Chapter Five
"Silence is our enemy, and sound is our weapon."
-Janelle Monae
They were two days away from entering the arena, and Huey was angrier than ever. It wasn't enough for them to be take them from their homes. They had to be molded just to appease the 1% into caring about them. He had been coached several times on how to present to the media by Bushido and Jazmine, even though they all knew damn well how it would end.
Every year, they held interviews. It was supposed to help them make a good impression with potential sponsors and per Bushido, make themselves less threatening to the public. To the entire world.
It wasn't fair, being villainized for surviving on the off chance that you were the last one standing. For something you didn't even choose. And though Huey was annoyed with himself for even bothering to dwell on it, he couldn't help but get angrier the more that he thought about it.
The Annual Elect Interviews was treated like an awards show. The participants were made into spectacles to be ohhhed and ahhhed at. And even worst, Bushido was still pushing a romance story between him and Jazmine, which managed to frustrate him even more.
"Huey." Jazmine grabbed his attention when she leapt out of the bed. "C'mon. We have to go get prepped and meet the fashion designers."
He rolled his eyes. She was so eager to rush over and undergo such a dehumanizing process.
"Why are you so excited?" The words flew out of his mouth. "Aren't you upset?"
"I'm making the best of a bad hand, Huey." The girl threw the windbreaker that Rollo Goodlove had given them to the side and picked up another. "If I'm going to die." She paused when Huey tensed a little. "I at least want to enjoy this."
When Huey just stared at her, she walked over to his side of the couch that they were sitting on.
"Think about it." She sighed sadly. "I'll never get married. I won't get to go to prom. Go on a normal date. Even if I were to win, I won't get to do anything like this again. Not even with kids, since I'd never be selfish enough to have them in this world."
Huey sighed. She did have a point.
But still…
"I know." She leaned her head back onto the cushion. "I know that it's the last thing that I should care about. I know I should be thinking and strategizing, but I'm tired. I just want one night to feel beautiful and elegant."
He snorted. "If you say so."
"I plan on keeping the braids." Jazmine lifted. Her hand was already on the door handle. "Not that I need your permission. I'm just feeling them. They suit me, and my hair already makes me a major target. Might as well make them easier to conceal."
"That's more like it." He smirked, folding his arms. "At least you have some of your priorities straight."
She laughed and walked out towards Rollo, who stared over at Huey. He ignored him and kept his eyes on Jazmine, busy chatting with Makayla. The little girl waved at Huey, and Huey waved back at her, giving her a flicker of a smile. The little girl turned to Jazmine and giggled.
"He does like me!" She gasped. Makayla wriggled in her seat, her small Mary Janes swinging back and forth. "You were right!"
Jazmine nodded. "Told ya!" She glanced over at Huey, her eyes twinkling. "He can't resist a cutie."
"Bye Hueyyyyy!" Makayla waved as the cart drove away.
He shook his head, grinning widely only when they had disappeared. Girls of all ages apparently lost all their marbles when it was time to play dress up.
"We need to talk." Bushido barged into the room with Huey. He glanced out of the door and then covered the television, turning on an odd device that Huey had never seen before. "I don't have long to say what I'm going to say, but this game is going to be more dangerous than ever. I know that you don't want to confuse your friend. But you need to face the facts. You're doing the romance thing. Period."
"What are you talking about?" Huey jerked back. "There's no way in hell I'm doing that."
"You already like her." Bushido stared at him. "Don't think that I haven't noticed how protective you are."
"She needs it." Huey glared at him. "You said that yourself."
"And how you're always making any little excuse to hold her, even if it's just grabbing her hand." The man smiled, nodding in a way that reminded him of his granddad. "You two just seem to get each other in a way that nobody else does."
"I don't like her!" Huey bellowed. His fist slamming down on the table. "Why does that even matter? We're going to die anyway per your many votes of confidence."
"Then why not embrace the truth before you two are dead?" Bushido shrugged as if he were indifferent. Huey knew better. The man was all but begging for him to live. "Why not up the chances? If you won't do it for yourself, at least do it for your brother."
