The 53rd Hunger Games- Two Words

14. Practice

Almost everyone in the room lets out an excited whoop.

"You did it, Eunia!" Tule says, giving me a rough hug. "No one can say no to you now!"

"Nice job," Wade says. While he's still calm and collected, Velia, Marcille and Elnar are shrieking and clutching each other.

"Imagine how jealous the others will be!" Elnar gabbles to Marcille. By others, they're referring to the other stylists.

But I don't care.

It's like the reaping. I've gone numb with shock. I couldn't have scored a nine. That's more than what Marina and a couple of other Careers received. I'm waiting for Caesar to consult his papers again, say that there has been a mistake. Instead, he just makes a few comments about my score.

The score is correct. I really must have earned it. I felt powerful with a weapon in my hands...did I look the part too? I can picture Hadrian smiling to himself. He probably knew I'd suck it up and perform well, even though I didn't.

A grin slowly stretches across my face. I rush over to the window and look out into the square below. My headshot and score are still up on the massive screens. Even though the glass is meant to be soundproof, I can still hear the cheering of the Capitol. Hope blossoms inside of me. I haven't won the Games yet, but I might have sponsors. All I have to do now is survive the interview.

The scoring program isn't over yet. Gladius is trying to be happy for me, showing a strained smile. We both know that there is only one that survives. We can't both win, although we can pretend until we reach the arena. Because we're from the same district, we feel a tie. He's caught between being wholly happy for me and worrying. If I score high and he doesn't, who has the better odds?

I can feel the rage of the Careers, too. How could I, a girl from Eight, have received such a brilliant score? I may have showed some skill in the Training Centre, but in the end, I was thought of as just another outline tribute.

"Gladius Lapworth. A score of...eight."

Tule's hand flies to her mouth, as does mine. How did Gladius score lower than I did? He's just as good as some of the Careers, but I deserve the eight, and he deserves the nine.

"Gladius! Well done!" Elnar says. Tule, Wade, Marcille and Velia all chime in, adding their praise. Gladius's smile turns from strained to real. He may not have achieved the highest score, but he has done well enough to secure at least a handful of sponsors. In the arena, I'm sure he'll show them more of his talents.

The Careers must be scratching their heads, trying to figure out how the District Eight tributes have managed to do so well. None of the other outline tributes have or should score as well as Gladius and I did.

There are two ways the Careers could take this. I'll most probably be ignored for a time, even though I've managed to earn an eight, and I've been talking to Hadrian. They'll try to get rid of the large tributes at the Cornucopia, which gives me time to get away. A fifteen minute head start is all I need if I grab weapons and supplies that are close to my metal plate.

However, if the Careers do decide to take out their biggest threats first, that means Gladius would be near the top of their list.

The tributes from Nine and Ten have their scores flashed on the television without us noticing. We are too busy celebrating. Velia asks an Avox to bring drinks. The adults all enjoy a blue alcoholic beverage. I've had alcohol at the harvest festival, and it did murder to my head. I can't stand the stuff, and as it turns out neither can Gladius. We both opt for a dull red liquid that tastes like the strawberries at home.