Just the two of us ||Day before the reaping || Part 1
I woke up on the floor of the living room this morning. But it wasn't the hard floor that ache my body or the hunger feeling of having skipping two meal yesterday that put me out of my dreamless night. It was a small body pressed against mine. I open my eyes to see Oscar nuzzle next to me, his eyes closed, his hand on my shirt. He wasn't sleeping. I could see it through his uneven breath.
Maybe it was the red circle around the calendar, maybe it was the poster all around the district, or maybe it was just because he was starting to understand what kind of world we lived in; but I could feel that my little brother understood that tomorrow I will volunteer in a game to the death.
He stir a bit as I try to sit up and soon enough, his blue eyes are in mine. «Morning monkey» I said with a reassuring voice. There was no time to try to explain why I had to leave. I had uncle, aunts, parents and cousin to do that. Plus grandpa promised me to keep an eye on my siblings while I'll be gone. «Are you going to train today?» He ask me and I nod. «The gym is only open this morning though. And Brenda won't come. » That made my heart sink a bit. I always thought that, by that time it would be the two of us focusing on the task ahead of us and being obnoxiously confident. But here I was with the knowing that I will have an unwanted partner.
Since Brenda came to told me she couldn't join the game, I stopped by her house at least four time. But as I was to knock, I wonder why was I there? What good could I give? She was a high ranked girl and I was a Jacobs. Plus she made clear that the baby might not be mine. I never was possessive toward her, but now I was mad that I wasn't the only one that she would indulge her perfect body to an embrace. And yesterday I promised myself that I will deal with that problem when I went back. That was a distraction I didn't need in the capitol
«'Drew is at school today. Can I come with you? » I knew Oscar did his best to let me train and relax when I was at home. But I could see in his eyes the same light I probably had when I look at Link Flynn: admiration. My little brother loved me and I loved him more than my own life. His birth was one of the reason that made me decide to train to become a tribute, to become a victor. I ruffle his hair. «Alright. But you will have to be very nice I have a big day tomorrow.» My brother's face brighten and he jump to his feet. Never he was allowed in the gym of the academy. But it was my last day in town, I could say to the guards to fuck themselves; a day with my little brother would be an amazing last one. A reminder of why I had to do this.
After a breakfast that consisted of a warm gray mixture that I assumed was lower quality of groats found at the hob, Oscar and I walk to the gray building where I spend most of my last years. I was a bit surprise that the guard didn't say a thing but maybe my face on the poster next to his desk let him having some indulgence for me. It was no secret what tomorrow will be after all. As I start my routine with meditation, Oscar ran all over, trying the punching balls and the different weight and fitness station. He didn't joined me into the pool but we made a game where he had to time me and guess what will be my next performance. His overestimation of my skill give me the desire to go as fast as I could and it pushed me to train as much as if I had my real trainer.
Then we both ran to the track course, practicing my speed and making Oscar having fun. That kid kept the same pace as me almost the entire time. Which, I admit, was impressive. When I did weight he counted each set I made. But I ended up taking him as my weight when he told me I wasn't that strong. His little body squirming into my arm and his laugh filling the room made me crack a smile.A guard came to told us he had to close the gym for the preparation of tomorrow. I nod, Oscar jumped on my back and we left the training room. It was a short workout session today, but it was one o the best I had in months.
As we walk in town,I could see people looking at me with encouraging smile and approving glance.The baker even made us come into his shop and give me and Oscar a cheese bun and a whole olive and sesame bread. «For your feast with your family tonight» He told me with a grin. I expressed my gratitude, knowing deeply he wanted to tell people that he helped me a bit in my way to becoming a victor. The bread was big, but not enough to feed every member of my family. I couldn't spit on it though,it might be the first fresh loaf of bread we will have at our table. Mom will be appy
