The Living Games
A/N Hello, my lovelies! I've just been having trouble writing chapters for my other story, even though I have a plan for that story. *Raises fist up to the sky* I'll get you one day! Also, did you know how'll isn't a word? Why is it not? What if I don't wanna say how will? How'll is just a lot easier if you ask me, but who was asking me? And that phrase is just weird. Saying something and then going if you ask me. If you ask me... what? Let's just say you say something like, the sky is blue because of the ocean, if you ask me. If I ask you what? What question? Heh, sorry for these useless ramblings. Also, I just love Andy. Andy is a character who'll (oh, how'll isn't a word, but who'll is?!) show up soon. Every time I write a scene with him in it I have to smile and resist the urge to start squealing. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just love him so much, he's like my son! Well, my other other son. I mean, both of my sons are fictional, but no matter! I hope you like Andy too, because he'll be here pretty much until I decide to when kill him. Oh, I really don't want to, but the rules are the rules and I can't change them, no matter how much I wish I could! I have no berries to attempt double suicide with, so rules will be rules. Andy is just too sweet and innocent for this world!
Chapter Fourteen: The First Day In The Captiol
Aubrey woke up to someone knocking on the door.
"Get up, get up, get up! Lots to do today!"
Aubrey groaned and rolled out of bed. Who dared to wake her up at this ungodly hour of the morning?
"Get up! Up, up!" Kerri's shrill voice pierced her ears. Oh, of course. Kerri would. Just her luck.
"Ugh..."
Aubrey rubbed her eyes, and realized what day it was.
It was her and Zane's anniversary. And they weren't together to celebrate it.
Aubrey fought down tears and a sob. She had always dreamed what the day would be like. And this was not what she had in mind. It had barely been a day and she already missed him. She missed Arianna and Cady—everyone. The reality of where she was going had set in, and she didn't like it.
Aubrey wiped a stray tear off of her face and steeled herself.
She got up, and went to the dining room, not caring that she didn't change. Kerri was the only person there.
Aubrey smirked as she sat down. She knew Josh was hard to wake up when he got comfortable.
"So," She asked innocently. "Where's Josh?"
Kerri's face scrunched up like she just bit into a lemon.
"Hmph! He refused to get up, so I ordered one of the servants to wake him up. Going into his room would not have been proper. He is quite the sleeper."
Aubrey nodded her head, and pretended like she actually cared.
"Mm, yeah."
After waiting a few more minutes, the servant came back in.
"Ma'am, I'm afraid I cannot wake him up. My methods are not sufficient enough," He sounded pained.
Aubrey cracked her knuckled. "I got this." They should've known better than to let her wake Josh up, but, to her amusement, they didn't. She'd been itching to try something out.
She got up and went to the freezer, grabbing a handful of ice cubes. She walked to his room with a bounce in her step, with the servant and Kerri following her to see what she would do.
Aubrey walked up to his bed, shoved the ice cubes down his shirt, and jumped back.
"AAAH!" He screamed, his hands going to his shirt.
By that time, Aubrey was already on the ground crying from her laughter.
Josh looked around the room, and his eyes landed on Aubrey, who was still on the floor laughing. She tried to stand up, but she just laughed so hard she fell down again.
After a few more minutes, she composed herself.
"Whew," She wiped away a tear from her eye and stood up.
Josh glared at her and got up too
"Ha ha. So funny."
"Yes, yes it was."
Josh walked out of the room, leaving a smiling servant and horrified Kerri behind.
Aubrey walked out after him.
"You're not even gonna change your shirt?" She asked, hopping up into her chair.
He shrugged. "Nope. What's the point? I'm just gonna change it again anyway when we reach the Capitol."
Aubrey nodded her head, and dug into her breakfast of waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit.
Kerri came in a few minutes later, looking better than she did when they left her.
"Alright," She said when they finished their breakfast. "Today we'll be reaching the Capitol, and you'll get to meet you prep teams and stylist! You'll be going in the Tribute Parade, where you get to see your fellow competitors in person. We'll be there in a few minutes, so sit tight!"
