The Tributes from District 10

Chapter Nine: Lia

"Somebody get some ice...or something!" Magenta yelled. As soon as she said that, however, Starling Knight woke up from his incautious, got up from the floor, and pretended like nothing happened.

"So, you must be Lia and Elijah...hm?' He said, as if he wasn't drunk or high or whatever was the heck wrong with him.

Elijah nodded. "I'm Elijah." He said. "This is..."

"Lia." I said. I didn't mean to cut him, but I always hated it when people answered questions for me. One of my pet peeves I guess.

Starling nodded. "So." He said. "Can you y'all do anything?"

"Well, I dunno much 'bout throwing knives and stuff...but I do know some stuff traps and other outdoorsy things... from workin' on the farm." Elijah said.

Instead of being pleased or at least somewhat happy, Starling just laughs.

"Y'all don't think any District Tener's know that kind of crap already? Damn why did I have to be from the cow district? Even stupid twelve would be better than this." He then walked out the door, practically stopping his feet like a two year old.

"What's his problem?" I asked Magenta.

"Oh.....that's how he just is." She said, in a super nervous twitchy way. "Now, I'll be in the hallway if you need me.....otherwise eat! You must all be starving!"

Actually, I was and grabbed a plate, searching the table for some refreshing capitol food. "Yum this looks delicious!" I don't know why I felt comfortable talking to Elijah; he could end up being the one to kill me in the games.

He nodded. "Try some of the pasta. Looks good."

I did, and a bunch of other stuff and filled my plate. Elijah and I didn't share any conversations after that; either we were too shy around each other, or we were that hungry.

I stared at Elijah as he grabbed another plate full of Capitol goodies. I guess he was in those years when teenage boys eat like they'll never see food again, which sadly is the case for some people.

The more I stared at Elijah, the more he reminded me of Silas. He had that charm that all girls liked; and was surely handsome like Silas. Elijah was one of the popular jocks at school; was always surrounded by a bunch of squealing petite blonds, and other incredibly handsome gentlemen. I, on the other hand, was sort of the opposite. I had a few close friends, but I mainly concentrated on my schoolwork and other things....like running.

Running. The only advantage I probably have in these games. I could run for miles and miles, and not be short of breath. I was both the fastest and the best distance runner in my age group; plus the best in a few other age groups. Elijah was a runner too; the best for his age. We used to run with each other once in awhile, before he started dating. After that, his gals wouldn't let me be within a hundred feet of him.

I guess I forgot that I was staring at him because he looked right at me, startled, and his ears turned red. Huh? What's that supposed to mean?

As I started to blush, Magenta came back, trotting along in her enormously gigantic neon-orange high heels, that were like, five inched. Honestly, was is with these people?

"How was it!" Magenta said, way too enthusiastically.

"It was...... BURP." Oh no, what did I just do? And ugh, with Elijah sitting right next to me? I felt my face turn red hot, and I sat there, frozen with embarrassment. There was a awkward moment of silence.

Surprisingly, Elijah started to laugh. And I'm not talking like a nervous, fake laugh.... but a real one. He flashed me his famous dimple smile; bluish-green eyes twirling. He's so cute. I thought. Wait....what did I just say? After all, he will surely try to kill me in the arena, right? 

"Lia!" Magenta yelled. "Manners!"

"Sorry." I said, and looked over at Elijah. Yep, he was still grinning.

"Anyhow......Magenta started, but flashed me a quick glare, clearly showing that she still wasn't pleased at me.

"I want you two to know that tomorrow we will be arriving in the Capitol,  in the morning. It's your choice if you want wake up extra early, to receive training from your lovely mentor." I guaffled. Lovely?

"It's your choice. Magenta continued. Weather or not winning this thing even matters to you." She gave me a quick glare, and walked out of there quickly.

I cleaned up my food, sipped the last of my cherry-pomegranate  juice, and headed towards my room. Even though I wasn't home anymore, and didn't have to do a handful of chores everyday, I still felt the need to clean up after myself. I guess I was just used to it.

Anyhow, after choosing a pair of pj's, I took a long, extremely hot shower. We didn't have running water back home, so I might as well treat myself, right? Besides, in a week I won't be pampered whatsoever. Just the opposite.

I shuddered at the thought of being in the games, smelling like crap, and not knowing who or when your going to be attacked. It was pretty obvious that I was in the games now, but it still frightened the heck out of me.

After I combed my long, wet hair, I tied a towel on top of my head, and opened the door. So refreshing! I thought. I then realized how thirsty I was, and decided to grab a drink from the kitchen. Just after I filled my glass of water from the kitchen, I turned around and bumped right into Elijah.

"Crap!" I said, as I realized that my water spilled all over him. 'I'm sorry!"

He laughed. "It's fine. I didn't even like this top anyway." He looked at my towel, and let out another laugh. "What's on your head?"

 I smiled. "Um.....a towel, what else would it be?"

"No duh." He said, smiling. "What's it doing on your head? Don't tell me your trying to steal the Capitol's fashion."

 I burst out laughing. "No genius it's supposed to dry my hair. Don't you have any women at your residence?"

He nodded. "My ma just doesn't give a crap on how she looks. She could honestly go a good week without bathin'."

Awkward silence. Ewww. I thought. What kind of mother would do that?

"So.' He continued. "Tryan' to steal some Capitol food, hmmm?"

I shrugged. "Not really I'm just thirsty is all. What are you doing hear, hmmm?" Copying his playful attitude.

He laughed. "Same. Although, guess it wouldn't hurt to steal some food", poping some popcorn into his mouth.

"Careful!" I cried. "Don't drop any on the ground, otherwise we'll really get into trouble!"

Elijah shot me a playful look, threw a popcorn into the air, and caught it into his mouth.

I laughed. "Stop it!."

He shrugged, and tossed one towards me.

Oh jeez here go's nothing, and I opened  my mouth, catching it into my mouth.

"Ha ha nice." He said. "That was almost cooler than your burp earlier."

"Ugh don't even remind me!" I said. "Magenta is still mad at me for that!"

He shrugged.  " Doesn't matter. Besides, she's mad at me too; for laughing."

I nodded. " I guess."

Another awkward silence. "Well, I should probably get to bed." He said. "Wouldn't want to miss Starling's lovely training tomorrow."

I laughed, as I pulled my self into my room. "Night Elijah."

"Night goldfish." The old nickname he used to call me.