The Games We Play

Chapter 10

"Do you know what a career is?" Haymitch cuts into his meat while asking Peeta and I a question.
"Aren't they the tributes from District 1?" I glance at my mentor and then back at my meat.
"And District 2. Occasionally even District 4, I think." Peeta corrects me.
"In their districts, they train in a special academy until they're 18. Then they volunteer." Haymitch informs us.
"So a killing academy?" That sounds barbaric.
"Pretty much. They're almost lethal."
"But they don't receive any special treatment. In fact, they stay in the exact same apartment as you do. And I don't think they're even allowed dessert- unlike you two." Effie tries to reassure us that the careers won't get special privileges. We all go silent and stare at her for a few seconds.
Peeta cuts into the awkward silence, "So how good are they?"
"Well, obviously they're pretty good." Haymitch tilts his head while talking with food in his mouth. "They win it almost every year."
"Almost." Effie tries to make us have hope once again. It isn't working, although I appreciate her efforts.
"But they can be arrogant." Haymitch changes the tone of his voice and looks at me. "Arrogance can be a big problem." I make eye contact with him. "I hear you can throw knives?"
"Kinda. I'm pretty alright." I look back at my steak.
"She's better than alright. She hunts back in District 12. My father buys her squirrels. He says that she hits them right in the eye every time." Peeta smiles while complimenting my throwing.
    "Well, Peeta is strong." Peeta's face turns confused. "He can throw a 100-pound pack of flour right over his head. I've seen it."
    "Okay, but I'm not going to kill anybody with a sack of flour." His voice shakes slightly.
    "No, maybe not. But you could throw something else that's heavy at someone. You could have a better chance of winning."
    "I have no chance of winning! None, alright?" I seem to have struck a nerve of Peeta's. Haymitch sits up more attentively. "It's true... Everybody knows it."
    He pauses. "You know what my mother said? She said that District 12 might finally have a winner. But she wasn't talking about me. She was talking about you." He stands up and walks away while saying, "I'm not very hungry."
    I sit there, stunned. I had no idea that he felt as though he couldn't win. I had no idea what his mother said. Effie and Haymitch sit silently.
    I remember a few years ago. It was raining heavily outside. I was starving, so I went to the bakery. I couldn't afford anything and I knew that. I just wanted to sit outside and be able to smell the enticing foods they were making. The door opened. Peeta and his mother came out. She was screaming at and hitting him. He had burnt bread in his hands. She went back inside and he started breaking and throwing the bread at the pigs. He looked at me. He looked back, I assume to make sure that no one was watching him. He threw me a loaf of bread. Although it was muddy and burnt, I was very grateful. I ran home with it and made sure my family didn't go to sleep hungry.
    I become upset thinking of how he saved me and how his mother treated him. I stand up, "I'm not hungry either."
    I walk away and retreat to my room.