"Fine." Huey paused at the door he was walking out of. He didn't dare look at Bushido. He was too embarrassed to let him see how the words had affected his decision. "I'll do it."
Bushido walked with him to a building filled with up-and-coming fashion designers from around the world. "Remember, Huey. Be nice to these guys." There were men everywhere. He saw one of them rushing over to grab different suits with metallic coloring. "I know this isn't exactly your style, but I think it'll go well if you give it a chance."
They paused when Wuncler powered down the hall, making his way over to them.
"Huey. Bushido." The man nodded, pulling someone from behind his back. "I called in a special favor."
Huey blinked, gazing at the girl standing in front of him. She was beautiful. Insanely beautiful. She appeared to be around his age. Her eyes were slanted and hazel, and she had full pouty lips that he suddenly wanted pressed against his. He couldn't explain why he liked her on sight, but he did.
"I'm Arielle." She repeated loudly. Her voice was commanding, and he could tell from her demeanor that she wasn't somebody he could play with. "I'll be styling you today."
He stepped closer to the girl and gazed into her eyes, extending his hands. "I'm Huey." He smirked when she tensed just slightly enough for him to notice. "Huey Freeman."
"Okay, Huey." She rolled her eyes. "Are you ready or are you going to keep making googly eyes at me?"
"Depends." He said, meeting her quick pace with relative ease. He ignored Wuncler and Bushido snickering in the background. "You aren't planning to put me in one of those metallic suits like the ones the rest of these guys have on, are you?"
"Hell no!" Airielle shook her head. "Trust me. What I've designed for you is right up your alley."
"Well, then." He stared after her, enjoying the view. "After you."
Arielle Nordstrom was a pleasant surprise. She was smart. She didn't take shit. She could take verbal and physical sparring, and she was funny. Extremely funny.
He'd found out that she was the eldest of three kids before they'd passed in a house fire. She had helped to design several celebrities across the globe who were outspoken against the games. She was fifteen years old, and they were born around five months apart. She loved Neo-Soul music and was sad that she never got to attend a real concert before the world had gone to hell.
Now he could understand what Jazmine was saying earlier. There was so much that could never happen now because they were wrapped up in this. Even if he came out of this alive, he would be so mentally scarred from what happened that he might not even be able to focus on romance. Their relationship would be volatile. With her trying to comfort him, trying to get through to him, it would only end in him being too traumatized to do anything but push her away.
Huey wanted nothing more than to take her on a real date. They were both vegan. They had the same interests. Hell, he would've taken her to any of the concerts that she wanted to see. It was bittersweet. He'd finally found someone that was similar to him, to his ideologies. The girl of his dreams.
And now he had to go off and fight for a cause he didn't even believe in.
"Okay." She gave him a stern look. "Don't move."
He tried to contain his excitement at the fact that she was obviously checking him out while taking his measurements. She pulled the white measuring tape tightly against his waist and nodded before grabbing her needle and thread and heading into the room near the back.
"What are you doing?" He called after her. He leapt down to sit on the podium she had him standing on. "Embarrassed that you like what you saw?"
"You're cocky." She lifted her eyebrows. "But no, I just want to do something a bit different for your outfit. Something that makes a statement. Don't worry. There was a favor called in for your friend too. The way Wuncler called you both out made waves. Between me and you, there are a lot of people in high places that aren't happy about it."
He blinked, the reality crashing down on him. Arielle wasn't doing this because of some crush. She was doing it because the world was suddenly rooting for them after Wuncler's big tantrum the other day. He was both relieved and disappointed.
"Look." The girl put a hand on her hip, shoving the boy into a chair behind him. "I like you. We've been talking for two hours, and you're funny, smart, and handsome enough."
"So you do like what you see." He stared at her intensely, unleashing the full force of his generally contained charisma onto her. "It's alright. You can't help it."
"Make sure you use some of that energy for your entrance." She ignored him and kept talking. "Seriously, there's a whole team in the back who takes ratings into consideration. There are so many fan pages of you, Cairo, and Vince that it's disgusting. All the guys have some sort of fanbase each year, but with you all, it's different."
