~Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me~
Joette Tauruala (12), District 6
Joette had taken off her blue boxing gloves before she grabbed the bottle of water off the floor. She took a huge drink of water, feeling the refreshing drink go through her throat. She had done that for a few minutes before she had enough and set down the bottle. Joette set the already half-empty water bottle down on the floor and wiped some sweat off her brow before putting on her gloves again, feeling the familiar rubber against her own skin.
Joette headed back to the rink where her dad was standing with his gloves on despite both of them agreeing to take a fifteen minute break to rehydrate and do whatever they want until continuing on helping to train Joette for tomorrow. She wanted to get a gold medal tomorrow and rub it into Felix's face that she won.
"You almost ready, pumpkin? That way we could get started quicker before I have to head back to the station, and you're ready to go for tomorrow," Daddy asked, which Joette responded immediately,
"You're going to be there, right?" Joette asked.
"You know it. I wouldn't miss it for the world, especially with how hard you're working," Her dad replied. Joette smiled briefly for a few seconds before her mask came back in place.
She went to her stance and made sure that her left hand was defending her body and her right hand was in front of her body. She kept an eye on her dad in case he was going to attack first which he did. Joette tried to dodge the punch, but she ended up getting hit in the chest.
Wincing, Joette stood up and went back to her stance. Not wasting anytime, Joette went for a jab. She made a step jab, keeping her knees and waist slightly bent and she struck. Her dad countered her and made a quick jab which Joette ducked out of the way, before the boxing glove could even hit her.
Quickly trying to calculate her opponent's next move, she decided to do something that was entirely unpredictable for her. She pivoted her feet to where her left one was slightly off the ground, and she quickly punched him, her left arm tightening in the process. Her dad wasn't quick enough to recover such attack, and managed to get hit on his left side.
She continued on for about thirty minutes before her dad called it quits. Apparently, his shift at the fire station was coming up so he had to call it earlier. Even though Joette didn't want her dad to go, she knew she would have too. Besides, maybe Felix was willing to help her train for tomorrow's competition.
She felt butterflies started to flutter around in her stomach as she thought about Felix. Felix was just her boxing partner nothing more, but who could ever forget his charming smile and the way he talks. The way she was thinking about him really did not help. Joette should not have feelings for him. He was simply a friend and nothing more. She did not have a crush on anyone.
Felix was someone that she was quite close too ever since she started boxing a few years ago. Joette first met him during her first junior kids boxing competition when she was nine years old, and she really wasn't a huge fan of him. Joette kinda saw him as someone who was quite annoying and during her first competition, he kicked her butt and won first place, while Joette didn't get in the top three which wasn't too her surprise; it simply meant that she had a lot to learn.
Joette practiced a lot harder, even giving up her lifestyle of junk food and eating more meat. Even though, she missed eating chocolate and chips every day; she still treated herself once in a while when she earned it. The next time a match rolled around, she signed up and was able to get second place while Felix still remained the top competitor.
Joette pulled off her boxing gloves and put in her bag. She grabbed her bag and headed towards the women's restroom where she changed into fresh clothes and exited out of the restroom to see her dad waiting by the exit.
"You ready?" Her dad asked, which Joette nodded.
They headed towards the fire station. Normally, her parents volunteered, but today there were a few too many people who called off sick, and it didn't help if today was reaping day. Her very first one was she felt her stomach did a somersault. Joette was going to be fine. It was very rare that twelve years old got reaped, and she didn't have to worry about taking out tesserae so she had nothing to worry about.
They soon arrived to the fire station where Joette shrugged off her bag off her shoulder and entered the building where she saw Demetrius, a fellow firefighter, and Mama who was busy to him.
"Hi Demetrius, Mama," greeted Joette, stopping briefly to hug her Mama. Mama returned the hug and Joette headed to the quarters to do her homework.
She greeted Analyse and Rey, both fellow firefighter kids who mostly stayed at the fire station and doing whatever the hell they do. Joette didn't want to pry in their business, and she didn't normally see them on the weekends where she normally was at with her younger brother, Amiel.
Speaking of Amiel, she didn't know where he was at. Hopefully he was keeping himself occupied and not getting into mischief. She opened her math folder and pulled out the simple algebra worksheet. It was to introduce how to subtract on both sides and finding the variable. It was a little challenging, but it was nothing that Joette couldn't handle.
