"OW!" I screamed as the prep team standing above me stripped away a layer of wax. They glared at me, their silent way of telling me to shut up. "Well, that hurt." I muttered, granting me another 'shut up' glare. Thankfully, it was all over in about 20 minutes. I sat alone in a room, wearing a skimpy outfit. My skin probably glowed like a polished floor. It disgusted me. In District 2, the dirtier you were, the more you had worked, so it was a symbol of pride. I especially had the right to be proud because I was the toughest worker. Just then, the door opened. And a DUDE walked in. Yes. A MALE. He had a black cape and a flowing black shirt with sparkling black pants and gold shoes. And don't get me started on the makeup. Why couldn't I have a stylist like District 12's? I heard they got a new one this year, and we saw him on TV. Complete black clothes, dark skinned, and the only makeup he had on was some gold eyeliner. I mean, like…wow. That's hard for someone that lives in the Capitol. Anyway, my stylist introduced himself as Alovera (pronounced uh-lah-veh-ruh). Once he told me the concept of the Parade costumes, I decided he wasn't a complete wacko. Basically, it was a Roman/Greek God(Cato)/Goddess(me, duh!) concept. It was a simple gold helmet with wings on the sides, and a feather-shaped thingy surrounding our chests, on top of this golden armor we wore, with these metallic pants for Cato, and me having a golden skirt with a silver fishnet stocking on the bottom. It was awesome. Like, pure awesomeness. We would get started in the morning. For now…dinner.
"I swear, Aurelia, this is like, the BEST roast duck EVER." Cato said while munching into a duck bone. Grease dribbled out onto his fingers. I usually LOVE duck, but for some weird reason, tonight it was making me sick to my stomach. "Hey, Clover, try one." Cato pushed a piece towards me.
"Mmmmphhh!" I made a weird sound as I slapped a hand over my mouth and bolted out, headed for the bathroom. I threw up into the toilet and dry heaved as more came out. Cato came in a moment later, rubbing my back and holding my hair.
"Hey, Clover, you okay?" Cato asked me when I was done. I nodded.
"Hey." I said. "What?" Cato asked gently. I punched him in the stomach. "What was that for?!" he groaned. I smiled. "Never call me Clover. Nobody gets away with calling me Clover twice in a row." I said. Cato said nothing and just lifted me up. He carried me all the way to my bedroom and set me down.
"Hey." He said. "What?" "I love you." "Yeah, I kinda know that." When I said that, he smiled. Then he tucked me in, turned the lights out, and left. The instant I closed my eyes, I fell asleep.
I should start being cruel to him now. Maybe we'll be parted enough so when I die, it won't be as hard for him or me. Or maybe I should spend my moments alive the best moments with him. Those were the first thoughts when I woke up. This was it. This was the official start of everything. And I wasn't sure if I would be strong enough to face it.
Hi guys! Sorry for the short chapter, but I REALLY didn't want to end it somewhere during the Parade, because I got some ideas for that...heeheehee...SO! What up with Clove's puking? PLEASE review for me...PLEEEEZE! Thanks!