On day two of training, I head down to the dining room, to find that, yet again, I'm the last one to the table. I would sit away from Dior, but it's the only open chair. I sit down as far from him as I can, but he leaves me alone this morning. Thorn is the first to speak "Today, I want you to start thinking about if there is anyone you would like to be your ally." I feel Dior's eyes on me. "We can't guarantee that they'll agree, but you might as well start taking notes." I nod and finish my eggs. I didn't get to warn Rosemary yesterday, but I'm determined to today. As I get up to walk away to my room to finish getting ready, I feel Dior's eyes following me all the way down the hall. What is his deal anyway? Though, to give him some credit, he doesn't know that I'm taken. At least I think that's what's going on. But if I tell him that I'm taken he'll ask who I'm with, and no one can know who. No one. Ever. I splash water onto my face and scrub any grime from underneath my nails. I try to imagine any doubts I have washing down the drain with the water. It doesn't work. I hear a soft knock on the door and say "Come in." Even though I already know it's Iris. "Hey Piper. Can we talk for a moment?" I exit my bathroom and sit on the edge of my oversized bed next to her. "Is something wrong, Iris?" "No. Well, yes. You and Dior's chemistry seems to be off-" "We never had chemistry in the first place." I say flatly "He was kind of the school bully for like, ever." She gives me a grim smile. "Okay, but why? Why aren't you at least making an effort to work with the only person you'll be able to relay on in the games?" I pause. Why aren't I? But I can't tell Iris anything that's happening within the walls of the training room. Or what happens under the table during meals. "I...don't know. But I just, don't trust him." Iris frowns. "Well, I recommend you try. To trust I mean." And she leaves. I mull over her words. The only people on earth that I've ever trusted are all back in Twelve. Mom, Jax, and Alexis. They're all I had, and I didn't need anything more. But it's Iris's words that I try to make sense of. She said to trust. But she didn't say to trust Dior. Just to learn to trust in general. Almost as if...no. She couldn't possibly know about Rosemary. Or Arbor for that matter. I feel my legs carry me to the Training Room, not sure as to why I'm there before everyone else. I enter, and try to locate Rosemary. I see her at knot tying, but when I try to reach her, she meets my eyes and makes for the camouflage station. Confused, I follow, but am blocked by the bigger guy from One. Not wanting to get mixed up in anything with him, I move away. Why is Rosemary avoiding me? At least thats what I think is going on. I decide that tomorrow I'll get to her somehow, but for today, I'll follow Thorn's advice and get the lay of the land. Size up the completion. Look for allies. And avoid Dior as much as possible. That wasn't part of his instructions, but I don't care. At this point, I make my own rules.