Before Joette could finish doing her work, the alarm blared which Joette quickly jumped up and ran to the firetruck. She hopped on board and waited until the Captain got into the firetruck and the engineer started driving.
~I found solace in the strangest place
Way in the back of my mind
I saw my life in a stranger's face
And it was mine~
Casey Hearseman (13), District 6
Casey smiled as he lifted the black cat, Midnight, that was still skinny ever since he adopted him. The cat was possibly only eight weeks old when Casey found him shivering in a box. If it wasn't for the weak cries that the cat gave when Casey walked past him; he probably wouldn't been able to find him.
The poor thing was close to death-shivering, his body temperature was really low, with ribs already poking out of his matted black fur. His condition was quite poor to where Casey knew that he was most likely not going to be able to survive the night.
Luckily, the kitten survived the night and months quickly passed where he gave him extra love, and took care of him. He watched as the cat grew-his weight increasing, his black fur no longer clinging to his bones, and his frame starting to look healthier, and the skinny cat was no longer present.
"Shh, it's okay, Midnight," Casey said his voice quite low to the point where he hoped that the cat would stop struggling in his grip. He heard a low hiss that came from the cat which he immediately let go, and watched as the cat dived under his bed, probably to leave him alone and go take a nap.
Casey noticed that even after adopting Midnight, the cat preferred hiding in the shadows in solitude. It was something that came to a surprise when Casey was looking for the cat one day, and gave up after an hour of trying to find him. Apparently, he was hiding underneath his bed behind a pile of stuff that he really did not wanted to know how that really gotten there, and that basically became his place to take a nap. It was one of the weirdest things that Midnight did, besides curl up in the sink.
Casey stood up and went over to pick up a small bag that was filled with treats. Luckily all four of his cats were in his room, but it was the matter of actually them to be close to them instead of tearing things up in his room.
He took out a handful, and sat on his knees which he laid out sixteen pieces of treats on the carpet (four for each cat), hoping that the cats would want them. It wasn't right for trying to force them. It also doesn't help if they were playing in kitty crack earlier.
One of his cats, Scooter who was an American shorthair cat who always usually a jerk to people, and knocked everything down. Scooter had managed to dump the whole entire bottle of catnip onto the floor which caused all four cats to play around in it, with Monty eating it. The catnip somehow ended up all over the room, and Casey felt his blood boil and he squeezed his fists tightly.
"No! Quit! I just finally cleaned my room and now that I have to redo it again! Ugh, I just wished I never rescued you from the streets!" Casey hissed, his eyes narrowing as he roughly grabbed Scooter, picking him up his fur and tossing him outside.
He found the two other cats who were busy causing trouble with knocking things off his shelf down which unfortunately included his textbooks and his research and landed on his floor with a loud thud.
Rolling his eyes, Casey picked up the fallen books and put them back up, which made Scooter and Joey jump down from his bookshelf before Casey had a chance to scoop them up and thrown them outside.
Luckily that was only a few hours ago to the point where Casey calmed down and managed to reel all three of them in, with Midnight that was somehow hiding to the point where he didn't really care.
"Cay! Your dad is here!" He heard his mom yell from another room.
"Coming!" He replied back.
He ambled out of his room, grabbing his backpack that was filled with clothes and something to do. He entered the living room where he saw his dad standing in his living room awkwardly. His normal salt and pepper hair looked like it had a little more salt than pepper, and his grey-green eyes looked more sunken than when Casey last saw him.
Casey almost wanted to quickly pick up his pace, but refrained not to. He wasn't a child any longer who usually looked forward to his dad's visits back when the divorce was still fresh and only seeing his dad a few times every month, didn't really help.
"Hello, Cay! Why don't you wait outside, while Axelle and I finish up our conversation," his dad said to him which Casey nodded and shuffled outside to where he sat on the grey, faded steps awaiting his dad.
"You need to tell him," He heard his mom hiss to his dad in which his voice rang out,
"You know I don't want to do that. The doctors say that it wouldn't be that serious as long as I get treatment. It's better for him not to worry of what's going on with me, and let him be happy. That's the agreement we had."
