"There's only 4 open spots for Escorts this year, as you all are aware." A tall man spoke to the group. "Due to your success in the academy that trains personnel for the games, you have been selected for the first round of interviews. Chances are you will walk away with a job, we rarely have to send in more than one candidate for each mentor. Any question ladies and gentlemen?"

Effie stood up straighter, "What Districts are interviewing, sir?"

He nodded kindly at her, "Miss Trinket, right?"

Effie nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Excellent question, today we have Districts 1, 7, 8 and 12."

Excited murmurs whispered through the potential group of escorts. District 1 was highly desirable.

"You all have 30 minutes to prepare, the mentors are concluding a survey that dictates who we send in first for the interview."

Effie smoothed out her skirt and approached a lighted vanity. Nerves fluttered through her stomach. She was top of her class at the escort academy. Straight A's and nothing but high praises from her teachers. There was no reason she wouldn't get District 1.

Effie fussed over her hair, fixing the large blonde curls into place. A brilliant hair clip encrusted with glittering gems pinned back one side. The other curls swept aside and cascaded over her shoulder.

"You're still not into modifications?" A purple haired girl sat down next to her. The girl was number 3 in her class. She had black rhinestones set into her skin for eyebrows and tattooed eyeliner that looked like lace.

Effie smiled, "I've had a few treatments done."

"On what… you look so plain, Effie." She noted.

Effie glanced in the mirror, and sucked in a small breath. "I had my skin bleached, and my eyelashes lengthened."

The girl chuckled, "You won't get a Career District if you look so ordinary."

"Vera, you don't even know what they're looking for." Effie reminded, refusing to be badgered about her appearance. So what if her skin was a splendid rainbow hue or her skin studded with all manners of jewels or hardware. She did fine with her make-up and accessories.

"It won't be you." Vera smiled and tossed a wig at Effie. A teal blue thing that looked rather ridiculous. "Blonde was last season, and the whole natural thing.. That stopped years ago. Do yourself a favor and wear that."

Verna stalked away, and Effie huffed. Bitch… Effie groaned in her head and turned back to the mirror. She remembered her mother and father before she left for the academy. 'Don't forget who you are, don't change so much that you can't see who you were in the mirror.'

She sat up straighter and traced dark glittery blue eyeliner over her eyelids and painted her lips a deep pink hue. Silver luster dusted the skin around her eyes and gave her a rather ethereal look.

She tucked her lace blouse into her pleated navy blue skirt. A brilliant blue bejeweled belt clipped around her waist. Underneath the sheer lace blouse you could see pockets of her skin and tank top that was completely made of shimmery blue fabric.

"Gather around, the interviews will start in a moment." The tall man called. As everyone gathered Effie took in her classmates now turned competitors. Vera was looking haughty and severe. A boy names Wallace was rather sharply dressed in a metallic suit. Louisa was the last to join, and stood out simply because of her lime green hair and patterned tattoo's that decorated every bit of her skin. Today she looked like a fish, with shimmering scales climbing up her neck toward her face.

"Best of luck to you all." The man chirped and handed out a folder with each of their names on it. "Open the folder. You will see the District you've been matched to for the interview. Head in when you are ready, but it would be best to not keep the mentors waiting." He motioned to four rooms off to the side with a golden number of the door for what District it belonged to.

Effie glanced at Verna who looked upset at her folder and stalked off toward District 8. She smiled to herself and watched Louisa traipse off to District 12. 1 or 7… Effie felt her stomach twist. Wallace nodded at her and snapped his folder shut.

"Good job, Effie." He said curtly and headed for District 7.

Effie smiled and opened her folder and saw a large printed number 1 and basic information about the mentor who would be interviewing her. Gloss, Victor of the 63rd games. Effie knew him well, as she should. They were required to learn all the Victors basic information.

She pressed her hand on the door handle and knocked. She heard a booming "Come in." and Effie straightened up and pushed open the door. It was now or never, and she held her chin up high and smiled as brightly as she could.