The 275th Hunger Games

~Journey to the Capitol & Opening Ceremonies~

Cami Pendleton - District One

"Cami, it's time for dinner!" Aviana tells me, knocking on my door.

Right now, Serena and I are on the train to the Capitol. After the reaping, we were ushered into the Justice Building. We said goodbye to our families, and then drove to the train station, where we got on the train and started off to the Capitol. As soon as we got onto the train and gotten a tour of the place, I lay in my bed until I was called to dinner.

I exit my room walk into the dining room. Serena and our mentors, Bree Kings and Liam Merry, are already sitting down at the table. I take a seat beside Bree and pile my plate with food. There is slices of ham, green beans, steamed broccoli, thick green soup, and platters of cheese. I help myself to a bit of everything. Serena glares at me. I stick my tongue out at her. Aviana gives us a confuse glance. I ignore that and keep eating. Everything tastes so good. My favourite dish is the soup.

"What kind of soup is this?" I ask. "Asparagus, isn't it good?" Bree answers. I nod. Bree seems nice. "How old are you girls?" Liam asks. He is almost done eating. "I'm twelve," I reply quietly. I feel like if people know I am twelve they will underestimate me, butI know quite a lot of skills. I may be small and skinny, but I'm strong too. "I'm thirteen," answers Serena smugly. She's already had her birthday.

"So you're both young competitors. Interesting," Liam says. I sigh. I already like Bree more. After we all finish supper, we sit in the living room to watch the recap of the reapings. Most of the girls are all older than me, although there are two other twelve year old's. Those are the names that stick in my mind. One is Rowan Jenners. Her reaping made me cry because her mother is so sad to watch her get picked. I wonder if she would want to be allies with me. The other twelve year old is Alora Debrowski. I wonder if she would want to be allies, too.

"Looks like you're going to have a fight," Liam says rudely. "Oh shut up," Serena and I both say. We look at each other. Her face is just as shocked as mine. I cross my arms and run to my room. I fall face down on my bed and cry my eyes out. I hate Serena. I hate Liam. I hate the stupid, stupid Hunger Games. I cry myself to sleep. My sleep is filled with all kinds of creepy dreams of me in the arena.

When I wake up, there is an Avox cleaning my room, but all I want is my mother and my sister. I bury my face in the silky pillowcase and cry some more. I fall back asleep. I wake up to the Avox rubbing my back. I turn over and she exits the room.

I sit up. I put on black pants and a blue shirt, and I walk out for breakfast. Serena is there. I don't say anything; I just grab a plate and begin filling it. Toast, eggs, sausage, and a cup of orange juice.
Serena and I eat in silence until Aviana comes to the table. She grabs a plate and adds food. "Today, ladies, we arrive at the Capitol!" She announces happily. "You will meet your stylist and prep team, and then they will get you ready for the opening ceremonies. Then, you will be introduced to the Training Center," Aviana says. Serena and I look at each other, then quickly look away.

In a few hours, the train slows down, and right before us is the Capitol.

Ocean Garland - District Six

"Hello, Ocean. I'm your stylist. My name is Sandy," the guy says to me.

"Uh, hi," I say. I've never been good with people, even the ones I know. "You're very beautiful, Ocean. Just like your name," he says. "Thank you," I say. Sandy has light blonde hair and he is very tall. "Have a seat," he offers. I take a seat on the red couch. He sits down across from me. "Your other tribute, Cove, is getting made done by my partner Rocky. We talked, and we think that since you both have nature-themed names, we decided to do a nature look," Sandy informs me. I nod. "Let's start," he says.

And for the next couple hours, Sandy and my prep team Brinley, Elyse, and Rory, do my hair, nails, makeup, and clothes. I feel and look the most beautiful I ever have in my life. My hair is in a whole bunch of really thin braids. There must be like twenty braids in my hair. My makeup is a beautiful look of vibrant shades of blues and greens. My eyes are covered in blue and green eyeshadow mixed to create a beautiful turquoise. My nails are long and oval shaped, and they are green with different shades of small blue circles on them. And my dress is so pretty. It's a long dress. The top is plain blue, but it is the skirt that is so pretty. The skirt is long and poufy, with fabrics of greens, blues, and purples all swirled up together in it. I feel so pretty.

"Ocean, you look wonderful," Brinley exclaims. "Gorgeous, honey. You look gorgeous," Rory adds. "Just perfect," finishes Elyse. An hour later, Cove and I are standing on the chariots, waiting for the ceremonies to begin. We are sixth in line as we are representing District 6. Our horses are honey blonde.

Cove is dressed in a similar outfit to mine, as it is the same dress except her top is green. Her eyes have purple and blue eyeshadow, making a deep indigo colour. "Hey Ocean, want to be allies?" Cove questions me, looking at me.

I consider this question. Cove seems nice and loyal and like she won't abandon me in the arena. But...it's hard to trust people. Especially in the Games.

"What's your weapon?" I ask Cove. "Knife," she answers. "What's yours?" "Bow and arrow," I respond. "I want to be allies, but I need to know I can trust you," I say. "Ocean, I swear I will not abandon you," says Cove. "Okay, I guess we can be allies," I smile. "Okay," Cove says happily.

Person in the Stands

Opening Ceremonies

The music is blasting, there are shouts everywhere, and District One rolls in on their chariots. They are in shimmery leotards and skirts. Districts Two and Three follows. District Two is in bodysuits and District Three is in high-tech looking leotards in metallics. Districts Four, Five, and Six enter. Four and Five are both in long dresses, and Six are wearing beautiful green and blue dresses. They are followed by the last six Districts.

Districts Seven, Eight, and Nine are wearing leotards and skirts, all in beautiful shades. And Districts Ten, Eleven, and Twelve are all in different coloured bodysuits.

The horses stop and all the chariots form a semi-circle. President Allen steps out, and right away fireworks start in the sky.

Alora Debrowski - District Eleven

"Alora!" Ramona Lovett, the escort, knocks on my door. "It's time to watch the recap of the opening ceremonies, dear." I get up and walk out the door. I walk into the living room, where everyone else is: Ramona, Reed (our mentor), Meadow (my fellow tribute), and our stylists, mine (Hollis) and Meadow's (Dwayne). "Nice of you to join us," Reed says with a wink. I sit down on the couch between Meadow and Dwayne.

On the TV is the recap of the ceremonies. We see the screaming people, and then District One rolls in. Meadow writes something down in a black book from beside me. I lean back to see what she's writing. On a fresh page, she writes Cami Pendleton and Serena Hemmings. She must be writing down the tributes.

We watch as the chariots come in district by district. Meadow and I enter second to last. We are in bodysuits. After District Twelve comes in and the president speaks, Ramona turns off the television.

"Okay ladies, tomorrow is the first day of training," Reed says as Ramona and the stylist get up. Meadow and I look at each other. "So, what are your weapons? Or strengths?" Reed asks, leaning forward in his seat. "I can throw knives," I offer. "I'm good at hunting," says Meadow. "Okay," Reed says. "Stick together at every station. Look for possible allies. Try to visit each station so you know your skills. You want to go into the arena knowing what to do." Meadow and I look at each other, then nod.

"See you girls tomorrow," Reed says as he walks away, leaving Meadow and I together. "I'm heading to bed," I tell her. "Okay, see you for training," she says, and we head our separate ways to our rooms. I lie down in my bed and try to fall asleep.