She got up and left, going who knows where.
Aubrey put her feet on the empty table and looked at Josh, who looked like he might go for the table cloth. She knew something was wrong.
"What's up with you?"
Josh looked at her.
"What if they make us naked again?"
Aubrey considered it. She hadn't really thought about it.
"How about this: They make us naked, I'll cut their heads off and then give them chance to change it."
Josh laughed a little.
"How, exactly, do you plan to give them chance to change it if their heads are on the ground?"
Aubrey though about it.
"Okay, I'll give them a chance then cut their head off."
Josh nodded.
"Reasonable."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, before they passed under a tunnel that turned the whole car black.
Aubrey jumped to her feet, and she could hear Josh do it too. All of their training had taught them to always be aware, and she didn't like the dark. She couldn't see anything in it, and not seeing something is just as bad as being tied to the ground with no weapon.
After a few seconds, the darkness cleared to show the most beautiful thing Aubrey had ever seen. They had reached the Capitol.
She ran to the window and put her hands against the glass in amazement.
"Whoa..."
The candy colored building sparkled in the sunlight. The bright colors amazed her. The sky was a pretty blue, and it went perfectly with everything else. The lights twinkled, and they colors popped. The building were tall and elegant. The people looked crazy in their clothes, and they stopped to point at them. Nothing in their district could ever compare to this.
In her amazement, Aubrey waved her hand at them. She was feeling really giddy right then.
They all cheered and waved back at her.
Aubrey turned and looked at Josh. He looked surprised too.
"Am I really seeing this, or am I hallucinating?" Josh asked.
Aubrey said, "I'm not too sure myself."
It was awesome.
"It's not this amazing on Television. Either our TVs suck, or they don't have high definition filming."
Aubrey laughed at him.
Kerri came to get them, and they exited the train into a waiting car.
"Just sit still!"
Aubrey crossed her arms over her bare chest. Her prep team was annoying her. She had no desire to be naked after last year, but she couldn't prevent it.
Romonia held down her legs while Violet ripped off the waxing strip.
Aubrey gritted her teeth in annoyance. She really didn't like these people touching her. They were idiots, and they didn't seem to take her threats seriously.
"Okay," Romonia wiped her forehead. "That was the last one."
She had been waxed, poked, plucked, slathered in random oils, bathed in mysterious liquids, and had weird things done to her hair. Aubrey felt like a turkey. All she needed was to be stuffed, and that was not happening.
"Okay. I think she's ready to see Purria."
What type of name...?
Aubrey stood up as they left. Purria was the stylist, and the winner for the stupidest name ever. Aubrey half expected her to be a cat.
Aubrey snatched up the robe and put it on just as Purria walked in.
She had long brown hair with gold highlights in a braid tossed over her shoulder, and bright orange lipstick. Her eyebrows looked like upside down V's. She looked ridiculous, and the skin tight flower printed body suit didn't help.
"Take you robe off, please. I need to do a last check."
Aubrey sighed. She didn't like it, but she took it off.
Purria circled around her, plucking off a few pieces of extra hair and looking for any mistakes. Aubrey thought she was looking at the wrong person. Maybe she should try the mirror.
"Alright. You can put your robe back on and join me for lunch."
Aubrey did as she said and sat down it another room, sitting cross legged, and eating her lasagna and garlic bread.
"Okay," Purria said when they were done eating. "This year will be similar to the last, but not really."
Aubrey narrowed her eyes.
"We gonna be naked again?"
Purria smiled. "Not quite, dear."
Aubrey looked at her wearily, not exactly reassured by her answer.
"So, you ever heard of a strip club?"
Aubrey banged her head against the table and groaned.
This was not going how she planned.
Aubrey walked up to her chariot fuming. That stupid stylist! Oh, the nerve of the Capitol.
