay. So you're the District 12 tribute?"
"Yes. They reaped my sister so I volunteered. Just like Katniss, cliche or what?"
"I volunteered for my sister. It was her first year." Why am I telling her all this? I really should stop.
"District 4?"
"Yep."
"I have to go back to the District 12 compartment now. But I'll see you soon, Nadia." She waved then disappeared through the door. Then who should come by but Nate. He just stood in front of me. I waved my hand over his face and then knocked on the side of it "Hello? Anybody home?" He grinned and took my hand putting it on his shoulder. I tore it back and scowled. "Nice to see you too, Nadz."
"Don't call me that! It's annoying."
"I know. That's why I do it!"
"Ugh!" I tried to leave but he caught my waist and spun me back round to face him
"What's wrong?" He seemed genuinely concerned
"Nothing, I'm fine." And I tried to pull away but he held tight.
"What is it?"
"Sara-Beth."
"Your sister?"
"Yes."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Not her, my dad. Now I'm gone he'll spend every second training her, and she'll get hurt like me."
"Wait, you're hurt?" I rolled up my sleeves
"Oh, Nadz! That's bad. You have to show someone before the Games, it will be a disadvantage. And it might get infected"
"Come on, you know we're not getting out of there anyway."
"No, I didn't know that. So why believe it?"
"Are you always so argumentative?"
"Mostly. You're sister will be fine, he'll be glued to the TV watching you, so he won't have time for her training."
"I hope you're right." He tapped his lips, "What?"
"Kiss. My thoughts come at a price." Oh my God, so immature. But he wouldn't give up so I reached up on my tip toes to peck his cheek
"No. Lips."
"I'm NOT kissing you on the lips!"
"Oh yes you are." and he moved his head so my lips didn't reach his cheek but his lips. They were so soft and they tasted a bit like vanilla. He broke away.
"Whoa! Steady on." Oops, hadn't realised I'd been kissing him for a few seconds. I blushed. "It's okay, Nadz. Don't be embarrassed, you can kiss me like that ANY time you want!" He flashed his cheeky grin and ran off down the corridor, straight into our escort. Serves him right. "You have to come and sit down with me, children! It's the rules." We solemnly followed her back to our compartment. I went to sit by the window and see all the districts before they disappeared and the sight outside my window turned to Capitol buildings. One of our mentors ,Ria Stone, entered the room. She sat in the chair opposite me. "Hello, Nadia."
I mumbled some sort of greeting and turned away. She shifted in her seat so that she was in my line of vision. "Nadia, you really shouldn't be so hostile to me, you know. I'm the one that handles your sponsors, remember." I looked at her shocked by what she'd said, she couldn't do that could she? She grinned "Of course I wouldn't do that. Come on, it's getting dark I'll show you your room." She put out her hand and I took it to help me up. She started to run off down the corridor me in tow. We sprinted through a few hallways, Ria ran straight into Calder, Calder Payne. My second mentor. "May I ask why you two are running about like a pair of headless chickens?" I looked at Ria while she looked guiltily at Calder. "I'm showing her her chambers."she muttered and tried to go past with me but he stopped us. "You ought to be thinking about your strategy, Nadia. Advantages pay off!" He ranted at me however Ria stepped slightly in front of me. "We were just going to do that, Calder."
"Then I'll come too."
"Women stuff."
"Oh, I give up on you two." Then he stormed off in Nate's direction. Ria giggled then caught my hand again and led me to a door a few feet away from where we were stood. "Ta da!" As she said this, I pushed open the door. It was at least five times bigger than my room at home and the carpeting was so soft I couldn't feel the floor. I crashed on the giant double bed, the covers were so soft and cosy, my bed at home was made of straw and blankets. Ria chuckled at the doorway "I'll let you sleep now, Nadia. We'll be in the Capitol by tomorrow for dinner. Night." Then I was alone. I finally realised how tired I was. I started to undress and was in my underwear when the door opened. "Oh my God, Nate! Get out!" I screamed at him. He just put a hand over his eyes but I could see him peeping through his fingers. I gathered my nightie and went into the bathroom to change. When I came back out again I glowered at him and walked over to my bed. Still staring at him, I pulled the covers up so that they came up to my chin. I yawned, "You're tired" he commented
"I know, so leave so I can sleep." Another yawn, my eyelids were getting so heavy. I closed them, only for a second, then I found that I didn't want to open them again. I felt an arm slip around me, Nate. I really should stop him, but I'm so tired... The last thing I heard before I fell asleep was "I love you, Nadia." and the saddest thing was that I was so far gone that I couldn't tell you whether it was a dream or not.