"Phoenix; come on" my dad called. "Go away dad" I murmured, pulling the covers over my head. I heard him say "Alright; be that way Phoenix. I'll find a better wakeup call to get you out of bed." "Like to see you try" I muttered, going back to sleep. "You'll regret saying that" Dad replied, closing the door.
Gale's P.O.V
I had just sat down at the table when I saw Haymitch walk in. "Gale; as my future son in law, could I ask you for a favor" he asked. "Anything sir" I replied. "Go and give your future wife a wakeup call" Haymitch replied. I picked up a couple of strawberries and went toward Phoenix's room. "Alright; you'd better hope I can pull this off" I said, looking over at my future father in law. "You can't go wrong with strawberries. Phoenix loves them" Haymitch replied. Slowly; I opened the door to her room and walked in quietly to begin my mission to wake my sleeping Phoenix.
Phoenix had the covers pulled up over her head with only her left hand sticking out. I chuckled softly and sat the two strawberries down on the coaster where usual teacup had been last night. "Wake up beautiful" I whispered, sticking my head under the cover. She groaned so I resorted to plan two and removed the covers carefully. I picked up a strawberry and put the top half in my mouth so she'd get the bottom half. This way I could wake her up with a good morning kiss when our lips met. Slowly; I knelt down and nuzzled her until she took hold of the strawberry. Finally; I captured her lips in a kiss. That woke her up right away and I saw she was blushing. "Good morning love" I said with a chuckle. "Good morning to you too Gale" she replied. "It's time to get up and have breakfast. We've got training today. Now, up and let's go" I replied, picking her up bridal style and placing the other strawberry in her mouth and carrying her out of her bedroom.
Phoenix's P.O.V
Gale carried me out of the bedroom and my dad laughed. After Gale had put me in the chair and sat beside me; I asked him "Did my dad put you up to this?" Gale blushed in a guilty manner and replied "He did." "At least it got you up. Now, eat up. You two can't be late for training. Atala doesn't like tributes to be late" dad replied.
We quickly ate two plates worth before Cinna and Portia took me and Gale into our rooms and changed us into our training uniforms. The uniforms were black, red, and gray jumpsuits with boots. Cinna had pulled my hair pulled into a simple ponytail and secured so that it wouldn't interfere with my training. "Thanks Cinna" I replied. He smiled and said "Show those tributes who the boss is." "Oh I will" I replied as we left.
Gale and I followed Katniss and Peeta down to the training center. Murmurs still spread whenever anyone saw Katniss and Peeta. I noticed Katniss looked a little off. "Katniss; are you alright" I asked. "I'm fine Phoenix. I think I ate something either last night or during breakfast that must have disagreed with me" Katniss replied. I looked at her and let it go but I had a feeling there was something more than what she was telling.
"Will you see a doctor while we're here" I asked. "Yes, I will but only if it keeps up" Katniss promised. Gale cleared his throat and asked "Are there any tips to follow during training?" "Hide your strengths until your private session with the game makers but attempt every station" Peeta answered. Gale and I nodded, knowing our strengths were hunting and weaponry as well as strength and setting traps.
"Good luck you two" Katniss said as Gale and I walked in. There were weapons of all types and obstacle courses that we were required and the stations. We stood among the others listening to Atala's instructions and rules. After that; we were all lined up in preparation for running the first obstacle course which was to be completed in five minutes or less. I looked on as the other tributes ran the course until it was my turn. I finally took a deep breath and with a pat on the back from Gale, I walked up to the start.
Atala gave final instructions before saying "You have five minutes Tribute Abernathy. The clock starts now!" I ran the course carefully but defeated everything I needed to and reached the end. Atala stopped the clock and said "Well done; you made it in a minute and a half. That's the best time any tribute has ever made." I smiled and gave a nod to Gale. He was getting ready to run the course now and he was off as soon as the buzzer sounded. He fought fiercely and made it through the course in two minutes even. After Gale and I had both run the course; we decided to pick a station to try, keeping in mind to hide our strengths.
Gale and I finally came to the edible plants and herbs station. Thankfully I had spent time with Katniss and paying attention plus I knew about the fruits and plants of all the districts. This was one station I had to help Gale with as he only knew the plants he had gathered for Mrs. Everdeen and he still had to use her guidebook. After sometime; we moved on to more basic survival skills and eventually; the camouflage station. We worked hard until lunch when we headed into the dining room with the other tributes.
After lunch and a little rest; it was back to training until it was time to return our apartments for dinner. Gale and I had done well on hiding our strengths until we would go before the game makers. I was a little nervous about that private session but I had a plan to put the odds in my favor and I knew Gale had a plan to do the same. This was going to be the hardest time but we were ready to show those other tributes that District 12 had raised more than just coal miners. They had also raised fighters.