"I don't want to dangle myself like a piece of meat." He argued. "I'm a human being."
"So show them what you showed me today." Arielle dropped a pen that she was using onto the ground and stood in front of him, gripping his shoulders and looking him in the eye, her voice gentle. "You come across cold and unfeeling, but there's a good, sweet guy in there. Don't be so afraid of losing in the arena that you play into the media's hand. You're not a monster. You don't have to act like it."
"I'm an angry human being. I'm not a monster for showcasing that. To be black and relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time." He snorted. "I shouldn't have to hide it. And I definitely won't apologize for it. "
"James Baldwin? Nice." Arielle crashed into the chair next to his, staring up at his eyes. "You are absolutely right, and I'm sorry. You have a right to be angry. What I mean to say is… we don't get to show that. We always have to make ourselves nonthreatening, and while that's not exactly what I plan on doing with your style today, I need you to play on the charming Maryland boy with the Chicago swag schtick."
"And if I don't?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "What's the use if they're going to hate me anyway?"
"The free leaders of the world might." Arielle shook her head, her voice low and quiet. "But the world needs a push. They need a symbol. Somebody that gives them hope that things can be okay again."
"They want a martyr." Huey pushed back. "I'm not interested."
"They want a change." She leaned in front of him and swiftly shoved him back on the chair, her lips inches away from his. "You're the one that can spearhead it. I heard what you said about George. I used to read those newsletters that you wrote, back in elementary school."
"You were one of the five subscribers?" Huey raised a brow and turned his head to stare at her.
"Even though some of your content was a bit extreme." She backed away from him shyly and grabbed something out of the back. "Your viewpoints have gotten far more balanced with age."
He grabbed her wrist when she walked in front of him again, desperately wanting to feel normal. To kiss her.
But before he could, the young designer shook her head.
"We can't." She hung her head sadly. "I really wish that we could, but we can't."
She was right.
"So, what am I wearing?" He released her arm and stared back at her, making his expression completely neutral again. It would be time soon.
To his delight, she pulled out an all-black outfit. Black combat boots, a black turtleneck with matching pants, and a long black trench coat with a hint of something underneath it.
"This better not turn metallic." He warned her.
"I've got you." She winked. "Don't worry. I did something special for you. Trust me."
He smiled. It was a relief to be taken care of for a change.
"Thank you." He nodded. "I appreciate it."
After a moment, she broke the silence, staring at him. "Are you scared?"
"Are you?" He stared back. "A lot of the people who get involved with The Games end up dead or severely traumatized. Aren't you worried about what will happen to you?"
"Everyday." She answered without even thinking about it. "But I don't let that stop me from doing what I can. That's all anybody can do is their best. This is mine. It's my gift to the world, and I'm not going to be scared into hiding it. Not now. Not ever."
He was the one that was quiet now. Her words meant a lot. More than she would ever know. He got up and hugged her, squeezing tight. "Thank you."
She paused hesitantly for a moment before returning the hug, lingering in the revolutionary's arms, her head coming to rest on his shoulder.
"You're welcome."
Huey stood tall in his outfit. He had to admit that all the work that Arielle and the glam team had done on him had paid off. He felt good, powerful, even if it was just temporary, and Jazmine clearly felt the same way.
She was turning heads herself. She wore a soft pink halter neck dress with a split that revealed her long legs. The muscles in her calves were even more pronounced as she moved from one area to the next, strutting to make sure the heels had enough traction before they went on stage.
When he and Jazmine walked over to Bushido for another pep talk, he smirked, looking between them while Huey's eyes lingered on the girl's pink dress. Bushido just shook his head and allowed his eyes to drift back over to Arielle and then over to Jazmine. When Huey looked between both girls and shrugged, Bushido began to laugh quietly, shaking his head. "You're so stubborn, boy."
Huey sighed. He really didn't want to dwell on whatever that meant right now.
