The sun shining through the planes windows wake me. I can tell its early. I used to get up early, but not this early. I try to go back to sleep. I slide my arm under the pillow, the cold tickling my skin. But my eyes are open. My mind is awake. More importantly I'm now vulnerable to the thoughts that will haunt me today. I slip myself out of bed, and I've only just started to stand up when I feel it. The jerk of the plane. It sends me back down onto the bed, and I know we've landed. Pretty soon El will be knocking at the door telling us to leave. No doubt we'll get our breakfast at the centre. The chariot ride isn't until this afternoon, but I still have to meet my prep team, and my stylist. I dread it. I know once they dressed our district stark naked, except for some coal dust and a miners hat. We lost that year. Too quickly my mum had said. When I go in, the first thing I want is my bow. I don't want anything else. Well, apart from water. My bow will be my lifeline in there. I know I'll get one in there if I show them how good I am. But I'm not a fool. I wont show anyone else my skills. I wont give them the pleasure of planning my sick twisted death. Not this year. I wrap my dressing gown around me, and I've walked to the bathroom by the time El is at the door.

"Come on, Rhia, Big day!" She calls. She's so annoyingly chipper. I'd like to see her in there...no...I wouldn't...I don't wish this fate upon anyone. Not even President Snow himself. Well. Maybe him...What Am I saying? I yell back.

"Yes, Of course El, how could I forget I was being sent to die?" I couldn't help but say that. I knew I offended her. I wasn't going to apologise. Why should I? I was going to be sent to die a horrible death by a stranger with everyone I know and love watching...

"Well - um - yes..." she says, choking back a tear. I sigh and wipe some cold sweat off my forehead. I walk into the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. I can see the lack of sleep is effecting me already. I brush my teeth, and quickly put my hair in a calm ponytail that trails over my right shoulder. Thats when I see it. I lift up te glass on the counter, and see a note attacked to a silver bracelet that my mum gave to me when I was young...on the charms it spells out 'Mockinjay.' it was the symbol of rebelion...I wanted to keep it...I had to keep it. I slid it onto my wrist. It felt comfortable. Warm and safe. Like home. I can feel myself welling up, and I know its unacceptable. I cannot show weakness to the whole world. No one. Not even Seth. I quickly straighten myself up, then slip into a simple floral pattern, knee length dress for the days events. I slide into black flat shoes, that close tightly around my toes. I have to wiggle my foot around for a bit to get them to fit right. When they do, I open my door and head out into the main part of the plane, where El, and I'm guessing thats who are stylists are. Our stylists will also be our mentors. I guess I have to make a good impression.

"Rhia, Seth. Meet your stylists. Chris, and Portia." She chimes. I take a good long look at Portia. She has blonde hair, much like a poodles, and bright pink lips that match her suit. Again, in the Capitol they have overused make up, but Portia seems nice enough. Then I turn to Chris...he's normal? No over the top eyelashes, or make up (except for that little bit on his eyes). He's normal... He leads me out, just as Portia does Seth, and we head into a little room where we will be put into our outfits for the chariot ride...I pray I will not be naked. Chris takes my hand lightly and guides me through the doors of the penthouse where we will be staying until lthe morning before the games begin.

"So, what did you have in mind?" I asked, my voice clearly displaying my distaste of the capitol fashions. I guess I'd rather look like someone from the Capitol then naked, but I guess if it wins me sponsors I shouldn't be complaingin. He doesn't say a word. Not a sound. He just circles me, looking me up and down.

"You're beautiful. But, being naturally pretty wont get you sponsors. Well, it might for the careers. But certainly not for a outline district like yourself. But before we get into that...I'm sorry for your loss. I admire you, Rhia."

I know he knows. That I was the one who protected the girl.

"And I want to bring that into your outfit."

Wait. What? He wants to bring my almost death...into something that will be my death?

"What...?"

"I mean, I want to make you unforgettable. Its the only thing that will help you. Well, here. Try this on."

He hands be a coat hanger, with an outfit that is hidden by a black leather container. I walk behind a board, and climb into it. Its a black dress. Its absouletly beautiful. I walk out, and Chris does my hair. He braids it lightly, and lets the fronts hang lose. I look up at the mirror. I'm not beautiful. Nor am I just pretty. I am gorgeous. The final touch, is what Chris is getting now. He comes back, with wings. Beautiful, soft black wings, that will be lit on fire. When he does light them on fire, we will be just about to go. I walk out, and feel slightly dissapointed to see Seth in the same outfit. I frown at him, and he just shrugs back. I supress a smile at the way Portia dances behind him, mimicking him when she did her alterations. I giggle at the way Seth turns around and looks at her.

We step into the lift, and start to head down to where the chariot ride will begin. We're not late. But we're deffinetly the last ones there. Now I get a good luck at the tributes. The girl from 4 catches my eye. I know her to be Alexa. I catch her looking at me. She's 14. She's quite small, with dark green eyes. She has blonde hair that is held tightly in a bun. She's wearing a sea-green dress, that trails to where what seems to be a mermaid tail. Its decorated with shells, and she's also holding a trident. She almost looks as stunning as me and Seth. Finally, the voice of Claudius templesmith booms out, saying the chariot ride was about to begin. Me and Seth take our places, and Chris lights us both. We gloom. We glare, our shadows dancign along the ground as we go. I can hear the gasps of the crowd, the silence. I break sweat. They must think we look stupid. All of a sudden, I hear it. The overcoming roar of

"DISTRICT TWELVE."

"RHIA!

"SETH!"

People...liked us. Seth takes my hand. I'm glad he did, or I would've fallen. I allow myself to wave at the croud. Someone throws me a rose and I catch it. I take in its sweet scent. Suddenly, my hand is in the air. The crowd goes mental. I am holding onto it. I am proud from district 12. I am proud. I will not go down without a fight. All too soon its over, and President Snow is standing.

"Welcome...welcome. To the annual, 74th, Hunger Games!"