Pearl Mellark
After the boy tribute - John, I think his name was - was picked, the Peacekeepers ushered us into the Justice Building. As we passed one of the rooms, I caught a quick glimpse of the boy from 11 being picked. The poor kid. I hoped he was smarter and stronger than he looked, for his own sake.
It was only five seconds after I walked into my room when my mom and PJ came running in, hugging me.
"Be careful out there, Pearl," she said. "Be careful who you trust, watch your back, and watch your step. You never know what can happen in the arena." I nodded.
"Come back, Pearl," PJ begged.
"I'll try," I said. "But if I don't, take care of Mom for me." He nodded.
"Time's up!" The Peacekeeper said.
"Already?" my mom asked.
"Yes. Things are a bit stricter this year, as you would probably know, Ms. Mellark," he said. She nodded and grabbed PJ's hand.
"Good luck, Pearl," she said just before the door closed. I sat on the couch and waited for the next person, or people, I should say, because Melissa and Kayla came in together.
"How did you know?" Kayla asked.
"I'm a Mellark. My mom and dad had a big part in the ending of the Games over twenty years ago. I knew they were going to throw me in," I said. Melissa nodded solemnly, understanding what I was saying. Kayla didn't quite understand, but I figured she would ask Melissa later.
"Good luck out there then," Kayla said, hugging me. Melissa joined in the hug, and I hugged them both back. "Here. I want you to have this." She took out a bright orange bow and placed it in my hair. "Don't forget about us."
"I don't think that's possible," I said, hugging them again just as the door opened. "Bye."
"Good luck, Pearl," they both said. "We'll be watching." I smiled, glad to know that some people actually would see how I was doing, instead of just being entertained by it.
(Do you like or hate love triangles?)