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

13.

I wake to a knocking on my door. I sit up and stretch before answering it. It's Grace.

"Hey, I thought you usually came in to wake me?" I say.

"Yeah, but I figured I'd knock this time, and Happy Birthday" Grace says.

"Thanks" I say and Grace steps in my room.

"Well its time to go, so you should probably shower then put on anything until we get there. Rhys will be waiting with your arena outfit," Grace says then leaves.

I sigh and head into the bathroom to shower. I take off the glowstick that is still on my wrist from last night. I take a quick shower but make sure I enjoy the warm water just in case the arena is cold.

When I get out of the shower I change into a simple green tank top and shorts. I pull my hair up into a high ponytail then grab my necklace and head out.

When I walk into the kitchen, Grayson is already there and ready. I run to him and he hugs me.

"I'm scared," I say.

"Me too, but don't worry, I'll be there," Grayson says.

"Say anything you want to now before the arena, you guys are riding in separate hovercrafts, boys and girls are separate this year," Grace says.

"Any last minute plans?" I ask.

"Do you want to go to the cornucopia?" Grayson asks me.

"If you do, then yes, because your not going in there alone," I say.

"Ok, and just in case," Grayson says before kissing me. We kiss for a minute before Grayson pulls back and looks at me.

"Just in case something happens to one of us," He says, "I love you."

"I love you too," I say and try not to cry.

We get lead to where the hovercrafts are then separate onto the hovercrafts.

Right before I get on Grace stops me.

"Aria, I just want to tell you that I know you can do it. I believe in you. You've become a friend to me and I hope you win, just don't get to upset if Grayson dies," Grace says.

I nod and hug her. A tear runs down to my face.

I walk to the hovercraft and don't dare to look back at Grace.

I step onto the hovercraft and some lady leads me to a seat. I end up sitting next to Mallorie and the 13 year old girl from district 5, who's name I think is Ferryn. Ginger is across and down a few from me.

After a few minutes, the lady walks up to me.

"Give me your arm," she says.

I hesitantly hold out my arm. The lady sticks something in my arm and it blinks and beeps then stops. I think it was my tracker.

"Oww," I whisper to myself and rub my arm.

"It hurts at first, but then it goes away," Ferryn whispers to me.

"It hope so," I whisper with a little giggle.

Ferryn giggles quietly.

I feel the hovercraft lift up. We're on our way to the arena.

____

After about an hour, we finally land. I'm taken off of the hovercraft and two peacekeepers lead me down a long hallway. I see writing on the doors.

They finally get to a door that says district 12 female. I think the one before mine was district 5 female. So I'm next to Ferryn, but I don't know who's on the other side.