Chapter 18
1451 Words
Hannah Dandelion, D9
Fonu decided to put off training to take a little time for a meet and greet. We were from all over Panem, and if we were going to be a team, we had to get to know each other. We all grouped off according to personality or inclination, with a few exceptions. Rahina was by herself by a table of refreshments, sort of looking at everyone but not really joining in. Abrexa was by the door, having already accepted that she wouldn't likely get any allies here. She was just waiting for the group to disperse so she could start training.
Nature took its course, and Bailey and I paired up pretty quick. We were the same age and we were from sister Districts. Mine made the grain, hers made the cows that ate it.
"What do you think about the teams thing?" I asked. We'd discussed a few things about ourselves already. I hadn't mentioned Sara, and I hoped she wouldn't remember her from the tapes and put our names together.
"I like our team, except Abrexa," Bailey said. "But I think she won't be that bad since she's all by herself. Manny's not even a Career, right?"
"Yeah. That's weird, but it's good for us. Are you going to vote for her right away?" I asked.
"I don't know. Maybe we should keep her since she's strong, you know? Maybe I should vote for someone like Nash, but I'd feel like a monster," she said.
"I guess we won't know what to do until it happens," I said.
"So what did you bring for your luxury item or whatever?" Bailey asked.
"It's kind of silly," I admitted. "I should have asked for a tent or something. I brought Harry Potter."
"That's so cool! Can I read it sometime? I brought my horse's blanket. It's useful, but it's not as fun. I should have brought book two," she said.
"I brought a magnifying glass," Sparkil broke in from a few feet away. "We can make a fire with it." She joined our group and the talk turned back to District life and little things. It didn't seem important, but it might be the most important thing of all. Most Games were about individual achievement, but this one was built on teams. Friends were the difference between life and death. I'd always been good at making friends. It wasn't even a nefarious plot for me. I really did like Bailey and Sparkil.
Gael Orford, D10
We were in teams this year, and a team meant a leader. Abrexa would be the first one people thought of, but a lot of outliers weren't going to let a Career call the shots. Nash was too young, Rahina was walled off like a fortress, and Hannah was too nice. The others were all contenders. I didn't care who our official leader was. I didn't have the confidence or charisma to openly lead a tribe. What I wanted was to be the behind-the-scenes architect. I also wanted one ally, so I could pin the blame on them if things went wrong.
"What are you going all alone over here? Are you a team of one?" Aliara asked, sidling up to me where I leaned against the wall. She leaned up next to me, imitating my posture.
"Just shy, I guess," I said.
"Don't be. We have a great tribe going here. Only one real Career, and she's all alone. This is great for people like us," Aliara said. She seemed like a friendly, open girl, and I wondered if we couldn't get something going here.
"If the outliers stick together, we can run the show. We should meet sometime and discuss who we'll vote for first. Abrexa's the most intimidating, but there might be others who pull less weight," I said. No one wanted to say it, but Nash was obviously the weakest. However, that also meant he wasn't a threat and might be more wisely kept around a while.
"Maybe we could pit them against each other. She obviously hates Manny," Aliara said. I noticed she was holding a book and asked about it.
"This? It's my luxury item. I mentioned it to Chimera so he ran out and grabbed one in the Capitol. It's a romance," she said as she held up the book so I could read the title: Wuthering Heights. It became clear to me what she had in mind. It wasn't a situation I'd ever dealt with before, so I had little idea how to react.
"Maybe you can tell me about it sometime," I said. It was the best excuse for a flirt I had in me. Aliara was much more versed in the romantic arts. Either she'd lose interest eventually and find someone else, or I might possibly forge an alliance that wouldn't soon fall apart.
Rahina Herrington, D11
"What did you bring for the Games?" Hannah asked me. I'd been trying to steer clear of everyone else, but to no avail.
"Nothing," I said.
"Come on. We all showed ours," Hannah coaxed.
"It's stupid, okay? Just leave it alone," I said.
"Sparkil brought a magnifying glass," Hannah said. "Come see it," she invited, gesturing to the other girls clustered in a circle chatting.
"No thanks. I'm not much of a people person," I said. I didn't know why she was even staying around so long. Everyone knew I was a grouch.
Everyone doesn't know I'm a grouch. No one here knew me at all. I could be anyone I wanted, in theory. I wasn't about to "turn over a new leaf" and reinvent myself as a happy, peppy best friend, but I didn't have to be an outcast anymore. We were all outcasts here. Furthermore, it was in my best interest to change a few things. If everyone started to think I was a grouch, they'd vote for me instead of cute little Nash or sweet friendly Hannah. When Hannah moved to leave me alone and rejoin her friends, I followed.
"Hey, maybe I should be more friendly. You guys talking strategy?" I asked.
"A little, but mostly we're just talking about ourselves so we can get to know each other," Hannah said. We reached the group and everyone stared at me. I stared back, daring them to say something.
"I brought a marble," I muttered, shoving my open hand into the middle of the circle impulsively. If anyone laughed, I'd have an excuse to leave and go back to being alone. If they kept their mouths shut, maybe I could stick around.
"Wow, it's so cool!" Bailey said.
"It looks like a galaxy," Sparkil said, leaning closer to look. I relaxed a little.
"It is pretty cool," I said. "That's why I brought it."
Cain Pander, D5
Nash was all by himself at the snack table, eating some fancy pastry thing. In any situation, I always gravitated toward littler kids, and my nature took over.
"Pretty good stuff, huh?" I asked, taking a pastry so he wouldn't feel alone.
"Yeah, it's so good! I'm gonna get fat!" he said.
"This is a pretty messed up Games. I'm happy about the team thing, though. We don't have to worry about Careers all the time," I said.
"I wonder what kind of challenges there will be," Nash said.
"I hope it's three-legged races. I'm good at that," I said.
"I hope it's holding tarantulas," Nash said.
"Are you good at holding tarantulas?" I asked.
"I don't know. I've just always wanted to hold a tarantula," Nash said.
"I think they have them in Eleven. Maybe Rahina has held one," I said.
"The tarantula would be scared if Rahina was holding him," Nash said. After a pause, he continued. "You think we'll be on a tropical island or something? Demi said this year is based on some old show, and usually it was on an island."
"I hope so. Anything but cold. I'm delicate," I said. Nash laughed, but then his face fell.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm the youngest. I probably won't be around long. At least I'll get to see an island, though," he said. It creeped me out how well he was keeping it together, seeing as he was actively anticipating his own death.
"No way! They won't vote for you. They're going to vote for Manny and Abrexa," I said.
"Because they think I'm not a threat?" Nash asked.
"Let them think whatever they want as long as they don't vote for you," I said. "I won't vote for you."
"I won't vote for you either," he said. If it was up to me, I wouldn't vote for anyone. Not even Abrexa.
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