Chapter 4
"Well, well may the games bring us back together."
Faye turned around to the new comer as her eyes widen. Clove started walking up to her with a big grin on her face.
"Faye, do you know this girl." Julian asked and Ezio stepped in.
"Long story, I'll explain. Faye we'll wait for you in the chariot." Ezio said guiding Julian away as Faye nodded.
"Eight years it has been, you changed physical, Faye." Clove said standing right in front of her wearing a golden gladiator costume.
"So have you. It's been awhile." Faye said. They both stared at one another as smiles grew on their faces. Then finally, both embraced each other in a hug and started laughing.
"I missed you." they both said at the same time and laughed again.
"How are you?" Clove asked pulling away
"I had better days. You?" Faye said
"Excited. This is my dream to be here." Clove replied sighing as Faye smiled.
"Well, my dream was to stay away from here." Faye said shrugging.
"I know but it changes things now. Honestly, who would have thought the three of us would be here like… together." Clove said excitedly.
"How is he?" Faye asked nervously.
"Same but…" Clove began
"But?" Faye pressed.
"Lets just say his mood changed really quick right after watching the recap of the reaping in District Four." Clove said slowly.
"And?" Faye continued to press.
"He has been bitter for awhile but –"
"Clove! Its time to go on the chariot!" said a male voice, 'speak of the devil' Faye thought. Cato walked up to them also wearing the same costume as Clove.
He looked at Faye for the first time in eight years and he didn't know what to say. To be honest he had so much to say to her but the way she looked at him made it hard for him. You could feel the tension around them as Faye looked at the ground becoming fascinated with her shoes. She realized how different he looked as she glanced up at him. He much taller, muscular, and built which obviously showed how much he trained. In his eyes, Faye was beautiful who didn't need all the glamorous clothing and make up to make her look beautiful because she was already is without it. They changed so much since the last time they saw each other, it's amazing how eight years can change someone.
"Cato, I was jus –" Clove began
"We need to go." he said firmly tear his eyes away from Faye as he grabbed Clove's arm and pulled her away toward their chariot.
Faye sighed and shake her head, 'he didn't want to see or talk to her' she thought. It's her fault and she deserves it, she didn't blame him either, so she just turned away and got on her chariot next to Ezio. He looked at her with worried eyes as he patted her on the back.
"Alright, so this is the game plan smile and wave, also have fun and act like friends it helps." Julian said before leaving the tributes.
The parade began as the District One tributes road out first as the crowd cheered for them. Faye was getting a bit nervous but it was the good kind, then finally District Four was next. The chariot road out by horses and Faye linked arms with Ezio as he smiled down at her. The crowd went crazy for them as they waved to the crowd, blowing kisses in all direction, catching flowers, and just being friends by laughing and smiling together. Half way thought the parade the crowd went crazy and Faye knew it wasn't them anymore but District Twelve. Their costume weren't coal miners but a black suit and the best part… they were on fire like legit. Ezio pointed to the big screen showing the District Twelve tributes and Faye was amazed with the craftsmanship.
"That's amazing." she said as Ezio nodded in agreement.
"Well, they are definitely getting a lot of sponsors." he replied as she shrugged and continued to wave and smile.
Once the parade reached the ending and the last chariot came right in the front of the President's mansion. President Snow came up to the balcony…
"Welcome tributes to the Capitol." he began
"Happy Hunger Games! We honor you for your sacrifice." he continued, which made Faye's skin crawl and most of the tributes tensed up a bit.
"Bullshit." both Faye and Ezio said at the same time as their eye flickered to each other and started chuckling softly. Some eyes linker towards them but they didn't care because at this point whatever came out of the president's mouth didn't phase them. 'Sacrifice? Really? Way to make us feel better before we start decapitating each other.' Faye thought.
"May The Odds Ever Be In Your Favor!" the president finally finished and then the chariots rode into the Training Center where all tributes will be staying until the actually games starts. Once the chariot came to a stop, Ezio got off first then turned to give Faye a hand as Finnick, Serenity, and their main stylists walked up to them.
"You were both amazing playing the friends card. Brilliant!" Finnick said brightly.
