Chapter 6 (Nadia POV)

I woke in my own bed. I didn't know how I'd gotten there but figured I ought to be ready by the time of breakfast. I stumbled into the shower pressing a few buttons, hoping I didn't do anything wrong. I came out smelling like jasmine. Flicking through my too big wardrobe, I found a little purple dress. It wasn't very fancy, I threw it on and sat on my bed scanning a book called 'Tributes guide to Breakfast' which was planted on my bedside table. I was beginning to get thoroughly bored and put it down when, Ammie bounced into the room, "Rise and Shine!" She dragged me into a room filled with my mentors, the prep teams, the stylists and Nate. I was pushed into a seat at the head of the table, still confused about how I woke in my own bed. "So", Maple asked, "Did you sleep well?" I glanced at Nate who winked at me. "Fine, thanks." I gazed across the table seeing pancakes drizzled with golden syrup; warm soup that smelt amazing and many other delicacies I could tell you'd never dream to find in District 4. After I was done, Maple escorted me back to my room to dress me in the Training outfit. It was just a simple black t-shirt and legging set. It was comfortable and easy to move in. Ria had talked with me after breakfast quickly and we agreed I should act the little sweet girl from 4. I should stick to the swimming station and stay far away from the Careers, if I kept away, they would not want me and I could be free to make my own way in the arena. Nate and Calder had left early this morning to plan, so I hadn't seen him all morning. I was nervous about training, but it had to be done. When we arrived in the underground training room, I saw that it was just us, the Careers and the small girl and her partner from 13. We were early. When everyone else finally turned up, the head trainer gave a speech then left us to do what we wanted. I went straight to the pool at the end of the room. There were different sized black swim suits on a rail, I found the right size and jumped in. As I dove to the bottom, I felt more peaceful than I'd felt in days. I sat on the floor of the swimming pool, my hair floating above me, and looked around. It wasn't like the sea, the floor was tiled and the water too bright a blue. During my time of relaxation, a head appeared in front of me. Nate. I swore loudly but my mouth quickly filled with water and I started to choke, I pulled myself up to the surface. Gasping for breath I continued to swear breathlessly at him for scaring me. "Hey" he said, grinning

"Oh shut up..."

"What did I do?!"

"You're SO annoying. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm doing what I want. Calder says I have to be with you for the first half of this session then go to the Careers. Like I'm on their side, spying on you."

I'm speechless.

"I'm not REALLY spying on you, Nadz."

"Go away."

"But-"

"Go away."

"Nadz, you have to pretend. It's all about the show. I have to be here with you, so deal with it." I sighed and then smile and laugh like he said something funny.

"There you go! You're getting it now."

Still forcing my smile, I said "So what do I have to do next? Mr I-have-it-all-figured-in-my-clever-little-head."

"Mess with my hair and dunk me under." He says acting all the while, because people are watching district 4. I do as he says, he comes up coughing and try's to dunk me too. He tells me through his teeth to swim away, this happens in a sequence. He gives instructions I do as he says and so on. "Ok I'm gonna hug you now-" ,I glared at him, "Oh come on, Nadz! Stop being so childish. And then you have to act like I tried something, you know what I mean, get all stroppy and swim away. I'll go join the Careers." I nodded stiffly. When his plan was completed, I climbed out of the pool. I had gotten tired and noticed the girl from 13 watching me. "Hey." I greeted her, she had just entered the pool. She glanced quickly around then murmured "Hi" before ducking underwater and swimming away. So shy. After changing out of my swim suit, I headed over to the camouflage station, all Ria said was to stay well away from the Careers and they definitely weren't visiting this station. Ten minutes later, it turned out I was quite good at painting. I managed to make my arm look as if it was a large piece of moss. The instructor was pleased with me even though I'd used up most of the resources, he kindly asked if I could move along. I knew I was good at throwing knives and spears, however I didn't get to show off. Nate was up there with them, spearing things and messing about with the pack. I was much better than him in everything he was showing them now, I could hit the target with my knife every time if I wanted to. But I wasn't to show them anything. If I could stay out of their way, I might have a chance. Unthinking, I took hold of a small- yet sharp -knife and stroked its' handle. How I wished I could throw it like I did back home. I felt someone come up behind me, that grabbed the wrist with the dagger in it. "Do you even know how to use that, 4?" In a mocking voice, I could tell it was the District 1 Tribute, Jay, from the arrogance in his voice. I spun round to see his taunting grin. I knew exactly where to put that knife to really hurt him, I knew exactly which angle to twist it once it was in, I knew how far to push it in, I knew how to kill him. But I could not reveal any of this. I am the sweet girl from 4, who knows nothing of these types of things. So I put on my most innocent voice, "I was looking at it. It's very pretty." I put it back on its table and turn to leave. He grabs my waist and spins me round to face him, "I don't believe that, 4. I believe you know much more."

