Sea Green Cove

Allies?

Walk straight.
Wave.
Smile.
Smiling is the key.
I can almost feel my eardrums pop out after Syriol gives us a lecture about how to 'use correct behavior' in the Capitol. He probably thinks we're some type of animal. Ever since we got on the train, he has been so harsh to us, mainly Mandy. I guess he's just a perfectionist. I can feel the train losing speed. We're here. The Capitol. We zoom by the giant man made waterfall. It's much more prettier than the old pictures in our textbooks back home.
"Come on children!" Syriol squeals in our ears while we stare blankly out of the train window. He reminds us on our instructions. The train is going even slower now. I hear the shouts of the Capitol people already. I'm not ready for this. I'll probably have a panic attack because they will most likely get me overwhelmed. I remember watching clips from previous years when a girl from 9 threw up on a family. Thinking about that makes me think of how I miss home. How I used to watch the games at home and how I used to tell myself that it would never happen to me. I sure hope that Chris started the donation already. I don't want to be a downer on my own party but I don't think that I'm well fit enough to be an actual victor. At least in the top 10. I take a glance at Mandy. I wonder what she's thinking. I wonder what plans she's coming up with to win the Capitol's heart.
"We're here!" Syriol pulls us away from the dinning run before I get to sneak some extra muffins into my pocket. Fresh air rushed into he train as the doors slide over. It hits so fast just like the excitement of the Capitol people when we step out of the train. I haven't been this overwhelmed in a long time. I can't stare at the colors because they're so bright. We are quickly rushed into a car to take us to the Tribute Center. The next few days are just a blur. Meeting my stylist. I still can pronounce her name so I just call her Quin. She then dresses Mandy and I up for the Tribute Parade. Another night full of overexcited people. Finnick forces me to talk to people but he forgets about how antisocial I am. I met a few of the tributes. The first, the boy from 12. I think Mandy has a crush on him but she's so out of his league. But they'd look cute together. He's nice but I don't want to make friends and then lose them a week later. But a few allies wouldn't hurt right? Wrong.
We sit together at lunch. I escalate myself from the others until Justin spots me.
"What's your problem?" I say after a few seconds.
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone here is just so calm. It's just seems like no one cares that they're going to die."
" I'd rather die in that arena then starve to death at home,"
I couldn't believe what he just said. We don't know too much about the other districts. All we learn in school is what the Capitol wants us to know. "You have enough food now. Then if you win, your district wouldn't be as hungry as before."
"You just don't get it shrimp boy." He stands and walks to the Careers' table. The Careers aren't as threatening as the ones in previous games. They still have a huge advantage over us. I remember a few of their names. One of them is Stacey. All that I know about her is that she was like a queen in the District 2 Career Compound. She is the oldest out of all of the tributes. Her hair copies her ego. Big. The other girl from District 1 is Eri. She seem real friendly. I want to talk to her but anxiety is a bitch. Then I remember that she's still a Career. I bet they taught her how to kill someone with her shoelaces. I wouldn't doubt it at all. I watch as Justin talks to them. They all look my way. Fear runs through me and I look away quickly.
"Jerry! Come here."
Son of a bitch.
I hate people.
I wanted to shout that out but that would be mean.
Ugh.
Ugh.
UGH.
I slowly walk towards the table.
"Nice to meet you" Stacey says.
"Nice to meet you too" I reply.
"Hey Jerry, I think we get some of your shrimp back at home." Eri joined in.
"Oooooooo I see a connection already. I ship it!"
"You what?" We all say in unison.
"It's an old term our ancestors used when they were still alive. It stands for relationship. People used to say it when they want two people to be in a relationship." That was Mandy's voice. She has been eavesdropping on us.
"Thanks for the lesson sweetheart." Justin and Mandy give each other looks. Stacey, Eri and I sigh. I hate relationships. This is like school all over again. It's time to go. We all depart our ways. Mandy and I wait for the elevator.
"I ship it." It sounds so weird but I want to sound cool.
"What?" Mandy asks.
"I ship you and Justin."
Mandy laughs at my comment.
"C'mon," I say, "I see the way you look at him. I know love when I see it."
"Who do you love?"
I'm startled by her question. "Um.. No one I guess. Why love someone when someday they'll be gone. I don't want to go through unnecessary pain if I don't need to."
"I wasn't expecting that..."
"I never actually said it before but, I guess now is the right time. Right?"
"Sure..."
The elevator finally approaches. The ride is silent. We both go our separate ways. There's only a few days until the games. I sit on my bed side. I empty out my pockets. My bracelet. Then I remember. I do love.
I love my family.