Ariabella: The Tribute Who Danced (A Hunger Games Fanfic) Book 1

3.

My eyes widen with amazement as I step onto the train. Everything is so fancy and luxurious, and there's so much food. I've been to the capitol many times, but I've never had all of this to myself. Well, me and Grayson.

I look over at Grayson, and he has the same amazed expression on his face.

"Go ahead and start eating children, your mentor will be out in a few minutes," Chrysanthemum says in her annoying capitol accent as she sits down on the couch.

Grayson and I sit down at the table and start stuffing our faces with delicious capitol food.

Suddenly the door slides open and a girl who looks to be about 18 walks in. I recognize her as district 12's only victor since the 74th Hunger Games, when Katniss and Peeta won. I think she won two years ago, the 143rd games.

"Hey, I'm Grace, and I'm your mentor this year," she says as she sits down at the end of the table, which is near me.

"Hey, I'm Ariabella, but you can call me Ari, Aria, or Bella, I don't really care," I say with a little giggle.

"Ok, you're the dancer right?" Grace asks.

"Yeah," I reply.

"Cool. And you're Grayson right?" Grace asks, looking at Grayson.

"Yeah," Grayson replies and continues eating.

I turn back to my food and continue eating this delicious meat.

____

After eating, I decide to head to my room and get a shower. The room is amazing. The bed is massive, bigger than mine at home.

I walk into my bathroom and step in the shower and press some random buttons until the water is warm enough and good smelling soaps is covering me.

After about 15 minutes of the shower, I get out and change into a soft purple nightgown that goes to my knees.

Suddenly there's a knock on my door.

I walk over and open it to find Grace standing there.

"Grayson wants to watch some tapes from previous games, if you want to join?" Grace asks.

I nod my head and walk with her down the hallway.

We head into the living room and I see that Grayson is already there, sitting on the couch. Grace sits next to him and I sit on the other side of her.

"Which do you want to watch?" Grace asks.

"74th," Grayson replies.

Grace presses a few buttons on the remote and suddenly the tv changes to the 74th games.

They start with showing the reapings. The two tributes from 1 don't look too intimidating for careers. The girl, who's name is Glimmer, looks kinda ditzy to be honest. The two tributes from 2 on the other hand look very intimidating. The girl, Clove, has a death stare, and the boy, Cato, looks fierce. I don't pay attention to the rest until District 12, when I see Katniss volunteer for her sister, Primrose, and Peeta gets reaped. They both look scared.

Next it moves on to the parade. Katniss and Peeta come out dressed in all black, but suddenly their outfits burst into flames. They hold hands as the crowd cheers and throws flowers.

Next are the scores. Peeta gets an 8 and Katniss gets an 11. Then they move on to the interviews. Katniss walks out, and doesn't even hear Caesar's first question. She then stands up and spins around, causing her dress to flame up at the bottom. No wonder they call her the girl on fire. She then talks about her sister then it's Peeta's turn. He starts off by being funny and talking to Caeser about smelling like roses. Then. Caeser asks if Peeta has a special girl at home. Peeta then confesses his love to Katniss.

I notice Grayson glance at me.

Next they move on to the start of the games. They show all of the tributes nervously getting ready on their platforms. Peeta mouths something to Katniss, but she doesn't understand and before Peeta can say it again, the gong goes off. They run to the cornucopia. The games are interesting. It includes a fire that almost kills Katniss, tracker jackers that kill Glimmer, supplies getting blown up by Katniss, and the saddest part, when Rue died. Katniss sang to her as she died. Katniss and Peeta even kiss in a cave, and Katniss goes to a feast, which Clove gets killed at after she attacks Katniss. The finale, which was Katniss, Peeta, and Cato, was intense. They all get chased by mutts, and Cato head locks Peeta. Katniss shoots Cato in the hand and Peeta pushes him. Katniss and Peeta both try to eat poisonous berries, but they both get crowned victor.

"Wow, that was pretty good," I say.

"Agreed," Grayson says.

"So, are there any more that you want to watch?" Asks Grace.

"How about your games," I suggest.

"That's not a good idea," Grace repies, tears starting in her eyes.

"Why?" I ask.

"Yeah, I mean, we could use your strategies," Grayson says.

"I said it's not a good idea," Grace snaps.

Grayson and I look at eachother, surprised by Grace.

"I'm sorry, just, go to bed, you have a long day tomorrow," Grace says and she rushes off to her room.

Grayson and I look at eachother again, and Grayson shrugs.

We both get up and walk down the hall in an awkward silence.

"So, see you tomorrow, goodnight," Grayson says.

"Goodnight," I reply.

"Oh, and Aria, thanks again," Grayson says before he closes his door.

"Anytime," I say with a smile and head into my room.

I walk over to my bed and crawl under my covers, letting myself fall into a deep sleep.