I slip on a silky nightgown and head to the living room. The T.V was already tuned in to the Capitol channel, saying that only two more tributes had to perform. Neal from District 11 and Skylar from District 5 were up. I'm sure the Gamemakers are getting extremely bored. Lucky for them that District 12 is no longer in existence.
I watch the programs before the training scores air. The programs the Capitol citizens watch for fun are absolutely pointless. Everything is so...predictable. Nothing seems realistic, just like the citizens. Who in the right mind would have a conversation about what color skin you should get? I have to suffer through these programs before Dusk Shine arrives on the T.V along with head Gamemaker, Chal Sherwood.
Dusk Shine is a preppy woman who, by my guess, is about thirty. She started hosting the Games when I was four, making her nineteen. When I learned about past Hunger Games in school, people still compare her to Caesar Flickerman, who stopped hosting the Hunger Games many years ago. She is kind hearted, all about her appearance, and helps everyone out just like the former host. But, she is always consistent in her outfits theme, which is stars. Her outfit changes year to year, but stars always there.
Chal Sherwood opens his thin lips and says, "Thank you for tuning in, Panem. Tonight is when we learn the odds of every tribute in this year's Hunger Games." His voice is raspy and dry.
"That's right, Chal." Dusk says, her voice squeaky and peppy as ever. "I don't know about you, but I think we have strong contenders this year." The camera picks up her light purple eyes flicker.
"Yes, that we do. I took notice of every tribute which stood out, starting with District One's Quaid Ethers." A snap shot of Quaid appeared behind him and Dusk. "He didn't volunteer and here he is. District One is known for volunteers, am I right?"
"Yes. Almost every year, the tributes from District One are volunteers. Quaid is our exception this year." Oh...get on with it. They always drag these out. I never cared when I was home, but now I just want to know my score.
"Alright. The scores are in and let's get this show on the road." Thank you, Dusk! I straighten up. The rules remain the same for the scores. It goes in order by your district, boy surpassing the girl.
"District One Quaid. Nine." Dusk says. No surprise there. Dusk continues. "District One Flitter. Ten. District Two Lucifer. Ten. District Two Camilla. Nine. District Three Malloy. Seven. District Three Rahi. Six. District Four Louis. Eight. District Four Hollis. Eight. District Five Devin. Seven. District Five Skylar. Six. District Six Collin. Five. District Six Lily. Six. District Seven Kade. Eight. District Seven Faith. Four. District Eight Milo. Six. District Eight Parker. Seven. District Nine Omar. Five. District Nine Jae. Six." Our district is coming up. My heart is pounding in my chest.
"District Ten Stiles. Five." I look at Stiles. His eyes turn a dull shade and he looks straight ahead. "District Ten Jada. Ten."
Ten! I received an honor reserved for District 1 or 2 children. Kiani squeals and hugs me. A smile flickers across Dane's face before it's gone. Annabelle stands up and comforts Stiles. Dusk's voice seeps through the commotion. "District Eleven Neal. Six. District Eleven Carly. Eight. Thank you all for joining tonight program. Tune in tomorrow night for interviews before the Games begin. Thank you tributes and may the odds be ever in your favor." The seal appears and Dane turns off the T.V.
"No one in District Ten received a ten before! This is an honor, Jada!" Kiani keeps squealing in my ears. My eardrums are ringing before Annabelle reaches me.
"Congratulations, Jada." She says in her timid voice. She bends down and hugs me.
"Thank you." I say. I sit back on the couch and look at my district partner. Stiles is still pretty torn up. But, he scored better than District Seven's Faith. She got one point less than Stiles, but he still did better than her. I scoot closer to the boy and place my hand on his shoulder. The bone on his shoulder was sticking out and poking my palm.
"Hey, you did great." I say. "You did better than Faith. She received a score lower than you."
"No, I failed." He replies. "I got a five. You received a ten. You will win the Games along with the boy you're paired with. I'm a failure!" Oh, my.
"There was that one year a tribute received a two." Annabelle interjected. "You're not a complete failure." Annabelle's blue eyes bore into Stiles'. "Listen. You ignore what Dane tells you. You have a chance just like the other twenty one tributes, despite your training score. What you have to do is steer clear of the bloodbath. Hide stay hidden until you need food. Stiles, you might surprise everyone and take home the title of victor and live in the Victor's Village with me and Dane."
Stiles' hazel eyes lit up. He threw his arms over my mentor and buried his face into her blond curls. He muttered something to Annabelle, but her hair contained the sound. Kiani kneeled beside Annabelle and started to talk to Stiles. I didn't hear what she said. I started back to my room, not wanting to talk to anyone. The Games are in two days. And Stiles chooses now to freak out?
I throw myself on the bed. I look at the window with the picture of the trail. Oh, Loco. I want to come home. I think to myself. I grab the mockingjay pin under my pillowcase. I study the golden bird. I only saw mockingjays when I rode the trail with Loco. I'd always sing a simple five note tune and they'd always sing back. One would pick it up, another with follow its lead, and soon the forest would be consumed with the medley.
I open my mouth and sing the five note melody. I wait and I know nothing will answer me. I sang it again. No answer. I've never missed home this much. Just a few more weeks. If I come out alive, I'll be home, riding Loco and singing to the mockingjays soon.