"What is he going to say when he finds out that he won't be seeing you much if you actually start treatment."
"Just give me a few months then I'll probably tell him about it. I'll be back Monday to drop him off again. This was just be a little weekend getaway that we've been discussing." He heard his dad say.
Casey had to jump up when he heard the screen door open so he didn't get hit, nor was he going to be in his dad's way.
"You ready?" His dad asked.
"Yeah."
~And you were strong and I was not
My illusion, my mistake
I was careless, I forgot
I did~
Celeste Marrow-District 6 Escort
Celeste stretched her arms before she laid on the floor, her back touching the cold, concrete floor. She felt herself shiver as the cold concrete met her bare back, but she ignored it. Celeste bent her legs and positioned her hands upright so they were parallel to her head and pushed herself upwards. She grimaced as she felt some sharp shooting pain, but she ignored it, bending her head back.
Celeste stayed in that position for a few minutes, feeling the strain in her limbs but she ignored it. She was never going to be a good gymnast if she couldn't push herself further. Celeste had to push herself if she wanted to nail that competition where she would be focusing more on her flips and everything else.
The competition was everything. Celeste couldn't afford to back down. Sure, she was skipping a few practices because of the escorting, but she everything figured out. Celeste told her instructor that she had to skip the last few rehearsals, despite the big match coming up-days after the Hunger Games officially ended, before the Victory Tour even started.
Celeste grinned, but she soon felt the rumble in her stomach. She couldn't remember the last time she ate, not that she was really concerned about that. Food wasn't that necessary especially if it made her have a huge stomach. It was much easier to move and flips without having to worry about the extra weight especially if she had to keep her weight low.
She was probably only seven or eight-years-old, where she learned her love of gymnastics. She could remember the thrill and the excitement she had when her school was doing it yearly for fun simply during gym. Her teacher, Mrs. Jones, was the one who taught her to love it. Little Celeste who had huge thighs, but a very skinny waist back then. It was her first year at the school, and apparently it was a yearly tradition at the school, where kids learned the basic of gymnastics. Celeste loved the whole entire week, feeling the joy as she did the basic of gymnastics- how to do the bridge with her teacher holding her back to keep her upright for a few seconds, handstands, walking across a low balance-beam and tumbling forward and backwards.
"Could there anyway I could do more gymnastics? I really liked doing it, and want to continue it!" Celeste said as she approached her teacher right after class was over. It was Friday, the last day of the week, and the last day of gymnastics at school. "The week went by really quick, and I guess it was the only thing that brought my love for school back was because of this."
"There is a few teams-The Kiddie Gymnastics team where accepted ages five to nine. Then, the Junior Gymnastics team that accepts ages ten to seventeen and the professional team-eighteen and up if you're looking to continue doing it in your own time. But be warned, the higher the teams, the more competitive and the increase pressure of getting an eating disorder starts as soon as you start puberty. I just hope you don't end up like them," Her teacher explained to her, with dread filling her voice at the last bit.
Maybe Celeste never caught or that she was too excited that there were teams that she would be able to do, or else she probably wouldn't have signed to do it. She could do anything else, maybe play musical instrument-the flute or an alto saxophone. She always had an odd attraction to those two instruments especially knowing that her great grandfather once played the saxophone when he was alive. Her best friend, Megan joined band a few years later, and played the flute for a few years before she moved away. Celeste always heard how amazing it was playing the flute, but never got around to it. She wished she did, though.
It probably would have been fun, but gymnastics required more time than learning how to play a musical instrument. Celeste loved being in gymnastics. The feeling of excitement as she performed in front of judges and the complete bliss in knowing that she earned herself a medal during it. It was the best feeling especially looking at all the achievements in her trophy room, knowing that Celeste achieved that, by not giving up.
Celeste stood up quickly, her vision turning blurry for a few which she clutched the wall once the dizziness had passed. She took a deep breath and took a step, hoping the dizziness won't affect her walking. Unfortunately, the dizziness still happened and Celeste was forced to order a glass of water. She knew she wasn't dehydrated, but merely starving to have something in her stomach. Celeste couldn't afford having all those calories or fat in her body. It would take her hours to even burn off all those calories and fats. Just once she wished that she binge eat as much as she could without having the worry to gain weight.
