Siren Song → The Hunger Games

CHAPTER TWO

Glistenia and Cashmere talk for hours. She walks her through everything to expect in Phase Two, she signs off her Phase One certificate, and just as they are finishing up, she does something unexpected, she gives her a gift.

Her dainty hands pass Cashmere a small velvet box, her lips curled up in as much of a smile as she can manage. "I think everyone who passes their first kill test deserves something to remember it by."

Cashmere looks at, pausing for a moment to inspect the box. It looks expensive. Capitol expensive, not just District One expensive. Carefully, she undoes the white ribbon wrapped around it, sliding open the box with her fingernails. "Oh wow," Cashmere can't help but let the words escape her lips. She pulls the gift out of the box gently, careful not to let it fall.

It's the most beautiful ring, a moss agate set in a golden casing. Diamonds are studded along a golden thread that wraps itself around the gem. She lifts it into the fading sunlight, watching in awe as the sparking rainbow dances around the room.

"Oh Glistenia, it's wonderful!"

She almost wants to give it back, she doesn't deserve something so beautiful, so rich, but she knows it's wrong to return a gift. She doesn't put it away, instead, sliding it onto her ring finger with a smile, holding up her hand to inspect it.

Glistenia takes her hand in hers, "you know, it promotes emotional balance and tranquillity. It's important to keep a cool head during training, it's easy to get caught up in all of it, especially in the Games"

Cashmere nods, but she can't understand it, not yet at least. One day, she'll get it, but that day won't be for a few years now. Gloss has to have his chance first.

No, she shakes her head at the thought. This isn't about him, it finally isn't.

"Anyway," Glistenia shakes her head, "you ought to get home, tell your family everything about your kill test. Cashmere bet they'll be proud."

She smiles at her, if only she knew. her kill will mean nothing to them. They've already heard all about the kill test, Gloss got there first. Cashmere remembers when he came home from his kill, the pride in her parents' faces was something she will likely never see.

They walk out of the Moline Acadeher together, Glistenia letting her go ahead once she sees Gloss in the distance. Cashmere catches his eye, smiling once she sees him in full. He's in his pristine Academy uniform, his arms clutching a black, leather book tightly.

"Finally!" He says boisterously, sliding the book into his pocket and opening his arms to welcome her in. "I was worried something might have happened."

"Nothing happened," She says, taken aback. Did Gloss think she could fail?

Gloss shakes his head at her, pulling her close into his warmth. "Of course nothing happened, that's not what I mean." He doesn't bother asking if she passed, he just holds her tight, letting her be still for a moment. "Did Glistenia get you anything?"

"What?" Cashmere raises her brows, "like a gift?" She thinks of the ring on her finger, shiny and new. "Y-"

"Garnet got me this," he raises his arm to reveal the gold bangle on his wrist. "I'm surprised you didn't notice."

"Oh..." She inspects it, the gold glittering against his tanned skin. "I must not have been paying attention." Deep down, it angers her. Her new ring is just another thing that Gloss got first, another second place trophy she holds, another disappointment.

"Well, I am paying attention!" He moves his arm, reaching down to her pale hand, "nice ring Cash."

The familiar nickname makes her smile, it makes her forget for a moment that she's second best.