Thank you to all the support and your reviews! It means a lot to me :)

REVIEW RESPONSES

meggymoocow said-

I really like this! In particular, I think it's clever how this is similar to the Hunger Games, but you've managed to make it different. However, some constructive critisism - I would like to see a bit more background about the other tributes, particularly the previous victors. Overall, this is really good! Update soon! -Meggymoocow

Thankyou! I'm glad you like it! Yes you will see more of each of the other tributes, I have all their back stories planned as well. And also with the victors, the same goes for them as well. The reason I don't have much detail into them yet is because Piper has no interest learning about them so for. But I assure you she will soon :) Thanks again!

And thank you to the others that reviewed as well!

Now on with the story!

I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE eating last night.

I left the room once the replay was over. Nobody said anything when I got up to leave, so I walked out of the room without saying anything else to the others.

And when I reached my room, I fell onto my bed. But I didn't cry. I wanted to, but I didn't. And this only frustrated me more because everything feels better once you let it all out.

I stare up at the ceiling-it must be dawn now. I didn't really sleep. I didn't feel like sleeping. I didn't feel like doing anything at all. I might have dozed off once or twice, but I eventually woke up again. At first I didn't know where I was, and then it all came back to me.

Welcome to the Titan Games.

I couldn't have felt more useless when I watched the other tributes last night. They looked like they had all trained before and if not they looked capable of most things. Ruthless, tough, brave...

Aphrodite assured me that my actions were brave. But that was different. Bravery out of kindness and bravery out of strength are different. Besides you could see the tears in my eyes in the replay. So much for making an impression.

Perseus Jackson had volunteered, but he was a victor from the past years. Everyone only viewed him as that.

'The successful tribute of District 3-the winner of not one but two Titan Games!'

I shift uncomfortably in the bed. The room is warm, but not too warm. They had a remote controller of some sort to manage the temperature. But I still felt cold.

I just wanted to go home.

I could imagine what would be happening back home if I had stayed. Waking up early and passing Lacy's door-hearing her breathing softly in a deep sleep. Placing some cheese and milk onto the table for breakfast, for father and Lacy. I would quickly head off to the Factory and after an hour's work of the morning shift, run towards the fields and eat my breakfast with Mitchell. Food. Lots of food would be laid out. I would put the left over cheese and nuts. Mitchell would lay out some vegetation and cheap grain bread from yesterday. It isn't that luxurious, but all of it isn't entirely off. So we eat. Pick berries. Eat. Then we would sell the food. It wouldn't be a school day, so most of the morning we would sell the findings. Usually, in return, the people would give us bread or grains. It didn't matter if they couldn't repay us. We didn't really do it as a business, just to help.

The memories make me feel homesick. I try to block out anything reminding me of home.

I definitely can't sleep. After being awake most of the night, I feel tired-yet I still can't sleep. So I must not be tired...just miserable. But then my eyes feel heavy so I must be sleepy after all. But I still cannot rest properly. It's all so confusing that it makes my head ache.

There seems to be no clock or watch in here. But eventually I find the time on the temperature monitor near the door. It's past six, so I decide to get up and get ready while I can.

When I go into the bathroom to wash my face, I am horrified at my reflection. Blood-shot eyes, with bags under them. Messy, knotted hair that stands in all different directions. I never cared about my appearance but I do not look at all presentable, especially if I'm to meet Lady Aphrodite, who shows off elegant beauty and grace wherever she goes. I prepare for a shower again, and I feel myself relax slowly. This is a perfect way to freshen up in the morning.

Once I'm dried and dressed, I tie my hair back and attach the pin to my shirt.

I slowly open the door and creep outside. I step out quietly and head to-

"Ah, you're awake!" I nearly jump out of my skin when I see Aphrodite giving me a dazzling smile. She wears a navy blue blazer and white top with black leggings. "I was going to pop in there and wake you up myself,"

I try to force a smile to mirror her cheery expression. She gestures for me to follow her to the dining room again. I sit in the chair and she props her head on her hands.

"Did you sleep well?" she asks. She probably noticed how tired I look. My body feels weak and fragile. I wish I did rest last night. But since I didn't, I have to try and keep awake.

So no, I did not really.

"I guess," I say instead and I take a sip out of a glass of orange juice. The sweet, tangy flavour fills my mouth and I continue drinking it. Aphrodite nods and fiddles around with her bangles on her wrist.

