This chapter contains adult material like language and themes. Please, don't sue me for trying to make the story better. Also, I still need 21 tributes for the 88th Hunger Games, so look on my profile for the information to submit a tribute. Also, for future note, I said in the previous chapters 12 was destroyed and being referred to like 13, but I don't think the same timeline would exist via the books, AKA the Quell, so we're going to say it is still District 12.
Chapter 3: Field Trip
*NEWLY UPDATED JANUARY 10, 2020*
It's been three months since I started dating Luke. He went home to District 12 in the Victor's Village with his parents a long time ago, and I miss him terribly. We occasionally write letters to each other, just to make sure we're still on for the plan. He still is, and so am I. We have it all planned out. Everything is taped in these Games, so we'd give them something to watch. Kissing, hugging, and laying together in our underwear. All of this we had already practiced a million times.
I walk down to the training center to train with my dad. I am already late 6 minutes, so he would smack me 12 times, 2 for every minute. Once I realize that I run. But my dad was the one that was late. I was practicing my knife throwing on a dummy when he sauntered in.
"You're late," I snap.
"I know. But I had to stop at the post office to get the mail. And you wouldn't believe what I found today. It was a letter from the Mellark residence. I thought maybe it was from Peeta, telling me that we were required to do something together for the Capitol. But, it was a letter for you…from Luke Mellark. Now, does that ring any bell to you, Elizabeth?" He asks, smirking at me.
I am an excellent liar. "No, Cato, it doesn't. But maybe if you allow me to read the letter, I would know who this pathetic wimp is. Maybe it's an invitation to go sparring."I reply. He hands over the envelope.
I pull out the letter and examine it. It is an invitation, but definitely not for sparring. He calls it a study break.
"Oh. It is an invitation to study with him. He wants me to help him with some skills. He wants to volunteer for the Games, and he wants to be allies," I say in fake disgust.
"Well, you're going. This is the perfect time to see what he's good at. Spy on him. Go pack your bags. You leave tonight," My dad replies.
I groan a very realistic groan, and then as soon as I'm out of the building, I'm laughing hysterically. He believed it! My make out date with Luke is a pretend study session. But what we're studying helps no one but us. I better pack my silk bra and underwear. Kidding, if he tries anything, I'll skin him alive. And here's the other funny thing- his parents have no idea he sent that letter. They have no idea I'm coming.
"How long am I staying?" I ask my mom.
"As long as you like, but be home by Reaping day." She shouts back to me. I assume my dad told her I'd be prepping for the games, but it is still a bit out of character for her to be this cheery about all of this.
I'm packing work clothes, training goods, and luxury items my parents have no idea I own. I have my suitcase packed as full as it can get, and then I straddle my legs in a split and zip the bag from under me. Then I proceed to drag it down the steps. And I'm able to carry some pretty heavy things. This goes beyond my limits. I'm dragging it out to my dad's car, and of course, he's lecturing me the entire time about what to do and not do.
"Do not, under any circumstances, talk about your training. Do not teach that boy any of your secrets. Otherwise, he might actually possess a threat." My dad is ranting.
"I'm going to teach him how to shoot a bow, make a knife out of wood, and then I'll work on plant identification. Not much point in using them, but he'll be taught something all right- DON'T MESS WITH DISTRICT 2!" I reply. As if 12 could ever compete with a district filled to the brim with people training to be in the Games or a Peacekeeper's uniform.
"Hell yeah, baby, that's exactly what I like to hear." My dad praises.
We're at the bus station. I get out of the car and tell him I'll be home in a week. He pulls out a brand new cell phone for me and tells me to call if I want to stay longer or come home early. I agree and get out of there while I still can. I climb on the bus and see Marcus is there too. Just because I feel like it, I sit down next to him.
"Hey babe, you crawling back to me now?" He asks.
"No. There's just nobody else to sit with." I reply.
He falls silent; I guess he's trying to figure out some snarky comment to use. So I took that opportunity to pull out my book about edible plants and read some. I feel watched, and I find that Marcus is staring over my shoulder.
"May I help you?" I ask.
"No. Just was reading that book of yours," he smirks. "It's not going to help you in the Games, you know. You'll be the first to die. No one wants to be allied with a loser." He adds.
"Did your parents win the Games? Are they training you? Are you the strongest tribute of your gender in this District? I didn't think so. But all of those things are true for me, so I suggest you stop it before I kill you right now." I snap back.
"Where are you going to anyway?"Marcus asks, sulking.
"The Victor's village is where I'm going. And where you, my dear neanderthal, are going is straight to hell."I reply.
Then I pick up my suitcase and move to the back of the bus, which is empty and free of stupid people like Marcus. By the time that happens, I only have about 5 more minutes to wait until we are in District 12. District 11 is a pretty quick ride through. But the bus stops suddenly. I'm worried that the bus broke down and we'll be stuck, but Marcus gets up and gets off. Thank goodness for that. There are only two people on the bus now beside me. Everyone else got off in other districts.
The bus stops again, and I haul my bag off with me. Luke meets me at the steps and helps me not to drop the heavy bag. He drops the bag next to him and picks me up, suffocating my lips in a long-overdue kiss. I straddle my legs around his torso, kissing him the entire time. He runs his fingers through my hair, pulling it out of its ponytail. I start forcing my tongue into his mouth, and he parts his lips gently, allowing me to get inside his mouth, running my tongue along the inside of his cheek. I feel his tongue leave his mouth and I open my mouth to let him in. He runs his tongue around my mouth, and to stay mature I force back the slight shudder I initially feel. We kiss for another 20 seconds, and then we stop because people are watching us. I stop abruptly, and he stops too, looking confused.
I flick my eyes back and forth, signaling to him that someone is watching us. I get my legs off him and onto the ground. Then he hoists up my bag and we walk away from the bus station.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"We're going to a friend's house. He always keeps my secrets from my parents. He understands love, and he won't give us up. My parents think I'm going to District 10 to visit a friend, so we'll be free for the week without my parents getting worried I haven't come home." He replies, a smile toying at his lips.
We walk in silence. Ash and the remnants of the once mediocre District 12 surround us. Only the bus station and the Victor's Village remain. Little school kids from all over Panem would take a trip here. See what happens when we defy the Capitol. I don't have a lot of details about that time, but I am told 12 has been trying to rebuild as long as I've been alive.
We stop in front of a pretty white house. It looks like the houses in our district. The normal houses for normal people look like these. But I don't care about that. He rushes into the house with me not far behind. He knows that his parents live close by, and he wants to keep me a secret. Aww, how romantic is he?
A man is sitting at the table, seeming to be asleep. Luke tries to shove him awake, but it doesn't work.
"HEY!" He yells. The man jumps up with a knife in his hand. Luke flinches, but I just stand there, probably looking bored.
"What do you want?" The man grumbles.
"I wanted you to meet the young lady I was telling you about," Luke replies in a hurt tone.
The man looks over me, examining me from head to toe. I stand there patiently.
"I know who you are!" He exclaims.
He looks at me the same way Luke did when he found out who I was. I smirk back at the man. He knows who I am, I am certain.
"Yes, Elizabeth Hirsch is standing in your house," I reply before he says anything else.
"Elizabeth? I thought your name was Clove." The man replies.
"Oh no, Clove is my mother," I add back.
I know I've seen this guy before. I just can't put my finger on where he fits in and who he is. Then I see him pull out the liquor.
It's clear now- he's Haymitch Abernathy.