Celeste took a drink of water once the avox handed it to her, which she gulped rapidly. At least with water, she didn't have to worry about anything. Once she drank all the water, she stood up, feeling a bit better. A little light on her feet, but hopefully nothing that was really life-threatening. Celeste continued to walk in her black flats that matched the top part of her dress and her hair that was curled. She still experienced being dizzy, but she ignored it the best she could.
"Hello District six! Yes, it's that time of year again where the tenth Hunger Games would start and the two tributes would have equal chance of winning, and maybe this year, one of the two tributes could win this!" Celeste exclaimed. "If you don't know, my name is Celeste Marrow and I've been with District 6 since the beginning. Even though I watched the tributes get slaughtered each year, but each year, the tribute managed to get farther in. Maybe this year, it would be your turn!" Celeste winced she repeated the words again. She really needed to shut up.
Celeste didn't say anything else, but watched as the video turned on and played for a few minutes before she opened her mouth and spoke again.
"Our female tribute this year is..." She dipped her hand in the bowl and pulled out a slip. "Joette Tauruala!"
A twelve-year-old girl walked towards the stage, her head raised up high and her eyes looking forward instead of downward at least. The girl-Joette almost reminded Celeste of herself, having a fit and athletic build to her. It took years to even have that. She looked beautiful especially wearing a light pink dress that went really well with her dark complexion. Celeste would kill to wear a dress beautifully like that, while not really having to deal with her weight. She hated knowing that she had stretch marks all over her bottom half, but she doubted Joette would have that problem.
Celeste tore her eyes away from the girl. She put her attention on the male slip in her hand.
"How old are you?" Celeste asked once the girl got on stage.
"Twelve," She said.
Celeste let her smile falter for a few seconds before she smiled brightly and opened the other slip in her hand.
"Casey Hearseman!"
A few minutes had passed, and Celeste was anxiously awaiting to know who her male tribute was. No one was walking, and Celeste was tempted to pull out another slip, but a slight movement came from a section. She watched as a guy with curly dark hair walked out with tears streaming down his face with his voice croaking as he yelled out, "Please… someone save me." repeatedly until he got on stage.
"How old are you?" Celeste asked.
"Thirteen," the guy croaked out before he let out another sob. Yikes. This was worse when she broke her ankle years ago during a friendly competition match that left her unable to practice for the next two months due to it. She couldn't forget the time she did that, but luckily she knew to listen to her coach now.
"Your tributes-Joette Tauruala and Casey Hearseman!" She said, before she guided her tributes into the Justice Building.
~I had a one-way ticket to a place where all the demons go
Where the wind don't change
And nothing in the ground can ever grow
No hope, just lies
And you're taught to cry into your pillow
But I survived~
Casey Hearseman (13), District 6
Casey stood in the middle of the room, his tears still streaming down his face. He wiped away some of the snot with his hand, hoping that he didn't look like a blubbering mess when someone came in to see him.
His parents, shockingly came in together. The first he really saw them actually walking in together as if they were a couple still.
"Cay!" His mom quickened her pace then being in an amble with his father. "You had me worried about, and now that I'm going to lose my only child." he heard his father say something, but his mom continued on,
"You better give it all your best. Be the charming young man, that I love," His mom told him, taking her sleeve and wiping away the dripping tears away from his eyes.
"I promise, mom. I love you. Take care of my cats for me especially Midnight. He still needs to be checked on, just in case something develops. And mom, there is a 0.04% that I will be winning, and I'll try my best."
Casey's mom nodded, and his dad spoke after his mom finished talking, "Do whatever you want during the time. Just come back. Like your mom said, you're my only son."
"I will dad," Casey nodded, his dad embracing him which Casey accepted feeling like he was seven-years-old again, on the day where his dad packed up all his things and left giving him a bear hug and a kiss on his temple.
"Dad-" He started.
"Yes, son?"
He opened his mouth up, hoping to say those words. What does mom mean by treatment? But he couldn't get those words out, "I love you."
"I love you too, my son."
He felt his take his hand and put something light in it. It wasn't until he was alone when he opened his palm to find a string that came from his mother's basket. His gripped it tightly, before placing it in his khaki shorts' pocket.
