Sorry for the long wait my dear readers, it's just that I've been very busy with school, infact, I still am, so I don't know when I'll update next.
As always I haven't really checked for mistakes, but I'll do that some time :)
I hope you'll enjoy, please let me know what you think!

Chapter 6

It’s a good thing we’ve got reserved seats, because all the other seats were already taken when we arrived.  After a lot of clumsy maneuvers and jogging against nearly every person in the room, I finally plop down on my seat next my mother, who sits between Tule and me as some kind of partition, making sure we both keep quiet.
We probably have one of the best seats in the whole hall, well Tule and mom at least do; I sit next to an old, and may I say overweight, lady who keeps on screaming ‘oohh honey this is soo exciting’ to the man- most likely her husband- next to her. I feel sorry for her husband, because after only a couple of minutes I think I already have a permanently damaged ear, he deserves a medal for putting up with it, or maybe he’s just deaf.
Other than that though, it’s the perfect spot; we have a perfect view on the path where the chariots will ride, and we can see President Snow standing on the balcony of his mansion clearly too, not that I enjoy looking at his evil appearance, but I know other people do.
Dad, together with all the other organizers, sits in a special box across from the one where mom, Tule and I are sitting. I see my mom’s eyes scan through the box, and when her eyes meet my father’s, I see her wave excitedly. My dad waves back, but he soon turns away when his attention is drawn by a man with a stupid beard and mustache. He looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t put a name with the face, the only thing I know he´s important for the games.

My attention is drawn by a man too, only this man is way younger and way handsomer.
His grey eyes are looking at something in the distance and don’t meet mine. He probably hasn’t seen me, since he’s quite far away from where I sit, but he must feel my eyes looking at him right?

After staring at him for way longer than appropriate, I look away when the huge doors open and the chariots come out. The whole room burst into an avalanche of cheers and applause, I hear ohhs and awws coming from every direction, and I have to admit I’m really impressed myself – well after I’ve recovered from the shock. I, along with probably all the other spectators, nearly get a panic attack when the costumes of district’s 12 tributes catch fire. I wonder what they used to make the flames look so real, because instead of screaming and withering in pain, they both smile brightly and wave excitedly, the beautiful girl even blows some kisses to the crowd.
It doesn’t take much to impress people from the Capitol, so it’s not a surprise that they all go crazy with excitement; the applause and the shouting are clearly audible despite the pounding music, and hundredths of flowers are being thrown at the duo.
And here I was complaining about the lady sitting next to me, this is ten times worse!
Although, her yelling and screaming has increased too, so I still have the right to complain about her.
I feel sorry for all the other tributes really, since no one is paying attention to any of them, but I understand why; it´s hard to take your eyes of the flickering of the fire, since it stands in stark contrast to the darkness.
The music ends with a flourish when the chariots come to a halt in front of the balcony where President Snow will give the official welcome and boring speech. I don’t listen to him, instead I look at the tributes and let my thoughts wander.
I look at the little girl of district 11, standing there nervously. She must be around eleven years old, she looks so sweet and innocent, so tiny and vulnerable; how can they send her into the arena?
She won’t stand a chance against all the older, stronger and bigger boys and girls from the other districts.
I feel my anger and hatred towards the Capitol burn up inside when I look at the man who will be responsible for this little girl’s death and doesn’t even  seem to feel any kind of remorse about it whatsoever.
How can he sleep at night, knowing he’s the reason all of them will be dead in less than a month?

When the speech is over, the crowd burst into a final deafening applause as the chariots slowly ride out of sight towards the training center.
When the doors have been closed and the cheering has died out, the whole audience comes into motion; in no time the whole city circle has been emptied and the foyer packed.
I’ve lost mom and Tule in the crowds, but don’t make any effort to find them, I just walk around instead.

´Have you survived?’ I hear a deep voice playfully ask me from behind.
 I turn around and stand face to face with the boy I was hoping to see here.
‘Well my right ear sure hasn’t and the night’s still young. But it’s nicer than I thought it would be.’ Because you are here I think, but don’t say out loud.

‘Yeah, I saw you sitting next to madam Greenlaw, I’m not kidding when I say her husband is practically deaf.’ he says, making me laugh

‘Yeah, I’m going to send her the doctor’s bill.’ I joke.
He softly chuckles and changes the subject ‘Are you coming to the party too?’ he asks me.

