Siren Song → The Hunger Games

CHAPTER TWO

By the time the sun rises the next morning, Cashmere has already been on her first run of the day. She jogs by the river, her usual route. It's the most popular running track in District One for good reason: the crisp air, the steady rhythm of the water beside her, the serene glow of dawn. It clears her mind, even when her muscles ache from pushing herself harder each day.

After her run, she showers, letting the steaming water wash away the sweat and ease her tension. She dries off quickly, slipping into her Academy uniform: a white blouse and a neatly pressed navy skirt. As she stands in front of her bedroom mirror, smoothing down the fabric and brushing her blonde curls into place with her fingers, a nagging feeling lingers. Something is missing.

Her eyes roam her room until they land on the cerulean bow hanging from her desk. She picks it up, tying it carefully into her hair. It adds a subtle touch of personality, a pop of color that feels uniquely hers. Satisfied, she checks her watch. It's almost seven.

When she steps out onto the porch, Gloss is already there, two white paper bags in his hands.

He thrusts one toward her. "Breakfast?"

The smell of fresh pastry wafts up, and her stomach rumbles in response. "Go on, then," she says, taking the bag. Inside is an almond croissant, its golden crust flaking at her touch. She takes a bite, savoring the buttery richness as it melts on her tongue. It's bliss.

Gloss grins, watching her devour it. "Knew you'd like it. But, uh, you might wanna wipe those crumbs off before Glistenia sees you."

Her fingers dart to her mouth, brushing away the flakes of pastry. "I doubt Glistenia will even be at the Academy today," she replies. "The Victors always watch the Games together."

"Oh, right," Gloss mutters, shaking his head. "Forgot about that. Anyway, isn't it so boring that we have to sit and watch all day?" He groans, dragging out the complaint. "I'd rather be doing anything else. Even sitting through another lecture about the Dark Days."

Cashmere suppresses her irritation. Gloss never takes the Games seriously—not watching them, anyway. All he cares about is the idea of being in them, winning them. For her, though, watching the Games is everything. Every reaping, every angle, every fleeting moment has meaning. She's spent hours analyzing old footage, breaking it down in her notebooks, recording every move and mistake. When it's her turn, she plans to know everything, to follow every rule, then add her own flair to stand out.

"Gloss," she says, her tone sharper now, "what did you even do in your first private session?"

He shrugs, smiling lazily. "You won't have one for a while, Cash. Not until the Games are over. Glistenia's gonna be too busy. She's not Azuria or Garnet's mentor, but she's still running the shop back here in One. You've got, what, two weeks?"

Cashmere rolls her eyes. "I didn't ask when I'll have my session, Gloss. I asked what you did in yours. How should I prepare?"

He seems taken aback for a moment, then chuckles. "Fine, fine. Glistenia just makes you do a little bit of everything—" He begins counting on his fingers. "Weapons testing, sprint drills, and some boring knowledge tests. You know, basics."

"Tests?" Cashmere's stomach tightens. Physical challenges she can handle. Weapons, too. But the knowledge tests? Her confidence falters. She makes a mental note to study later.

When they reach the Moline Academy, she gives Gloss a quick hug goodbye and heads to her classroom. Sliding into her usual seat, she pulls out her notebook and slumps back into her chair, already lost in thought.

"Tired there, Cash?"

She glances up to see Jesper grinning at her, his blonde curls falling into his eyes. "We heard you finally passed Phase One!" he teases, laughing at his own joke.