Okay, sorry for the long wait. I have been on two vacations in a row. I was gonna work on it during those vacations when I had freetime, but one of my friends spiled milk on my computer while I was showing him my youtube channel (juinleeopePro, I'm the curly-haired chick) and fried the motherboard of my old computer. So during the five days at home my baby was in a shop waiting to be fixed. Then I had to go to Oregon for a family reunion. That was last week. Now I have my dad's old laptop. Yay! I also have somewhat of a job, and school starts next week. So consider this a treasure, you might not get another one soon. :) Reveiw please, no flames, though. Love you guys!

Chapter 5

Every little bit of joy I left behind when I was chosen for these games comes rushing back to me. I wait until we are clear from the crowd and squeeze all that happiness out in a cry: "Oh my gosh! It's Peeta freaking Mellark!"

Then everyone starts staring at me. I almost shrink down inside my chariot. I can hear that familiar laugh of the guy I watched on TV. He and Mercury are both laughing. I hit Mercury and say defensively, "This is the happiest moment I've had since I heard about the games, don't ruin it for me."

Mercury and I hop out of the chariot.

"So you're a fan?" Peeta asks.

"Yes," I say, shaking his hand and blushing. "My friend, Mari, and I may have been a little too obsessed about you and Katniss. But, hey we're from the capitol. We're weird like that." I'm surprised that my humor is back all of a sudden. Jeez, what fan-girldom and do for a girl! "I'm Esmerelda, by the way."

"Nice to meet you," he says.

As he turns to Mercury, I slightly swoon behind his back.

"I'm Mercury Famine," he says. "It's an honor to meet you."

"It's an honor to meet you," Peeta replies. "Now, how about you guys go get changed and we'll talk at dinner."

One thing I liked about him (besides the obvious), he didn't ask who my relative was that made me a part of these games. He might have known, but I appreciate him not bringing it up.

When I make it to my room, I find a way to wash all the makeup off (except the eye lash extensions, I like those). I gently remove each piece of clothing, thinking that they might want to save the outfit. I take the clip out of my hair and place it on top of the neat pile of clothing. I change into a loose yellow tank top and some jeans. I don't feel like wearing shoes, since I had just been wearing heals (I hate heals), so I go to dinner without them.

When I get there, Peeta and Tigris are talking, and Jupiter, Rhoda, Merimee, and Mercury's prep team are chatting. I sit down shyly, across from Peeta.

Tigris takes a break from her conversation with Peeta, "Do you need help getting rid of those eye lash extensions?"

"Oh, no," I reply, brushing the tips of my eye lashes. "I love them."

Ten minutes after the food arrives, Mercury shows up, his neat brown hair now tinted with red and shaggy. He's wearing his dark red shirt and some khaki shorts.

"Hello, everyone," he says as he sits down and grabs some food to put on his plate.

"Alright now that we're all here," Peeta says, "let's discuss training. Do any of you have any training in any form of weaponry?"

"Nope," I say immediately, embarrassing myself as always.

"Kinda, with a sword, but I'm not very good," Mercury puts in.

"Alright then, get a feel for all the weapons in there, find one you think will work for you, and train until you're at least good at using it. Then focus on survival skills. Surviving is the most important part of the game," Peeta instructs. "I would focus on fire, shelter, and disguise making."

"What if we don't find a weapon you like?" Mercury asks.

"Then try to work on one."

"What do we do about the other tributes?" I ask, thinking about Telly.

"Watch them closely. See who to make friends with and who to avoid. Alliances work in the games, just not for too long. If there are only three people out of your alliance still alive, it will be time to split up, so you don't end up killing each other," Peeta said, without a doubt in his voice.

My heart jumps at the word alliance. I can keep Telly safe, for a while.

"Well, it's probably time to get to sleep. See you guys tomorrow," Peeta says as he leaves the dining room.

"I think I'll go too." Mercury says.

"Yeah, me too," I say awkwardly, while getting up from my chair. I quickly go to my room and change from jeans to some athletic shorts. I lay in the big, fluffy, soft bed for at least a half an hour, but I'm too excited to sleep. I sit up on the bed, and look through the floor to ceiling window.

Okay, not my best ending, but I wanted to save what was next for the next chapter. Again, Reveiw!