chapter 2
The Reaping and the Train Ride to the Capitol

The reaping arrived and all of district 12 stood and watched in almost silence. People betting on who will get picked and whose odds are in their favour, regarding the age, merchant or Seam. Effie was always disgusted whenever she saw people placing bets on the fate of a child, she thought to herself that if she had her own child, he or she would be in total protection from their mother and not treated like an animal.
"Welcome, welcome" she began
" to the district 12 reaping for the 74th annual Hunger Games, may the odds beever in your favour. "Ladies first!"

Effie looked into the crowd and saw Cinna there, he smiled at her when their eyes met and he gave her a reassuring nod. Effie's hand hovered above the glass ball with thousands of slips of paper each with a girls name. The person I pick is condemned to a certain death. I hope it's not a twelve year old… Her hand plunged in the glass ball, rummaging around the sea of paper slips, she chooses one,
"Primrose Everdeen" she read in a loud clear Capitol voice. A twelve year old approached the stage and everybody didn't look happy
oh you've done it real good Effie . She shut her eyes, hoping that this was all a nightmare. A twelve year old that looked like she was from a merchant family (blonde hair blue eyes) who wouldn't even stand a chance of surviving was slowly walking towards the stage with two peacekeepers at her side. As all this was going on, a sixteen year old pushed past the peacekeepers and gasped,
"I volunteer" she regained her breath,
"I volunteer as Tribute"
Effie was quite taken aback by the girl's reaction, it was obvious that the dark haired, grey eyed Seam girl had nothing to do with Primrose Everdeen, who was being taken away by peacekeepers and screaming her head off,
"No Katniss, you can't, you can't go! Katniss!"
Effie was confused by that time and she started mumbling about how both tributes need to be picked before any volunteers come up. The mayor then said,
"Oh give it a rest Trinket, just leave it"
When Katniss got up to the stage, Haymitch got up onto the stage and said something quite unintelligent. An insult to the Capitol, Effie thought.
"Now it's time to pick our boy tribute," exclaimed Effie, trying to straighten her wig which tilted towards one side after Haymitch gave her a hug. Reaching into the big glass ball, she hovered over it, hoping a young boy won't get picked.
"Peeta Mellark!" Effie said as she opened a slip of paper with that name. She was relieved to find that the boy was just about the same age as Katniss, but also feeling sorry because only the other week, she was visiting District 12 and she went to the bakery. The Baker's son, Peeta Mellark served her. Such a nice boy, she thought, so kind and caring, Peeta Mellark.

After the reaping, Effie went down to her hotel and washed off all the makeup from her face and neck. She removed that ridiculous wig and let her long dark blonde hair cover her shoulders. She then carefully got changed into a more comfortable dress. After she was ready, she sat on her bed, pondering.

A sharp knock broke her trail of thoughts and as the door opened she saw Cinna there,
"Hey Effie! Just come to tell you that we are leaving for the train in an hour but before we leave, do you wanna just chill with me, I have nothing to do so I was wondering…" Cinna had his eyes glued to the ground but then lifted his head and saw Effie there in her yellow dress, no makeup and no wig. He thought she looked stunning.
"Wow Effie, you look really nice, you should wear only a bit of makeup and no wig next time you're out in public"
Effie looked at Cinna questioningly, wondering if the new stylist was genuine about his remark or mocking her appearance.
" I couldn't possibly, I mean, the fashion in the Capitol is like that, and I'm considered to be the height of Capitol fashion, I don't like it myself but I have to."
Cinna saw the sadness in Effie's eyes, nodded and then said,
"The Capitol doesn't own you Effie, you should just be yourself."
Effie stared at Cinna in disbelief, suddenly she felt she was in danger of crying, Cinna saw that and sat next to her and gave her a hug, thinking that Effie was right as well, she is the height of Capitol fashion and the Capitol fashion isn't the most pleasant. He wanted Effie to be herself, as she really is.

The hour flew by so quickly as Cinna started talking about fashion, he found out Effie liked his work, he appreciated that a lot. And so they sat next to each other as Cinna showed Effie his notebook.
"Quarter to Effie, time to be off!"
"But Cinna! My makeup!"
"I'll do it quickly, sit down, your usual style?"
Effie nodded and Cinna went to work and in no more than five minutes, he had Effie looking like a Capitol citizen again, not forgetting the wig!

When they were on the train, they arrived earlier than the tributes to get things organised. Haymitch was there already and so was Portia. They all got their business sorted and Portia nodded to Cinna.
"Ummm…Effie? I have to go. Katniss can't see me until we reach the Capitol and I'll be in the salon. See ya then"
and he kissed her on the cheek.
"Yeah sure. See ya!" replied Effie as she gave him another quick kiss.

"OooOOOooo! A boyfriend Effie?" mocked Haymitch after Cinna and Portia left to their rooms. Effie gave Haymitch a quick slap on the face and was about to say something when Katniss and Peeta came into the room.
"Hello Katniss! Hello Peeta!" exclaimed Effie in her Capitol accent, "Go make yourselves at home in your rooms as it is an overnight journey. Haymitch and I will be waiting for you at the table." And as the tributes left, Effie talked to Haymitch how he should have manners and behave and stay sober… That continued for most of the train ride. Then came the Capitol.