"Like I was saying." Bushido stared at them both, switching into mentor mode. "Don't let the pomp and circumstance of the interviews fool you. This is still a crucial part of the game. Now isn't the time to get comfortable. One wrong move, one idiot decision, and you two won't get a sponsor. Understood?"
They both nodded.
"Jazmine, this is your night to shine. You're gorgeous. You're charming. Use it." He glared at Huey. "Shut up and stare at her all night."
"What?" Huey stared at the man. "Why?"
"Because unlike her, your anger tends to radiate in situations like this." He shook his head. "You're too hotheaded. Trust me."
"Whatever." Huey grumbled. He walked over to the line where the rest of the candidates were waiting.
"You look really pretty, Huey." Makayla grinned at him in a cute dress for her age. There was a petticoat underneath the bottom layer of it, extending around her like a small sunflower. He didn't have the heart to ignore her.
"Thanks." He muttered awkwardly, glaring at Jazmine and the little girl giggling together. "You sure you two aren't sisters? You sure act like it."
"Shut up." Jazmine's tone was so sharp that it snapped him into shape. He understood why she was so protective. He could easily hurt the little girl's feelings, and none of them wanted that.
"Mak dog!" Cairo dapped Vince up and bent down to the small child, rustling her hair. "You look beautiful, girl!"
"Thank you." She smiled at the boy shyly.
"And Jazmine." Cairo pulled her out of line and surveyed the girl appreciatively. "Baby, you are wearing every- last- inch of that dress. Godda-"
"Man, shouldn't you be in line?" Huey snapped. "Everything with you is a production, as usual."
"You're one to talk." Cairo turned his back to the camera they were all suddenly aware of. "Later, Maryland."
The questions had been brutal. He and Jazmine both ended up turning away, watching as the other candidates were being grilled by Rollo's passive aggressive questions. He read them one by one. This wasn't a showcase of their talents. It was character assassination. This was their way of justifying why they deserved to murder each other in 48 hours. And no child was exempt.
"Make some noise for the lovely little Makayla English." Rollo ushered the girl onto the stage, holding her hand and pulling out a stepladder for her to enter the stage with them. "Now, I hear that you are everybody's favorite contestant around here."
They all laughed as the live audience shifted uncomfortably in their seats. There was no way to deny that the little girl was in no condition to be shipped off to the games. Makayla shed light on one of many problems within their society.
"Now, the streets have been talking, Mak." Rollo stared at her pointedly. "Can I call you Mak?"
When the girl nodded, Rollo continued. "You've been forming alliances with some powerhouse players. Like Jazmine and Cairo. Even Cindy McPhearson seemed to take a liking to you in the training room."
"They're nice." Makayla smiled at the man. Not noticing how his tone had shifted. "I like them."
"And that may be true." The man said grimly, folding his papers. "But many people think differently." He gestured to a host of videos from panelists and social media personalities, expressing their thoughts on the screen behind them.
The other elects started to squirm in their seats, and Huey took a deep breath. Bushido was staring he and Jazmine down. He'd warned them. Now wasn't the time to show anger.
"This Makayla girl is the smartest player of them all. Tricking them into letting her coast to the finals!"
"That little arrogant bitch. I know she's eight, but c'mon. She knows what she's doing."
"Look at her aunt. Look at the things she's done for a come up. You really think the apple doesn't fall far from that tree? She accused the president of rape and attempted murder. Jerrica Bartlett probably trained her on how to act."
"She's using that Dubois girl to get in good with the number one player."
"I hope the elects don't show her any mercy. What? It's harsh but it's true. This is the only way for us to get the basic freedoms that we enjoy. These games shouldn't make special exceptions for one person just because of their age. That's the true meaning of equality in this country. Isn't that what those people want anyway? Equality? Well, here it is. Use it. Kill her with the equality you've been marching for."
Makayla looked close to tears. "I didn't." She shook her head and wrung her hands together nervously. "I wasn't being mean."
Vince glared at the man and grabbed the girl's hand. "We know, Makayla."
