Jaded ||| Johanna Mason

twenty-three

I am so sorry it took me this long to update! Thank you all for the kind comments on the rest of the work! I fell into a bit of a different writing funk and then watched HOTD and wrote a couple fics for that series but I am back for a bit! Enjoy the food!

"It truly astounds me that you still insist on making me go."

Domitia had heard the argument a thousand times since Jade won her games. Why she shouldn't have to go back to the Capitol. There had been a million different reasons Jade came up with. And she was met with the same result every time.

It still didn't stop her from trying.

"You have Aries now. He's fresh meat. No one cares about me anymore. Just let me fucking stay home," Jade spoke the last part in quick succession. Like a child begging for something. She was still basically a teenager.

That year, however, there was a more pressing reason for Jade's insistence. More than she simply didn't want to go.

Avoiding Johanna Mason. She wanted to forget. Nothing Jade loved ever survived and she wasn't doing that again. Jade wouldn't. Not with the world they lived in.

Still, Domitia sighed and kept her cool. She'd been dealing with Jade's attitude and temper for three years at that point. There were ways to navigate it.

"People do like you, that's the point. You bring in sponsors, Jade. No matter how much of a bitch you are, they eat it up." Jade had the gall to act offended at the accusation. The true accusation. "Suck it up and pack or I'll have someone drag you to the train."

Jade knew she was serious about that. She's tried once before. With another childish groan, Jade gave Domitia the finger and begrudgingly left to gather the things she would need.

She never packed much: the Capitol provided everything the Victors would need for their stay. All of it was tailored to them.

The worst part about it all was the mandatory events. Being carted off from Victor's Village to watch as the excited District gathered for another reaping.

It was easier to be excited when they knew their children weren't at risk. Jade was limp in the back of the vehicle. She sat on stage and picked her nails while the others screamed and cheered for two more tributes. Two more chances of an acceptable Victor.

Odius and Domitia had been trying to beat the 1's regarding their winning streak. District 1 had the only victors who'd ever won back-to-back.

Jade knew it was by design: it made for a great story. Brother and sister winning only a year apart. Domitia and Odius always strived for it knowing the Capitol wouldn't let it happen.

Something to aim for, Jade mused. So they wouldn't get bored.

She didn't catch the names of her tributes. Jade was sure the girl's name started with a P or something. And the boy, she had absolutely no idea.

It was easier not to get attached. Not that that was a problem for Jade. But it made everything easier when they weren't even an entity to her. Jade didn't have to think about those little girls and boys who'd been turned into killers. Those little girls and boys who came back when the tributes were about to die and realize none of it was worth it.