She was dressed in a shiny, glossy leather strapless top with a sweetheart neckline and a corset tied in the back with gold ribbon. It ended at her waist, where the shirt connected into a frilly, fluffy black tu-tu. It was flecked with gold spots, and it just barely covered her upper thigh. Then she was dressed in black fishnet tights, and black shoes, which had thick heels and were so high she had to have lessons walking in them. Her hair was curled, and her eyes were lined with black winged eyeliner, with gold flecks surrounding the wings. Her lips were gold, and she had on a bracelet on each hand that looked like her tu-tu, but a smaller version.
She sighed and leaned against the chariot, crossing her arms over her chest. She felt like an overly dressed stripper, which was what Purria was going for.
She was calming herself down when some kid came up to her.
He was dressed in an old fashion styled green toga, holding a fake green trident. He was kinda muscular, but not overly so. He looked about 16 or so. His hair was a light sandy blonde and curly, his skin tan, and his eyes were a startling gold color. Not like the fake gold she was wearing, but like real gold. His eyes sparkled with humor and amusement.
"Nice outfit," He noted, looking at her.
Aubrey rolled her eyes, wondering when Josh would come.
"Whatever. Nice toga."
He looked down. "Oh, this? Yeah, well, my stylist is an idiot so this is the best he could do."
Aubrey laughed.
"Your stylist is an idiot? Look at me! I'm a stripper."
He raised an eyebrow. "You mean you look like a stripper? You seem a bit young to be a stripper."
Aubrey laughed again, liking this kid more and more.
"Yeah. It was better than last year, though. I would've killed her if I was naked."
The boy laughed.
"I'm sure you wouldn't look too shabby."
Aubrey blushed. Was he hitting on her?
"Um, thanks."
He smiled at her.
"What's your name?"
Aubrey stuck out her hand.
"Aubrey Oric, from District twelve."
His eyes held fear for a second, then confusion, but it passed by so quickly she was sure she imagined it.
He shook her hand.
"Limerick. Andrew Limerick. My friends call me Andy, though. Andrew from four."
Aubrey gestured towards his outfit. "Yeah, I kinda got that. Trident and all."
Andrew laughed. "Yes, well, I couldn't tell from yours. I would've thought you came from another galaxy with that on."
Aubrey giggled. "I'm glad you agree, Andrew."
"Andy," He suggested.
"Okay. Andy."
He smiled kindly at her, and she smiled back. They could be good friends. She decided not to stay on the fact that one of them would have to die in a week.
Josh chose that moment to walk up to them, in a sleeveless, collared leather shirt with a white bow tie, and black leather pants. The shirt brought out his muscles, though Aubrey would never admit it to him. His ego didn't need to get any bigger.
"What the fuck?!" Aubrey just about shouted when she saw him.
"What?" He asked.
"Look at me, and look at you!"
Josh did, and started laughing.
"You—You look like an angry nine year old in a stripper costume!" He bent over because he was laughing so hard
Then he laughed even harder.
When Aubrey looked at him weirdly, he just said, "W—Wait 'till Zane sees you."
Aubrey paled.
"Fuck."
Josh started laughing harder.
"Y—Yeah. He won't be able to take his eyes off of you for a second. He'll have to go get some tissues so he can—"
Aubrey punched him in the stomach and glared at him.
He then looked at Andy and sobered up.
"And who might you be?"
Andy smiled at him.
"Oh, this is Andy. From District Four."
Josh nodded and turned toward the horse, and started petting it.
They started calling people back to their chariots to get ready to start.
Aubrey turned back to Andy.
"You doing anything tonight?"
Andy smiled at her, his gold eyes twinkling like a million stars.
"No."
"Kay. Meet me on the roof after the tribute parade replays."
Andy laughed, and it seemed to come straight from his heart. When he smiled, he looked very happy, and Aubrey was struck by how handsome he looked. She still preferred Zane, though, and she didn't plan on cheating on him. She did love him, after all. She didn't date him for a year for nothing.
"Alright. See you there."
He turned and left.
Aubrey looked at Josh, who was already on the chariot.
He put down a hand, and helped her up.
"Nice kid."
Aubrey shrugged. "I guess. I invited him to the roof, if you wanna come."
He shook his head.