For once, all 49 elects and the audience nodded in agreement. He kept talking. "Sadly, there are some views out there that allow people to talk this way about a small child, and while I respect the views of others, this is in no way a reflection of the Makayla that we know and love."
The audience applauded. Makayla looked relieved. Rollo stumbled through his notes. He obviously hadn't been expecting that.
"Jazmine." Huey's eyes flitted toward her as Rollo got up, walking towards her spot on the large chairs they were shifting in. "You look gorgeous tonight, girl! Come on and give the girls a twirl! Don't play with 'em now girl! You got it going on!"
Jazmine beamed. Her smile was incredibly bright, and the camera men seemed to notice. They videographers moved in closer as she spun in a circle. Her dress had been a soft pink at first, but the more that she twirled the more vibrant her dress got. The crowd gasped when it began to glow, beams of bright yellow light emerged from her outfit until the bottom portion appeared to replicate the sun's rays. It was her night to shine.
They all stared, fascinated.
"Whooooooooo!" The audience stood to their feet, clapping loudly. Vince nodded. The other elects didn't seem too happy.
"You've been one of the fan favorites as well." Rollo remarked slyly. "What are your words to naysayers, who believe that your success is based on nothing more than luck? Being connected to a high-powered DA, coming in with the highest rated elect that happens to be your close friend, getting Bushido as a mentor, and presenting yourself as a black woman for sympathy when your views are more closely aligned with your white mother?"
"Thank you." Jazmine didn't jerk back like the rest of them did. She lifted her head like it was a Miss America pageant. "Opposition comes in many forms in a competition. This is no different. I have worked diligently to meet the high standards that my fellow Maryland elect has demonstrated. I'm proud to say that my actions speak loudly, as they do for all elects in these games. While it is easy to say this with the privileges that I was born with, I am dedicated to using this platform to express that I am an advocate for marginalized groups that my best friend, mother, and father work diligently to represent daily."
When Rollo didn't say much else, she continued. "Success doesn't come easy. Luck has definitely been on my side, but my diligence and commitment have been the primary tools that have allowed me to rise to each occasion."
"Okay, girl." Rollo did a funny walk across the stage, shifting his voice to match Jazmine's serious tone. "My diligence and commitment have allowed me to...rise. Girl, sit ya cute self down! Let me holla at ya boy real quick."
"I don't wanna write this down.
I wanna tell you how I feel right now."
Huey was surprised to hear music when he stood up. So was Rollo. It was coming from his trench coat. He stared past the curtain and looked directly at Arielle, who gave him the thumbs up. He swallowed and put on his smoothest walk, keeping his face neutral for the cameras, for Riley and Granddad.
"Hell yeah, boy!" A voice called from the audience. They were going insane. "You better walk!"
He hoped he wouldn't regret trusting her. He did a slow turn, smoothly leaning to the side to hold the jacket just like he and Arielle had rehearsed. His all-black turtleneck and pants were still present, but to his surprise, and everybody else's, his black trench coat had turned into a vintage, tanned coat.
"My Abi said, 'Shine your light on the world,
Shine your light for the world to see.' "
"Is that?" Rollo gasped as the cameras came closer to inspect the back of Huey's trench coat. "Is that the famous Chicago mural? Ain't you from Maryland?"
"I want to be clear." Huey stood tall, meeting the eyes of the interested audience members, keeping his demeanor as calm as he could manage. He tried to think of what Riley would do in this situation, and he fully leaned into his brother's persona, shooting a wide heartbreaking grin into the camera. "I'm representing Maryland, and I'm proud to have a mentor like Bushido Brown helping Jazmine and I to succeed."
"People are so weak sometimes.
Sometimes I feel like crying…"
He stepped past Rollo, gently holding the sides of his jacket out so that the mural would be visible. "My journey brought me to Maryland after the death of my parents, but Chicago is where my roots are, where the grit and determination I display in these games originate from. It's just as much a part of me as Maryland is, and I could never deny that."
The audience applauded. Rollo shushed them, continuing.
"Sometimes, I don't know what to do with myself.
