Chapter 22
768 Words
Callista Corral POV
I'd found exactly where I belonged. The Capitol was perfect for me. I adored the fabulous clothes and stunning makeup everyone wore. It was like one long costume party, and I never wanted it to end. Obviously I was going to have to win the Games just so I could stay with my people. Other than my i***t stylist, I loved every bit of it.
It was going to be hard to do it on my own, though. I never liked blood. Really, it was worse than that. I hated blood, and I wasn't about to do any fighting. I needed an ally to do that for me. I was lonely anyway without all my friends. I needed to find someone dumb and gullible like all my friends back home.
I knew I didn't want a boy. Boys were nice, but girl power was where it was at. I didn't want someone much younger or older than me. Younger girls were immature and older girls were bossy. Maybe one year older than me was better. I was always mature for my age.
I knew Lyra was interested in me pretty quickly. As I was scoping her out, she was peeking at me. I wanted to put my best foot forward and show how capable I was, so I made the first move. I strode confidently to her table.
"I think we should be friends," I said. I did want to be friends. It just wouldn't last past the first sign of trouble. I had to look out for number one.
"I'm always good to my friends," Lyra said. Her smile was as big and perfect as mine.
Half an hour later we were still discussing our plans.
"Of course we should spend all our time before the Games together. We can coordinate with our stylists so our interview outfits match," I said.
"Fashion here is so much better than back home," Lyra said. "I'm never going back."
"Me either," I said. "This is a much better place for us. Now, for the Bloodbath. One of us should go and get supplies. You look like you're a lot faster than me, so maybe you should do it."
"Me? Fast? Oh no, you're far more athletic than I am. It would be better if you..."
Lyra Axelle
Callista wasn't really my friend. She was someone I could run faster than and someone I could leave when trouble started. It was fun hanging out with her in the Capitol, but it couldn't last.
I was already thinking about what I'd do when I won. It didn't seem like it would be that hard. The Careers didn't look as strong as everyone said they were, and they were a bunch of dumb jocks. I could outsmart all of them. With Callista as an ally, I even had a decoy to hide behind.
The thing was, I didn't know what I'd do if I won. I knew I didn't like my old life back home, but if I won, my new life would be the same thing. I'd be rich and famous and everyone would stare at me. It was exactly what I wanted to get away from.
Maybe I'll run away, I thought. I could use my money to change my name and move somewhere far away, like One or something. I would be a Victor, so the Capitol would have to let me. I could do whatever I wanted. I'd like that. I could start a new life doing whatever, like making jewelry or something. I'd be good at that.
Since it was the day before training, I asked Sky for advice. She wouldn't have much to offer, but she did win.
"I made an ally. It's the stupid girl from Ten," I said.
"Why'd you ally with a stupid girl?" Sky asked.
"So I can ditch her, duh," I said.
"I didn't win by ditching stupid allies," she said.
"I'm not you, am I?" I said. "Now what should I train in?"
Sky looked upward in exasperation before she answered. "You're not going to do much damage, so you should focus on avoiding and surviving."
"Why? I can fight," I said. She didn't have to underestimate me. I was tough. "The Careers can't hurt me if I hurt them first."
"Don't start a fight you can't finish, girl," Sky said. That sealed it. She couldn't tell me what to do. When training started, I was going straight to the biggest sword I could find. She'd be tearing her hair out watching me, and I would relish it.
- Writer
