dreamsbornofgrainâ:
Aspen nodded because she would like to do that. âLets save it for a day we both need a break.â Well, a day they needed a bigger break than they did now. Aspen didnât know how hard it would get, but she figured it would get harder once the tributes were in the arena. Even if it was only half as hard as her own time in the arena.
She gave Oakley a small smile she hoped was reassuring. Normal was better than bad she supposed. âAre your tributes here? Should we try teaching them something?â Teaching them something had to be better than nothing. âDo you think theyâll be in an indoor like setting this year? I am kind of glad I wasnât in that horrible mall the tributes were in before me. Or that haunted houseâŚâ
She smiled brightly, listening to Aspenâs suggestion.  âThat sounds like a really good idea,â she told the girl. All Oakley wanted was to take a day and forget about all of her problems. There was even a piece of her that wanted to return to District Eight, but she knew better than that. Not only would it harm her tributesâ chances, but sheâd regret giving up time she could have spent with Birch no matter how much it would hurt her heart.
Oakley glanced around and nodded.  âIâm sure my tributes are around here somewhere....at least theyâre supposed to be.â Glancing at Aspen, Oakley nodded.  âif the pattern holds, theyâll be inside or at least in a more man-made arena. Every year since seventy-two itâs alternated,â she told her. Starting with Nolieâs dinosaurs and ending with you last year, but they could always break the pattern to throw us off.â
















