Not Just A Game

Chapter 19

Authors Note

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! I'm so excited I got one hundred reads today so I'm throwing a mini celebration.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Everybody gets virtual hugs! Thank you so much for reading, voting, and commenting it really makes me happy to see that. Sorry for all the late updates but I have practices everyday for swim because All-Stars are this Saturday.

Vote and Comment please!

Xoxo Ironabbs

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District 11 has almost finished and my legs are stuck to the floor. I mentally groan as I rip them off the hard marble and push myself up.

I've been sitting there for about two hours that haven't been getting any shorter. It's kind of made me a little impatient. I don't fancy sitting around with nothing to do but stare at the ceiling and rehearse answers to questions in my head.

I've really been passing time by trying desperately to forget the looming day that rises above me. The games launch tomorrow and I'm scared.

What if I'm not ready? I promised Belle is return to her as a victor. I realized back in the Justice Building the day I was reaped that the promise I made may be false hope. I didn't realize I'd still think the same thing now.

People tell you that if you are worried enough, you can just imagine if things were okay and you might just start to believe it.

Let me tell you they're wrong.

The truth will eat away at you until you break. No matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise, pain demands to be felt.

I'm sorry, but that's the truth. Don't even try to deny it.

It's amazing what a couple hours and a metal ceiling can tell you.

I focus my attention on the last pair of tributes from District Eleven that leave the stage in an swarm of cheers and whistles. The audience must have liked them.

Caesar Flickerman is talking excitedly on the stage, welcoming out Griffin and Harley.

The audience goes nuts, to say the least. Wolf whistles are directed at Harley when the Capitol men see for themselves her outstanding beauty.

Hollers and shouts fill the air as the pair walk steadily across the stage toward the man of all questions waiting at the other side.

Harley sits slowly, remembering to cross her ankles, like Elsie taught us.

Griffin plops himself down and leans back getting comfortable. I smile to myself. People never really change do they?

After the clapping ceases, Caesar clears his throat and turns to face Harley and Griffin. He looks mostly at Harley and compliments her,

"Harley! Whoa! Might I say you look fabulous tonight?" he says in his Capitol accent, looking at her wide eyed and raising his eyebrows in over-exaggerated shock.

She smiles genuinely and replies, "Thank you Caesar."

"Now, on with the questions." and Caesar begins.

"So, Harley. How was life back home in District 12?"

She ponders for a minutes and eventually says, "It's never been easy. I live with two sisters. Both younger than me. I've gotten a job selling vegetables at a small market in the square."

Harley's face softens and her eyes look sad as she continues on.

"My father has been very sick lately. He's caught something from the mines. I just hope I can win to get back to him."