Okay, so I think for now I'm going to update twice a week. Tuesdays and Fridays. As of right now that sounds pretty good, especially considering my chapters are only between 1,500-2,000 words. This is one of my favorite chapters so far. This chapter, Peeta is introduced to a crucial character for the rest of the series. I'm still chugging away, writing as much as I can. When I hit winter break I should be able to crank out the rest of the book and hopefully get a good chunk of Catching Fire done as well. Okay, update complete, carry on.
Chapter 6
The pain is intense. It is something I never could have predicted. I can't hold back the winces and the yells. I'm pleading for it to stop. My Capitol Prep Team is no joke.
After several hours of torture, I am considered suitable for The Capitol citizens. Maybe I'm over exaggerating, but it bothers me that I'm considered grotesque if I don't look up to their standards. They throw us in the Districts with little supplies and resources, and then have the gaul to judge us for "not caring about ourselves" and "looking like savages." We are generally focused on more important things, like not starving. I despise these people.
I lie naked on a table. At first I was embarrassed, but quickly got over it. The last step is rubbing a lotion over my entire body. It is cold. I find that it is hard to stay mad at them. They may be ignorant and rude, but they don't mean to. They really can't comprehend that I don't consider this a favor. So I cool down and try to be as polite as possible, answering all of their questions with a smile. I find that they aren't so bad. After they are finished, they say their goodbyes and leave me alone in the room. Still naked.
I wait impatiently for a couple minutes. I stand up and stretch out my body. Just then a young woman, maybe in her late 20s, early 30s, enters the room. My face turns bright red, and I try to cover myself up. She lets out a laugh and waves me off.
"It's really quite fine Peeta. I don't mind. I see people all the time." She states with a smile and I don't move. She puts her hand out to shake my hand. I decide I should probably just give in and accept that she is going to be seeing me naked anyways. I reach out and shake her hand and relax myself.
"I'm Portia, and I'll be you're stylist for this year's Hunger Games." She says with a smile. She doesn't seem to be bothered by my nakedness. It doesn't even faze her. She isn't caked with makeup like the rest of the people of the Capitol. She still abides by the style, but not to the extreme. This comforts me. She seems more human.
She has me put my hands to my sides and she walks around me. Observing me. She takes notes in her pad, examining all of the details. After she is done she puts the pad down and tosses me a robe. I throw it on over my body and I take a seat on the table.
"You are a beautiful boy. It shouldn't be too hard to get all of the girls in Panem to fall in love with you. You're going to make my job easy." She says with a smile. That was one of the nicest compliments I have ever heard. I can't help but give a big goofy smile.
"Thank you very much." I say. That made me feel good hearing that. I guess I didn't know what I was expecting. I thought my stylist would be mean and judging. Instead, Portia is kind and reassuring. I've decided I'm happy she is my stylist.
She leads me into a small room with a couple couches. I sit down in one and she sits down directly across from me. She presses a button and food rises from our table. It is quite the sight to see. As we eat, she asks me some personal questions first. About my family, my home, and whatnot. I think she is doing this to comfort me. It is working. I like to talk, so if you get me going, it relaxes me. She must have sensed that. After we eat she starts to move forward with her plans.
"Okay Peeta, let's talk about your outfit for the opening ceremonies. My partner Cinna is working with your fellow tribute, Katniss. We came up with the most wonderful idea." Portia is giddy. She must be excited for what she has stored for us.
"I'll be the judge of that." I reply with a smile. Portia smiles back. It's nice to have someone I can talk, and joke around with. I feel like this is the first real conversation I have had since The Reaping.
"Well, I think you will be happy to hear that Cinna and I are more creative than to put you in yet another coal miner outfit." She replies. The outfits of the opening ceremonies are supposed to represent the district you come from. Since District 12 is the coal mining district, just about every outfit has been related to coal. I guess since this is Portia and Cinna's first year, they want to mix it up. I'm happy to hear it.
"Why not? Coal mining outfits are all the rage in The Capitol." I say. Portia senses my sarcasm and lets out a squeaky laugh. She then relaxes herself.
"I have a question for you." She asks quickly.
"What's that?" I'm still smiling. She puts her hand on my knee.