"Yeah, they had the crowd going until District Twelve came in on fire." Julian angrily.
"I mean really fire please… I could have done that." he continued to rambled on.
"Ok, Julian lets head up. We will meet you guys up there for dinner. Oh and I'm Belle, Ezio's main stylist." the other main stylist said to Faye who introduced herself, as Belle and Julian started making their way to the elevator.
"Well, aside from that. You two look beautiful together." Serenity said smiling as both tribute glance at each other and blushed a bit.
"Alright stop embarrassing them S and lets head up to our floor." Finnick said gesturing to the elevator.
As they walked, Faye glanced at District Two and saw both tributes looking her way. Clove smiled and wave to her as Faye did the same but Cato just glared at the back of Ezio who turned around to grab Faye's hand to hurry her along this made Cato growl.
"You know, you could have said something to her." Clove said as the elevator door closed with party of District Four in it.
"Like what? Hey, do remember me? The boy you forgot to say goodbye who is supposedly your best friend." Cato snapped as he turned to Clove.
"I understand your upset but come on she's here now at least make an effort to talk to her." she replied.
"She shouldn't be here." Cato hissed
"I know but she is so deal with it." she said sternly.
"This changes everything now, you know that right?" he said slowly looking around at the other tributes.
"Yes, so what's the plan?" she asked.
"Career alliance."
"Then?"
"Kill."
"And Faye?"
"Let me handle that."
The elevator arrived at the fourth floor as the District Four party came out.
"This floor isn't like the penthouse that District Twelve gets but it's close to it." Serenity said.
The fourth floor was huge even if it wasn't the penthouse. The living/dinning area was huge with glass tables and soft comfortable chairs and couches. With the big screen TV right in front of the biggest couch that could fit ten people. The colors blue and green reminded Faye of the ocean back home and that made her miss everyone.
"Now why don't you two go freshen up before dinner." Serenity said as both tributes nodded and went to their rooms, which the Avox led to them to.
Faye entered her room and realized how big it was. Compared to her bedroom at home there isn't really anything to compare. The bathroom was even bigger, like you could fit twenty people in there. Faye took off her costume and jumped into the shower. There were many buttons like cold, hot, or warm water and also shampoo and conditioner with different scent like orange blossom, green apple, roses, and cherry blossom, which was all of Faye's favorite scents. She took a nice shower, washing all the make-up and products used on her off. Then afterwards she threw on a white v-neck shirt and leggings and tied her hair up into a messy bun then made her way to the dinner table.
Everyone was there, eating happily and chatting with each other. Faye slipped into a chair next to Julian that was across from Ezio. She started spooning food onto her plate and started digging in.
"So the next two days will be training so learn many new skills as possible on the first day and second day practice what you can do. The third day will be training in the morning but around noon you will be judge on what you learned by the Gamemakers. They will score you on a scale of 0-12. Scores help when trying to get sponsors so the Gamemakers will be watching you guys train as well. Then that night they will reveal your scores and the next day is prep for the interview. After that is the game." Finnick announced to his tributes as they nodded.
"Well, I'm off to plan your outfits for the interview and make sure District Twelve doesn't out shine you guys again." Julian said tossing his napkin and left the table as Belle shook her head and excused herself too.
The plan was set for tomorrow, Faye thought to herself… what will be waiting for her. Memories of training flowed through her head as she lay in bed late at night after dinner thinking. Could she pick up where she left off eight years ago?
As morning came, Faye rolled out of bed to get ready as she started her routine. After getting out of the shower, she found training clothes laying on her made bed. Black short sleeve shirt with the red number four on the sleeves with matching black yoga pants. She slipped on the clothes and pair sneakers she found in the closet then throw her hair into a ponytail.
Faye found Ezio eating breakfast when she walked to the table.
"There is package for you." he said as she sat across from him.
The package was from her parents so Faye tore to package open to find a pair of gloves she used to train with and a note.
Dear Faye,
We thought you might want to use these because you always wore them while training and never for anything else. We are always with you.
All of Our Love,
~Mom and Dad
Faye smiled as she place the gloves into the back of her pocket and started eating. Awhile later, Finnick came and started talking about the plan for today.
