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

10.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up dear we don't have time to waste!!" Chrysanthemum's says in her perky capitol voice.

I open my eyes and squint at the bright sunlight coming into the window.

"I'm up, just please leave so I can get dressed," I say.

"Fine, but hurry. We all overslept today," Chrysanthemum says and walks out.

I sigh and get up. I quickly get dressed and pull my hair into a high ponytail. I run into the bathroom and find some makeup to cover my bruises then I hurry out to the dining room.

"No time for breakfast we need to get going," Chrysanthemum says and pushes me towards the elevator, where Grayson is already waiting.

"Good luck, see you later," Chrysanthemum says then the doors close and we're on our way down.

Grayson and I stand there in silence. Suddenly I feel his hand take mine.

"You look nervous," he says.

I give him a nervous smile then the doors open. He let's go of my hand and we walk in.

"We probably shouldn't let anybody know about us until later," Grayson says. I nod.

We find our seats at the very end since we're from 12. I sit at the very end since girls go second.

We all sit there nervously for about ten minutes, waiting for it to start.

"Avian Hoffman," a voice says over a speaker. I see Avian stand up. Right before he walks in the doors, he turns and gives me an evil smirk.

I feel chills run down my spine. I feel Grayson sneak his arm around me.

"It's ok," he says then takes his arm off of my back.

____

After what seems like decades, they finally make it to district 12.

"Grayson Pritchard"

Grayson, who has been holding my hand for the past ten minutes since the district 11 girl went in, stands up.

"Good luck," I say.

Grayson leans down and gives me a quick peck on the lips.

"Good luck to you too," he says then turns and walks down the hall and into the room.

I sit there and try to count the seconds, but lose track after a few minutes. I can tell it's almost time, and I start hyperventilating a bit. I feel sweat coming and I want to cry so bad, but I can't. I can't look weak.

"Ariabella Fox"

I get up and slowly walk towards the door. I take a shaky breath and open it.

I walk a bit slowly over to the x on the floor where we are supposed to stop and announce ourselves.

"Ariabella Fox, district 12," I say a bit nervously.

I see the other gamemakers look at my father. He ignores them and stares at me.

I take a deep breath then walk over to the knife throwing station. I want to save archery for last.

I pick up the knife and aim at the heart. I hit it perfectly. I pick up two knives and throw them both at the stomach. Perfect shot. I pick up three more and throw them at the neck. Again, a perfect shot.

I head to the archery station and out of the corner of my eye I see all of the gamemakers look impressed, except for my dad. He just stares at me.

I pick up the bow and an arrow. I nock the arrow and aim for the heart. Again, like knives, I hit perfectly. I aim another for the stomach and hit it. I start moving backwards and keep going until I'm at the other side of the room. I still manage to hit dead center.