Ariana’s POV:
Arriving at the Capital was…an experience, to say the least. The train platform was flooded with photographers and many of the Capitol’s citizens; all happily clad in ridiculous clothes and flamboyant headpieces. I was probably more nervous about the interview and chariot ride than the actual Games. I turned to Cato and smiled up at him reassuringly, as he looked about as nervous as I felt. We weren’t going to show our nerves as soon as we got off the train, as that wasn’t part of our Game plan. We were to look brutal, dangerous and bloodthirsty- everything that was expected of the Tributes from District 2. I wasn’t much of a bloodthirsty killer, but I was skilled and would kill someone when I had to. I could be dangerous, I guess.
Then there was Cato. He was definitely dangerous. Cato didn’t like admitting it, but he was the most intimidating of all the kids at the Academy. During hand to hand combat training, he’d have his opponent on the floor in mere seconds. He was the most skilled with a sword or long blade of any kind. He was fast and strong and goddamn scary. I had no doubt he would win the Games. I just hoped he wasn’t the one who would have to finish me off. Assuming I made it past the initial Cornucopia battle, of course.
The first hour or so of the Games was definitely the most entertaining. About half of the tributes were killed at the Cornucopia, as everyone battled to get what they needed to survive the Games. You definitely needed a plan, and I was sure our plan, The Career’s plan, would be decided when we all started training together. That was the one part of the preparation I was really looking forward to. It was a time for us to show off, to intimidate the other tributes.
The remake process was a blur, my body being buffed and polished and waxed within an inch of its life. No pun intended, I promise you. I was dressed in a short, white dress made out of cotton and fitted with a gold sort of tiara. I looked in the mirror and frowned slightly. It was quite clear what my stylists were trying to get at: sexy and alluring. My blue eyes were rimmed with silver and grey and black, and my long blonde hair styled into messy waves down my back. There was a knock on my door and I turned around to see Cato standing in the doorway, smirking at me yet again.
He was dressed in a tunic sort of thing, with a gold crown and some kind of armour. He looked very handsome, but intimidating at the same time. He looked me up and down, which instantly made me self conscious and I folded my arms over my chest.
“Perv,” I said, smiling ever so slightly. You’ll have to kill each other.
“You love it,” he countered.
“Only a bit though. You ready to go?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I nodded and we walked from the room together and to the assembling area for the tributes, stepping onto our chariot.
District One were very pink and feathery. One look at the girl, Glimmer I think her name was, and I instantly didn’t like her. It was the way she held her self, her presence I didn’t like. I realised it was because she was competition. Not competition like all the other tributes here, but competition for Cato. No, no way. I was not going to let myself fall for him. That was completely and utterly absurd, out of the question. You don’t develop feelings for someone in The Hunger Games. Especially someone who has been your best friend for most of your life.
Our chariot took us out into the arena and thousands upon thousands of the Capitol citizens were there, cheering us on. One look up at the giant screens confirmed what I was already thinking; we looked amazing. We looked as if we were bored almost, ready for whatever lay ahead. We were stealing the show, and that thought brought a smug smirk to my painted lips. Until, of course, District 12 came swanning in.
They were on fire, literally. The whole audience were gasping and pointing, cheering and chanting the girl’s name. Katniss, Katniss. Her name bounced around in my head and I knew she was to be killed. Already, the Games were manipulating me and for some reason, I didn’t even mind it one bit. As we pulled up to the end of the chariot ride, I looked up at Cato who was staring straight ahead. A glance down showed me he was clenching his fists, and I knew exactly why. Those District 12 tributes were going to be a problem.
After President Snow’s speech, the tributes all filed into the room and began walking back to their quarters for the night. However, Cato and I had decided to approach the District One tributes, and did so quickly. We had to pass that Katniss girl and the boy with the blonde hair on the way, and Cato glared daggers at them both. If looks could kill, they’d both be dead meat. We approached the District One tributes and introduced ourselves once everyone else had left the room and we were sure we weren’t going to be overheard.
“Cato,” Cato said shortly, still fuming.
“I’m Ariana,” I said and smiled slightly. I was still a nice person.
“Hi I’m Glimmer!” The blonde bimbo giggled and twirled her hair around her finger as she looked Cato up and down. Puke.
“Marvel,” the District One boy said quietly. We stood in silence before Cato finally spoke.
“Well, I’m the biggest so I’m in charge. Got that? Good. We’ll intimidate the other tributes tomorrow at training; show them we’re the ones to be afraid of. The first tribute to go will be that damn Katniss Everdeen.”
We all nodded in agreement and Cato and I bode goodnight to the other tributes as we spun around and walked to our quarters above the training centre. We rode the elevator in silence and as we approached my room, he finally spoke.
“What do you think of the other two?” he asked, turning around fully so he faced me.
“They’re alright. I guess we’ll see what they can do in training tomorrow.” I answered.
“You don’t like Glimmer,” he said, more of a statement than a question.
“Was that obvious?”
“If looks could kill….” Cato trailed off and laughed. “Don’t worry, I don’t think much of her either. You’re definitely prettier.”
Okay, what the fuck? I thought. Why would he say something like that? I laughed nervously and walked around him to my door.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” I said.
“Uh, yeah. Night,” he said and walked into his own room.
Cato was my best friend, but also a tribute as well. I also couldn’t shake the feeling that I thought of him as something more.