"Training starts at 9:00 so lets not be late. Learn new skills like how to make a fire, camouflage, different plants, and other stuff that can be useful. If you have time practice with any weapons necessary." he babbled on as Faye and Ezio nodded their heads.
When the time was almost near, Faye and Ezio walked to the elevator that would take them down to the training room.
"You ready for this?" he asked pushing the button for the elevator.
"Do I have a choice?" she replied crossing her arms over her chest as he chuckled.
"Guess not." he mumbled as the elevator doors opened then both entered.
"So are we sticking together or splitting up?" he asked
"Split up because we need to focus on ourselves and abilities without the other following. Besides we both can't win." she answered as he nodded slowly. They finally reached the room where all the tributes were.
All twenty-four tributes formed a circle around the instructor, as Faye felt a pair of eyes on her. She glanced around as her eyes laid upon Cato who was stared at her, which made her stomach flipped.
"Welcome tributes." the instructor began which made Faye turned away from Cato.
"The next two days you will train and learn many skills that you can use to your advantage during the games. Most of you will be picking up weapons." she continued as both Cato and Clove smirked.
"I urged you to learn the art of survival because most of you will die from probably natural causes, infections, or just bad judgment. Even being cut from a blade can do damage in the arena. Take advantage of the next two days and don't try to kill each other because that will be an automatic execution. Good luck to you all." the instructor finished then walks away.
Everyone broke off to stations as Faye started to walk in a different direction from Cato and Clove who were heading to weapons, of course.
"Which station are you heading to?" Ezio asked as Faye turned to give him a look.
"Just to make sure I won't end up going to the same one." he said quickly while holding up his hands cautiously.
"Plants." she mumbled and started walking towards that station.
The different plants were confusing for Faye because most of them looked the same especially the nightlock berries compared to regular berries. The girl from District Five who has red hair like Ezio but has face similar to a fox really knew her plants from the back of her hand. Next, she went to the station for making fire and that was a lot easier especially since each year, Faye and her friends always made a campfire at the beach. After that she went to the camouflage station, which was not her forte when dealing with mud.
"Are you making a mud pie or just a pile of poop?" asked the boy from District Twelve who was painting his arm into a tree bark.
"I don't know. I'm not really good at this." Faye answered.
"Here let me help. Don't pile it on just spread it to cover the surface." he said spreading the mud out more over the object Faye used to camouflage. By the time he was done the object looked like it disappeared into the mud completely.
"Wow, your good at this." she said wiping her hands on a towel.
"Well, I do a lot of painting pastry at my parent's bakery shop so it pays off." he replied as Faye chuckled lightly.
"Peeta." he said holding out his hand.
"Faye." she replied shaking his hand.
"Well, it's nice meeting you so I guess I will let you go back to painting your arm into a tree. Thanks for the help." Faye said moving on to the next station, which was shelter building.
Shelter served to be useful especially because of the low possibly of getting a tent, so using the surrounding area and knowing how to make a stable shelter really matters. Before Faye could go to the next station there was a bell signaling for lunch. All the tributes went to the cafeteria to grab food and sit down. Faye grabbed a club sandwich, pineapple slices, and bottle of water then found a table. A few moments later, Ezio joined her.
"So what did you learn today?" he asked
"How to make a fire, build a shelter out of branches and leaves, learn some different plants, and played in mud. You?" she asked tossing a pineapple slice in her mouth.
"Same but I didn't go to plants yet, instead I practice knot tying and made some snare traps." he replied stealing a pineapple slice which made Faye slap his arm.
"Ow." he chuckles as she rolling her eyes, ignoring looks from different tributes.
"You could have asked." she said eating her club sandwich and he just chuckled.
"Anyway, I never got to asked but Adara…" Faye began slowly as Ezio sighed.
"I wish you didn't." he replied dryly
"I'm sorry, its just she is a very good friend and I…"
"Its fine, there isn't much to say that it was just a fling."
"Really? Didn't seem like it?"
"Well, when getting reaped into the Hunger Games… there isn't much hope for us."
"Its because of me isn't it."
"I wouldn't say that but lets just say I'm definitely not going to home."
"Sorry."
