The 53rd Hunger Games- Two Words

13. Scoring

All I can manage to eat for breakfast is a small bowl of assorted fruits. When I was with Hadrian earlier, I had forgotten the individual sessions. Nerves have now got the best of me.

"Relax," Tule tells me. "You need to show them the best you can do. That isn't going to happen if you're nervous. Even if you mess up, they'll give you a low score, and then you can surprise everyone in the arena."

Tule's acting like it's no big deal if I mess up, but I know that the Capitol will want to sponsor tributes that look like they're capable of something.

"I'm fine," I say. I breathe in deeply. "I know what I want to do, so I'm going to go into the centre, and do it."

Tule nods. "That's it, Eunia."

She starts talking to Gladius, and my mind drifts back to earlier this morning. Hadrian made me feel confident, like I could handle the interviews, the private sessions, the Games. No wonder everyone likes him so much; he's calming, but he can boost your confidence at the same time.

I still can't get past how I broke down crying in front of him. And worse; I told him that if we both belonged to Eight, things could have been different. I feel embarrassed when I think of it. I don't like him in that way. He reminds me of my eldest brother, I suppose.

"Tomorrow we'll start getting you ready for your interviews," Tule says. "Velia has agreed to help out, and Marcille will drop off your clothing late afternoon."

I stifle a groan. I can only imagine what Velia will teach me; how to walk in heels, how to use my manners, how to sit properly.

Gladius finishes his toast. "The interviews start at eight, right?"

"Yes," Wade says, talking for the first time this morning, "but you have to be there by half seven. They have to get you lined up in order and all that."

I look across at Gladius. Although on the train we agreed that we'd train together, Tule and Wade have picked up on the divide between us, and we now train separately. It's no use getting attached to anyone. When I think that, Hadrian is brought to the front of my mind. We've exchanged kind words, he's helped me. I need to stay away from him, because in the Games, no one will care how nice you were prior to entering the arena. Tributes are only interested in one thing. Winning.Through any means or strategy. Hadrian has given me valuable hints. I feel cruel using him for his knowledge, but I really don't have any other option. I become attached to people quickly, and the last thing I need is to be reluctant to kill in the arena.

The clock reads quarter to ten when Tule decides that we better take the elevator down to the gym. We are wished good luck by Velia, Wade, Tule, and Marcille and Elnar even pop in to give us words of encouragement.

Once we step into the room outside the Training Centre, things are very different.

There is a solemn air, and not even the Careers are talking.

Everyone is nervous; it is an almost tangible vibe. Tributes are biting their lips, plying with their hair. The boy and girl from One will be the first tributes to show their skills off to the Gamemakers, but they don't look all that nervous. Careers almost always score between eight and ten. Twelve in unattainably high score, as one is impossibly low. The other tributes normally score between three and seven.

Gladius and I sit on a wooden bench that is pushed against the wall of the room. I see Hadrian opposite me, and manage a small smile. He gives me one back, and then I remember that I've finally chosen to obey Tule's instructions. I drop my gaze to the floor, listening to the nervous movements of the other tributes.