Because I'll Win

Chapter 4

Lake POV:

Huntress. I can't express how much I love her. More than a sister, more than a friend. But she probably has her eyes on some other kid from town. Not a Seam boy like me, not to mention I am five years older than her. I hope we both get out of here alive, because if she died, I don't know what her family or I would do. Haymitch really hurt her. She needs support, being the third of her family to get picked. And soon, her sister will be leaving to marry the Mayor's kid. That adds to the pressure. I hate seeing her upset, I still can't believe only her sister came to say goodbye. Out of the countless times I've been over to her house to see Tristen her parents always seemed like reasonable people.

As I held her in my arms, I was thinking, what if this happened when we weren't in the games? If she wasn't crying and loved me like I love her? She buried her face in my chest and I hugged her tightly. I ordered food and we sat there, eating talking and eventually she asked me,

"Lake, will you be my ally?" I can't express how happy I was that she asked that, but now I'm worried, for both of our sakes. She is so small, and such an easy target, I'm big and probably even a bigger target. How will I keep us alive? I'm sure she will help, but how much can a girl her size do? I'm sure she's strong and I have no doubts that she'll do good in training.

"Of course." I reply with a grin on my face. "Anything to protect my best friends little sis." Jesus Lake, why did you say that? Now you completely destroyed any hope of being with her now. We talked about the games, Haymitch and soon we were in the Capitol. I was taken into custody of my prep team, and Huntress into hers. They stripped me down, waxed my underarms because apparently in the Capitol hair is "undesirable" I quote so that is pretty much how the night went, me arguing with my prep team and being tortured, mentally, knowing what I would be entering soon. I need sponsors, but more importantly, Huntress needs sponsors. We finished and then I met my stylist, Delilah.

"So Lake, what do you think of your fellow tribute from twelve?" Delilah asks.

"I've known her my whole life, it's hard because she's my best friends little sister. And I think she might be something more." Delilah raised her eyebrows. She clears her throat,

"And may I ask, Lake, who is your best friend?"

"Tristen Donner." I reply coldly. "And I will do anything to protect his sister. She's the third Donner child to get reaped. I would much rather to die in her place." Delilah nodded her head.

"Yes I knew Tristen as well. I was his stylist last year. His bets were high, but that good for nothing mentor of yours wouldn't let the gift go through. Such a shame." She smiles at me. I hope that she gets what's coming to her. No one takes Tristen for granted. He earned a lot of respect in District Twelve. He did community work, helped with the little kids and loved to be around his little sister.

"I would love to have him alive, but the games ruined it all." I say, hoping that she'll decide to drop the subject.

"Yes of course, now let's get you into your outfit."