104: The Games (A Hunger Games Story)

Chapter Four

This journey will take us to the training center in the middle of the Capitol, and all along the streets are screaming Capitol citizens. The District 6 kids are in front of us and I feel bad for them, they are in ridiculous, mechanical-looking getup.

As we ride, the I realize I have to play my part, so I grab Clo's hand. She looks at me understandingly, and we wave and she even blows some kisses. As I blankly smile and wave, I think about what persona I'm going to take on for the games. Clo is obviously going to take on the sweet, cute, little girl thing. I, on the other hand have no idea what I'm going to do. Maybe humor? I think, and that could work well for me, as I'm a pretty easygoing person.

The parade lasts about 20 minutes, and once we reach the center of the Capitol, we stop at the Circle in front of the training center.

We stand in our chariots as President Coin making her speech. She is on a balcony way above us, and she starts with, "Welcome to the 104th annual hunger games!" She looks around and says, "Now, we all mourn the recent death of our beloved president Snow, and this Hunger Games will honor him and how well he served the Panem over the years. I hope that everyone keeps fresh in their minds what the hunger games is all about, and why we must have the games as a symbol of peace. If the districts rebel, there is only war and conflict and more lives lost, and this is why we hold these games as a reminder of the past, and a hope for the future. And I now present to you our 24 district for this year's Hunger Games!" The cheering is so loud, I have to resist the urge to cover my ears. The fact that the Capitol thinks the games are good is almost funny. Almost.

I think about what Ivy was wearing, and how beautiful she looked in it, she

wore a sparkling gold dress, that seemed to change from silver to gold as she moved. The dress was fairly tight on her, but it ended in a mermaid like skirt. Her dark hair was in a french braided bun. It was slightly messy, but she looked amazing. Her dark eyes seemed to sparkle, but despite her perfect appearance, she seemed distraught. Like she wasn't fully here. No duh she's distraught. She has to kill us. All of us. "Rowan, your staring again" Clover whispers, as she tugs on my sleeve. I quickly shift my gaze to my sister, and give her a goofy smile."Pay attention, Rowan", she says, as she punches my arm playfully.

"Now tributes, we will be showing you your rooms. Everyone please get with your escort" A perky woman with gold skin and light blue hair tells us. We all move closer to our escorts. And I watch Ivy go to her escort, a chubby, thirty-something year old woman with reddish skin. (yes, I know. I'm a bit of a stalker..)

Clover and I push our way over to Diamond, and she pushes the 7th button on the elevator. We ride up the sleek, silver elevator and we got off to a huge entry way, with marble floors and huge columns. The whole room is adorned with wooden sidings, and wooden furniture. As we continue, we see a small living space, with large plush chairs, a fireplace, and a book shelf. We continue on, and we see our dining room, which contains a very large table, with seven chairs. A small bouquet of orange roses adorned the table, along with a full set of china. Finally, we reach the bedrooms, which are next to each other, and have a small door connecting them. My room had a wooden floor, with a large birch wood bed. It had an orange bedspread, a side table, and a huge window, overlooking the forest A couple of years ago, my window would have been a balcony, but after Patar Byron, from district 2 found a way to remove the force field and jumped, the Capitol decided we couldn't be trusted. My room is plain and simple, just the way I like it. Clo and I settle to our dining room table, and eat, just the two of us, just like the old times. We discuss funny things that happened, and which district had the best outfit. For a moment, I forget why I was worried. And then I remember. My sister and I could die. We'll never see our parents again, never see our friends. I'll never get to have a life with Ivy. I don't know how I was happy before. I quickly rush away from the table, hoping I can get to sleep quickly. As I'm rushing away, my sister starts to ask why. She sees my face, and is immediately silent. I know she understands.

I lay down, hoping tiredness would overcome me, but i'm sadly mistaken. I lay sleepless in my bed for hours, eventually deciding to go down stairs and get something to eat. I put on some casual clothes, slip on my shoes, and set for down stairs.

I successfully make it downstairs, and grab a pastry from a busy avox, when I set for upstairs. Now, i'm far more tired. And quickly push the button, wishing to get to my bedroom as quick as possible.

As I exit the elevator,the room seems more illuminated than I remember.I walk through the door, and am surprised to see the bed with a light pink bed spread. Why does this room seem so different. I look to the right, and hear a faint sobbing, coming from the living room. Oh no. Clo is crying. I better go comfort her I think, as I rush to the living room. As I enter the room, I see a figure sobbing, sitting on one of the plush chairs. But it's not Clover.

It's Ivy.

***

The first thing that comes to my mind is Wow. Ivy looks amazing even when she's crying. She looks up. "Wha, what are you doing here?" she says in between sobs, while shoving a small piece of paper into her pocket. "I'm so sorry, Ivy. I didn't mean to... it's just i couldn't sleep. And i tried to get some food, and I-" She cuts me off. "It's fine. Just fine. Everythings fine." She says. Although she's trying to reassure me, it sounds like she's reassuring herself. "Ivy, I know I probably sound like a idiot right now-" She cuts me off again "you do" "Ok. thanks for that note, but,would, you, I don't know, want to join me for a dance?" "A dance? Its 3 am and I'm in my pajamas, crying. Is now the best time?" "I don't know. I was just thinking, you know, to get our minds off things?" "will you judge my dancing skills?" "of course not." "then sure."

Ivy and I quietly sneak downstairs and walk across the hallway, into the ballroom. Ivy pulled out a ipod, and starts playing One Dance. "Really?" I ask her. "Do you have a problem with it?" I would say yes. Afterall, music from any other time besides Panem is illegal. We're not supposed to get any ideas about democracy. But the sparkle in her eyes convinces me. "Of course not. I love this song." I reply. "Good" she smiles. We get even closer. She puts her hands on my hips,and I place my hands on her shoulders. We start swaying to the music, slowly, but together. I couldn't imagoine being any happier then I was, right there and then. After a couple of minutes, she gets closer. She brushes my cheek, and mover her face closer to mine. I move fowards, and her lips brush against mine. We don't speak. Her lips are soft and warm, and I never want to leave. But the song ends. And she pulls away. She gives me a hug, and says goodnight. She walks away, and I couldn't pull my eyes away from her. Even when the door closes. I love her. In that moment I realize that I love her, and I never want to let her go.