The train ride had not been very long, or at least it felt that way.
Before I could even gather my thoughts I was shoved up against a window by the male tribute from district 2, being told to wave and smile at the crowd.
My insides turned into knots, there were people as far as my eyes could reach, I did as I was told, and received eager waves and smiles in return. This was disgusting, it felt so very wrong. I did my best to keep my face, but the annoying feeling that was churning in my stomach would not go away.
The people on the outside were all dressed in peculiar clothing, with all kinds of weird make up.
It's all an act, I could see it. I doubt any of these people really care; they are just as shallow as the rest of this wicked country.
After greeting the spectators through the window, we arrived at the remake center.
This felt just as shallow and disgusting as the rest of this charade. The opening ceremony was evidently some kind of big spectacle that was of big importance. I could not see the point of this.
Suddenly, a small pale man appeared in front of me.
"Hello, my name is Phelix. I'm your personal stylist and I will be in charge of what you will look like at public appearances. " The man stretched his hand towards me, and I shook it lightly, plastering a smile on my face. His green eyes sparkled for a second before he released the soft grip of my hand, and gestured towards two equally small women.
"This is Sia" He gestured against a small girl with very pink hair "and this is Yves".
My eyes drifted to the other girl, she seemed rather amused by me. Her green hair made my eyes burn, I wanted to cut it off. Too bad I didn't wield any knifes.
The two girls took a short bow before exchanging looks; they seemed to have some kind of understanding.
"Now, I must say that you have a very strong bone structure, and a very athletic appearance, I know just the thing to make you stand out at the opening ceremony. But before that, we will take care of the basics" The small man clapped his hands, signaling the two girls to take action. They escorted me to a small room with gray walls and small spotlights in the ceiling. The only thing that took place in this room was a bathtub, and I could already smell the soap.
The following hours was filled with bathing, manicure, pedicure, waxing, several skin and hair treatments, and at last, the styling.
While Sia was making the final touches on my hair I saw in the mirror how Phelix came walking with a big steel hanger rolling in front of him. His tiny steps could barely keep the steel creation rolling. But when he finally arrived, I realized that he had retrieving my costume.
"It's a roman warrior's armor. I thought it would fit you and Cato just perfectly. You both express this kind of mystical strength."
I would be lying if I said that I didn't like the idea. This was a different role that he was offering me. I could play strong, ruthless, intimidating at the most. I loved the Idea; I might as well make a good show out of it all.
"I love it, I really do. What does Cato think?" I gave the pale man a reassuring smile before dismissing Sia that now was done with my hair.
"Oh, he said that it looks intimidating." He leaned into my ear "Between me and you, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." He swayed back into place and shot me a wink, making me produce a giggle I didn't know I had.
"It's fine, no one really understands him anyway." I reassured him.
"Good, because we don't have much time left and I need you to go change young lady. Meet me at the chariot when you are done" He left shortly after, leaving me alone in the styling room, only to put my suit on.
It was a bit hard, getting the armor to sit just right, but after a few minutes I was as ready as one can be for an opening ceremony. When I found Phelix we only had a few moments left until the ceremony started, we were second in place to enter and frankly, the nerves were getting to me.
As we were waiting for the signal to go in, I felt a pair of annoying eyes burn into me, I looked to my side, seeing Cato's eyes tracing every shape and line of my face.
"Hey, you look kind of pale. Are you alright?" Cato shot me a smug grin after he had spoken, making my inside's turn with anger.
"It's make up, you look like a ghost yourself."
"Oh, I just thought that you looked a bit nervous" He grinned once again before shrugging his shoulders and turning towards the chariot in front of us. I could feel my jaw clench with frustration, as he chuckled in amusement.
Suddenly our chariot was moving, I hadn't noticed that the gates had opened and that we were moving against a crowd cheering us on. Instincts took its turn and soon a wide smile was plastered across my lips, greeting the spectators as they cheered us and the rest of the tributes on.
A big screen was zooming in and out on the tributes entering in line, and that's when I saw her.
It struck like lightning through me, making my ears buzz, my insides to knot together, my muscles to tickle. I felt nauseous, that's the only thing that could remotely explain how I felt.
She was beautiful, not beautiful like an actor, not like any one at all actually. Not like a model, or those stupid popular kids in school.
She was naturally beautiful. Even though she had make up, and probably a whole lot of styling done to her, anyone could see that she was like an unpolished diamond. Rough, but yet tremendously gorgeous. At first she seemed confused, but then a small smile escaped and took action upon her lips. I feared that any second I would fall out of the chariot, as I felt my knees weaken.
When I got my hearing back, the speech was already over and the crowd was roaring in excitement.
The urge to get out of there was grave, and soon the ceremony was over.
The girl from district 12 had taken me off guard, and I did not appreciate it.
After the chariot ride and greeting many citizens of the capitol with waves and smiles, we arrive at the training center.
Our mentor guides me and Cato to a big flat on level 2, where he leaves us with the explanation "This is all yours, for now. I will see you tomorrow"
As the man left cato turned to me with a stern look in his eyes. What now?
"I'm going to get some sleep, we have training tomorrow. Goodnight" The boy swiftly turned on his feet and walked towards one of the nearest rooms, slamming the door behind him.
Being left all alone was weird. I hadn't really been alone for a while now, and thoughts of the brown haired tribute still ghosted my mind. I turned around taking a few steps into the main hall, where a big table resided. Various kinds of fruits and drinks was neatly placed on top, and hungry from exhaustion, I really needed to take a snack before going to sleep.
I sat down in the middle of the table and flicked on the television. They were showing bits and pieces from the ceremony, and just as I was taking a sip of orange juice, they showed a video of the tribute girl from district 12. I couldn't help but to feel a swelling in my chest, and as I choked on the juice they exclaimed from the screen. "Katniss, the girl on fire!"
"Katniss?" I murmured under my strained breath, eyeing the screen that was showing her smiling face. I hurriedly turned the screen off and munched down the last bit of my apple.
My mind was racing; it just didn't make sense, no thoughts what so ever made sense. What kind of demon is she, to have this effect on me? Just by seeing her, this feeling which I cannot defy takes over my body; making me act such as if I was on drugs. It was terrifying. In just two days my body had experienced countless amounts of feeling, which it was not used to.
I quickly waltzed over to the other bedroom, closing the door behind me. I was out of breath, my mind was rumbling, my body was sweating and shaking. Maybe I was sick? No, just terrified. Infected with her.
I decided that this was another dead end question; I wouldn't think about it nor act upon it.
Sleep was my only option, so I stumbled towards the bed, removing the sheets and laying my being down upon it. I covered myself with the silky fabric before shutting my eyes closed, determined that sleep would release me, that this would all be over in the morning.
