"Why is my name on that piece of paper out there?" I shout as I walk into Dwayne's office.
"Because you're going into the arena! Congratulations!" He says, getting up from his desk, where he was probably planning every move I'm going to make in the arena.
"I'm not going into that arena. I will next year and not a minute sooner!" I'm almost at full scream. Dwayne is being the object of my frustration and very huge and stupid one at that. He stumbles for a minute, trying to figure out with something to reply to me with.
"Pick someone different. Not me. Next year, I will go in and win. Understand?" I ask him, trying to use the anger management techniques I was taught by my consuler. The anger is still there, though. He walks back around to behind his desk and pulls a form out of one of his drawers and hands it to me.
"What is this?" I ask him, glancing at the form. I read: Arena Withdrawal Form.
"Take that home, have a parent sign it, and return it to me tomorrow. Only way you can get out of the arena is right there." He ushers me out and I'm stuck with this stupid paper that is my only way of getting out of this situation. I shove it in my bag and walk downstairs to the training area, where people have already started massacring various dummies.
I grab my knives, which have remained in place even through all the newcomers. I take my position in front of three dartboards and grab my knives. I throw the first one and it doesn't even hit the board. Yeah, I sure do deserve going in the arena. Then, I do the thing that has probably forced me into the arena. I calculate what I did wrong the last time and try another one that hits right in the middle, also known as the heart. Dead.
Four more, right in the same place. I just killed four people in arena talk. I could maybe possibly win this thing. Then, I could mentor for the Quarter Quell, which could work in my favor. I wouldn't have to worry about some crazy chance that someone better than me steps in or that people have to vote. I could sail right through this year because I'm pretty sure all the other Careers tributes are trying for next year's games.
I stay at the area for a couple more hours and prepare for home. When I walk over to the weapons closet, a hound of girls comes up to me.
"You are going into the arena? How'd a 15 year old get in?" The head girl, who I think is named Kaleigh, insults me. She thinks that she is better than me, but if she was, why is she not going in the arena?
"I'm better than you! Besides, aren't you an archer or something? No one enjoys an archery battle, not enough blood and guts, but maybe you just can't handle that. Please feel free to take offense," I reply back and she looks shocked. Good for her, someone finally put her in her place. Her pack seems to shrink back with the strength of my response.
"How do you expect to get sponsors with that attitude? I bet you won't survive a day in the arena. I bet Dwayne put you in just to make sure that Cato wins," she tries to come up with a response quickly. I hope it doesn't show, but her last remark fazes me. Maybe he is trying to make sure that Cato wins and he put me in there to make him look better?
It apparently does show because the snickering and giggling starts again and I look down to the object in my hand. I haven't placed my knives on the shelves yet. I decide to shut her up before things get even worse.
I flip the knife around a few times and then corner her against the wall, knife pressed up against her throat. Her posse stands behind me, eyes wide in fear.
"I'm not above drawing blood. Now, I think that it would be a good decision for you to stop complaining about the best choice in District 2 for the spot and start training harder. Maybe, I'll mentor you next year." I withdrawal my knife, stick it back in the rack, and leave, as slowly as possible just to rub it in their faces. They won't be bothering me anymore.
Outside, Kayla is waiting for me. I didn't even know she left but I'm pretty sure she didn't see the whole ordeal between Kaleigh and me, but it wouldn't be so bad if she did. The more people that saw it the better; it's like getting your score but in District 2.
"OMG, you got in! You're going to be in the arena! My best friend is going to be a victor! Think about how popular I'll be!" She starts shouting and jumping, like she was going into the arena. I clamp my hand over her mouth but she just keeps screaming muffled words through my hand. Finally, I release it because I don't want to suffocate my only friend.
"Your parents are going to be so proud! Their daughter is going to be a victor! Hey, what's that paper?" She asks, and without my permission, snatches the paper out of my bag and reads the first line.
"Arena Withdrawal Form? What the crap is this?" She asks, no longer screaming like a fangirl.
"Nothing at all. See?" I walk over to the town square, where the fire is still burning and toss it in. She looks at me oddly for a second and then goes back to her cheery self, screaming about how much life is going to change for her after I'm a victor.