A True Tribute

Chapter 9: Training

The morning after the parade was tough. Fannia woke me up at 6:30am to get ready for training at 8:00.

We had a quick breakfast, just some eggs and a banana, I also snuck an orange.

On our way to the elevator Amethyst and Leather walk with us.

"Okay so be sure to show off your skills because you want the other tributes to be intimidated by you" Leather explains.

"And be sure to meet up with district two, and be friendly with them since they'll be your allies in the games" Amethyst says as the elevator door opens. "Go to your right down the hallway until you see the main entrance."

Marvel and I nod, and start down the hallway, it's only a short walk really. the doors are pretty average, just like the ones in my bedroom, but they are clear, do you can see the entire training arena.

"Let's go" Marvel suggests in a nervous, yet somehow confident tone.

As the door opens a rush of loud grunts and voices appear suddenly in my ear, along with banging sounds and slicing

In front of me is a station with ropes and wires. Sitting there is none other than Katniss, and Peeta. I bet they can't even use weapons. pathetic.

To my right is a sword station with foam dummies in various locations, ready to be sliced like onions.

And who I see there, Cato, the boy from district two, along with Clove, only she is just watching him. I decide to go over and say hi.

"Come on" I instruct Marvel as I snatch his wrist and tug him to the station.

"Hey I'm Glimmer and this is Marvel. were from district one" I tell Cato with a flirtatious smile. I get lost in his crystal blue eyes and hunky build.

"Cato. And this is Clove" he motions to Clove who is standing at his left. I shoot her a look of disgust. she returns it just the same.

Marvel shakes hands with both of them.

"So you guys wanna hang out?Since we'll, you know, be career allies" I ask.

"Sure" Cato answers in a soft tone.

"Tributes, Tributes! Gather here." it's our head training instructor, Atala. "In two weeks, twenty three of you will be desd, one will be alive." She goes on about how we are going to die and not fighting the other tributes, which is a bit of a disappointment.

Once we officially begin I follow Cato to the knife station so he can practice with Clove, which kinda bothers me. but whenever he's free, I flirt with him and twist my hair and bat my eyes. but it's pretty hard to twist your hair when it's in fishtail pigtails. I can tell it again agitates Clove. She has a 'if looks could kill' face on her every time she saw me with Cato.

After hours hanging around Cato, and him partially ignoring me, I stop by the bow and arrow station. there are dummies of wood and foam to by pierced. I snatch a sheath of arrows and a silver bow and load. I raise the arrow to my mouth and let go, the arrow flies. the arrow doesn't even hit the target, I curse where almost every one can hear me. It's really embarrassing with everyone watching me. So I choose another arrow and pull it to the correct position, and take a deep breath, and release. This time the arrow is one the target, about an inch from the center. I can deal with that.

I shoot a few more arrows, most landed on the target, one on the center, and two off the target, a decent days work I guess.

As we are told to leave I waltz casually over to Cato and say goodbye and thank you for a wonderful day. he looks at me confused.

Marvel comes up next to me. "You did good, with the arrows. I'm really bad at that kind of stuff, spears is my best really."

"Thanks. I would say you did good too, but I didn't really see you much. Cato really wanted to hang out with me." I try to sound as though Cato is totally into me, which he should, I mean, what's not to like?

Marvel says nothing in return, which results In an awkward silence that lasts until we reach our penthouse.

"How'd it go?" Fannia asks anxiously.

"It's was fine" I reply.

"Well tell us, did you show off your skills? did you meet the other careers?" Amethyst asks.

"Yeah, I shot some arrows and got most of them on the target, and yes we met district two, they're actually pretty cool." I explain. Then Marvel informs them on his day.

"We'll I hope you guys aren't too friendly with district two, because keep in mind, your going to have to kill them" Fannia says. A frown begins to form. I totally forgot for some reason.

I'm in the Hunger Games, where there is one, and only one victor.