Chapter 4
Disclaimer:I DO NOT OWN HUNGER GAMES
The constant waxing has left me in a bad mood. While my clueless team idly talks about fashion and how I have a long way to go when it comes to beauty, I effectively block them out.
Is that all I'll ever be to Gale? The mayors spoiled daughter? It's not my fault what I'm born into, and I've always tried to be as kind as I could towards others. Usually I was treated as an outsider, always picked last at everything, even in sports. I was a very fast long distance runner but still no one wanted me. In fact no one has ever shown me kindness except for Katniss, Prim, and Gale. But even he thinks I'm just some spoiled brat.
Well that's fine, Gale is just a distraction anyway I need to focus on making my life meaningful by helping Gale out of the games and defying the Capitol as much as I can before I go.
I don't want to live this life, always being unhappy because of what the Capitol has done, and it gives an ache in my stomach to even think of Gale hurt. My make up team nudging me off the table wakes me from my thoughts.
When I meet Cinna I am surprised to see how normal he looks compared to everyone else, one golden tattoo on his arm shaped like thorns on a branch and a bit of glitter on his eyes. "Are you here to make me look more Capitol?"
"I'm here to make you unforgettable." This surprises me I can't believe someone from the Capitol seems almost sane.
"Good luck with that, forgettable is my middle name." We both laugh to that.
"Those days are over." Cinna inspects my body from head to toe telling his partners what finishing touches he needs. Then he focuses on my face and calls the whole thing to a stop.
"We need to cut her hair so it complements the shape of her face." I bite my tongue, don't object. After talking with Cinna I trust him a little more with my appearance, he really seems to care.
They begin cutting hair from the bottom to the top. When I see my reflection I don't recognize myself. I am in a skin tight leather suit that has one zipper. My eye shadow is a smoky black that brings out my green eyes. I have a light blush and clear lip gloss. My hair is the most shocking it is layered from top to bottom giving my hair a curled effect. It appears my hair goes from light to dark as you go down.
For the first time in my life I feel beautiful. I feel my eyes burn as I turn to Cinna and whisper "Thank you" He gives me a smile that warms my heart and nods once.
As we make our way to the elevator that leads to the stables where our carriages are. I see Gale shaved clean and his hair is spiked neatly and it looks shiny but soft too, he is dressed in an identical outfit.
I can't help but smile when I see him, all I can think about is how handsome he looks. When he catches me staring at him, I reflexively look down and feel my face get hot.
We go in the elevator alone. I can feel Gale's eyes on me, so I look him in the eyes and say "What are you looking at?"
A soft smile spreads across his face, he leans in and whispers in my ear "You look ravishing" My heart is beating out of my chest, he hesitates but then grabs a piece of my hair and twirls it between his fingers.
"You don't look too bad yourself." I lightly run my fingers across his cheek, I feel it heat up under my touch, and for a split second I see lust his eyes. But I let it go as the elevator opens. What am I doing? I need to let go of him he will never be mine and love me the way I love him, it's just impossible now.
The magnitude of my volunteering hits me when I see how many people are in the arena and all of the cameras everywhere. Everyone I can think of will be watching this. I feel frozen and my limbs feel stiff. I pull Cinna towards me.
"I can't do this, I can't go through with this."
"Calm down take a deep breath you will be fine they will love you." My breathing slows.
"Really?"
"Without a doubt." Then he goes over and whispers something in Gales ear.
Soon we are off and I can see a whole array of neon colors of Capitol residents on the stands. I feel as if I'm about to fall off of the moving carriage when Gale grabs my hand and smiles at me and I realize he's here for me.
I begin to wave and smile at the people, as much as I hate them I need them to like me so I can keep Gale alive. The crowd goes wild in response. Just keep smiling at these worthless people, act like they mean the world to you. All of a sudden Gale lifts up both of our hands and I swear I can see the ground shacking from all the stomping. As our carriage comes to a stop and we stand to hear President Snow's speech I feel Gale let go of my hand which makes me catch it and tighten my hand around his.
When the speech is done and we are allowed to get off the carriage only then do I release his hand. Haymitch, Effie and our stylists crowd us with congratulations and hugs. "I am so ecstatic!" Effie beams " Everyone is noticing District 12 as a force to be reckoned with." Portia tells us how a good first impression is everything and we got it spot on.
I can tell they aren't lying by the way the other tributes are shooting daggers at us with their looks. Especially the District 2 tributes. Great just what I need a target on Gale's head, I should have seen it coming he's too big to ignore.
As I scan and size up each of the tributes I notice Cato staring at me. As soon as our eyes meet he smirks and begins looking me up and down while biting his lip. As if I was a piece of meat and not a person. This makes me feel so self conscious, my outfit is skin tight. Before I manage to get over my discomfort Gale puts his hand on my shoulder and moves in front of me to block Cato's vision of me giving him a look of pure anger. I feel relieved and safe with Gale next to me.
"Asshole." Gale mumbles. I shift my weight to my other leg and put my hand on top of Gale's hand that's on my shoulder. " D-Did you see the way he looked at me." I put my head down in shame, all of the happiness I felt at my new found beauty has been ruined. "He won't touch you." Gale tightens his hold on me as we enter the elevator to our floor.
