Hesse remained indifferent. Emerald knew it was because he knew her well, just the way he knew her. And Hesse knew that Emerald was breaking.

In the justice building, it was just the same as she waited for her mother to gather her strength. Emerald knew that Hesse would have his mother, father, and two sisters. And even though he had broken up with her beforehand, privately, Natalay and some other gorgeous, flamboyant girl would visit, with hopes to sweep him off his feet. Emerald's father was somewhere in District Two and probably had perfect Career kids. She was an accident, an only child. And there wasn't a single boy in seven who's heart she couldn't break.

"Emerald?" Emerald's mother had entered the room.

"Mom?" Emerald asked.

Her mother wrapped her arms around Emerald. "I know, darling. I know."

"I'm scared, mama."

"Shh. I know. But you have Hesse. You're quick and intelligent. He's good with combat...and with female sponsors."

Emerald grinned. Just then, the peacekeepers forced her mother out of the room. "I love you, Mom!" Emerald shouted. She then sank to her knees and cried. She hadn't cried since her first-and only-heartbreak, given by Hesse for revenge. But that had been years before. It was just a prank, and she should have known.

The peacekeepers came in and beckoned her out. They entered a sort of train. Hesse sat at a table, eating a cream puff. "Look, Em. They have cream puffs, just like back home."

Emerald snorted. "Yeah, back at your home. I doubt my mother even knows what a cream puff is."

The clickety-clack of Katryana Mellark's heels alerted the pair. "Ameline-Gale."

"That is not my name." Emerald firmly responded.

"Pity." Katryana frowned. "I find it kind of pretty. Your father just called. He called you by Ameline-Gale."

Hesse gaped. "Your father?"

Emerald's expression did not change. "How were you able to contact him?"

"Your father is pretty high up in the Capitol, Miss Billis. He keeps tabs on you and his daughters in District Two, although I daresay he's closer with them than with you. When you were reaped, your father was notified immediately. He asks that you meet him when we arrive at the Capitol."

Hesse, still in shock, mumbled, "Your father?"

Emerald remained firm. "I have no desire to speak to him."

"Like it or not, Ms. Billis, your father always receives what he requests."

Katryana's answer was interrupted by a small, "Excuse me."

Katryana sighed. "What, Dox?"

"I was wondering if I might have some food. Me and the team are getting awfully hungry." She set eyes upon Emerald thereupon. "Oh my, what a beauty you are."

"Ahem." Katryana obviously didn't like Dox very much. "You must wait, Dox. Return to your quarters at once." Dox resentfully left. Katryana rolled her eyes and exited the car.

Hesse burst into laughter. "Not as cool as the Capitol." he mocked.

"Return to your quarters at once!" Emerald joined in.

"How'd your mom take it?" he asked.

"Better than I did." Emerald replied. "Who all came for you?"

"Actually, just Natalay. She said that she would sponsor me...if I took her back. I, of course, refused her generous offer. With this face," He pointed to his head. "What sponsors couldn't I get?"

Emerald giggled. "Um, maybe one in their right mind."

Hesse acted offended. He gasped and put his hand on his heart. "I'm so hurt."

"Yeah, I can tell." Emerald sarcastically remarked. "Personally, I think they might sponsor someone with better hair."

"I heard it's all the rage in District Two."

"Oh yeah, and ponytails are the most fashionable thing in District Four. But we're not going to either of those places...or are we?" Emerald popped a cream puff into her mouth. "It's been a long and quite frankly, depressing day. Therefore, I bid you goodnight."

Three Days Later, meeting with prep team

Emerald had never found herself to be pretty. She had never been the kind of girl who had used her body like it was all she had. But as she stood in front of her prep team, butt-naked, while they talked of their luck to be assigned such a pretty girl, she wondered if she was. There was nothing quite so flattering. Her prep team consisted of Eihei, her body artist, Charite, her make-up artist, and Chat, her hair-stylist. She had been told that Charlotte, her fashion stylist, would meet with her afterwards. Eihei, a former District two stylist whom Emerald recognized from the pre-games tapings, told her that in Two, all the girls were big and made their clothes look too tight, and that Emerald was perfectly proportioned to make it work. And yet, the way they poked and prodded and waxed and applied annoyed her. It was like they knew she was uncomfortable with anyone touching her body, and they did it purposely for this reason.

Finally, Emerald was done. Her prep team left and Charlotte, a tall, model-like person with white-blond hair who Emerald recognized from District 12 entered. At first sight, Emerald hated her. She was the kind of rich Capitol person that the people of her part of 7 envied with all that was left of their hearts. And the Games were nothing but a treat to her. Charlotte didn't take into account that kids were actually dying due to the Capitol's atrocious behavior. Charlotte talked too much about the wonderful work they were going to do. But it was just talk. From what Emerald was understanding, they were going to make her and Hesse giant trees. What fun.

Charlotte left the room so Emerald could change. Emerald pulled the fabric left on the table over her head. It was a dark brown mini with transparent, glittery sleeves. She glanced at the mirror and screamed. She could hear knocks and yells at the door. Charlotte. Hesse. Katryana. Chat. She walked over to the door and opened it. Hesse's jaw dropped. Charlotte and Chat shared a look. "My hair is green." She stated.

"Of course, sweetie." Chat replied. "Did you listen to anything we were saying?"