The moment we stepped off the train was pandemonium.

Blinding flashes, shouts, screams, horns...it was very over whelming. Ignoring my annoyance to our surroundings, I placed my arm around Firenze's shoulder and we walked with our heads held high and cold looks on our faces. Typical careers from 4 is probably what everyone was thinking. We were ushered into a big building I've only seen on tv.

The tribute building.

As we walked into it, Firenze and I were pulled away by some crazy looking people; one had purple skin with green swirly tattoos and neon yellow hair, and the person who took Firenze was blue with dots all over him and had green hair... what the hell? This was normal here? They look like they have grave skin diseases.

They took us to a room full of what looked like hospital work stations in the emergency room, only curtains and clear walls separating each one. Some of the other tributes were already there; from what I could see, looks like district 2 ,1 and 6 were already being worked on, and might I add.. they were almost completely naked. I was pushed into a station and immediately stripped of my clothing and laid on a table. I had to work very hard from screaming, "Bloody Murder." It's not everyday some strangers see you naked. While they worked, waxing, plucking, and slathering, I turned my head to see a very muscular blonde tribute in the next station staring straight at me. I became uncomfortable, but realized that he couldn't see my body. Just my face.

"You from four?" he mouthed to me.

I nodded, blushing, unsure if communication between tributes was allowed yet or not. He smirked.

"Maybe if you're good enough, you can be in the alliance..." he mumbled only loud enough for me to hear.

I shrugged, "We'll see" I whispered, looking back up to the ceiling. I know very well what the alliances were. They were the reason the career districts won almost every year. But would I really want to be in the big career alliance like every game has every year? Would my brother even stand a chance if I did that? Should I even consider it? Maybe if I did team up with them, I could convince them to spare my brother. Only time will tell.

After all the beautifying, they put me into a robe and was taken to a room to meet the stylist. From what they had told me, my stylist was a fan favorite. I really don't care about that; would it help me in the Games? His name was Winky, or at least that's what they'd called him... I had no idea if that was his real name or not. I don't actually care, nevertheless.

I was brought out of my thoughts when the team entered and a tall man with long blonde hair, black eyes, and metallic blue lips. My robe was removed from my body, leaving me completely nude. If this wasn't embarrassing when you first meet someone, I don't know what else was. How could they just strip me in front of some stranger? He walked around me, looking over every nook and cranny of my body. I went to cover myself with my arms and hands, but he was faster than me, and grabbed my arms, pinning them to my sides while arching his perfect eyebrow at me in curiosity.

"Long torso." he mumbled pausing to look at his team. I frowned. "Large bust, shapely hips, tiny waist...my...what any woman would have herself altered to be, you seem to have naturally." he said smiling at me. I wasn't as disgusted as I should have been from his observations. I didn't know whether or not to be upset or flattered.

"Thank you, Winky..." I settled for, the blush on my whole body becoming very clear. I hope that was really his name.

"Leave us." he demanded the others and he gave me my robe back. I hastily put it on, sitting on the chair that he motioned to.

"I'm sorry you have arrived here in these circumstances. " he mumbled, sitting down in a chair across from me. I tilted my head in curiosity. No one had said that to me during my short stay here. Most that were here just congratulated me, saying that they hoped I won, as if it was some honor. No one else actually apologised, or felt sorry for me. Maybe this guy isn't so bad.

" I know it's odd for you to hear that, right? But what you did for your sister... then, on top of that, your brother also? It takes a strong girl to handle something like that." he said, reading my mind, smiling at me. I smiled, for the first time, in return, and nodded.

"Well, let me assure you... I am going to do everything I can to make sure you stand out and get the most sponsors that anyone has ever had in the history of the games!" he said in his funny accent. " So, let me ask... do you have a certain idea in mind for tonight for the parade, like how you're going to present yourself to the world?"

I sighed. "I haven't really thought about it... I mean, I could act like a cold-hearted career, but that really isn't who I am." I finished, somewhat laughing at the end. He simply nodded, surveying me for a moment. His eyes widened and he smiled brightly.

"I got it!" he said excitedly. I looked at him expectantly. "...Panem's sweetheart! You will be the girl all the women want to be and the woman all the men want to be with!"

My eyes widened in alarm. That sounded oddly like what Finnick was having to go through.. well, I doubt I'll make it out alive, so I guess it wouldn't hurt. I smiled and nodded for what seemed like the umpteenth time. "I guess that's something I can do." I concluded. If it would get me as many sponsors as possible...why not? It would help me get my brother through this, especially if he doesn't get many sponsors.

"Brilliant!" he said as he clapped his hands two times, and the others came back in carrying all sorts of things: metal instruments of some sorts, makeup, and what must have been my outfit for the parade. How did they know?

I gasped as I stood, and walked over to the rack it was on. I looked, wide-eyed from shock, to Winky. "I get to wear this?"

He nodded. " Lovely, isn't it?" he asked.

I nodded feeling the silky fabric...for once, district 4 isn't going to be dressed up in some silly costumes as fish or mer-people. The dress I would be wearing looked elegant.. royal, almost. I turned away from the dress and looked at the team. " Let's turn me into Panem's Sweetheart!" I announced, sitting at the chair in front of the mirror. As they began their work, I let my thoughts drift back to a certain blonde tribute I saw earlier. What was his name? I wonder what he would think of me when he sees me tonight. Wait, why am I thinking about him? I don't know him. But...a smirk began to form on my face. Maybe I really could get over Finnick... just maybe...

