A Different Side- Glimmer (Hunger Games)

Chapter 8

"Time to get up, up, up!" My eyes that were only seconds ago glued shut fly open. I beam a pillow at whoever just woke me up from my sleep.

"Oh, don't be that way! Today's your first day of training! Aren't you excited?" I rub my eyes, and as my vision becomes clearer, I make out the figure of Micka Stanfree.

"Noooooo," I whine. "I mean... yes. But not at six in the morning!" Micka's heels click-clack away, and I'm glad I can finally get some more beauty sleep. The best way to earn sponsors is to look pretty, right?

But instead, a glass of ice cold water splashes on to my face. I restrict myself from screaming, and grind my teeth instead.

"Up," Micka orders, and her ridiculous accent is gone. I sort of start to like Micka. She doesn't take bull.

Micka speed-walks away in a huff, and the Avox that sat on my bed stands in a corner. I dry my face off with a towel I tell her to bring me and sleepily walk to my closet.

An outfit is already picked out for me. It's a tight black polo shirt with red stripes on the sleeves, along with the number "1" for District 1. The 1 is also on the back. Matching the polo are black tight-fitting parachute pants with silver stripes on the outside of the legs.

I take off the pj's and change into my Training outfit. I lace up the pair of black combat boots that come with it, and walk over to my bathroom mirror.

Whoa. I look like a mess! I grab a brush and comb my blond hair, then weave it into my signature two braids. After applying some light, natural-looking makeup, I exit my door into the hallway where Micka, Glitter, and a few other victors wait for me.

"Good, good. You're ready. Now, we just need Marvel..." Micka tells me, seeming perkier. Two minutes... nothing happens. Marvel's probably flexing in front of the mirror or something. Errogant guys from our district do that a lot.

Micka looks frustrated. "I'll see what's keeping him..." she sighs. I look at Glitter, who's definately not looking at me. She keeps biting her finger, which she does when she's nervous. It's a weird habit. But it starts making me nervous.

Micka finally comes back into the hall, with Marvel behind her. He does not look cheery, or even happy. He almost looks depressed...

"Ready?" Micka asks him. He smiles his cocky smile and nods.

The elevator ride down isn't that long, because we're only one floor above the Training Center. Blue dummies with targets painted on the chests fill one section of the room. Nature scenes with ropes, paint brushes, and chunks of firewood are scattered around, along with racks of weapons. Bows and arrows, spears, swords, knives, and tridents... this place has it all! We're the second ones there, because the tributes from District 2 are already standing in the middle.

"We're not allowed to train with you," Glitter says. Then just walks off. Walks off. Geez, what's her problem?

"Good luck," Micka smiles, then follows Glitter and the rest of the victors.

The girl from 2, Clove, looks me up and down.

"What?" I ask with a hint of attitude. Clove smiles slyly.

"Clove," she says, then sticks her hand out.

"Glimmer," I say and shake her hand. The male tribute, Cato, catches my eye.

"You interested in him?" Clove asks, almost giggling. I glare at her. How could she tell I was checking him out?

"Why? Are you?" I say. She shakes her head.

"Nope." I think she wants to explain more, but the other tributes start piling in. What? What was Clove going to say?

I'm about to ask her when Katniss and Peeta walk in.