Golden Roses, Golden Thorns {Camden & Midas}

I know that I am breathtaking. There is no denying it.

I can see it in the eyes of the other Careers as they watch my fingers dance over the shaft of a new arrow. I can sense it in the looks of awe painted onto their faces as I load the arrow into my bow and pull the string back with expert form. I can hear it in the exhaled breaths of amazement that echo the thunk as I send the arrow straight into the heart of the target dummy poised 60 feet away.

Some of them admire me, that's for certain. Others are sure to be watching with a sense of jealousy at my skill. But all that matters to me is that I am the center of their attention. And they can't help but to admire me in my deadly beauty.

I've already shot a couple arrows, so I decide to stop. I got what I wanted from this practice, anyways. I turn around and hand the sheath of arrows and the bow to a boy standing nearby. I slip in a sultry wink only he sees and let my hands linger on the bow near his a fraction too long; I want to be sure that whoever he was, he would be thinking of me long after this brief encounter has passed. And I'm sure I won't remember him enough to give him a second thought.

I put on the biggest smile on my face as I join a group of Careers who had been watching my practice. They all smile back with praise for me. I feign humility at the chorus of compliments that stream from their lips. I soak it all up.

I'm sure, of course, that their compliments and smiles are all a mask they've put on to hide the fact they're itching to tear me apart after that impressive showing. When it comes to other weaponry they can convince themselves that I'm not superior to them, but with a bow in my hand they can't deny that I outclass them all. I've gotten under their skin. I'm sure they're imagining all the possible ways they would kill me if they had the chance.

Don't worry, I love it. Besides, I'm no hypocrite. I've imagined killing each of them too.

The charade is necessary for the sake of the Games. Especially with the other boys. Any of them could end up being my District partner in the Games, and having them as an ally wouldn't hurt. So the smiles stay on while we all sharpen the knives we hold, ready to plunge them into each others' backs.

I notice that a figure has grabbed my attention out of the corner of my eye and turn to get a better look. I recognize him as the golden boy of the Moros family, sitting off on his own. His father owns one of the most profitable vineyards in the District, not that you could easily tell by the clothes this boy wore. There were many Moros children, but only one favourite child that was held free of dirt and sweat. He was partial to getting special treatment; in training that meant he was free to train however he pleased. Rumour has it that he'd be the one to inherit the vineyard.

It was a family you could only admire.

Of course I decided to go talk to him! His family breathed influence. Perhaps being friends with the star child of the family could be my way of gaining some influence for myself. And the more influence I have, the more people would love me.

As I walk over to him I make sure to shift the mask I wear on my face to one of a shy smile and bashful eyes. Show myself as humble but friendly. Hell, maybe I'll blush a bit for good measure. I want him to like me from the moment he lays eyes on me.

And once he takes the bait, it's only a matter of time before he can't help but adore me.

"Hey, mind if I sit with you?"