Chapter 5

Right after the T.V. is turned off, Chaff stood up.  "Let's get down to training business."  He turned to Thresh. "You're going to train with me for an hour, while Rue-"  He looked into my eyes.  "Rue will do whatever girly stuff Lilia's going to teach her for an hour, and then they switch.  Understand me?"  Thresh and I nodded.  Then I was led away by Lilia.

We reached a small room at the end of the train and Lilia gave me a long, frilly dress with really high high heels and told me to try them out.  My feet started to hurt from the moment I started walking in those strange high heels.

After half an hour, Lilia sat me down and gave me a drink of something hot and sugary called hot chocolate.  She waited until I drained my cup, which took no time at all, then said, "Rue, we need to talk."  I rubbed my foot.  Lilia said, "Try to win okay?  You seem like a survivor to me."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Thresh came in and said quietly, "We're switching now."  He avoids both of our eyes.  Lilia suddenly says, "Oh no.  I forgot!"  And rushes out for the room.  Thresh and I stood there awkwardly.  Lilia finally came into the room.  She looked around, holding a fancy suit.  "Now, Thresh, let's try this out."  Everything that I wore to her training session was discarded on the floor of the room with my nightgown I was wearing before the training on me now. 

When I reached the room for my training with Seeder, Chaff was inside, but he quickly left as I came in.  Seeder told me, "Sit on this couch, chill, and answer my questions as you would answer to the Capitol please."