Prim:
As I looked out from on the stage into the crowd of people I could feel Gale's hand tighten on mine. I felt emptiness inside of me as I looked out at my sister Katniss down in the crowd of people. My mother and sister had always told me that I was ten years older than my actual age, but at this moment I felt like the child I was. I knew I had to pull together, because if I didn't there was no way I would make it very far in these games, and I just had to make it back to my family. I looked up to Gale for some reassurance, and saw him staring down at me with saddened eyes.
"Prim we are going to be ok. We will get through this, and you will be back home again soon with Katniss and your mother."
My eyes started to well with tears, so I hugged Gale's waist tight. Gale was my older sister's best friend, and was like the older brother I never had. I saw him almost everyday when he would come home from hunting with Katniss; sneaking the wild game they killed to feed both of our families. If we were to go into the games together it was him I wanted to win. He could come back to District 12 and help provide for my family. I knew herbs and medicine, but that did not put food on our table. I had never been much of a hunter, so it was Katniss and Gale that brought home the food that we ate. Gale rubbed my back reassuringly but I knew nothing would be easy from this moment forward.
Effie said some last words about how the Games this year would be most entertaining to watch, and then announced that it was time for Gale and me to leave on the train to the Capitol. She hurried us off the stage, and I only received a short moment to wave one last goodbye to Katniss and my mother who stood solemnly off the stage in the crowd of people.
Gale held my hand as we hurried off after Effie, towards the train station that would lead us to the dreaded Capitol.
As we arrived at the train station Effie told us that we would be meeting up with our stylists once we got into our section of the train. I had heard of the stylists many times. They were apparently freakishly looking people with an overzealous personality.
Gale what do you think they are going to dress us up in for the opening ceremony?
"I'm really not sure Prim, but being from District 12 we are probably going to be put in some miners outfit with a huge headlamp."
I cringed; a few years ago I remember the tributes from District 12 having a similar outfit that Gale described, yet they only wore miners boots, a headlamp, and a giant pickaxe and nothing else. God I hope that we end up with a good stylist and not one crazy enough to dress us up in something like that.
Effie led us to our compartment where we would spend the next day and a half traveling to the Capitol. It was like nothing I had ever seen before; two huge canopy beds with sheets billowing down in soft pillars. Dressers made of the finest mahogany wood, pilled high with fresh new clothes. Flowers of bright yellows and pinks filled the room giving off a sweet nectar smell, which reminded me of the wildflowers Katniss would sometimes bring home for me when she was out hunting. I had never seen such a beautiful room in my whole life, and to think that this was just one room on this enormous train.
"Ms. Everdeen and Mr. Hawthorne, I suggest you clean up before dinner is served. There are fresh towels in the bathroom, and all the necessities that you will need."
Gale and I stared at each other shocked as Effie strolled out of our room.
Gale have you ever seen anything like this!? Our house isn't even as big as this room. Gale grumbled something about "stupid Capitol and all of its nonsense."
"Prim you can go ahead and take the shower first if you would like."
Oh yes, thank you Gale!
I couldn't wait to soak myself in the warm water. Its not like I couldn't bathe myself back at my home, but a nice warm shower was something that we just never had. Boiled water that soon turned luke warm to fill a tub was used to wash everything in our house. I couldn't complain though, at least we had water unlike some of the families that lived in District 12.
I grabbed some clothes off of the dresser, not really caring what they looked like and went into the bathroom; well more like the size of our living room at home. Covering the counters were bottles filled with different colored liquids, scrub brushes, and soaps. The scent of lavenders was overwhelming. I set my clothes on the little rack by the enormous bathtub and shower. The trick was going to be figuring out how to turn the water on. There was no nozzle to turn, but a control panel with an assortment of buttons. As I was about to start pushing everyone I heard a knock on the door.
"Prim, Effie just came back to tell me that you must hit the star button thing on something to turn the shower on. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
Yah thanks; I think I've found it.
