𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐞 ☦︎ 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐧

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 ☦︎ 6

The next day of training is the last, and I manage to avoid Cato during it. And Jasper.

However, at dinner that night, Haymitch and Andrew explain what's going to happen the next day.

"So tomorrow, they'll bring you in and evaluate you," Haymitch explains to us, Andrew nodding alongside him. "This is important because the rankings are broadcast later tonight, and the higher they are, the more sponsors you will get."

"This is the time to show them everything," Andrew summarises. "There'll be knives there, Sage. Make sure you use them. Jasper, make sure to show your strength."

Clearly, whilst I've been messing about trying to make bows, Jasper has been trying to improve his own image. I'm too angry at him to care much, though.

"They'll start with District One, so you two will go last," Haymitch says finally. "I don't know how else to put this, but... make sure they remember you."

I look back at him, the wheels in my mind turning.

I don't know how I'm going to make the gamemakers remember me in the slightest, but what I do know is that I've already made enough enemies.

I can't afford to make anymore.

☦︎☦︎☦︎

It's awkward.

Really awkward.

Jasper and I have been sitting in the waiting room, side by side, for about three and a half hours by now. The little girl from District Eleven who I now know is named Rue, has just gone in, but we've had to sit through all the tributes getting called into the room, and we've just had to sit there. We're also sitting uncomfortably close, even though there's a lot of space by now because the room isn't filled with tributes anymore.

We sit in silence. I have no desire to talk to him, and before, we couldn't risk anyone listening in. I can't wait to get out of here, even if I'm walking straight into that room.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts as I feel a pressure on my arm. I look down instinctively, but there's no doubt in my mind. Jason is touching it again.

"Get off me!" I snap, jerking my arm away from him and standing up, backing up slightly. "I thought I told you I'd kill you if you touched me again."

"Sage-" Jasper begins, standing up as well.

"Don't say my name!" I snap.

"So are we not going to talk about this? A- about anything?" He questions. "Are we just going to walk into the arena without-"

"Without what?" I hiss. "Without addressing the fact you raped me at thirteen years old?!"

Not even I had been expecting that.

I falter slightly, my eyes dropping to the ground. Because saying it out loud makes it real. It was all fine, us tiptoeing around it, not mentioning it, but now I'm acknowledging it. And I really, really wish I hadn't.

"Sage, listen-" Jasper takes a step towards me.

"Don't touch me!" I shout, taking one backwards.

"Sage-"

"No, I mean it," I tell him. "Say whatever the hell you like, but you're not taking advantage of me like that again."