‘If you mean the one in the big hall than yes, in fact, I should get going before my mom gets into frenzy about us being late again.’ I say and quickly search the room for my mother, which is quite hard considering it is really crowded.  I spot her talking to Mr. and Mrs. Greenlaw slightly further away in mere seconds nevertheless.
I turn to look at him again ‘I guess I’ll see you there?’ I ask him, sounding a little too hopeful.

‘Of course.’ he replies and gives me a sweet smile which I return immediately, knowing he’ll be there makes me feel way happier than it should.
‘Now go to your mother before she gets permanent hearing loss too.’ he tells me, but not in a bossy tone.
I let out a loud chuckle and walk towards my mom and Tule.
‘Ooh there you are!’ mom says when I arrive, sounding like she’s been looking for me instead of talking all this time.
She and madam Greenlaw keep talking a little while longer, but when my mother sees the time she quickly says goodbye.
The big hall isn’t very far away, but we still go by car, not that I mind, in fact, I’m happy we do since I have sore feet and wear impossibly high- for me at least- heels.

There are already a lot of people there the moment we arrive, but it isn’t too crowded…yet.
Mom already sees a couple of her friends and skips to them. I trail behind her, and Tule thankfully walks towards a couple of blond girls; I’ve seen more than enough of her for today.
I catch up with my mother and sit next to her on the couch.
I don’t listen to their conversation because I’m not interested in hearing their boring chit chat, but mostly because I’m too busy looking Wayne.
I know he’ll be here, but it’s hard to find him since more and more people have arrived.
I see people dance to the classic music that is being played, I see people talk and laugh excessively, but I don’t see the person I want to see.
Just when I’m about to give up my search and prepare myself to sulk for the rest of the night, my eyes come across a tall, blond and handsome guy, looking a little lost in the crowd.
I get up and walk his way with a smile already plastered on my face, not even feeling my sore feet, ohh the effect this boy has on me.
‘Hello there.’ I say when I’m with him.

‘Good evening.’ he says and smiles warmly at me, causing a weird feeling in my belly.

‘Shall we go find a place to sit? Those heels don’t look particularly comfortable.’ He says while looking down at my heels.

‘Yes please.’ I say. ‘Because ‘not particularly comfortable’ is the understatement of the year.’  I say after taking a step towards one of the only free places still left.

He softly chuckles ‘Here, let me help you.’ he says and sweeps me off my feet.
I gasp in surprise and feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.
He is surprisingly strong, I mean I’ve already noticed his abs, but he picked me up as if I weigh nothing at all.
‘Umm put me down.’ I say sounding not so convincing, I rather enjoy being in his strong arms, but people are looking at us weirdly, and it’s more than a little awkward to be honest.
‘Nahh, your poor feet have suffered enough already.’ He says with a big on his face.
I sigh, roll my eyes and decide to stop objecting, not that I really objected in the first place.
He carries me to a black vintage loveseat and gently puts me down on my own two feet.
I clear my throat, smooth my dress and sit down on the couch, hiding behind my brown tresses. The bench sinks a little under his weight and I can feel his body right next to me. I keep staring at my feet and try to avoid eye contact, I don´t know why I´m behaving this way, all I know is that it´s because of him.
When I decide to look up again, I see Tule walking towards us in a steady pace and with a weird expression on her face.

´Hello.´ she says smiling sweetly at him, she doesn’t even spare me a glance.
´I didn´t know you knew my little sister?’

‘Well, you do now.’ he says bluntly.

‘Indeed.’ she says, a little discouraged by his curt reply. She takes a deep breath and tries to start a conversation again. ‘So, what did you think of the ceremony?’

‘Amazing.’ he says sarcastically ‘But excuse us, we were just about to get us something to eat and to drink.’ he says and gets up. He holds his hands out for me, which I gladly take, and helps me get up.
He has warm, soft hands, and holding them feels really good, but I let go when I’m up, feeling very aware of my sister glaring at me.

‘Ohh, well I can come with you?’ Tule offers looking at him with pleading eyes.

‘No, it’s fine. Can we get you anything?’ he asks her politely

‘No thank you, I’ve just had champagne, you should get it too, it is delicious!’ she suggest.

‘I’ll see, well bye!’ he says and softly pushes me to the direction of the huge table filled with all the foods and drinks you can imagine.
I try to walk as normal as possible, but I’ve never been able to walk on heels properly, so with sore feet it looks even worse. I see Wayne look at me a little worried, so before he can do something stupid like pick me up again, I try to make sure to get the idea out of his head ‘I know I must walk like an idiot, but this is just the way I walk, so don’t even think about picking me up again.’ I warn him.