I walked back over to the strange looking panel and pushed the star button. Water fell like a hot steamy waterfall from the nozzle high on the wall. I changed out of my tattered looking clothes and stepped into the bathtub. It felt so good to finally get clean. I scrubbed head to foot with the different bottles of liquids, not really caring what was in them. All I knew is that they smelled delightful. After about twenty five minutes of soaking in the warm water I decided it was time to get out. My hands started to prune up.
I got dressed in the clothes that were laid out on the dresser, finding that they fit perfectly. They were a nice pale blue blouse and dark jeans, which brought out the blue in my eyes. I combed my long blond hair, which fell in wet ringlets at my shoulders, and stared at myself in the mirror. I looked my 12 year old self, but I felt like I was much older. I think growing up and taking care of my mother aged me. As I headed out of the bathroom, Gale smiled cheerfully at me.
"Squeaky clean are we? You don't look like you have a spec of District 12 left on you; what a shame."
Ha ha very funny Gale; but yes I feel like I need to rub some coal dust all over me.
As Gale headed into the bathroom to go get cleaned up I explored our room a little bit further. On the nightstand were some pamphlets advertising different shops that were in the Capitol. I flipped through it quickly, seeing page after page of beautifully decorated dresses. It seemed so cruel that people could be fussing over something as trivial as a piece of clothing, when people in our District were dying from lack of warmth and clothes. It made me sick to my stomach. I didn't want to look at anything further, I was tired and just wanted to sleep my life away.
I guess I was daydreaming about home because I did not hear Gale come up behind me. He sat down beside me and put his arm around my shoulders. We didn't speak as we waited for Effie to come and get us for dinner. It was only a few more minutes before she came strolling through our door.
"Dinner is being served in the main part of the cabin; you are to attend because we have important things to discuss regarding this years games."
Gale and I shot a quick glance at each other with worry in our eyes that it would be nothing worse than it already was. We followed after Effie down the hallway and I could tell we were getting close, because I could smell the delicious scents coming from the next room. As we entered, I spotted the enormous banquet of food laid out on the oval shaped table. The smell of roast ham, buttered corn, sweet potatoes, and fresh oranges filled my senses. I had never seen so much food in my life.
Effie gestured us to sit down and have anything that we desired. My stomach churned and I just wanted to dig in with my fingers and start shoving food down my mouth. Effie must have sensed my eagerness, because she moved me forward towards my chair and shoved a plate in my hands.
"Here we do not eat with our hands, you do know how to eat with a fork don't you?"
Gale and I both shot her a sneer. Of course I know how to use a fork, thank you very much!
"Good, now sit down, we must discuss some things before you two are placed out onto the field. As you know, when we arrive at the Capitol you will meet with your stylists and be fitted with your costume for the opening ceremony. You will then have two days of training before you are put into the Games. Within these two days, you must show the judges your skills and prove to them your worth. Scoring high will only help you. You will be awarded sponsors based on you score in training. These sponsors will reward you based on how you are doing in the Games. You will want to impress them; your life might just depend on it. Are you getting all of this?"
I stared at Gale out of the corner of my eye, and saw that he just stare off into the distance. I shook my head stiffly at Effie while chewing on a piece of bread.
"Now I have something of a more urgent matter to discuss. As you know in the Games there is one winner and one winner alone. There have been many discussions on this point, and it has been decided that a second winner will be allowed this year."
I gasped and grabbed Gale's hand tightly. He seemed to snap out of the daze that he was in, and gaped at Effie.
"This can't be happening. The Capitol never would do this."
"Well they are now Mr. Hawthorne, and you should be very grateful."
Gale turned his head and went back into his thoughts.
"Now do not think that this is an easier way out. Being the second winner will be as hard or harder to win in this course. This person will have much difficulty awaiting them, so do not forget that."
I couldn't believe what she was saying. Two winners, it just didn't seem possible that the Huger Games could have some chance of hope to them.
"Oh and I just have to add this one more thing. The judges will never allow two tributes from the same District to be the two winners. I am sorry."
Now these were the Hunger Games that I knew and loved.
