Panem Academy

Chapter Three

  District 1 was like a mini version of the Capitol, large fancy building and people wearing fancy clothing.
But the Capitol had large and tall buildings and their civilians wear crazier clothing than the people of District 1.
The first people on board from District 1 were Cashmere and her brother Gloss. Cashmere was wheeling in two large suitcases and had two large duffel bags on her shoulder while Gloss just carried one large suitcase and duffel bag.
I heard a voice cry, "Oh hurry up Glimmer, I told you not bring all that luggage."
"Well, don't stand there like an idiot!" I heard Glimmer's voice snap, "help me!"
There was some scuffling about and then a boy entered the compartment carrying three suitcases (two were Glimmer's) and two duffel bags.
The boy dumped the luggage in the middle of the ground and sighed loudly. "Glimmer, either you pack too much in your suitcase or you brought your whole bedroom. What is in the suitcases?"
"The one on the right are my shoes and the one on the left are my jackets." Called Glimmer.
Cato looked at the boy. "Marvel, since when did you become Glimmer's chauffer?"
"Since when Glimmer decided to double her luggage." Muttered Marvel.
Glimmer stumbled into the compartment dropping four suitcases and three duffel bags.
"Oh my god Glimmer," Groaned Clove. "Why did you bring all this luggage?"
Glimmer plopped into an empty seat across from us. "Cashmere said that the most popular girl in school always brings their whole wardrobe to impress her friends. She even swore that she would treat me a little bit nicer."
Clove snorted. "You seriously fell for that?"
"Have you ever seen her fake cry?" Countered Glimmer. "It's so realistic, even I almost started crying seeing her cry."
"Students of Panem Academy, we are arriving at the Capitol, please head towards the Panem Academy Bus when we stop. Students attending Panem Elementary, please prepare for a stop in two minutes." Said an announcement over the loudspeaker.
I packed up my things and met up with Rue and Prim who were packing their things.
"Bye, Prim, I'll write to you ok?"
Prim gave me a big bear hug. "And I'll write to you."
I said my goodbye to Rue watched as the two girls were heading towards the front of the train.
"I think the only time you get emotional is when you have to say goodbye to your sister." Said Johanna.
"That's true." I murmured.
Five minutes later, the train stopped at the Capitol station and I saw crowds of Capitol people trying to get a glimpse of us.
"Every time I see crowds of Capitol people; I feel like a celebrity." Murmured Peeta.
I stepped off the train and got onto the Academy bus. I saw Glimmer struggling with her luggage but Annie came to help her.
When everyone was finally on the bus, we drove away from the station and on our way to the school.
"I can't believe you beat Peeta in the arm wrestling contest." Exclaimed Clove to Cato.
Cato puffed his chest, "I guess all that training paid off."
"Wow Cato, you have more muscle than the last time I saw you." Complimented Glimmer.
I hear Johanna gasp. "Glimmer never flirts with Cato in front of Clove!" She whispered to me.
I saw Clove smile fade a little but then she said, "You should've seen Cato though, what a come back!"
"Oh great, here come the battle of the complements." Muttered Johanna.
Gale cleared his throat, "Well, uh Clove, did you learn anything new in knife throwing."
That is one thing that can calm Clove down from a possible explosion, ask her about something that she has pride in.
"Oh, I didn't learn anything new, but I did practice and improved my skills." Said Clove opening her jacket and revealed half a dozen of throwing knives on each side of the inside of her jacket. "I am now prepared to protect myself from anything or anyone." She glared at Glimmer.
Glimmer must've gotten the message because suddenly became very busy making sure none of her luggage was missing.
The rest of the ride was very quiet. After a while, Finnick broke the silence. "How about Truth or Dare?"
"Who is Truth Odair?" Asked Marvel.
Everybody snickered but Finnick scowled. "I meant the game truth or dare."
Peeta shrugged. "I'm up for it. Who else?"
"I'll play," I said.
Johanna shrugged. "What the heck, it's better than looking out the window."
Clove hesitated.
"C'mon Clove, it'll be fun." Said Glimmer.
"Fine, I'll play couple of rounds." Sighed Clove.
"I'll start," Said Cato. "Peeta, truth or dare?
"Uh, truth?"
Cato grinned in a suspicious way. "Do you like Katniss?"
I wasn't surprised by that question. Why do people really want me and Peeta to date? It's dumb.
Peeta looked also uncomfortable. "Um, err, well of course I like Katniss, we're from the same district and I helped her once a long time ago and now we're friends."
Cato looked disappointed. "Okay then, you're turn then."
"Well, Johanna, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"Who do you like in the group?" Asked Peeta.
Johanna looked at her choices. "Well, considering that I have no interest in dating him, I say Gale isn't so annoying."
Gale looked at her. "Thanks, I think."
"Your turn." Said Glimmer to Johanna.
"Hmm, Katniss, truth or dare?"
I didn't want to go for a dare so I went for truth.
"What do you think of Peeta."
I thought for a moment. "Well, uh, I like him because like he said, he helped me long ago, and uh, we're from the same district. So, we're pretty good friends."
Johanna looked disappointed like Cato was with Peeta.
"Well, Cato, truth or dare."
"Since none of you wimps have done a dare yet, I choose dare."
This time, it was my turn to grin sneakily. "Okay then Cato, but your gonna regret this,"
Cato snorted.
"I dare you to choose one girl here and say why you think they are special. Then, you have to kiss her. It can be on the cheek by the way."
Cato looked at me with mock anger. "Oh, how I hate you."
He looked at the girls. I prayed that he wouldn't pick me.
Glimmer flipped her hair and kept smiling at him, which I thought it was sick.
Clove became very busy admiring her throwing knives.
"Dude, did find one yet?" Asked Gale.
Cato looked at the girls one more time. "I think I found one."
I looked up from a game on my Communicator Pod, "Who?" I prayed that it wasn't me.
"Well, she is incredibly smart."
Glimmer looked up.
"And she is very athletic."
Clove stopped admiring her knives.
"But, I don't really like playing favourites. If I had to choose someone, which I have to because I'm playing truth or dare..."
"Dude! Just say her name!" Exclaimed Thresh.
"I say Clove is special because she is someone who has a secret talent that a total stranger may not know until it's too late. Plus, I've never seen a girl throw knives with killer accuracy."
Clove grew red, while Glimmer's lips thinned into the beginnings of a frown.
"Ok Cato," I said, "you know what to do."
Cato leaned over and gave Clove a quick peck on the cheek so fast, you could almost miss it. Clove grew even redder and continued fiddling with her knives.
"We're almost there!" Called Annie. "We're just leaving downtown."
Panem Academy is kind of in the middle of nowhere, the school and the dormitories were built in a great big field about 74 years ago.
It's actually a beautiful school, all the pathways are covered in sand and the entrance to the school property has a large ivy archway with white roses.
The bus was now driving through the woods. Yeah, surprisingly the Capitol has a small forest.
Since it's rare to see such a beautiful forest in a liberal place like the Capitol, everyone paused to look outside to look at the beautiful scenery as if it was its last day on Earth.
After driving through the forest, the bus drove into a dark tunnel made out of overgrown branches. It was dark.
"Does somebody have a light?" Asked Peeta. And, as if the bus had listened, it's lights turned on.
"We should be here in a couple of minutes." Said Finnick checking his Communicator Pod. It's almost two."
After driving through the tunnel, we approached the light and drove out of the dark tunnel.
"Home sweet home." I murmured.