There might be some mistakes because I haven't double checked, but I'll ge them out later :)

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I sit on a black, uncomfortable but ‘stylish’ leather couch and stare blankly at my glass of champagne, which I don’t even like ‘but that’s what people of our class are supposed to drink’ and try to tune out all the fake laughs and boring chit chats, which is easier said than done since they’re all laughing hysterically and talk overly loud, and ignore, well try to ignore, the boy beside me.  He keeps on trying to start a conversation with me, and I keep on ignoring him.

He’s the son of one of my mother’s many ‘friends’ and just like my mom his mother dragged him along too.  

I must say his determination is admirable, I got to give him that, but other than that he’s annoying.

I thought my silence and annoyed looks would give him a hint, but he must be either very oblivious or just plain stupid because he’s not shutting up.

‘So who do you think will win this year?’ he asks me.

I turn my gaze away from my glass and look at Wayne angrily, or was it Dwayne?  ughh, it doesn’t even matter-  If he wants to talk about the games he’s at the wrong address with me.

‘Ohh, so you can actually hear.’ He says, emphasizing the ‘can’. ‘That’s nice to know.’

I roll my eyes and decide to stick with the ignoring strategy, although it clearly isn’t working very well, but he’ll have to give up sometime right?

‘But can you speak?’ he trails off.

Still giving him the silent treatment, and meanwhile directing my gaze at anything but him, he’s still not giving up.

‘What are you, an avox?’he asks.

 I snap my head in his direction, furious at his remark. I know I’m very touchy concerning these kinds of topics, but I’m pretty sure everyone would be insulted being called an avox, since they betrayed the capitol and are outcasts.

I´m not sure if he meant it as an insult or as some stupid remark, but I’m starting to get very annoyed either way.

Not wanting to cause a scene, well actually I do, butI don’t want to face the consequences, I decide to be wise and pretend I didn´t hear is remark and try to come up with one of my own.

‘I can talk just fine, but unlike others here, I’m careful with words…. and my time. Excuse me.’ I say annoyed while looking back at him, so he’s knows I meant him, in case he didn’t figure that out already. I get up, finish my drink in one big gulp and start feeling a little dizzy, probably because of the alcohol.

Before I’ve been even able to take one step Wayne has got up as well and grasped my arm, stopping me from walking away angrily like I originally planned.

Instead I jerk my arm away from his grasp, which isn’t hard since he doesn’t try to hold on, and sent an evil glare in his direction.

His, although I hate to admit it, beautiful blue, almost grey eyes lock in to my green ones and look apologetic

´I’m sorry that was rude of me to say. Although you ignoring me wasn’t particularly nice either.’ he says.

‘Never said I was.’ I reply, and it’s true; I know I’m not a loving and warm person, but growing up in a world with only fake people made me this way.

He chuckles softly, probably thinking my reply was meant as a joke.

‘Am I wasting your precious time, or shall we sit back down?’

‘Well, I think it will take hours before both are mothers will want to go home.’ I say and nod my head in the direction of our mothers, who are chatting excitedly

‘So we might as well.’ I say as I place my empty glass on the side table and sit back on the black seat.

‘So your mother has dragged you along too?’ he asks me, again trying to make small talk, only this time I reply.

‘Yes…. if it were up to me I’d be lying on my bed right now, but I had no choice in this matter; my mom would’ve kept whining until my head would’ve exploded, or grounded me for eternity.’

He laughs a little ‘Same here, she even called me by my full name, so I knew I would be in serious trouble if I didn’t go with her.’

I laugh, remembering that’s exactly what my mom did as well.

I’m surprised how much I actually enjoy talking to him, since I first thought he was just the typical capitol boy, but instead he seems like a nice person.

‘Why did she have to make you? Weren’t you already counting down the days like all the others seem to be doing?’ I ask him.

He softly chuckles before answering ‘Well you don’t sound like you were doing that yourself, and well, I just don’t like the hustle and bustle.’

‘That’s because I didn’t, I don’t like all the fuss either.’

‘And the games? I saw the look you gave me when I asked you about it.’

‘Let’s just say I don’t particularly enjoy watching children slaughter each other, and I can’t grasp why all of you do’ I say bitterly.

I know saying my thoughts out loud, especially my darkest ones, isn´t wise, let alone telling them to a stranger. But the weird thing is that even though I’m not even sure whether his name is Wayne or Dwayne, I’ve never felt so much at ease talking to someone, not even with my own family.

‘Who said I did?’ he asks me

‘I guess I just assumed that, since everyone else does.’ I shrug.

‘Well, I think you and I are not like everyone else, don’t you?’ he says while giving me a warm smile

‘I’m sure of it, I hope at least.’

‘Why? Don’t you want to fit in?’ he asks me with a hint of disbelief in his tone.

‘Not with them no.’

‘Well you sure look like you belong.’ He says and nods to my outfit.

‘Looks can be deceiving. My mom made me wear this.’ I say and fidget with the bottom of my dress.

‘I don’t feel like I belong, never did and I hope I never will. I don’t like the people from the Capitol.’

‘You’re aware that you’re insulting you and me both with that comment?’ he states jokingly

‘Well I don’t see myself as a Capitol citizen, I live here but that’s all. And I didn’t mean you; you seem like a person with actual feelings.’

He lets out a loud laugh ‘You sure hate it here don’t you?’

‘I do, but where else can I go? I say more as a statement than as a question.

He gives me a sad smile ‘I often wonder how my life would’ve been if I weren’t born here, but in the districts. Do you think we would’ve been happy there?’

‘I don’t know, with the games and all, but maybe…. probably. What do you think?’

‘I think I’d be happier anywhere than here. And I feel bad for thinking this way, knowing that there are so many people desperately wanting to live the life I live here, but the people who say that money cannot buy happiness are definitely right.’

I look into his eyes intently, mesmerized by its beauty, the wisdom and secrets that lie deeply hidden within them. He can’t be much older than I am, but there’s something in the way he looks that make him look older, wiser.  

He gives me a heartwarming smile which I immediately answer, feeling grateful that I’ve finally found someone I can confide in.