"Today is a pretty big day, with the parade and all. We're going to be dropped off at the station and you'll be in for a makeover."

I can't help making a face at the thought of being 'made'. But I know I won't be able to object, I need to make an impression on the crowd. I need to still be remembered. Aphrodite says that I'm already memorable after the reaping, but I need to keep it up. And that's what the stylists are for.

"They'll dress you up in whatever way they think suits you," she says. "Try not to complain about their taste. I'm pretty sure they won't be that dreadful but just try." She then hands me a cup with brown liquid inside it. "Here, try this. It will help you."

I take a sip out of it and immediately regret it. It's coffee, I know. My father used to drink some, but it's rather expensive. It leaves a funny taste in my mouth and I'm not sure if I like that. The smell is so strong that I want to push it away from me. However, I take another sip-it's supposed to keep you awake, I heard. So might as well drink it up if it's going to get me through the day.

She is right. Today will be a very big day. And being styled will not only make me look memorable but hopefully pull up some sponsors-the people who support the tributes throughout the Games. It isn't a pageant but the best-looking are the ones who are usually favoured beside the career tributes. This might be one of my only shots at having allies and supporters.

On my plate there are fluffy pancakes with whipped cream and berries of all sorts. They remind me of Mitchell and the fields. I put some in my mouth and take in the sweet flavour that erupts in my mouth. And to think just yesterday I was sitting with him collecting the fruits. Without any worries or cares, other than the fact that the Titan Games was looming ahead. Unaware of the later event of the Reaping. Unaware that it might be one of us to be reaped.

I shake my head slightly and continue playing with my food. I suddenly don't feel hungry, and the berries don't look as appetising after bringing back those memories. I look up and see that Aphrodite hasn't eaten anything at all.

She looks at me carefully for a while. I notice how she's always observing me-in the Reaping with my actions, when near the train, when I eat, how I eat. She studies my expression as if trying to figure out what I'm thinking-while I'm trying to figure out what she's thinking. I stare right back at her and notice some faint wrinkles near her eyes. Her eyes look tired and worn out, but not the kind of tired I'm feeling right now. There's something else. "Do you think you stand a chance in the arena?" her voice is low and calm.

Her comment doesn't sound taunting-or insulting. She's asking a simple question. It's her right to know how confident I am.

So in all honesty, no-I don't think I do. I frown slightly at the idea. She takes that as an answer and nods.

"District 10 isn't noted for much, I'm sure you agree." I nod slowly. "We're often laughed at for being useless and shallow-trying to live up to the other district's reputations. We never get any victors in the end, and that just adds to the fact that we don't stand a chance when put against the others. I've seen many tributes pass by, Piper, but you-"she points at me"-you're different. You seem more than just a weak Factory girl; you have something in you I can tell."

"I'm not any different from the others," I say. Aphrodite rests back into her chair.

"You don't know that," she says pushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"But then neither do you."

"That's true."

I don't like where this conversation is heading. I bet she expects a lot from me. But I cannot offer her anything.

"Piper," she sighs again. "Call me crazy, but I know that you are special. I have this feeling. So what if you aren't a fighter? You don't need to be a warrior, and besides you can always learn."

"But what can I do?" I demand her. I feel a little irritated at this. "I don't even know how to use weapons! I don't fight; I've never held a weapon in my entire life. I can't just learn all these skills just like that!"

She purses her lips tightly. "You have a strong energy," she muses and she folds her napkin. Then she looks me straight in the eye. "Piper, you're a beautiful girl. Your kind and courageous, you sacrificed everything and already made yourself desirable so quickly. I have only known you for not even a day, but I think you've already proven yourself. I think I've made an important point here. No, you don't know self-defence, but you should use the tools that you already have. You have a lot of potential; you just have to believe in yourself." Then she gets up to leave, her breakfast untouched.

I slowly process her words. I just have to believe. It sounds irrational to me, but I make a note to remember what she has just said. It sounded as if she's known me forever. Her words make me slightly indifferent on myself, but I still doubt my strength.

So after staring at my unfinished breakfast for awhile, I leave too.

I head back to my room and jump onto my bed. I might as well rest until we arrive at the station.

I'm sorry, this was a little too short-the past chapters had been short as well but this was shorter! But I guess I purposely made this short so I could immediately start working on the fifth chapter.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! It means a lot! And don't forget to read my other stuff :)

-Di Blythe