(Chapter 12: James)
I decide to go straight to bed after watching the reapings, but I can't sleep properly on account of a horrible migraine I have. I make a mental note to see if there is any fancy Capitol medicine I can take for it in the morning. I shut all the windows, and turn off all the lights, then I sit on my bed and stare at the roof.
I kinda want to win these games.
I don't want to make my mother happy, but if I win she'll know that I have that power, and then I can live in Victor's village. Technically I don't have to bring her with me.
I'm gonna win the games for me and for Cleo.
My thoughts trail off to the other tributes. Usually our only match would be the kids from our district, district 2 and district 4. They didn't look that bad. The other districts probably don't stand a chance. Maybe 6 or 7? They occasionally win the games.
Elora Yarrow's face appears in my head again.
She doesn't look like she can handle a weapon, but those grey eyes already act like knives. Her blonde hair is so pretty, she has such clear skin…
Focus.
I snap out of my daydream. She'll probably kill me if she could. I imagine her with a dagger, me trapped, weaponless, as she presses the knife to my throat. Merciless.
But then it cuts to another dream, her luscious lips pressed against mine…
Stop.
I try really hard to take my mind off Elora Yarrow, and I eventually fall asleep.
The good news is that in the morning my headache is gone. I strip off my clothes and get in the shower, pressing all the controls just to see what happens. Eventually I got the right water temperature and pressure. I showered quickly, dried off and then slipped on some fresh clothes. Then I left my room and entered the dining cart. The table was covered in all sorts of foods, toast, warm frothy milk, coffee, tea, croissants, toasts, tarts, anything you can think of.
I take a seat at the table, soon joined by Lilly, Calista, Atlas and Sylvia. We're discussing game strategy and talking about other tribute's possible weaknesses. I kind of just zone out and eat my food, I'm pretty hungry.
Very soon the train begins to roll into the Capitol. It looks exactly like it looks like on television, with the brightly coloured buildings and people dressed strangely, in neon wigs and extreme makeup. It eventually slows to a stop, and this train station is swarming with cameras and citizens alike. Everyone is excited to see a District 1 tribute train.
I put on a fake smile and step out of the train, immediately greeted by reporters, camera crews and people cheering. I wave at a couple of them, before Lilly and I are escorted to a tribute building which is solely for fixing up the tribute's appearances.