"Well then you are mistaken, 1."

"You can't call me that, you call me Jayden."

"You call me 4, so why not?"

"Because." He growls

I smile and start to step away from him, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to train."

"No you're not."

"Yes, I am, 1. I'm going to train." He growled

"I'm not called '1'. Why aren't you in the Career pack, 4?"

"Why should I be?"

"Because you are 4."

"Well my partner is."

"I know he is. Why not you?"

"Do you want me there?" I asked incredulously

"No! Why do you think that?!"

"Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"You are exasperating."

"Well goodbye then." I smile sweetly and this time I'm free. That was very close, I so desperately wanted to show him what I could do with that knife. I think I played my part well even if he doesn't believe it completely. I could feel Nate's gaze on me so I turned around and he asked with his eyes if I was okay, I mouthed 'Fine.' in reply. From the pool, the district 13 girl is laughing silently at my encounter with Jay. I went over to the edge of the pool where she was floating , "Hey what's your name then?" ,She didn't reply, "Well I can't just call you '13'." She giggled at this

"Ali Rose."

"Hi Ali Rose"

"Call me Ali"

"Ali. My name's-"

"Nadia."

"How did you know that?"

"I've been watching, if you're silent you learn more."

"Wow. I guess you're right."

"I know."

"How did you learn to swim? You're from District 13..."

"I watched you, and I learnt."

"Shouldn't you be over there with the bombs and stuff?"

"I don't know how..." What does that mean? She's from District 13, that's their industry. "I never got to learn how to work that stuff."

"Well you can stay with me and help me keep up my sweet girl from 4 act. If you want."

"Ok." So I slipped back into the pool and talked with Ali for almost all of the session. As she talked, I found out that she was ignored by her parents- who followed their schedules relentlessly -and everyone else in h district. She sat in her room and watched. Watched everyone and everything, if someone came in and asked what she was doing she could reply in any voice she felt like or she could imitate an action she'd seen. Ali got through district 13 like that. No schedule in sight. When it was 6 o'clock, we began to leave the training centre. I could hear the Careers as they left saying how they would train until 3 o'clock in the morning back in their districts. As I would have to walk back to my floor with them, I stayed behind to help pack away the weapons.

I'd been dying to get my hands on these all day. I lifted a small dagger, aimed and threw it at the target at the other end of the hall. It hit the very middle. "So you can use that, 4." How was I so careless? I hadn't heard him come in. "No. I don't, it could've been pure chance that it hit the middle, 1."

"Ah, but it wasn't, was it 4?"

"I don't know how to use it, 1."

"Funny how you're the Career really but your partner- who is so obviously not -joined the pack."

"How do you know that I'm a Career, 1?"

"Do not call me '1' ever again."

"Why, 1?"

"Because I told you not to."

"That makes no difference to me, 1." I was taunting him now

"Does anyone ever tell you how annoying you are?"

"No, just you, 1."

"Shut up, 4."

"I don't want to, 1. I'm just gonna keep talking-" I'd been cut off by his lips smashing onto mine. For a second I kissed him back, only for a second. I pushed away from him and as I'd been training I was able to get far enough away. "What are you doing?!" I yelled at him, many emotions flashed through his eyes before he settled on Triumph. He grinned at me and sauntered away. "Jay. Not '1'. My name's Jay." He said over his shoulder. God I hated him. Running back to the District 4 floor, I bump into Ria. "Hey I was just coming to see you! How'd it go?" Oh crap, tears were brewing in my eyes. "Hey, oh darling, what happened?" I pushed past her to my room. She followed and saw me lying on my bed shouting at the pillow. She sat there for an hour stroking my hair when I finally stopped, "Hey you ready to tell me now?" As I poured out the whole story and when I finally finished Ria spoke. "Well Hon, he sounds like a right old spoiled brat. Don't think on it, don't you think on it for one minute. No actually wait, if he's lusting after you then maybe you could use this to your advantage..." She sat up

"But Ria-"

"Could you make it work?"

"I suppose, but Ria listen! He scares me. He's too controlling and has way too much power over me than I'd like."

"Yeah but, Nadia, we can change that."

"How?" Her face creased up, thinking

"Try and keep out of his reach, he'll enjoy the challenge." Her face brightened as she said this

"Oh god, Ria. You know I won't be able to do this."

"Oh yes you will."