Chapter Five, Second Day

❝ i say that i hate you ❞

❝ with a smile on my face. ❞

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THE SECOND DAY OF TRAINING IS even more nerve-wrecking as I notice most tributes practising their chosen skill. 

My gaze lands on Clove Kentwell, the girl from District 2, as she perfectly hits every target with her knives, with deadly accuracy. I sigh, realising both me and her share the liking for the exact same weapon.

I crave the feeling of my fingers squeezing the hilt of the sharp, and slightly arched blade in my right hand, the precision and squinting of my eyes until I, with as much strength possible, flung the steel, allowing it to penetrate the air, and soon, a human's heart.

Next to her is Glimmer, the girl from 1, practising with her silver bow and arrows, trying desperately to hit the dummy, but failing most of the time. 

Finally, Marvel, jabbing his lengthy spear with the help of a male trainer.

The Careers are all extremely talented tributes, of course, but they don't intimidate me. I would be ready to try and take one out of I am required to in that arena. Plus, that would certainly gain me quite a few sponsors.

Now, I peer over at Cato Hadley. I couldn't help but see him more as human now, then a ruthless killing machine, even though we only exchanged a few words last night.

There was something about the furrowing of his brows or the softening of his blue eyes that make him seem more real. Nevertheless, he's still my enemy, and a fierce one at that. 

I would plunge my knife into his heart with hesitation if it meant my triumph in the Hunger Games.

I divert my attention and look down at the different berries, trying to remember which ones were poisonous. I mutter against my breath the names of the deadly ones, attempting to remember them as well as possible and training my memory.

While most tributes practised with lethal weapons, I dedicate my time relining my skills about basic survival skills, like lighting a fire or finding food.

However, I'm soon interrupted by a loud thump. I slightly jump as I notice Peeta dramatically falling from the net he was trying to mount. Pity blossoms at my heart as his face contorts into humiliation and anger at failing the task.

I prepare myself to resort back to my occupation when the mocking snickering coming from the pack of Careers fills me with unexpected annoyance. I run over to him and lay my hand onto his shoulder and whisper "Go throw one of those weights. Now", my sentence taking the form of an order.

"What?" he mutters, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

I nod towards the stack of large medicine balls as Peeta stares at me, uncertainty scribbled all over his face.

"Peeta, you heard me, go throw the weight over there." I repeat, nodding simultaneously.

"Jade, you know I can't, Haymitch said we couldn't." he replies in a hushed tone, his lips in a scowl.

"I don't care what Haymitch said, those guys are looking at you like you're their next meal. Throw it." I snap back, wanting to help my partner more than anything and humble the Careers.

Peeta pulls himself up, grunting, and heads to the rack of weights. I stare at him, unwavering, hoping that he would manage to impress, and possibly scare away the troupe of skilled killers.

He grabs one of the heaviest balls while Cato ignorantly chuckles, not knowing that Peeta was going to reveal himself as the strongest tribute. He stands at the elevated podium and the weight flies in the air, crashing into the set of spears.

The whole gymnasium falls silent, staring at the dispersed weapons on the floor. Even the Game makers seem to have shifted their attention to the blond boy from District 12. I can't help but beam at my partner, pride imprinted in my face.

"Not bad." Cato shrugs, going back to his pack of Careers. Our gazes collide for a second, before we both simultaneously look away.

( TRIBUTE RESERVOIR )

NAME: JADE EVERDEEN

DISTRICT: 12

SEX: FEMALE

HEIGHT: 5 FOOT 8 INCHES

WEIGHT: 123 POUNDS

AGE: 16

ODDS: 56 TO 1

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After a few hours, tributes start to line up to practise hand-to hand combat with one of the trainers. I stand at the back of the queue, scanning and analysing every physical altercation.

Of course, Cato's strength and ability crown him as a winner. The other careers also manage to succeed, apart from Glimmer. Clove wins through her cunning precision and Marvel through his undeniable combat skills.

Other tributes also reveal as quite skilled, such as the boy from Six, or Tresh, the boy from Eleven.

Soon enough, it is my turn. My ears make out a few whispers being exchanged by the Careers, certainly preparing themselves to make fun of me.

My heart beats increasingly faster as I slowly approach my opponent. He murmurs a countdown, before commencing the altercation.

He makes the first move, and desires to swing a powerful right. I predict this and meet him halfway, answering with my own punch. Luckily, and extraordinarily, it is faster and catches the trainer in the jaw.

Putting to advantage the few seconds I had on him, I lunge and pin him to the ground. I press my knees on his wrists, locking him in that position.

However, he manages to kick me in the stomach and make his way back. Once again, the trainer prepares a punch. I expect it, so I duck and make my way through the space between his two legs.

Now behind him, I kick the back of his knee, grab his left arm, twist his wrist and with one final force, kick his back with my other leg. With excellent speed, I wait that he lands on the floor to grab him by the collar, towering over him and at that moment I know I've won.

Slow clapping, most likely originating from Peeta echoes in my ears. I lift my head up, noticing every single tribute eyeing me, confusion and pure shock accompanying every demeanour.

To my surprise, the previous clapping wasn't from Peeta, but from Cato. I shoot him a light smirk that radiates unwavering confidence, rivers of adrenaline pumping through my veins. 

Courage and determination to prove myself posses my body as I make my way to the obstacle course, acknowledging the following gaze of every person in the room.

Filled with a newfound strength, I sprint and leap onto the net where Peeta previously fell. I climb it in a few seconds, already out of breath but choosing to ignore the straining of my lungs.

Then, I rapidly make my way through the narrow beam, and, instead of descending back down with the staircase, I jump, landing crouched down, my palms connecting with the metal floor.

I can tell by the tense silence no one expected for me to acquire any sort of skill. It's true, but District 12 and illegal hunting have definitely given me a peculiar advantage.

Gale also taught me how to fight, in case I ever happened to be in a dangerous situation. You never know in the narrow and dark streets of my district.

I play with the loose strands seeping out of high ponytail and make my way back to Peeta, my muscles aching. I can't help but notice the slight glare on Cato's expression, his arms crossed and eyebrows raised. 

I answer his expression by a subtle wink, knowing I was no longer going to be perceived as the useless and talentless girl from 12.

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"I'm going to ignore the fact you completely disobeyed me today Jade." Haymitch sighs.

"Good. Ignore it then." I reply.

"Sweetheart, what do you not get about staying low, not stupidly showing off, huh?" he then asks, holding his fist onto the table.

"Come on Haymitch, the Careers were practically teasing her, getting on her nerves." Peeta adds, defending me. I send him a grateful smile.

Over the last few days, I had grown very fond of the boy, appreciating his calming words and kind gestures. I often found myself thinking that if I somehow died in the games, I'd want him, and only him to win.

"Well, Jade, you should learn about something called self-control. Now, you've basically revealed your strengths and are going to be everyone's first target." Haymitch describes

"Well, who said I can't fight back? You haven't even seen me with a knife yet. I'm stronger than you think Haymitch." I defend, planting my fork into the soft chicken.

My mentor rolls his eyes as he gulps down his food, done with our bickering. I look down and put a free strand of my hair behind my ear, an anxious mechanism, slightly embarrassed about my impulses to prove my worth.

( TRIBUTE RESERVOIR )

NAME: JADE EVERDEEN

DISTRICT: 12

SEX: FEMALE

HEIGHT: 5 FOOT 8 INCHES

WEIGHT: 123 POUNDS

AGE: 16

ODDS: 28 TO 1