(Paxarol Darason POV)
As I sat in my room waiting for my family I couldn't help but think why me? Of all the boys in District 9 they had to choose me. I took a shaky breath as I tried to calm myself. It wouldn't help any for Rissel or my parents to see me lose it. I had to be strong for them.
The door burst open and Rissel ran straight for me. Both she and my mother were already crying.
"Pax," Rissel sniffed. "You promised that you'd be okay; that you wouldn't get chosen."
"I told you I'd try. You know I don't have control of if I get picked. I'm sorry Rissel."
I hugged her tightly. I knew the next couple of weeks would be awful for her. Watching eagerly to see if I was still alive or not. Then, having to still watch after my killer had murdered me and went on his way. I knew I didn't have much of a chance but, I was going to try and that was going to count for something.
My friends came in next. Fana, Nesh, and Tweet were all looking at me like it was already my funeral, and they were trying to figure out what they'd say about me to the mourning crowd.
"Paxarol, you have to promise me right now that you will do your best to get out of that arena alive." Asserted Tweet
"Of course you know I-"
"We know you'll try but do more. Learn absolutely everything there is to learn. Don't spend time on the pretty girls. Focus on why you're there." Added Nesh
"I'll try and learn everything-"
Fana looks up at me from his seat by the door. "Just win," he says quietly. We all look at him understanding the magnitude of the moment. Fana hasn't spoken in 2 weeks. He doesn't speak often but when he does it always means something.
"Thanks man." I whisper back at him. We sit there in silence until they're escorted from the room.
(Chicago Illis POV)
I sit alone in my room which is what I wanted. When the peacekeeper tried to let my parents and Boston in, I refused them. Last thing I wanted was to sit in a room with people I hated before I was shipped off to a death match. However I allowed my sister to come in. I knew Seattle would want to thank me and she was really the only person I believed I could stand.
The door creaked open as my sister scurried in. She rushed over and gave me a hug that I tolerated. After she'd nearly squeezed the life out of me, she sat and looked at me with those soft grey eyes of hers.
"Thank you." She whispered. "I want you to come home, you know."
I simply nod at her; Seattle realizing I will say nothing else gives me a small squeeze on the shoulder before walking out.
For now my life here is over. Let the Games begin.
(Paxarol Darason POV)
My district partner is slightly terrifying. I will admit I am a womanizer, player, and a complete flirt. However I could tell instantly by looking in her dark blue eyes that none of my tricks would work on her. She wears all black and none of us-Nichorye, our mentor Charliss, and I -are spared from the intensity of her stare. It's obvious she trusts no one here, so I resolve to watch my back carefully around her.
Besides Nichorye's high pitched preppy prattle, dinner is silent. The shock from the morning has worn off and I beginning to worry about the faceless 22 other tributes who'll be my fellow tributes. Who should I avoid? Make allies with? Will there be anyone to trust?
When were done eating Charliss gives us her prep talk. "Paxarol. Chicago. Listen to me. I'm going to do my best to make sure one of you survives. But you're going to have to help me. Listen to what I say and do what I ask. I've been in your shoes and I know how you're feeling. Make friends with people who seem to be like you. People who can help you survive. You're not here to make friends. You are here to make allies. Got it?"
Both Chicago and I nod our assent. I feel my spirits lift a bit. With Charliss as my mentor, and the ever happy Nichorye to get the Capitol people on our side, and possible future allies, who knows? Maybe I can win. That thought sticks in my head like a mantra for the rest of the night. I could win. I could win. I could win.
(Chicago Illis POV)
I lay in bed that night thinking of all the faces now condemned to death in the arena. They got an interesting mix of us this year: from the classic career pack, to the young 12 year old boy from 10. So far I see no one I'd like to possibly ally with besides the mad looking girl from 5. I'm sure Charliss will be thrilled to hear that one, so I keep it to myself, like I always do with info I don't feel like sharing.
"I know how you're feeling." No she didn't. I didn't even know how I was feeling. I knew I'd done the right thing by volunteering for Seattle, but why did I do it? Was it to prove people wrong about me? To spite my parents? Or maybe I just honestly hate my life that much where I took the only way out I could find. I didn't know and I was too tired to figure it out. Rolling over on my side I drifted off to sleep with screams of dying tributes filling my subconscious.
First I have to say that I am so sorry this chapter a month and a half overdue. My life these past few weeks have just been so stressful. I'll sum it up for you. My computer crashed, I had AP World testing, my mom's been in the hospital and underwent surgery ,etc. But no matter what, especially with summer coming, will you have to wait this long for a chapter again.
EbunnyLove