"Nah, I'll be enjoying my bed, thank you very much."
Aubrey laughed at him.
Their stylists ran up to them, checking for any last minute mistakes.
"Oh! I just know you'll be great."
District One's chariot pulled out, and the crowd went wild for them. They were dressed in sparkling gem body suits, smiling and waving to the crowd.
Aubrey rolled her eyes as District Two's chariot pulled out. They were dressed as warriors, as usual.
District Three rolled out, unimportant.
District four came out, and Aubrey strained her neck to see Andy.
He was smiling and waving to the crowd, holding his trident in his hand, and looking super powerful. Aubrey smiled. Looks sure were deceiving.
The chariots came out one by one, and it was their turn before they knew it.
They looked at each other nervously as the chariot rolled out.
The screaming was loud. People were yelling, throwing flowers, crying, shaking other people... it was just chaos. Madness at its finest.
Their chariot rode past, and they waved, just like their stylist told them.
Wave, wink at them, maybe even blow a kiss. That's how you get sponsors. They're the people that give you gifts in the games. Play up your outfit.
Aubrey sighed. Well, here goes nothing.
She looked at the crowd and winked at some random person. The screaming became louder, and someone threw a whole banquet of flowers at her. She caught it, and smiled brightly in that direction. She heard a lot of wolf whistles directed at her, and she resisted the urge to glare at them. She was fifteen.
They stopped in front of President Snow, the snake himself.
"Yes, yes, quiet down."
They did as he said.
He start going on about the districts, and how horrible they were, and how this was their punishment. Aubrey resisted the urge to yell, we are right here!
Aubrey was relieved when they went around one more time, then got off the chariot.
Aubrey practically ran to the elevator. She didn't want to be looked at anymore.
When they got to their floor, Aubrey really did run to her room to change before dinner.
The room was bigger than the one on the train, but otherwise the same.
She changed into a comfortable black short-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans, and went to dinner.
Dinner consisted of roast, soup, bread rolls, side glares at the stylists, and chocolate covered strawberries.
After dinner, they sat down to watch the replays.
The Career Districts looked amazing and powerful as usual, and everyone else looked pretty pathetic. When they came around, their stylist cheered. Even Kerri cheered.
Aubrey rolled her eyes and rushed to the roof after it was over.
Her sister had told her all about it, but it was still surprising to see it in person.
It had a garden to the side, with tables set up in the dome. Outside of the dome, the Capitol shined even brighter. The lights twinkled in the dark, and the candy colored buildings stood out, making Aubrey gasp. It was so beautiful, it was hard to imagine any darkness under it.
Aubrey noticed it was a bit cold, so she ran back inside and threw on a leather jacket.
Aubrey walked over to the edge of the railing, seeing Andy already there. She smiled to herself.
She stood right next to him.
"Hey."
He jumped so hard he almost fell over the edge. Despite this, Aubrey still laughed her head off.
"Y—Your face!" Andy laughed a bit too and rolled his eyes.
"Hardy har har. Laugh at Andy, why don't you."
Aubrey laughed harder.
"I already am!"
After pulling herself together, she clamped her hands around the railing.
Andy sighed.
"You know, sometimes I wonder what my family at home is doing."
Aubrey looked at him.
"Me too. I know my parents don't believe I'll come home."
Andy looked like he was in deep thought.
"Why?"
Aubrey hesitated. She couldn't exactly tell him her sister won the games and everyone forgot it.
"Umm, I just know."
Andy looked at her. His gold eyes looked almost nervous, and his eyebrows were scrunched together.
"Come over here," He led her over to the garden. "The wind chimes are a bit loud, and the wind makes it hard to hear."
"Hard to—oh." Aubrey blushed. She felt a little slow.
Andy sat down on a bench, and patted the seat next to him.
