The Candidate [A Hunger Games Story]

Chapter Nine

"Do you like candy?"

The sweet-faced boy sitting opposite me on the train gave me a wobbly smile as he held out a paper bag. When I heard his name called earlier that day, I'd seen a mini version of Drew appearing from the crowds. His hair was curly and he had a gap in his front teeth where a new one was growing.

Decimus had been chosen moments after me, and he'd cried as he took to the stage. While my face stayed dry, my heart was aching. He was just a kid. I guessed he was around thirteen or fourteen, but he seemed younger somehow. It humanized him far too much for my liking, knowing I'd likely see him die in a few weeks time.

"I do."

"Do you want some?"

"No thank you," I told him. He looked surprised.

"For real? Because I never get sweets. Mom bought me them for reaping day. She said they come from the Capitol."

I didn't tell him that in the Capitol, sweets are more common than dirt. I couldn't count the amount of times I'd sat up in my bed, watching TV and scoffing sweets without even tasting them. I probably even did it while watching the Games sometimes. It made the idea of even tasting a sweet feel sickening.

"That's okay. You keep them for yourself. You deserve them."

Decimus smiled sweetly and popped a striped hard candy into his mouth. I didn't even want to look at the kid. Every interaction with him made the idea of us going into the arena together harder. I just wanted to keep my distance.

Which is why I was relieved to see Valeria and Drew enter the train compartment. Now that the excitement of the reaping had passed, I felt a little more normal, and I took the time to admire how Drew looked in his Capitol clothes. He'd changed into a teal silk suit with black lining, and the material shimmered like an iridescent fish. Whether by choice or by requirement by his stylist, he'd rimmed his eyes with dark eyeliner, making his eyes stand out even more. I felt a strange pull toward him that I'd never felt before and worried that it was because with each passing day, he looked more like a Capitol man to me.

"Aurelia..." Valeria said, approaching me tentatively. Her features were softer today, and I saw in her gaze that she didn't hate me quite so much as when we first met. "The way you volunteered for that girl...that was admirable. It takes guts to throw yourself into the arena by choice."

I nodded, not bothering to point out that my plan had always been to go into the arena voluntarily. Still, it was good to finally be on the right side of Valeria. She was a woman to be feared, and I didn't want her to condemn me when I got to the arena. I'd need her help getting sponsors, after all.

"We have decided it's best to train the two of you separately," Drew said, glancing between me and Decimus. "It makes the most sense. After all, you're both very different. Valeria will be working with you, Decimus. She's highly trained in combat and will be able to show you the ropes. Aurelia...since you have a background of training already...we'll focus on survival skills with you. Plus, we'll need to focus on what your image is going to be..."

I understood what he meant right away. Volunteering had put me straight in the spotlight, and my seeming defiance as I glared into the cameras made me seem aggressive. If I was going to present myself in any other way, it would take some work, for sure. But I kind of liked the way I'd been when I took to that stage. I liked feeling powerful as I made my stand.

Whoever I presented myself as, I was glad Drew was my mentor. I felt closer to him since the previous night. Plus, he'd saved my skin by letting me stay with him. If I survived the Games, I knew I'd find a way to repay him for all he'd done for me.