Another three weeks go by and things gradually start to get easier for me. I am still miserable and scared on the inside, but I learn to mask those emotions and eventually push them to the back of my mind. When I am in the company of other people, I act like a completely different person. I am always smiling and flirting, giving my clients what they want. They believe it: as more time goes by and my happy act gets better, I start to recieve more money and jewels, and more and more people come see me.
I am invited to parties frequently, and always have to look my best for them. Thank goodness my prep team can work miracles, because my appearance gradually declines. I have been taking large doses of morphling each night and it is starting to show. My skin starts to take on a slight yellow color, and I always have bags under my eyes. Lilia says nothing about my awful appearance. Instead, she starts showing up to my room every day to make me look presentable before my clients show up. I am thankful for her effort, but do not say this to her out loud.
Once in a while, Finnick calls me to see how things are going. I desperately want to complain to him about how hard it is to act happy for everyone, but I have a feeling that the phones are being monitored, so I just tell him that I am doing great and things couldn't be better.
One Thursday, I get a phone call from Seneca Crane. He tells me that he wants me to come over to his house and says he will send someone to get me at seven.
Just great, I think. Seneca was my first client, the person that helped to start this nightmare I've been living in. I swallow my hatred for him and tell him that I will be ready by seven, and that I cannot wait to see him.
When I hang up the phone, I call my prep team and ask them all to come over to make me look good for my outing. They tell me they will be on their way shortly, and while I am waiting for them I turn on the tv.
The preparations for the 74th Hunger Games have apparently started, because there is a reporter on screen talking with Claudius Templesmith about what they think the next arena will be like. This makes me both nervous and excited: I have always hated the Hunger Games, but since my games ended things are even worse. When I see or hear something about the games, I often get horrible flashbacks about my time in the arena. However, on the bright side, if I please President Snow and the Capitol citizens enough, I may get to go back to District 4 after this year's games. This thought excites me, because that is not far away.
When my prep team arrives and see that I'm watching pre-Hunger Games news on the tv, their moods elevate drastically. Lilac and Lilia keep talking about how excited they are to find out who the new tributes are, and Thom mentions that he can't wait to see the tributes' costumes for the Tribute Parade.
Their chat soon comes to an end when they see that I am uncomfortable. They apologize, but I tell them it is fine. They start prepping me and question me about my outing.
"So, Terra. Are you excited about your date?" Lilac asks me with a wink.
"I didn't think it was a date," I reply, "he just wants me to come over to his house"
"Well you're still lucky that you get to spend time with him," she says, "he is one of the most eligible bachelors in the Capitol, not to mention that he is SO CUTE!"
Lilia agrees with her sister by blushing and letting out a little squeal of excitement. I just keep my mouth shut and roll my eyes at them.
When they are done getting me ready, I am a little surprised. I actually look really hot. I am dressed in tight black jeans, a sleeveless red v-neck shirt and black jacket, and platform combat boots. My hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, and I have a layer of black liquid eyeliner on my eyelids. I would feel proud and confident if it weren't for the fact that I am going to hang out with the person that raped me.
I arrive to Seneca's house at a quarter after seven. He lives in a very spacious glass house that is situated just outside of the city circle. A tall avox with a beard and brown hair pulled back into a bun escorts me to the main floor of the house, where Seneca greets me with a smile.
"Terra, it's been a while. How have you been?" He is looking at me with those creepy eyes again, and my skin crawls.
I just smile and say, "I've been great. I am really loving living in the Capitol. I am invited to tons of lavish parties and people treat me like a queen."
"Good, you deserve nothing less." He reaches out and smacks my butt. Thank goodness I am getting used to this kind of behavior from people, because I stop myself from jumping back and I force myself to let out a little giggle.
"You sexy girl," he says, "would you like something to drink?"
"Yeah, that would be awesome."
He has the bearded avox bring out some bourbon, and Seneca and I each down a couple drinks. He talks to me about various rich people things and mentions past flings he's had with other victors. Before I know it, I am really drunk and am falling everywhere. Seneca just laughs, picks me up, and carries me to his bedroom.
Once we are done with what he calls "sexy fun", he rolls over onto his side and just stares at me for a while.
"I think this year is going to be great," he says.
"Why is that?"
"I just have this feeling that this year will be really memorable. I just finished putting the last touches on the new arena, and in a few weeks the Hunger Games will start. I have great plans for the tributes. They will be sure to have fun in there."
I don't have anything to say to this, and he doesn't say anything else. Soon he starts snoring, and shortly after that I drift off into sleep.
