(Chapter 11: Elora)
The car rolls up at the train station, which is swarming with cameras. I get out of the car, bracing myself. I catch a glimpse of my image up on the TV screen. I look confident. In a 'I've just been balling my eyes out, but I'm ready now!' kind of way. I don't feel confident whatsoever. William just scowls at everyone, like the jerk he is. The doors of the train open and I step inside, but I'm immediately overcome with awe. The inside was massive, and we each got our own chambers, with fresh clothes, and running warm water. Margorie shows William and I to our rooms, which are right across from each other. I shut my door, go to my bathroom and wash my face. I hunt through my drawers for a dress, and I find a baby pink, ankle length one which I loved. I slipped it on, and then undid my bun and brushed my hair. Then I sat on my bed, which was so comfy, and looked out the window, watching all the trees whoosh past. The train's speed was amazing.
Soon, there is a knock on my door, and I go to open it.
"Supper time!" Margorie says, and beckons for me to follow her down the corridor. She leads me into a dining room, where I sit down at a table with her, Haymitch (who is very drunk) and William, who is staring at me so much I felt extremely uncomfortable. Supper came in courses, and I ate every single dish. I've never had food this good in my life. The stews were so filling, the bread so fluffy. Haymitch only dipped chunks of bread in a large glass of wine which he kept refilling, and Margorie took small sips of a soup. William didn't stuff his face as much as I did. I guess because both his parents were still alive and he lived in town he got better fed than I did in the Seam.
After we're done eating, Margorie takes us to another space so we can watch the replay of the reapings. It's not really something I want to do, but I sit there and watch anyway. Haymitch went to bed, so it's just William, Margorie and I. I try to sit as far away as possible from William, who is currently reaching for a glass of water. The first reaping we watch is that of District 1. It was actually really hard to watch. One girl, I think her name was Cleo Lysander, came up and stabbed herself in the heart in front of everyone. I cringed when I saw all that blood. It was so sad. Then they had to do another draw for another girl, which I didn't think was allowed. I forgot her name, I just know that she looked extremely snobby and stuck-up.
The District 1 escort then pulls out a boy's name; James Lysander. I'm shocked. He must have been the girl's brother. I suddenly feel a pang of empathy for the boy. My brother was shot against his will, but his sister actually committed suicide. The camera zooms in on his face as he's congratulated by those around him and walks up to the stage. My heart stops. A little voice at the back of my mind squeals, "He's so cute!". The boy had dark brown hair and caramel coloured eyes, and a stern facial expression that screamed confidence. He looked about 16. I couldn't take my eyes off him. It must have been obvious, because Margorie cleared her throat.
"Elora, you shouldn't be mooning over a career who wants you dead." she says, seriously but somewhat amusingly.
William laughs and nearly spits out his drink. "You're mooning over that guy?"
I shoot a glare in his direction and turn back to the TV, watching James Lysander walk up to the stage. He's so handsome.
But deep down I know that Margorie is right. It's not like it matters, it's not like he feels the same way. Thinking that James is cute isn't going to do me any good when we're in an arena and he's throwing knives in my direction, or slitting my throat.