Breakfast the next day is amazing, as expected. Kevana rattles off the tight schedule.
At nine, we'll have training with Vinci and herself, and have our private session to get our scores, then the night interview with Ceaser Flickerman. Oh, Lord. All that in one day? Plus I will see Henry again, which makes my throat tighten.
"Are you okay?" Thresh asks, studying me as he takes a piece of toast and smears jam on it. The simple sight of his dull knife makes my insides churn. Lately, I've been feeling far too vulnerable. What if I did die in the games?
I've been seeing Thresh like another older brother, which I find I have a love-hate relationship with. He's a great older "brother," but at the same time it reminds me of my actual one. The whip flashes in my mind.
"Yes, I'm fine," I lie. I quickly try to come up with something to talk about.
"So, what are your thoughts on Katniss?" I mean to say Cinna, but somehow her name slips my mouth.
"The girl tribute from ten?" Thresh asks.
"Yes," I say. "I mean, no. She's from District Twelve. You know, the one who took her sister's place?"
"Well, then she's brave," Thresh says, taking an apple from the center of the table. He shrugs like it's no big deal. "Rue, it's the Hunger Games. You can't really let anyone amaze you."
"Meaning what?" I ask, snapping a little.
"Meaning that if you do, that person may not care," Thresh explains. "Think about it: Rue, the youngest tribute from District 11, looking up to Katniss so much that she's just love to be her ally. When in truth, she will die, when in truth, Katniss may not care and kill her, and in truth, and this especially, you shouldn't have an ally because there is only one winner."
My mouth splits open. I've never seen Thresh look so annoyed. But then it dawns on me.
"You wanted an ally," I say. "You wanted an ally in the games."
He turns to his breakfast and it looks painful for him to swallow.
"No," he says quietly.
"Yes," I correct. "You did. You wanted an ally. Tell me who it was."
He shakes his head and looks up gratefully as Vinci comes into the room.
"Good Morning," he says, though he seems a little angry. "How are you two today?"
"Fine," we say together,
"What's wrong?' he sighs, lighting his pipe. I smile. Vinci knows whenever we are sad or upset, always. Its like he has X-Ray vision or something, right into our hearts.
"It's just…" I start, searching for an answer. "We're nervous about the games." Which is true, we are. I mean, I am, at least.
Vinci nods and sips his drink. "Well, we all are, aren't we?" he says gruffly. "Don't worry, you two will be fine."
"Not both of us," I say quietly. It's meant to be for myself, but Vinci hears it.
"Right," he growls. "And what determines your death?"
I shut my mouth and don't answer.
"Interviews are at nine tonight, and your training for it starts at two.
"Training for an interview?" Thresh questions.
"Training for sponsors," Vinci corrects and gets up to leave. "See you then." He walks from the room with a smug little grin.
"Training for sponsors?" I ask, biting into a roll.
"Sponsors are basically your god when you're in the hunger games," Thresh smiles. "They can send you gifts and stuff, things to keep you alive."
"Oh. So how do we get them?"
"You get them to like you," he stands. "Which is where the training scores and interviews come in."
"I actually don't do well in front of people." I say worriedly.
"Don't worry. That's why we're going to train. They'll prepare you for that," Thresh pats my arm and leaves.
Huh. I planned on receiving something a little more helpful. Not that Thresh isn't wise; it's just that he's not…
I don't know. But recently he hasn't been acting all that helpful.
/
Thresh and I wait our private session an hour later. Henry passes me and gives a wink. I feel my whole body go warm.
The girl precedes the boy from each district, so I go in before Thresh.
I walk into the room and see that the Gamemakers are all stationed in an area built into the wall with lunch. It makes my mouth water…
Oh, get a grip, Rue. Points. Think of the points.
I announce myself. "Rue Harmin, District 11, age 12."
The tension in the room grows.
The room goes quiet and I start to shake. I grab a slingshot from the metal case and wait as the dummy rises from the ground. I pull the leather cup back and let go. The rock hits the dummy in the head and nicks its arm. I bow a little and a few people clap and chuckle.
"She's adorable," I hear one woman with orange hair whisper. She claps the loudest.
I almost run from the room.
Being a tribute can definitely be hard.
I step into the elevator and almost fall over.
That was so hard, so scary. I guess it's because I'm the youngest.
I walk into the apartment and Kevana runs over to me.
"Come on, please, dear. It's time to see the scores."
She sets me down on the couch and Vinci and our prep teams join us.
"How do you think you did?" Kevana asks.
"Fine, I guess," I reply sheepishly.
"Oh Thresh thank goodness!" Kevana pulls Thresh into the room and we see the scores.
Henry scores an eight. I feel proud of him.
Thankfully, I score a 7. I feel proud as the room applauses.
Thresh pulls off a 10, and Katniss scores…
An 11.
Whoa. Maybe the ally thing won't work after all. I turn to Thresh, and he gives me a look I can't decipher. Maybe it means, just stay away from her.
I'm whisked into a blue dress and flower clips for my interview.
Kevana approaches me and pats my arm. "Are you alright?"
"I think so. Everything is going by so quickly."
"It always does, dear." Kevana grins.
Thresh and I are fitted and sent downstairs in the elevator.
"How do you think you did?"
"Fine." I say. "You?"
"Pretty well, to say so myself."
I grin at him but then my face falls. "Thresh?" I say. "Why can't I be an ally with Katniss?"
His brown eyes go wide. "Didn't you see her score? Rue, it's dangerous."
I purse my lips and don't answer.
We wait as all the other tributes go, and finally it's my turn.
I step onto the stage and shake Ceaser's hand.
"Hello, Rue!" he beams.
"Hello," I reply politely. "How are you?"
"Charming, isn't she?" Ceaser calls out to the crowd. I blush and smile.
"Thank you," I say after the crowd dies down from applause.
"So, Rue." Ceaser turns to me. "What's it feel like to be the youngest tribute?"
"Well, it's a little strange…"
The crowd laughs.
"Indeed it would be," Ceaser grins. "Do you miss your family?"
"Oh, definitely," I cry a little. "I love them more than anything."
He pats my hand.
"And I know they'd be proud of how brave you are."
I smile but feel like if I talk, I'll cry. Ceaser senses this and calls out, "Rue Harmin, everyone!"
I exit and fall into Kevana's arms.
"I got scared."
"I know," she soothes. "I know."
I lose all control and cry.