It was dinner time on the train and Jeonghan had announced that they had just passed through District 7, meaning they'd reach the Capitol by tomorrow morning. By this point Jaemin and Jeno were just taking the piss out of each other. Despite it only having been a few hours since they announced their 'relationship', it already felt like they had been friends for years, and where now taking every opportunity to be, what Jeonghan described as, 'couple goals'. Neither knew what it meant but it was still the best entertainment they had for the time being. After dinner they discovered that Jeonghan had requested that Jaemin's stuff was moved into Jeno's room so they could sleep together. This part was not funny. Once they reached Jeno's room after bidding goodnight to Jeonghan and Jeongyeon (who, apparently, hadn't left the dining cart since her less than dramatic entrance that morning) they looked at the bed. Jeno grinned before pushing Jaemin to the floor and jumping onto the bed, wrapping himself in the duvet.
"How dare you!" Jaemin laughed, "that is not the way to treat your amazing boyfriend." Jeno laughed in response.
"I'm not moving," he replied. Jaemin chuckled. He then stood up and launched himself on top of Jeno. Said boy squealed loudly. They stayed like that for a while and Jaemin wondered why Jeno hadn't pushed him off. He realised Jeno had fallen asleep. Jaemin laughed getting off the sleeping boy and making his way over to the closet to look for a spare blanket. He found one and grabbed a spare pillow the found as well, before lying on the floor to sleep.
Sunlight streamed into the room, waking Jaemin from his uncomfortable slumber. He stretched and stood, holding his neck in discomfort as it hurt from sleeping on the floor the previous night. He noticed Jeno was no longer in his bed and shrugged. Jaemin put the blanket and pillow away, and made Jeno's bed. He was used to tidying things away after others, with his mother nearly always working and his sister being too young to notice the mess she leaves. You could say it was a part of his routine. Jaemin liked routines so the fact that he could continue this small one made him smile a little as he worked. Once he was satisfied he made his way to the dining cart only to find that breakfast was well under way. It was short and quiet. They all knew that in under an hour the train would be pulling into the station of the Capitol, and there would be no going back. Not that there was any in the first place, but for Jaemin arriving in the unknown territory of the Capitol made it official. He was going to die at the hands of children. Just as Jaemin was about to leave the cart and go back to his room, Jeonghan cleared his throat.
"Sit down Jaemin." He commanded. Jaemin sat. "Right, we will be arriving in the Capitol in under an hour. I need you three," he gestured to the two tributes and Jeongyeon, whom Jaemin had not even noticed as he ate his breakfast, "to change, look presentable and act happy. Especially our lovely couple! The reporters will eat you up!" Jaemin was slightly concerned by Jeonghans phrase 'eat you up' but nodded nonetheless. He stood from the table along with Jeno and walked to his room to change. After changing, he went into the end carriage and watched the remains of district 1 pass by.
"We'll be in the Capitol soon." Jaemin yelled in shock, turning around to see Yoo Jeongyeon standing in the door. She, like Jaemin, was dressed in formal clothes wearing a cream blouse loosely tucked into black pants. She stared at a shocked Jaemin for a second before grinning. "What did you think I couldn't speak? Oh and sorry for scaring you, I seem to have a habit of doing that. I don't usually talk much, prefer to keep things to myself, it makes it easier to go unnoticed. There's just always too much attention on you during this time of the year and I don't like getting too attached, but I have a feeling about you." Jaemin was speechless. Jeongyeon has not uttered a word the entire time they had been on the train and suddenly she wouldn't stop.
"You remind me of Jinyoung, when he mentored me. He barely said a word but you could practically see his mind working, and when he did speak it was either to say something caring or mean, never in between." Park Jinyoung had been the last tribute before Jeongyeon to win the games for 12. He had died two years earlier though in a mining accident after stubbornly returning to work in the pits with his brothers and friends. Jaemin felt pride swell up in him at the high praise from Panem's most treasured Victor.
"But enough of the flattery. I believe in you Jaemin. We've got to go now, play the part of the sweet boyfriend. Let them think you're weak, nothing without Jeno, and then show them who's boss when you get into the arena. What I'm trying to say is, you're going to win. Forget about Jeno, I know you two aren't dating, you both seemed to forget I was there during your little argument, so forget about him. As soon as you're in that arena you are on your own. Jeno won't be much help." She paused looking at Jaemin for a reaction, and as much as he wanted to give one - to scoff in disbelief - he held his tongue, keeping a neutral face. Jeongyeon hesitated slightly before continuing.
"He's strong," she explained,"but he seems to lack skill. I know it's early on, but I can tell. You're smaller, smarter, and judging by where you're from, better equipped to at least survive these games. I have faith in you Jaemin don't let me down." Jeongyeon finished her speech and began to make her way to leave the carriage. She stopped just as she reached the door. "Oh and by the way," she began, "Jeonghan wants you in the main carriage we'll be arriving in 5 minutes." And with that she left. Jaemin had no idea what just happened. He was praised by Yoo Jeongyeon, and told that he has to win the games, because he could. Never has he received so many compliments in his life, and Jaemin was thoroughly confused by the whole ordeal. He got up to get to walk out of the carriage into the main cart where Jeonghan and Jeno were waiting. Jeno gave Jaemin a curious look but he brushed him off and grabbed his hand. Jeno raised his eyebrows but let Jaemin be, assuming it was nothing.
"Right, smiles on people. Wave, charm and smile your way through this platform don't stop pretending until we reach the car. This is your first chance to get sponsors. Show them who Panems best couple really are!" Jeonghan looked back at the two tributes and you could see his eyes dim a little, irises laced with despair and sadness, although his smile stayed in tact. They had known each other for little over two days, yet Jaemin could tell Jeonghan was already attached. He internally rolled his eyes, in a job like this surely you had to have a heart of stone, but apparently not, so instead Jaemin returned the escorts smile. Jeonghan smiled even wider (if that was possible) and turned back to the carriage door. And they opened. And Jaemin knew that this was only the beginning.
