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────── CHAPTER 01 ˎˊ-

╰ ⋟ vows we made

-:      ✦                 ⊹ .                * ࣭ ⭑๋ ࣭ ⭑

‧₊𓇼          ˚✧               ꙳ ✦

⊹              ₊ ★

     WITH HER USUAL SWIFT GAIT, CASSANDRA PASSED THE ROWS OF RICKETY HOUSES. The gray slabs of stone formed the Outer Ring of Olympia, the biggest city in all of District 2. Which, unfortunately for her, meant an at least twenty minute walk to the training center. It was her opinion the rich assholes up in their marble Justice Building never even considered anyone living down Gray Street would dare show their face anywhere else. So, they never bothered to grant them the same opportunity to train for the biggest event of the year. If only they knew how their dumb policy made for even better candidates.

A lazy morning fog still clung to the air, refusing to fully surrender the sleepy district to the dawn. Cassandra liked the city best in the early morning hours. When the only sounds that greeted her was an occasional bird, or the wind howling between the apartment buildings. With trains coming and going from the city all day and the ever present drumming of the drills down in the quarry, silence was a luxury few could afford. It also meant the streets were constantly packed and filled with people who either ignored her, or looked at her like they would at the hounds that sometimes dared venture too far into the city.

It used to bother her, how everyone turned their back on them. While being one of the richests Districts in all of Panem, mayor Bryant Hadley refused to spend any amount of money on those discarded by society. Wages of weapon factory jobs were low, even lower than those with drill jobs down in the quarry. Her father had been given no choice, being demoted from Peacekeeper to factory worker and yet those who forced him refused to see he was taken care off.

Now, it only made her walk that much taller. Let them underestimate her. it would only serve her well when the time came. One more week.

As she approached the end of the street, her gaze fell upon the white statue of Ajax Ricard, winner of the 52st Hunger Games. She could barely suppress the urge to roll her eyes at it. The stone was smooth and clean, not even a dent. Of course, worshiping previous winners of the Games was considered more important than providing decent housing. The only thing worth looking at on Grey Street were the marble statues placed at the corner of every street. They stood all throughout the city, a constant reminder of what truly mattered in life: bring honor to your family and serve your District. It would be a very satisfying form of justice to have her sculpture stand between the others, demanding people finally look at her.

She slipped into an alley between two of the gray houses. Today she had another stop to make before heading towards the training center. She took a few turns until her surroundings changed from stone to grass. A meadow led downhill towards a solar panel fence. In the distance, the nearest stone quarry was visible. This early in the morning was the only time of day without dust rising from it.

She made her way downhill, eyes searching her surroundings. A soft whistling tone led her towards a brick wall, the only remains of a house or shed that once stood there. She slowed her pace until her footsteps were almost completely silent. She told herself it was good practice, but that was only part of the reason.

"Mornin'," she announced herself to the blonde girl leaning against the wall.

"Fuck!" Nyx Whiteforge all but jumped in the air. Then turned around with wide eyes, her gaze darkening when her eyes settled upon her. "Every damn time, Cass!"

With a satisfied smirk, Cassandra lowered herself beside her friend. It was fascinating really, for what Nyx lacked in height, she made up for in swear words. As if people would forget how tiny she was if only her mouth was foul enough. Not that Cassandra cared, in fact, it was one of the reasons she'd instantly liked the girl. Which Nyx had proclaimed a miracle since she liked very few people.

"I swear, one day you're actually gonna scare me to my fucking death."

"That's the idea."

Nyx gave her a surprisingly strong shove but, having seen it coming, Cassandra managed to brace herself and stay seated. "Please remind me why we're friends again," Nyx sighed.

"Because I was the only one who laughed when you poured milk over Clove Kentwell."

A grin spread across her face. "Reason accepted."

Back when the two of them still used to go to school in the Inner Ring, the richer part of town, they had the misfortune of being placed in the same class as Clove. They hadn't exactly been friends then, yet, but both of them were subjected to her endless sneers and insults. While Cassandra had no trouble ignoring her, Nyx had never been the silent type. And so, one day, when Clove was telling everyone about her supposedly amazing knife skills, Nyx challenged her to a demonstration.

Of course, she never would've said yes had she known Nyx had replaced one of the targets with a milk carton. Cassandra was the only one brave enough to laugh at her murderous-milk-covered face. Clove Kentwell had never bothered them again and they had officially become friends.

Through the years that friendship had only grown stronger. Especially when they both lost their siblings in the games and their families were forced to move to the Outer Ring. Beside her father, Nyx was the only person Cassandra truly cared about. Which was why she had made an exception in her training schedule for her today.

"Back to business," Nyx said as she reached behind her back. "The reason we have gathered here-" she pulled out a tiny box wrapped in an old newspaper "-happy fucking birthday, Cass!"

She couldn't help but smile. "Thanks."

Nyx looked so excited it was as if it was her own birthday. She all but pushed it into her hands. "Open up!"

Slowly and deliberately she started unpacking it, grinning at Nyx's growing impatience. But when she pulled away the last piece of paper, her grin faded. The box held a bracelet, a piece of robe with an oval shaped piece of moonstone tied to it. The rock glittered with a soft blue light as she held it up to look at. It was gorgeous.