"Sweetie, what's your name?" Winky asked. I made an "O" with my lips. I never told him? "Siren." I informed quietly. He nodded before shaking my hand. He began to look excited again. "Well then, Siren, it's a pleasure to be your stylist."

I looked at myself in the mirror with awe. I didn't look like myself at all; I had blue and sea green streaks put in my black hair, and it was all curled and then brushed out to create a very smooth, wavy look; like the ocean ripples. I had a hair comb that had a bit of coral and diamonds on it. One side of my hair was tucked behind my right ear with the comb stuck in it, keeping it there. My make up was very pretty. My eyes had an iridescent look, but, actually, had minimal makeup, with slightly winged eyeliner and lots of lashes . I also had 3 small pearls on the right side under the edge of my eye. My lips were a slightly peachy coral color. My slightly pale skin looked practically glowing; it had been sprayed with some glittery stuff that Winky said was really special for the show tonight. And then there was my dress. It was a strap-less, light blue, silk mermaid gown...to my relief, it was just a gown, and not an actual mermaid costume. The neckline slightly exposed my cleavage. The dress was very fitted and tight, but not overwhelming. It went all the way down, hugging every single curve, but stopped at the knee area, and fanned out to the floor with a glittery chiffon fabric... it almost looked like water shining in the sun. I stood in a pair of light blue satin stilettos. I looked back at Winky and then to the mirror at myself over and over again... I was speechless.

"Let's get you out to those sponsors!" he exclaimed, holding his arm out like a gentleman would to a lady on a date. I walked out my dressing room and saw my little brother, Firenze. I smiled at him, for he looked so handsome. He was in a silky-looking fisherman's outfit that looked very clean and the same light blue color as my dress. His hair had blue and green streaks in it, and he also had the same glittery spray on him. Our outfits seemed to correspond with each other.

"Sissy, you look incredible!" he said grinning at me, his little white teeth shining. I smiled."You do too!" I said honestly. We continued to walk down to the area with the chariots. We arrived in the room and it seemed like all eyes went to me. Wait, no, they did all go to me. Slightly nervous, I looked to Winky. Did I look wacky? I couldn't. I look beautiful...but these people do have a strange sense of style, so I could be wearing what could be compared to a garbage bag in their eyes, for all that's holy.

"You see? Panem's sweetheart!" he whispered to me. The corner of my lips couldn't help but twitch upwards as a certain blonde caught my eyes in his gladiator. He smiled and winked at me. I looked down, blushing, and when we descended the last few stairs, that's when he saw me. Finnick. I looked at him and his eyes widened. His jaw dropped in surprise.

"S-Siren?" he asked, in shock. The butterflies kicked in, and I nodded. I couldn't speak. Things were still rough between us after...certain events. We haven't spoken to each other, or seen each other, for that matter, ever since that one unforgiving event. Firenze grinned, oblivious to the tension in the air. "Hi, Fin!" he greeted joyfully. I shook my head slightly. How my brother manages to stay...youthful and joyful is beyond my words. After talking to Firenze a bit, Fin looked at me again. The butterflies returned. "Wow," he said as he released a breath he was holding. He was about to say something else, but Gainy interrupted him. "WOW! Winky, you had your work cut out for you, didn't you?" she said loudly, glancing at me rudely. I frowned. What's up with her? Winky looked from me to her and laughed. "Gainy you wish you could look as good as she does even without all this on." I grinned thankfully and looked at him." Winky, you just became my most favorite person ever." Everyone started laughing at Gainy's expression. She went to say something else, but stormed off in a huff. It was just a joke...I think.

"We have ten minutes till we begin!" was heard from some loud intercom.

"Well, let's get you two ready, shall we?" Winky said, helping me up into the chariot. I nodded before locking eyes with Fin again. Finnick just kept staring at me. We continued to make eye contact for a minute, and was about to speak to each other, but was interrupted when the blonde tribute from 2 walked up.

"Siren, right?" he asked in a husky voice. I frowned for a minute. How does he know my name? I wiped away my rudeness and smiled. I nodded, looking from him to Fin and back again. "Just thought I would tell you...uhhh," he said, trailing off. He glanced warily at Finnick before returning his gaze to me. "You look beautiful." he finished, bowing his head slightly and walking away. I smiled to myself. He just told me I was beautiful! I looked at Finnick and his face held a look of confusion and another look I couldn't recognize. He shook his head.

"Remember to play to the crowd, make them..." he paused, looking into my eyes. I screamed on the inside. There they went again; butterflies.

"Make them fall in love with you." he whispered. I felt my eyes turn to saucers as he grabbed my hand and pressed his soft lips to it , then walked off with a sad look on his face. I sighed, frustrated. Why did Fin have to be like this? Why couldn't he just show me some non-confusing actions? Why did he have to be what he is? Why can't he be the Finnick Odair that I used to know?

Why?

I shook my head. I cannot let some petty drama block the real problems of the here and now. I can deal with this when the Games aren't overwhelming. I have to look after my brother and ignore my own issues. I looked to my brother, and he grabbed my hand as the gates in the front opened. We were automatically blinded by the lights, and nearly deaf from the screaming of the large crowd. I inhaled a deep breath and looked from Firenze to the roaring crowd. I raised our entwined hands up. "Let's do this, Fi."

"Yeah, let's do it!"

Almost Arena time! Let me know what you think! Review!