"Okay," He started, playing with his fingers. "How to start. Well, one day, I was swimming in the ocean after the shift was over. I wasn't supposed to be, but I didn't listen. My mother had just—done something, and I had to get away. So I dove under the sea and swam for awhile. This was a few days after last years Victor. When I came back up to the surface, everyone was looking like they were on morphling or something. So I went home, and asked when the tour for the Victor would be, and my mom started talking about the Victor from five, and I was confused, because as far as I knew, the Victor was from District 12."
Aubrey took a second to realize what he was saying.
Then she hugged him.
"Oh, thank you! Everyone has been denying it for so long, and it's been driving me insane! My sister won the games last year, she did!"
Andy laughed. "You're killing me."
She let go.
"So, you remember what happened?"
Andy nodded. "The mines? Yeah. I went over to you to see if you knew anything about it. When you told me your name, I knew you would know."
Aubrey nodded.
"That's how I know my parents don't believe in me. They didn't believe in my sister either."
Andy laughed. "Oh, they're fools to not believe in you. I've only known you for a few hours, and I already know you have a chance."
Aubrey laughed and waved a hand at him.
"Look at you! You have way more of a chance than I do!"
Andy smiled. "Are you calling me handsome?"
Aubrey punched him in the gut.
"Shut up. But I guess you are, even though I'm prettier."
Andy laughed.
"You are pretty. You could win a lot of sponsors."
"As could you."
"Ooh, fancy."
Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
After a few minutes, Andy shivered.
Aubrey looked at him.
"You cold?"
He rubbed his arms.
"Yeah. It's always warm in District Four."
Aubrey giggled. She was used to the cold. The winters in District Twelve were terrible. And her family didn't always have warm blankets to keep them warm.
"I'm used to it. We didn't always live in the Victors' Village, you know."
Andy nodded and shivered again.
Aubrey rolled her eyes and took off her jacket.
"Here."
He shook his head.
"No, keep it."
"I'm not even cold. It feels like a warm summer breeze to me. Take it." It really didn't, but she wasn't about to say that.
He gave in and accepted it.
After a while of silence, Aubrey leaned her head against his shoulder.
"When you were telling your story, you said... you said your mother did something. What did she do?"
Andy's eyes darkened.
"She—She hit me, and I went where I usually did to get away from her. The ocean."
Aubrey narrowed her eyes.
"So, she always hits you?"
Andy hesitated, but nodded.
Aubrey sighed and closed her eyes. This boy—he was so nice, so amazing, Aubrey couldn't believe anyone would want to hurt him. She barely knew him, but she already knew he was too good for the world.
Aubrey opened her eyes when he spoke up.
"So, tell me about your life."
"Huh?"
"Your life. Tell me about it."
Aubrey though about it for a second.
"Well, life in Twelve isn't always pretty."
She told him about her family, and her connection to Josh. She even told him about Zane. She expected his to get jealous, but he just laughed and said, "Sounds like a nice guy. Wish I could meet him." Aubrey smiled at him.
"Now tell me about yours."
He sighed and looked up at the sky full of twinkling stars.
"District Four is nice, but my family isn't."
He told her how his mother always hit him, and his father was dead. He died in a fishing accident.
"My mom is a Victor. She wanted me to be just like her, so she sent me to training. When I refused to go, she started hitting me. She hated me because she had me with my father. She wasn't supposed to get pregnant. Then, when I grew up and started getting good looks, she set up dates for me. She told me if I won, I'd be required to go on dates anyway, though I'd have to do a bit more. She told me all about the Capitol system. The girls were nice enough, but I never liked any of them. I just went on one date and never talked to them again. The problem was the fact that I didn't like just girls. I had a boyfriend at the time—Anthony, but my mother forbid me to see him. She called me a menace and said I could never focus on just one person, and the guys don't pay as much as the girls do. It would be that way in the Capitol. I didn't want to train. She forced me to go to the training facility anyway. It was torture. The people, the trainers. Worst experience ever."
Aubrey stayed silent. That was a lot to take in.
"How did you turn out so... you?"
He smiled sadly. "I have no idea."
They stayed up there for a little longer, until Andy looked at his watch and told her it was getting late. They both said goodbye and rushed to their rooms, both thinking about the new friendship that would only last a few days.