WHEN TRAINING IS OVER, I program the elevator for the top floor and quickly press the button that closes the doors, wanting to be alone. I feel like a coiled wire that's being pulled tighter and tighter, pushing closer to some kind of breaking point. I want to be alone, with my own thoughts and able to do what I want, for just...one...stinking...moment.

I enjoyed spending time with Marin today; and that's the problem. He seems like a genuinely nice person, someone who I'd like to get to know and maybe become friends with. There's just two little problems with that.

One: I don't have any friends and have always been terrible at making them.

Two: Within a month or so, one or both of us will be dead.

I hate this Game.

When I was back home, in District Five, I could pretend I was free. I mean sure, we all knew that the Capitol owned us and could do whatever their cold, slimy, little hearts desired with us. But as long as you didn't do something illegal-or in my case, didn't get caught doing something illegal-then the Peacekeepers left you alone and you could continue on in your little illusion that you were your own person.

But here? Now? No. Every moment of this building, this training period, every person I see, outfit I wear and meal I eat is a reminder that we belong to them; we, the children who in a matter of days will be slaughtering one another for their entertainment.

Bursting out onto the roof, I let the door slam behind me before marching out towards the edge. My hands curl into fists as I stare out over this abominable city. Picking up a decorative rock from the edge of the garden, I hurl it over the side of the building, forgetting about the forcefield until the rock comes flying back, sailing over my head and crashing into a flower pot.

I stare at the spot where the rock collided with the forcefield, an idea forming in my mind. Before I know it, my feet move and I'm running straight for that spot, jumping up into the air and springing off of the forcefield just like the wall of a building.

It throws me back farther than I thought; but luckily, I land on my feet. Standing, I look around, taking stock of the trees, decorative boulders, and statues around me. Then, I take a running step forward and flip midair, landing on a small boulder and springing onto another, larger boulder before flipping onto the ground.

Oh, how I've missed this.

Rolling into a handspring, I cartwheel twice and land on my feet before launching myself up into the branches of a tree. Swinging from branch-to-branch, I land in a neighboring tree, from there, launching myself up onto the ten-foot wall that separates this section of the garden. On the wall, I do several handsprings. Then, standing to my feet, I finish with my favourite trick: A barani flip off of the wall.

I land on the ground, my knees bent slightly as my heart pounds in my chest. My chest heaves as I straighten, smiling.

Then I look up. And that's when I realize that I'm not alone.

Standing at the other end of the garden, staring at me as if in shock, are both Tributes from One and Two. We stare at each other for a moment, surprised. I'm the first to snap out of it, bowing with a flourish before turning and heading back inside.

When I enter the District Five living quarters, I'm immediately greeted by a sour-faced Liam.

"You're late," he growls.

Shrugging, I recount what just happened on the roof. When I'm finished, Liam remains quiet for some time, rubbing his jaw.

"You know," he says quietly, "I would have preferred to keep that particular talent a secret. But, now the Careers will view you and Marin as more of a formidable alliance than they thought."

"They aren't too happy about Marin refusing to join their pack," I say quietly, glancing at Padraic in the dining room. I relate the incident with Carnelian's ring, which actually brings something close to a smile to Liam's face.

"You did that in front of all the Tributes?" he asks.

I nod. "I'm sure that most, if not all, saw it."

Liam nods. "That might get you more ally opportunities. On the downside, however, Carnelian's going to have a special kind of hatred for you now. I want you to steer clear of him whenever possible." He motions for us to go into my room and, once the door is closed, asks how my interactions with Marin were.

I explain that there was hardly any lull in conversation, and that Marin was very talkative and friendly and we never left each others' side. When asked how well I carried on my act, I say that I gave it my best and that I think I did a fairly convincing job, but I'm honestly not sure.

Liam is silent when I finish, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he stares at the wall.

"Training time?" I ask, sliding off the bed and reaching down to retrieve the practice swords.

"No," Liam replies, motioning me to sit back down. "We're going to work on your acting."

Annoyed, I stifle a scowl and sit down on the bed.

This is going to be fun.

                                                                                        †††

"No. Stop smiling so much; you'll coming off as silly and fake with that look plastered on your face."

I drop the plastic smile I had arranged my features into and throw my hands up in frustration.

"Well then, what look do you want plastered on my face?"

He crosses his arms. "Try: Alert and focused on me. Pleasantly serious."

I think for a moment, trying to picture what that should look like.

"Alright. Let's take it from the top."

Sighing, I stand and walk into the bathroom, waiting until Liam announces my name in his best impression of Caesar Flickerman. I exit the bathroom and stride with confidence towards the bed, smiling brilliantly at an imaginary audience-but not waving. Liam said that I am above waving.

I sit across from Liam and we exchange pleasantries as Caesar generally does for the first few moments. Liam asks a few general questions about me and I do my best to answer them in an interesting but genuine manner, injecting a witty playfulness into my tone and gaze.

After a few moments, Liam stops me.

"You're doing better," he says. "Not perfect, but better."

I nod, feeling relieved.

"Now," Liam continues, "Marin's interview will be just before yours. That's when we're going to work in some subtle hints about him having feelings for a female Tribute. Caesar will assuredly pick up on that and pry further; allowing Marin to shyly admit that there's something between you and him. " My mentor leans forwards, looking me in the eye. "It will be up to you to build up the tension and either directly admit, or allude to the fact that you feel the same way."

I remain silent, taking in this new information and envisioning the scenario in my mind's eye.

"I don't want you completely faking this," Liam says. "You need to react how you would if you really were 'in love'. I don't want you faking some dramatic confession of love-believe me, you can't pull that off."

I think about that for a moment, picking at a loose thread on the comforter.

"I could be surprised," I suggest, looking back up at my mentor. "Moved that someone would care for little old me; the girl from the Outage with no family or loved ones."

Liam nods. "Good. We're on the same track. Don't forget the tragic element of The Games, though. Doomed love, Romeo and Juliet and all that."

I nod, looking away as I'm once again smacked in the face with reality. In the back of my mind, I keep forgetting that at least one of us is going to die.

But, now isn't the time to get sentimental.

Now is the time to prepare to fight for my life.