He was left alone for a few minutes before Callie and Aero came in. Callie held her book in one hand, while her other hand was busy clutching Aero's hand, probably for balance or something like that.
"You're to do good. I just know it!" Aero said, bouncing on his feet as he came forward."Even Callie here thinks so."
"Technically, it would be hard statistically saying. He does have his age as a disadvantage. He's also coming from an outer district with no prior training before this," Callie butted in.
"Don't go all nerdy on us," Aero said which earned a light chuckle from Casey.
"I was just saying," Callie said.
"I know you are. You two going to be alright?" Casey asked.
"Yes," Callie said in which Aero nodded with her response.
~Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep
Everybody's worried about me
In too deep
Say I'm in too deep (in too deep)~
Joette Tauruala (12), District 6
Joette stood in the middle of the room, debating whether or not to sit down. She really didn't know who she was going to say goodbye too, but it was only goodbye for a short time. She would make sure that she would survive-especially since her lifestyle made her fit to the point, where it shouldn't be harder.
The heavy, brown door swung open and Joette looked up to see her family-Daddy, Mama and Amiel. Mama's long, black hair pinned up into a ponytail to prevent her hair getting stuck into things that was during the calls. It was easier to have it up than down, where that could become a fire hazard.
"Daddy," Joette said, before running to his embrace and she stayed there for a few minutes. She didn't want to move away from his embraced, but he slowly let go of her which Joette frowned before going back to her blank stare.
She had to stay strong for them. She didn't want to be seen as weak and pathetic. It was better to be strong than looking like a sniveling, coward.
"Oh Joette. I can't believe this. You're going to stay safe alright?" Her mom said, which Joette nodded in response.
"You're going to great, Jo," Amiel said to the point where Joette had to lean in and hear him. She had hugged him before she said,
"You better not be slacking off when I'm gone, Amiel, and listen to mama. She's a great coach."
"Before we go, pumpkin. We thought you might want this," Her dad said. He held his hand out to reveal her first gold medal. It seemed so long ago that she won this which she carefully placed it around her neck, feeling the familiar heavy feeling.
"Thank you."
All three of them left, leaving Joette alone, her right hand touching her couldn't believe that her dad brought her this. She heard a soft knock before the door opened to reveal the charming face of Felix.
"I see you made it, Felix. Surprised that you're not charming anyone," Joette replied.
Felix let out a low chuckle, before he responded back, "Of course, I was, Joette. We all know that no one could keep their hands off me." With that, Joette laughed sensing Felix's sarcasm in his reply.
"You are going to come back alive?"
"That's my plan. Maybe I could actually kick your ass in the championships."
"Good luck with that, your majesty," He smiled as he bowed down before getting up and leaving the room with Joette smiling. Typical, Felix.
Her last visitor was Victor, who was stoic. He opened his voice, his voice shaky when he spoke, "Joey. I can't believe this happened. And I was hoping that you would be able to help me with my boxing stance after school Wednesday."
"Maybe next time I would, but please don't stuff yourself with your favorite foods just to ease that I'm gone, Victor. It's not good for you," Joette said.
"Hey I'm getting better! See you later, Joey."
"Bye, Victor."
Eating Disorders isn't funny, and while I do write them because I want people to relate to them because that's what my fanfic includes. While I probably don't write them the best I could, but the help of others. I could write them even better. However, It is quite common for gymnasts-females in particular to get an eating disorder. In gymnastics you have to have a certain weight and have a specific body type. It also doesn't help if you have to look the appearance especially when it comes to competition, since a lot of judges looks towards the appearance of the competitor in scoring-wise.
3 months without an update. Honestly I wasn't expecting this to take 3 months at all. I literally got writer's block from writing Joette so that took forever to get rid of. I was also finishing up the musical which I loved doing, but caused me to not have that much writing time as I wouldn't be getting home until late at night, that was just time to do a few things. My mental health had improved those few months. I was going to get this out a week ago, but unfortunately, one of my family members died and her memorial won't be for another few days. Also school made me busy especially finishing a project that took 6 weeks to get done.
What do you think of the tributes? Drop a review down below! And hopefully the next update won't be that long in between!