"Don't be, just win is all I ask."
"That is a lot to ask."
He chuckled and she smiled. So far Ezio has been a very good friend, it was sad that Faye didn't get the chance to know him better. Honestly, she wished she had more chances to get to know a lot of people and do things she hasn't done yet.
"Do you think its fate that chooses for us or freewill?" Faye asked staring at her tray.
"I think fate brought us here but we have a choice to fight or die." Ezio answered as Faye's eyes flicked towards him.
"What have you chosen?" she asked raising an eyebrow
"I think we both know that answer." he replied as the bell rang signaling the end of lunch and back to training.
Faye and Ezio decided to save the rest of the other stations for tomorrow and went to practice with weapons. It was a good idea to use the buddy system when most of the other tributes are working on skills like the Careers who were scaring most of the tributes with their skills.
"Tell me how this is fair." Ezio said bitterly as Faye bit her low lip nervously.
"Its not but when you see what happens next you might not like it." she replied sighing as she picked up a dagger.
"Why?" he asked slowly eyeing her as she pushed the button for the targets to move.
"Just watch." she answered as she threw the dagger at target that hit right in the head. Throw after throw until there weren't any daggers or knives to throw, each one hit the target in the head or squared in the chest.
"Archery next then?" Faye asked grabbing her gloves from her back pocket.
"Ss-ure." Ezio stutters following behind as she picked up a bow and arrow then aimed it at the target that hit right in the center of the head. Just like before each arrow hit the target right in the center.
"I see what you mean, but I know that you would make my death quick. Your far more advance then you led on… far advance." Ezio said looking down at Faye as she dropped her bow.
"I'm skilled enough to defend myself even without a weapon." she replied taking her gloves off and slipping it back in her back pocket.
"I'm sure of that, which makes me think you can win this." he replied sternly.
"You obviously haven't seen the Careers." she whispered
"I have and I know they probably want you as an alliance." he answered
"How do you – " she began
"They were watching you especially your friends from Two. They been watching since the moment you picked up that dagger." he said cutting her off.
Faye glance to where they were all standing together, near where spears were. They were looking at her until the tributes from District One turned away while Cato and Clove just continue to look. They weren't surprised nor shouldn't they be because all three of them trained together.
"Anyway, I need to practice with a weapon that I can learn easily with… I think swords will do." Ezio said making Faye break her glaze from the Careers to look at him. She nodded as Ezio started to walk away and she was about to follow until a hand landed on her shoulder.
Faye was surprised to see Cato behind her, she kind of wish it was Clove because she wasn't ready for this moment.
"Can I help you?" she asked as he removed his hand.
"Yes, can we talk in private?" Cato asked and Faye was taken back to how deep his voice was. Like always he was very impatient so before Faye could answer, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to a more quiet area where no tributes can hear them.
"See your still the same." she snapped pulling away.
"Nice to see you again. How long has it been? Eight years." he hissed as Faye clenched her fist.
"Look, I'm sorry for leaving without telling you, trust me I regret that and not writing." she said calmly.
"Well, sorry doesn't change the fact tha –" he began and then cleared his throat as Faye raised an eyebrow.
"I don't want to fight because I have a lot to say but right now I have something to ask." he said calmly as Faye eyed him but gestured him to continue.
"Clove and I wanted to ask you to be part of the Career alliance." he said.
"What does your other allies think of me joining?" she asked slowly as she crossed her arms.
"Marvel and Glimmer will be fine with it, seeing that they saw that you are very skilled." he replied.
"I don't know." she whispered staring at the ground as Cato stepped closer to her.
Faye saw his boots and felt the heat coming off from him as she looked up, her cheeks turning red very slowly at how close he was. His fingertips were lightly on her elbow as he pulled her closer to him. Their faces were closer then ever and their lips were just inches apart as Cato started to lean in towards Faye who was frozen still. When his lips lingered near hers, the bell rang. Faye coming to her sense pushed Cato away and quickly walked out the door.
Cato didn't realize what he was doing, just smirked and started running his fingers through his short blonde hair. He just laughed as Clove approached him…
"I assuming you handle it then?" she asked raising an eyebrow at his behavior.
"Not quite."