The time leading up to the training room all seems to pass in a blur. Until we’re at the doors to the room. I take a deep breath and nod and Iris, who escorted us there. Dior kids as well and we enter. The room is huge, with everything set up in stations. From knot tying to axe throwing, theres something here to support anyone’s strengths. Which is unfortunate for me because, I don’t have any. “So, what should we start with?” Dior asks “Probably something we’re not very good at, because Thorn said to not show our strengths, so you should steer clear of any swords.” “Ok, so should we split up? Check out the competition?” “Sure.” Although I don’t love the idea of being separated from my clingy partner, it’s a good plan. I head off the ace throwing station because, why not? Might as well get the worst of it out of the way first right? There’s another blond girl there, throwing like it’s her job. Maybe it is, she looks like she could be from District 7. I pick up an axe and throw. It lands about five feet away from me. I hear her laugh and a giggle escapes my own lips. She throws another axe and says “I’m Rosemary” I smile a little and say “I’m Piper.” I throw another axe and it’s not much better than my last one. I sigh and say “Sorry I’m kind of horrible at this.” She throws another axe, a perfect hit. “Nice to meet you! I could teach you if you like! First, you need to plant your feet shoulder width apart, and bring the axe behind your head. Then, you throw it forward and let go about when it becomes level with your eyes. Like this.” She throws another axe and i feel my jaw open a little as she hits the bullseye without second guessing. “Ok, so…like this?” And I throw. I hit the dummy’s waist. Not a perfect hit, but better. As I lift another axe, I ask “So, you’re from Seven right? I just guessed based on your axe skills. What’s it like over there?” She applauds my throw and says “Good job! It’s very… foresty. And it always smells like pine trees and freshly chopped wood, which I love the smell of. My parents own a store there, so I haven’t been sent to chop trees. I live more on the merchant side of town. What district are you from?” I watch in awe as she throws another axe and hits the target without even trying “I’m from Twelve. It’s honestly not the most exciting District, but it’s home as much as anything. But-“ I hesitate. I’m not sure I want to tell her about me and Alexis’s meadow. I decide against my judgment “Theres this very, and I mean very, beautiful meadow. I go there al the time. It makes me just feel so…with the world you know?” “I know exactly how you feel,” she says. “I went to the forest and wrote poetry all the time. Before I got picked,” she whispers. “Really? Wow. I wish I could write. But I’m a crap job with school papers. Let alone my own poetry. I do love to sing though. Not in public like a Covey girl, but I like to sing for myself, sometimes.” “Oh, the Covey? They’ve passed by before in Seven, but I’ve only gone to a few of their shows. I remember thinking the lead singer had a really beautiful voice? What was her name, Allie? Artemis? Alexis? Yeah, I think it was Alexis,” she says. My heart stops. I realize we’ve completely stopped throwing and now we’re just talking, but frankly I don’t care “Yeah! She's my, erm, friend. We hang out in the meadow together all the time. And you’re right, her voice is really beautiful-“ my voice cracks. This Rosemary girl is awful easy to open up to. She really seems to get what I’m going through. I decide that I trust her. “The thing is, Shes the best person to ever enter my life and…I can’t believe I’ve left her behind.” “Wow. That’s a beautiful story. I… don’t know what to say. I left my family back at home, but the person closest to me… he’s here. In the training room.” she says and looks around the room, and locks her eyes on a boy talking to the brunette from One, Aurelia I think. She’s grinning at him and batting her eyelashes. I follow her gaze “Him?” I point to the blonde guy shes eyeing. But it’s her death glare shes giving the girl next to him that I notice. “Are you guys…together?” "Oh uhm… not really,” she replies, not taking her eyes off the girl. “Oh..ok then. Do you um, forgive me if this is too nosy but..do you want to be?” I know I probably crossed a line, but I’m genuinely curious. “I…I don’t know now. I genuinely do not know,” are the words that stumble out of my mouth. “I don’t want him to be with… HER though.” she says. I giggle slightly “Ok then. But I think you might want to intervene because every minute we spend talking is yet another minute THEY have to talk. And I don’t like her. She’s a Career. Don’t trust a Career.” And with that I walk to the knife throwing station. "Wish me luck!" I hear her call after me. Oh I am wishing you luck, Rosemary. Lots of it.