Passion takes over me."
"Let's talk about your past. Particularly your strong stance on extremism and violence. Barack Obama publicly denounced, condemned, and repudiated you during his campaign. You are the founder of twenty-three different radical leftist organizations, you destroyed Wuncler's business with fellow elect, Jazmine Dubois, and you are listed in government documents as a paranoid shell of a human being. What do you say to those allegations?"
Huey chuckled, which made the audience laugh alongside him. Even the elects began to glance up, all of them seeming to…root for him.
"If you count my theories on Old Saint Nick being in the Illuminati as radical leftism, then I was one impressive eight-year-old." Huey glanced over at the man as the audience laughed softly. "Instead of dwelling on unfounded claims, I would like to assure everyone here on today that my purpose for being here is to demonstrate my sincerity through my deeds, both in and out of the arena."
"Put my heart and soul into this y'all.
I hope you feel me where I am to wherever you are."
"Let's talk about your brother." Rollo's eyes were oddly sympathetic, a semblance of the man Huey used to know shining through his brown irises. "You volunteered for him."
"I did." Huey looked down at the ground, uncomfortable with expressing his feelings on it publicly. "And I'd do it again."
"If you could talk to Riley and tell him anything right now." Rollo leaned forward. "What would it be?"
Huey stood tall, his eyes planted firmly on the camera. "What's understood doesn't have to be explained. I love you, man."
"Sometimes I don't wanna get into no war.
Sometimes I don't wanna be a soldier.
Sometimes I just wanna be a man."
"Hold up!" Something had fallen out of his pocket and clattered onto the floor. The crowd screamed, running in panic until Rollo picked it up to inspect it, chuckling before looking over at Jazmine knowingly. "What's this?"
Footage of Jazmine handing the jade crystal to him conveniently popped up on the jumbotron behind them. It was quiet. Everybody waited with bated breath for his response.
"Don't get shy on us now, Mr. Suave. Your little fans will be alright." Rollo placed an arm around his shoulders and walked over to where Jazmine was sitting. She gracefully extended her hand and pulled Huey back into his spot next to her. To Huey's dismay, she wouldn't let go. "Is there a story behind it? Do you have a crush? Is this a blossoming relationship between two friends turned lovers?"
The crowd laughed, and Huey tensed even more. He awkwardly tried to tug his hand away, but Jazmine had it in a death grip.
"Shine your light for the world to see."
"How long have you liked her, Huey?" He could feel Bushido's eyes boring into his head, telling him to go along with it. "Huh? Was it back then? When you two met? When she came by BET headquarters begging you to eat something and end the hunger strike?"
The crowd laughed at another private moment of theirs, one Huey didn't even know they had. It was of Jazmine, her tiny legs running to the side of Rollo's limo, trying to convince the young revolutionary to eat.
"I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free."
"Guys." Jazmine smiled her dazzling smile, scooting up in her chair to take the microphone from Rollo. She leaned up as if telling the audience a secret. "Go easy on him. I'm looking extra good tonight, and he's not the most expressive." The audience laughed again, smiling at the girl. She gazed up at him as if in awe, her voice suddenly filled with a longing he'd never noticed before. "He doesn't like to be laughed at, so here's an exclusive. We're-"
"My Jiddo said, 'Shine your light on the world.' "
He snatched his hand back and stormed off the stage, heading towards the exit.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a woman with a professional grey suit. There were dark circles around both her eyes, and her nails were like talons. She had an unhinged look to her, and she was staring at him, shaking uncontrollably as she glanced in his direction. She slowly stalked toward him, a maniacal grin enveloping her features.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Bushido barked before the woman could move any closer. He shoved him backward. The crowd was loudly talking amongst themselves as the guards quickly surrounded every exit in the perimeter of the building. "Get your ass up there! Now!"
"Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free."
"I didn't sign up for this shit!" Huey hissed quietly. He looked over at Arielle, at the relief on her face. "Not like this! She'll be crushed if we do it like this."
