The scent of victory was downright intoxicating. I was basking in it, and I couldn’t get enough. It was like a high that I never wanted to come down from. The rest of the day was a blur of celebrations. We took pictures, we gave interviews, and we even got to meet some of our fans. It was the third best day of my life.
I didn’t get to see much of my team for the rest of the morning.
Reina had stayed back to revel in her victory, being pampered with attention, and Naomi wanted some time to herself, going for a private walk. I could tell that her social bar had drained, and the introvert in her needed to refuel. As for me, I called my folks and then took a well-deserved nap. After two hours, I woke up, and looked at my reflection through the standing mirror across from me. I got up on my feet and concentrated at the image looking back at me. I’m still the same old me, I said to myself, looking down my neck and over my pecs where my scales stopped. But something had changed. I felt… different. I’d always known what I wanted to do with my life, but living through it felt so surreal. I swore I’d protect and provide for my family by climbing the ranks, and being the best hunter out there.
But look at me now…. I was doing it…. Like, actually doing it.
There was a difference between a dream and reality. And living this reality was opening doors for me. All of a sudden, I wanted to train harder than I ever had before. I wanted to surpass the standard, to exceed my own expectations. I wanted to put my skills to the test, to see how far I could truly go. The hunger for improvement burned inside of me a flame I wanted to fuel, and I knew that I wouldn’t rest until I achieved my goals. “I just raised the bar, today,” I whispered to myself as I flexed my fist with a smile. “And I am just getting started.”
I heard a noise, the sound of someone clearing their throat making me pivot my head over my shoulder. “You know, Naomi did mention your strange enjoyment of private monologues,” Reina said as she hung out from my open door. “Or did she say pep talks?”
I turned to her and snickered. “I see you’ve adopted her light-footedness.”
She smiled, Reina trying hard not to focus on my six pack. “I've always been light-footed.”
“Cap. You’ve always been loud and obnoxious,” I teased, and then walked over to my bed to toss a shirt on. “There, that’s better. You seemed distracted.”
Her face heated up as she pivoted around. “You’ve always been such an embarrassment! And so full of yourself!”
I smirked. “Well, I’m sure you didn’t pay me a visit to ogle the body of a god, so, how can I help you?”
She turned back around, her eyes softening on me. “I didn’t get to talk to you after the interview.”
“Yeah, I didn’t get to talk to Naomi, either. We got crowded with fans. Autographs, pictures, selfies, and a foreshadowing of some odd mini assignments. Heh, I’m sure you know all about that, don’t you, Reina?”
“Can you quit being perverted for two seconds!” she hissed. And then she sighed, her playful spirit fading into something serious. The twinkle in her eyes simmered down as she said, “You know, today was more than just about winning, Nero. It’s the fact that we made it this far together. We’re one team, one unit and… we did it. Even when I thought we wouldn’t.”
She was right, and I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, nodding at her sentiment. “Yeah, I know. I had doubts too, to be honest with you. I didn’t want you seeing those from me. Being a leader means keeping morale high. I’ve always been pretty consistent with that, but the Hunter Games…. With so much on the line, even I was getting weak-kneed.” I tilted my head. “Reina….”
She met my gaze with an expectant look. “Yes?”
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“I’m proud of us too. And you crushed it out there.”
She smiled. “I came to congratulate you as well, Nero. You did great today.”
I gave her a sideways smile and ran a hand through my hair, “It was one for the books, all right.”
Reina folded her hands tentatively, as if bracing herself for a deeper conversation. “I mean it, Nero. And it’s not just your performance in round two. You’ve... changed,” she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. She angled her head toward me, her eyes bearing into mine. “You’ve become stronger, not just physically, but mentally too. You’re more focused, more driven. You’re a different person, a night and day difference from the man I knew from Acadia.”
“I don’t think I changed that much. Maybe physically, but—”
“Of course you won’t see it. And that’s because, well… you’re you. It’s harder to see the changes in ourselves because we live with them every day, slowly adapting to each change until they become a part of us.”
I shrugged nonchalantly, though her words had struck something in me. “I guess the situation had changed, and I needed to change, too. Not a full 180 but… an improvement falling in gradients. I was just thinking about how I felt different, but not because I’ve undergone some drastic change. But if you’re saying that I’m a different Nero, then… I’ll have to take your word for it, huh?” I smiled. “I guess it’s easier to believe I’m the same guy. The underdog, the outcast... you know? It’s kind of hard to see myself as anything else, even with all of the attention we’ve been getting.”
“Nero… I want to apologize. I understand that I haven’t been the friendliest person to you over the years. You’d never treated me in the same way I'd treated you, and you’ve also had the strength to ignore all of my past ill intentions to be my teammate.”
I chuckled. “No need to apologize, Reina. I’ve told you this before. Besides, you getting me here makes up for the past.”
“It’s not only that…” she paused, her voice getting heavy. “You’ve brought me this far, and I know it wasn’t easy. I can’t speak for Naomi, but I can speak for myself. Winning those rounds helped me in more ways than you can imagine.”
I stopped leaning against the wall and looked down at her seriously. “Reina,” I began, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. “You’re making it sound like I’ve done you a huge favor or something. The truth is, we wouldn’t have made it this far without each other. You’ve been a key part of this team, and don’t you forget that.”
“I know, I know, but still. This journey… it’s made me see things… in a different light. Especially about... us.”
Her words hung heavy in the air between us and for once, I found myself at a loss for words. There was newfound sincerity in our relationship, and for a moment, I couldn’t believe that I was actually talking to Acadia’s fox queen.
“You know, life’s not so different… being in school and being at home. In school, people looked up to me, not necessarily because they believed in me or trusted in me. But because I’m Reina. I have a reputation, a title to fill. I’m a model, an image of something they aspire to be. There’s no room for imperfections and flaws, doubts or insecurities. All of this love and admiration isn’t toward me, but what I represent. At home, it’s the same thing. I have an image to uphold. There are certain standards in the Faust family that must be met. I wasn’t allowed to fail anyone. Not my mother, my brother, or my father. I was expected to act a certain way, talk a certain way, and even eat a certain way. Never being able to let my guard down, always having to present this mask... this illusion of perfection. And when I wasn’t perfect, there were no words of encouragement or guidance. I had no support, no one to say that they believed in me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been by myself in this struggle of self-improvement. And at the top, it’s lonely. The façade of the perfect daughter in the perfect family, the ideal student who everyone envies at school…. Never once did they ask if I was okay, or if I needed anything. The pressure was overwhelming and relentless.”
I looked down at her empathetically.
“So, I painted a smile on my face, laughed at all the right jokes, and wore the clothes they wanted me to wear. I was careful not to show any signs of rebellion or discontent. I studied harder and pushed myself to excel at school, not for my own satisfaction or sense of achievement, but for them. It’s always been for them. But now, you’re here for me. We are here for each other. It feels different, and refreshing.” She looked up to me with a big smile. “I can be myself around you, Nero. It doesn’t matter what I say or how I act, you’re always there, ready to help and support me. I’ve never had a friend like that before, and having one now, during a time in my life where I need one the most, is the best thing that I could ask for.”
I grinned, warmed by her wholesomeness. “I’m glad I can be a shoulder you can lean on, Reina,” I said, and then Reina leaped in and did something I never thought she’d do in a million years—she hugged me. “Thank you, Nero.”
I held my breath.
“For believing in me when no one else would….”