"This must've cost a fortune," she found herself saying, staring in accusation at her friend. The last thing she wanted was for Nyx to spend what little savings they had on something as frivolous as a birthday present.

Nyx shrugged. "I asked my mom to keep a lookout in the quarry."

She opened her mouth, found she had no more arguments, and closed it again.

"Just say thank you, dammit."

She shook her head, but smiled. "Thanks, Nyx."

Suddenly her expression grew serious and her next words came out in a whisper. "It can be your token. You know, when you volunteer next week."

Cassandra slipped the bracelet on, then raised a challenging brow. "You're not gonna try to talk me out of it?"

"Nope, guess I've known you too long." Nyx leaned back against the brick wall. "Did you tell your dad yet?"

A sigh left her lips before she could stop herself. "No."

Thinking about her dad came with an uncomfortable stab in her stomach, one she rather wouldn't feel but seemed unable to avoid. The year after Ryker was reaped, she'd been ready to volunteer, even though she was only 14. There'd been only one thought on her mind: restore their name in the eyes of all Panem. Her father, however, couldn't bear the thought of losing another child. He'd made her vow she wouldn't volunteer. Not until she turned 18. She knew he held onto the hope that in the years that followed she would change her mind.

She didn't. All because of a much more important vow, the one she made to herself. She would win the Hunger Games. But she let her father believe she might have a change of heart. The only one who knew she wouldn't was Nyx. Lies...a voice whispered in the back of her mind, but she ignored it.

"You plan on telling him before the Reaping?"

"Hadn't thought about it yet," she lied.

Nyx frowned, seeing right through her. "He deserves to know, Cass."

The answer came automatically. "He doesn't understand."

"Which is exactly why you have to talk to him." She was using her low, reasonable voice.

Cassandra hated it when she did that. Mostly because she was almost never wrong and that voice showed she knew it. "I'll think about it," she said, it was honestly the best she could do.

"Well you fucking better," Nyx replied with a satisfied smirk.

For a moment they sat in silence, maybe both of them realized this would probably be the last time they spend in the meadow together. All the spare time she had left would be dedicated to getting as much training as possible. She knew she was ready, but that didn't mean she could let go of her routine now.

"I gotta go," she said, breaking the silence.

"Of course, can't keep Mr. Pretty boy waiting."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

Nyx pouted, as though being told she couldn't pet a puppy. "What! It's the truth! Honestly, Cass, only you could train with Cato fucking Hadley and be interested in nothing more than his fighting skills."

That annoying voice in the back of her head returned: If only you knew...

"What else is there to be interested in?" she said, ignoring the voice like she usually did.

Nyx smirked. "Sure, play dumb with me."

"I'm going now."

"You do that."

As she left the meadow behind, she could hear Nyx start to whistle again. Some old tune about an ancient god who flew too close to the sun.

Part of her wished she never told her friend about her training sessions with Cato. But she knew Nyx would've figured out something was going on sooner or later. Sometimes she seemed to know Cassandra better than she knew herself. Cato never specifically asked her to keep it quiet. Yet she could somehow sense they both preferred it that way. Judging by the amount of girls he used to be surrounded with in school, there could be an entire line waiting for a sparring session with him if word got out.

Yet, for reasons unknown to her, he picked her.

She walked even faster than she normally would have. She didn't want to waste a single second she could spend in the training center while it was empty. There was no rule stating people from Gray Street weren't welcome, yet most still acted as if there was. No one could officially send her away but they could glare at her until she left of her own accord.

One more week, she told herself. Then it would forever be done with their condescending stares and endless whispers.

She managed to turn the twenty minute walk into eighteen minutes. With a quick look over her shoulder, she crossed the street. The city was still asleep, but by now it was second nature to make sure no one saw her slipping inside through the back door. It was left unlocked because it was only ever used by the old janitor, too forgetful to remember locking it. Of course, most used the front door and didn't even ponder the existence of another entrance.

The training center was, if possible, even more impressive than the Justice Building. It was round, resembling an arena. Enormous pillars held the structure up, with windows reaching from floor to ceiling. There were different floors, each with their own specific purpose; hand-to-hand combat, weapon training, cardio. There was even a shooting range. Though only those considered for the Peacekeeping program were allowed to use it. And even then it was only under very strict surveillance.

She made her way to the second floor. To her right were rows upon rows of punching bags. To her left were several boxing rings, used for showcasing your skills to everyone willing to watch. She heard him before she saw him, steady footsteps approaching her from the shadows.

"You're late."

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────── AUTHOR'S NOTE ˎˊ-

First chapter is up! I'm so excited to dive into this story! I absolutely adore Cassandra as a character and she's so much fun to write. And honestly, when I created Nyx I didn't expected to love her as much as I did at the end of this chapter.

I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter. I honestly struggled a lot with it haha. Introducing Cassandra and Nyx, District 2 and their culture. It was harder than I thought. I'd love to hear your thoughts so please don't be shy and leave some comments.

xx Nelly