Finally, the announcers come on to give us, and the world, our training scores. Glimmer gets a 9 and so does Marvel. Good for them but I hope I do better.
"For Cato of District 2, a ten!" Our apartment bursts into cheers because surely that will be the highest of the night. I pull him into a quick hug when everyone else has focused back on the television.
"For Clove of District 2…" The pause seems so long. I lean up towards the television ready to hear my fate. I want this so bad. Please.
"A 10!" and once again the apartment start cheering again. It feels so great to be at the top of all the other tributes. This will make my chances so much better. At this point, I'm so ready for the arena and I can taste victory. Call me conceited, but I don't care. This will happen. It will. It must.
The scores go down and down and the only person even close to us was Thresh with a 9. He and fire girl are really the only ones I fear. More Thresh, considering he is twice my size. Fire girl can only last long range. Get her cornered and she'll be dead in a second. That is if I give her the easy way out. The boy gets an 8.
"For Katniss of District 12…an 11!" My jaw drops open in astonishment. What did she do? An outlying district beat me? I don't even understand this. I grab a pillow off the couch and throw it all the television. It clicks off when it slams against the off button. Silently everyone disperses until only Cato and I remain fuming on the couch. I'm pretty sure he's about to rip the pillow in half and I don't try and stop him. I'm about ready to do so myself.
"What do you think she did?" Cato finally asks.
"I wish I knew," I respond, shaking my head.
"You wishing you were in the arena?" He asks. I nod, ready to kill. More specifically, ready to kill the fire girl.
"One thing is for sure. We need to get her out of the game and fast. The next time we have to shoot her down will be interviews." I say turning towards him.
"I hate her," we both say at the same time. Normally people would laugh when this happens, but that doesn't happen this time. I'm okay with her getting her little fifteen seconds of fame during the parade. Great, make people realize that district 12 is actually still around. But, getting a higher score than us? Doesn't she know what we've been through? I've heard a lot about what the other districts think of the careers, but I never imagined someone would have the guts to actually test that theory out. Who does she think she is? Obviously something special, considering she volunteered and ever since then has been going uphill ever since.
Anger, it is a scary feeling, mainly when you don't know what to do with it. Normally, we are told to take it out on something. But we are weaponless, foodless. Just each other.
His lips press hard against mine and I wrap my hands into his hair, pressing harder. We stay that way for a long time before breaking apart.
The anger has been calmed, pressed down for a while. But, it will emerge again. I know it and I would hate to be in my way when it happens.
My new Christmas story called Panem, It's Cold Outside (it took me forever to come up with that by the way) is now up and three chapters have been published (Finnick and Annie, Glimmer and Marvel, and Rue). So, go read that if you want. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter and make sure to review!