Let The Games Begin // Billie Eilish

Chapter 24

"Cove, wake up."

I'm woken up to Billie shaking my shoulders, and it takes me a few seconds to remember why I'm laying under a tree in the garden area.

"God, what time is it?" I groan as I close my eyes again.

"It's almost 6, if we go back now we'll make it on time." She whispers as she stands up.

"No thanks." I mumble.

"Cove seriously, get up." She says sternly, clearly not entertained by my attempt to be stubborn.

"Fine!" I say a little too loudly as I sit up, earning an aggressive "shush" from Billie.

She holds out her hand to help me up, and we both swiftly exit the garden area. We walk at a fast pace through the corridors and eventually reach the girl's dormitory room. We part ways as we both go to our own beds and crawl under our covers.

Not long after, the alarm sound rings through the speakers and the players reluctantly rise.

This is it. Today is the day.

I'm reminded of that fact when a dozen staff members dressed in those red bodysuits come swarming into the room.

"20 minutes! I repeat, 20 minutes!" One of them shouts, causing everyone to quicken their pace and rush into the shower room.

I sit up in my bed and stare into space for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. I don't really feel anything. The fact that today is actually the day we enter The Ring hasn't sunk in yet.

"Cove!" I hear Audrey's voice say as she runs up to me and tackles me in a hug.

"Hey Audrey" I smile.

"Listen, I don't know if I'm gonna have a chance to speak to you before...you know... so I just want to say that no matter what happens in there, I've got your back. I'm on your side." She says sternly as she looks deep into my eyes. She doesn't look scared or sad, she looks determined. Confident, even.

"Likewise." I say truthfully, and she holds out her hand for me to shake.

"Ok, I better go but I believe in you Cove!" She shouts cheerfully before disappearing into the bathroom.

Where that girl gets the energy, I just don't know.

After staring into space for a minute or so longer, I finally pull myself off my bed and head into the bathroom.

~

"Players, please line up." Sabine announces to the everyone in the dormitory room.

I look for Billie's face amongst the 11 other girls, and eventually spot her as she walks towards me and stands by my side.

I send her a little smile, which she returns before looking down at her feet. We shuffle to align ourselves with the other players.

"You will now be escorted to a vehicle that will transport you to The Ring. I would like to wish you all the very best of luck, and I look forward to watching you all on the screen!" She smiles brightly.

No one responds to her enthusiasm as the members of staff guide us out of the door. As I brush past Sabine, I feel her pat my shoulder. I briefly turn to face her and she sends me a little wink.

I nod at her in appreciation before turning back around and continuing to walk with the other players into the corridor and down the stairs.

Once we reach the main entrance of the training centre, the boys meet us in the foyer and we are asked to split off into our pairs. Very quickly, I jog over to James who has notably large bags under his eyes. I embrace him in a massive hug that he immediately returns.