Broken Promises

chapter 2

Athena falls off her bed at the bang of a door. She pulls herself up to hear her mentor screaming from the other side.

 “Wake up brainless.” She booms. Johanna Mason had always been a very aggressive woman. Johanna Mason is a female victor of the 71st Hunger Games from District 7. Johanna pretended to be a weakling, feigning hunger and fatigue when in reality, she was sly and cunning during her games. Being reaped for the 75th Hunger Games as well, or The Third Quarter Quell, Johanna was never the same; having struggled in the revolution and being tortured alongside her friends, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark of District 12. Katniss believed mentoring would help Johanna keep her mind off the terrible events that tormented her daily.

*

Athena heads over to the shower with the array of thousands of buttons and randomly chooses a cycle. After she’s almost burned to death, a cool rush of air blasts through her hair and over her body. Her hair is dry in minutes and her body is moisturized with a light layer of cream. Athena walks over to the dresser filled with luxurious articles of clothing she wouldn’t normally be able to afford in her home District. She decides on a light pink tank top and long black pants as she heads over to the dining cart to find the other boy tribute and Johanna eating a large breakfast. Athena silently takes her seat and begins the first course the muted servants distribute. Athena eyes the Avoxes in curiosity, wondering what terrible crime they committed in which they were punished by having their tongues cut out. It is clear that the Capitol are trying to fatten the tributes up but she has never been much of an eater. Allegedly, neither has Jason. That’s his name, apparently, not that he’s even spoken a single word to her.    

After the stuffing breakfast, Johanna and Peaches usher Athena into a room and she’s told to strip into a thin gown on the table. She does as she’s told and after about a minute, her stylist slams open the door. Athena’s first thought is that she hasn’t seen the light of day. Her stylist has pale blue skin and bright orange curls that cascade over her bony shoulders. She’s wearing a skin tight orange dress with blue polka dots splattered across it and her cleavage is on full focus. Athena just hopes she doesn’t try to put her in something that ridiculous. She introduces herself as Genevieve.  Genevieve walks over to her and snatches the gown off of her body revealing her assets. Athena gets the sudden urge to cover herself but Genevieve is already circling around her like a vulture upon rotting flesh. She turns bright red but Genevieve quickly reassures her there’s nothing about her to be embarrassed about.

“I have something perfect planned for this year’s chariot outfit.” She coos.  Athena notices that her Capitol accent isn’t as thick as Peaches. She abruptly squeaks before walking out and slamming the door. Athena is left gazing after her retreating figure before she returns within a few minutes with a dress that looks a little too ravish. Athena doesn’t comment but she knows that she would never be caught dead wearing it around her District. She throws Athena into the dress which looks like spinach but she reassures her that everyone else will think of it as leaves.

Athena awaits her prep team which come after a harsh holler from Genevieve and hurriedly begin working on her hair, nails, and skin. Her prep team consists of all males which seems a bit odd. Two of them are very thin and pale then there’s one round, short one. He seems to have a nervous tick but has a very steady hand while working with her nails. Genevieve informs her that his name is Julian. The skinniest one with bright blue eyes and dark curling hair named Darian trims Athena’s hair and adds about a thousand goops and sprays into it. The other skinny one with dark brown eyes and light blonde hair styled up into high spikes named Kelvin applies her makeup with his light hand and massages her face with creams that make Athena’s eyes sting with tears.

After what seems hours of poking and probing her body and scalp, they’re officially done. She climbs into the pair of tall brown leaf heels supplied by Genevieve and stares at the creature before her in the mirror. That doesn’t even look like Athena Taylor.

“What have they done to me?!” Athena shrieks in her subconscious mind. She begins to burn with a rage so fierce it rips though her insides but she’s suddenly pushed out the door, into the elevator, and out into the open in front of all the other tributes in mere seconds. Many of them seem frightened and petite. Athena could take them with ease. Then she finally sees them. The Careers. They resemble superhuman teenagers. The tributes from District 1, 2, and 4 have been known to train for the Hunger Games since childhood. Athena knows that she can’t show them that she’s intimidated by their powerful demeanor so she quickly scurries over to her designated chariot. Jason is already present currently chatting animatedly with their mentor, Johanna. She steps up onto the base of the chariot and almost falls off due to her terrible footing. Jason catches Athena around the waist before she has time to land harshly on the brutal cement. He keeps his hold on her, their gazes locked.

 “I’m sorry.” Athena stutters uncontrollably. She quickly adjusts herself because she is in love with her boyfriend back home. Jason quickly looks away from Athena’s relentless glances. Genevieve hops over to their chariot and adjusts a thin leaf crown onto Athena’s curled mane. Johanna hurries off with Genevieve just as the chariots begin pulling out.

Athena can’t help steal shy glances at Jason ever so often. There’s something different and mysterious about him that she can’t help but feel obligated to find out. It’s appealing yet fascinating all at once.