"You'll both be crushed if you don't." Bushido pushed him back onto the stage, hissing into his ear. "Act like you love her! It's not that hard!"
The crowd went wild when he returned.
"I'm sorry." He took Jazmine's hands instantly and glanced at Rollo, finally going along with the act. He pulled the girl into his arms and then looked down at the floor. "I didn't want anyone to know. It's pretty new. I guess that's why I tried to trick you all today."
"Shine your light for the world to see."
He tilted the girl's chin, gazing down at her before kissing her cheek lightly and slowly pulling away. "I like her. She likes me. And...we're together."
"Awww shit ya'll!" Rollo was excited. "We gotta real life tragic star crossed lovers couple this year! This gone be good!" The man suddenly pouted, pointing his microphone at Jazmine. "Anything that you want to add, beautiful?"
"Just." Jazmine paused, squeezing Huey's hand before gazing into his eyes, the emotion in them was so convincing that he swore to himself that it was real. "That I love you. I really love you, Huey Percival Freeman. I always have, and I always will. I'm sorry that I never said it before now."
He brushed his lips against hers, shocked by how real it all felt even though they were doing it for the games. She was a good actor. So good that it was confusing him. "I love you too, Jazmine Elizabeth Dubois. Forever."
The crowd awed, obviously conflicted when it came to allowing two lovers to potentially off one another in the games. Huey tried to mask his disgust and focused on looking in love with his best friend. He gripped Jazmine's hand tighter as Rollo walked away, pleased by their response.
"The People's Princess and her knight in shining armor, ladies and gentlemen." Rollo extended his arm outward as the audience applauded. "Give it up for all these fine young men and women today. Come on! Don't be shy!"
"My elders said shine your light on the world."
The music was still playing in the background. It seemed to be speaking to him. Pushing him to craft the perfect plan. One that would end the games for good.
"We have a few special guests!" Rollo announced. "Ed Wuncler Senior, Senator Ruckus, and the President of the United States, Ed Wuncler III."
Even though Ed Wuncler III was president, it was his grandfather who stood at the podium, smiling at most of the elects that he'd berated over the past two weeks. The other two stood there silently, allowing the older man to speak.
"I would like to thank each of these fine young people here today for their cooperation." The crowd quieted, listening to his words. "However, I do want to make one thing clear on behalf of my grandson, President Ed Wuncler III." He glanced down, looking at a sheet of paper before looking back at each elect, at Huey and Jazmine. "Unfortunately, there can only be one winner. We can not show special treatment for any elect. Especially after the backlash from last season." He glanced at the audience. "I believe in treating people equally. The people have spoken, and I have chosen to listen. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America."
"That's all that matters to me."
"What the hell were you thinking?" Bushido Brown was still yelling at Huey when they'd settled in that night. "Do you know what they can do to you? To us? It was already bad enough when you cosplayed Malcolm X and Huey P. Newton on stage. You leaned into the playboy act a little too much! Now you and everybody else is gonna pay the price."
Jazmine sat there quietly, looking back and forth between them. "But he can still win."
"Of course he can still win this." Bushido hissed. "It'll just be harder now. For all of you."
"Who was that woman backstage?" Huey glanced over at Bushido. "In the gray tuxedo?"
"The Gamemaker." Bushido looked away from them both. "Deborah Leevil. She's the former Chief Executive Officer of BET. She and Wuncler go way back. She's ruthless. There's no telling what she's dreamed up in that arena of hers."
It was quiet for a moment before Bushido sighed loudly. "No more going off script. For the next two days, the next two weeks in that arena, you two had better follow my instructions exactly." He pointed at Huey. "Especially you."
He walked over to his room and took a swig of his bottle before slamming the door behind him.
"I'm sorry." Jazmine said quietly, her eyes downcast. "I know you didn't want to, but I couldn't think of anything else. I had to try something."
He eased over to her, pulling her into his arms. He ran his fingers across her braids, tracing each one gently. "I know. I'm sorry too."
They were apologizing for nothing. And for everything. And for all the things that would come in between.
For all the things that never would, that were better left unsaid.