He chuckles and holds his hands in the air ‘Okay okay’ He says, a smirk forming on his lips ‘But you have to admit. You enjoyed it.’
I just roll my eyes knowing it’s no use to deny it, because I’m sure he won’t believe me, and because deep down I know he’s right.

‘See, you don’t even deny it.’ He says laughing. ‘So what do you want?’ he asks me when we stand in front of the table full of colorful cupcakes, little pies in all kinds of flavors and more than enough other things, more than enough  to feed all of the people from the districts for at least two months.
I wasn’t really hungry in the first place, but that thought has made me completely lose my appetite ‘I’m not really hungry actually.’ I say.
‘Me neither, but your sister is looking at us.’ He says looking behind him. I follow his gaze and see Tule looking at us intently. ‘How didn’t I know she was your sister by the way?!’ he asks me indignantly and settles for the little apple pie.
‘Well, maybe because you only know me for two days, and it isn’t really something I brandish around with.’ I say and take a cupcake decorated with pink icing and gold leaf from the cake holder.
‘So how do you know her?’ I ask him, genuinely curious, before taking a small bite of the heavenly cupcake.

‘Well, I don’t really know her, she’s just in my history class.’

And then it hit me... ‘Omg, you’re Wade Hayes!! I shriek

‘Yes, thank you captain obvious.’ he says and looks at me with a confused expression.

‘No, you don’t understand, you’re the Wade Hayes!’

‘I’m sorry but you’ve lost me, what do you mean?’ he asks me, now really looking confused.

‘You’re the guy Tule has been obsessing over the last few weeks. Seriously, she wouldn’t shut up.’ I explain

His frown disappears and I can see he understands ‘Well that explains why she’s always staring at me in class.’ he says.
It also explains her behavior of a few minutes ago, and the looks she’s giving me now, I feel her eyes burning in my back.
How did it take me so long to figure it out! She was always talking about that blond, tall guy with those beautiful grey eyes and strong jaw line.
And Wayne?! Thank god I’ve never called him that, because that would have been very awkward.

‘And she tells me I’m weird. What more has she done?’ I ask him feeling a little worried.

He chuckles a little ‘Nothing thankfully, but seriously Hannelore, you have one hell of a weird sister.’

‘Tell me about it.’ I say and quickly, but neatly, finish the cupcake. My hands are sticky, but thankfully there are some napkins neatly arranged on the table.
I take two and give one to Wade, who’s finished too, and clean my hands, and in case there is some cake residue around my mouth, also my mouth with the other napkin.

‘Are you thirsty?’ he asks me and points to an assortment of colorful- and in my opinion chemically looking- drinks.

‘I am actually.’ I say and smile at him.

‘What can I get you?’ he asks me.

‘You know I can walk right?’ I ask teasingly

‘I don’t think that whatever you did counts as walking, it’s more –‘

‘Why don’t you try to walk on thirteen inch heels all day, huh? See how you’ll walk.’ I cut him off.

‘Relax Hannelore, I was just joking. It’s really impressive.’ Wade says and smiles a cute dimple smile.

‘Well I wasn’t. What’s your shoe size?’ I ask him teasingly.

He looks at me in disbelief and pure terror ‘You’re joking right?’

I try to hold my laughter, but his is face, and the idea of him in high heels, is just so priceless that I burst into laughing. My laughing turns into couching, and Wade quickly gets me a glass of water. I drink it up in big gulps and need a moment to catch my breath.
‘You should’ve seen your face.’ I say, still laughing a bit. ‘Priceless.’

I can see he tries to keep a straight face, but the corners of his lips curl up and I see an amused twinkle in his eyes ‘Well, I’m glad I amuse you, I love to see you laugh.’ he says shyly.
I smile brightly at him and stare into his mesmerizing eyes.
‘You should smile more often, it suits you.’ he says and I feel my cheeks heat up by his comment and feel a warm feeling spread throughout my body. 
I don’t really know what to say; I’m left speechless by his sweet words, and I’m fascinated by his eyes that seem to be able to look into my soul.
So I stay quiet and listen to the beautiful melody that softly plays in the background.
‘How are your feet?’ he asks me with a twinkle in his eyes

‘Umm, they’ve been better, why?’ I ask a little suspicious.

‘Because.’ he says and reaches his hand out for me ‘I was wondering if I could have this dance with you.’ he says courteously.

I smile brightly at him, place my glass on the nearest table, take off my shoes, take his hand, and look forward to an evening full of dancing, laughing and finally feeling truly happy.