"How do you feel about fire?" She looks serious, but she is still smiling. I can't help but laugh.
"I'm serious. Cinna and I had a wonderful idea of dressing you in outfits that are engulfed in flames. It will be truly remarkable and something the people of Panem have never seen before." She hopes I don't think too much about it when she says it, but she can tell by my face the doubt I have.
She wants to set me on fire!? What, so I'll burn to death before I even get to the arena. I don't say anything, but my facial expression does all the talking for me.
"Peeta. It is totally safe. Cinna and I came up with a synthetic fire. It isn't even a real flame. I promise." She looks at me reassuringly. I like this woman, but she is insane.
An hour later, I'm dressed up in a tight black outfit with a cape. I will admit, I look remarkable. Certainly more handsome than I have ever looked before. Portia leads me to the bottom of the Remake Center, which is essentially a giant stable. When I get a look at Katniss my heart drops to my stomach. She looks powerful, and beautiful. I can't take my eyes off of her. She is accompanied by Cinna and the rest of her prep team. Portia can't hold back her excitement. Her confidence would reassure me if Cinna didn't look so skeptical.
They arrange us in a chariot where two horses will carry us in a parade for the people of The Capitol. As soon as we are settled Portia and Cinna turn away to talk about things. Probably about what they are going to do when their tributes burn to death.
"What do you think?" Katniss whispers to me. "About the fire?"
"I'll rip off your cape if you rip off mine." I whisper back through gritted teeth.
"Deal." She whispers back. I'm not sure if I was serious or not. I think I was half joking, half serious. If it burns, I won't hesitate to rip it off Katniss though. If we come out of this with burns, The Capitol will just throw us in the arena anyways. They don't care.
"I know we promised Haymitch we'd do exactly what they said, but I don't think he considered this angle." Katniss whispers. I totally forgot about Haymitch. Shouldn't he be here to back us up and advise our stylists against this?
"Where is Haymitch, anyway? Isn't he supposed to be here to protect us from this sort of thing?" I say, mimicking my thoughts.
"With all that alcohol in him, it's probably not advisable to have him around an open flame." Katniss replies dryly. It was totally out of character of her to say this, but it was hilarious. Suddenly we are both laughing. This is the first time I have ever seen this side of her. I like it.
Suddenly the opening music begins. The nerves build up. I might just get burned alive on television for all of Panem to see. Even if it doesn't kill me, we'll be the laughing stock of the Games and never receive any sponsors. A lot is on the line here. We are trusting our stylists with our lives. The gate opens and the chariots begin to go. Suddenly Cinna appears with a lighted torch. I cringe at the sight and close my eyes. I didn't even notice it. I only feel a small tickling sensation. By god, out stylists are geniuses. Or just really lucky.
Cinna lets out a sigh of relief before lighting our head-dresses. "Remember, heads high. Smiles. They're going to love you." He says reassuringly before taking off behind us. That shouldn't be too much of a problem for me. I'm not too sure Katniss will be joining me in waving and smiling. The chariot begins to move forwards.
As we are moving, I notice Cinna yelling to us to do something. He is gesturing something with his hands. Does he want us to hold hands or something? That would be totally unusual, as most tributes ignore the existence of the other.
"What's he saying?" Katniss asks me. I look back at her. She looks stunning. Hopefully I do too.
"I think he said for us to hold hands." I guess. I hope I'm right. I grab her hand without permission then look back to Cinna. He smiles and gives us a big thumbs up. Then we are suddenly engulfed by the roars of the crowd.
She holds my hand tightly, using it to anchor her to the chariot. I give my widest smile to the crowd, waving and blowing kisses to the people. Surprisingly, I hear chants of District 12 throughout the stadium. Portia and Cinna are geniuses. We are so lucky to have them. This will do us wonders in the arena. I notice us on a big television. We look incredible. Katniss especially, but that might be my personal bias. Because of this, we will stand out. We have to take advantage of this. I notice I have lost almost all feeling in my hand. Katniss has it in a vice grip. She loosens her grip and begins to pull her hand away.
"No, don't let go of me." I say seriously, my eyes in hers. "Please, I might fall out of this thing."
"Okay." She says and gives a small smile. I'm a good liar.
