Jaded ||| Johanna Mason

fifteen

The 69th hunger games approached much quicker than Jade wanted it to. She was finally getting the hang of life, of everything being expected of her, of the quick trips to the Capitol and the endorsements. Of being alone. It was her life and she finally felt like she had a handle on it.

So on reaping day, Jade felt unusually calm about having to go back to the Capitol. She sat up on stage in front of her district dressed in a glittering gold pantsuit.

Hestia rattled off the speeches, Odius and Domitia got their picks ready and when the time came, they raced.

Jade couldn't be bothered to remember their names. One of them would die, the other would become a prostitute. And that was if they won. Most likely, both would die. Jade had to give it to Haymitch, not remembering was easier. It was easier to accept that one, most likely both, of the kids would die.

The only thing she remembered was how happy they looked.

It was so much easier to be a mentor in 2. Well, for Jade, at least. Since she wasn't a part of the academy, Jade hardly even had to talk to the tributes. Odius and Domitia were in charge of them.

All Jade had to do was attend interviews, brand endorsements, and sponsorship meetings. She was given a list of things to say about the tributes, what angle they were playing. Jade was more than happy to oblige if it kept the others off of her back.

At the parade, Jade sat next to Finnick and Mags. Cecelia and Woof sat in front of them, Beetee and another from 3 a couple seats away.

That time, Jade even talked to Chaff and Seeder. It seemed they'd forgotten her cruel win. Or they just didn't care anymore. She was a victor, they all were.

And when the tributes came out of the bay, Finnick made a joke about the 12s. They were almost naked and covered in coal dust.

Finally, he got Jade to laugh.

As soon as the sound left her mouth, Finnick pumped his fist in the air in triumph.

"Yes! I know you had it in you, superstar. Another success for the charming, award-winning smile holder, Finnick Odair."

Jade rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. "I'm never laughing at another joke."

***

Things proceeded normally. The tributes trained, had their interviews, planned. Jade trudged along until it was time for the games to actually begin and the vets had been made.

The 1's and 2's were favourites, of course. Four had a promising tribute, a boy.

Finnick, however, was taking over for the female tribute. He'd been an especially close mentor to the girl. Annie, Jade thought her name was. She was sweet. It was a shame.

Even he seemed really broken up about the whole thing. Finnick didn't usually get attached but Annie was different.

The arena that year was a broken-down city. Buildings had holes blown through them, foliage covered what were supposed to be streets. The cornucopia sat in the city centre.

One of the main attractions of the city, from what the victors could see, was the dam. It held back enough water to flood the whole city. They were all sure it would come into play later.