I wake up after the horrible nightmare is over. I get into the shower, not caring what assorted smells of soap I use. When I'm out, my prep team is patiently waiting, babbling on about the latest fashion trends. They greet me with a hug and try starting conversations with me. I'm not in the mood to talk, so they leave me alone and chat amongst themselves as they fix my hair, nails and make-up. Today the tributes will be in the parade around D.C. Amber will be here to prepare me for the parade after my prep team is finished. They curl my hair and pin half of it up. My face is covered in a powder that matches my skin tone exactly, so it covers flaws without it looking like I'm wearing it. I have a white eye shadow on and mascara. My eyelashes are short, so a lot of coats are applied to make them long and full. A light pink blush covers my cheeks, and my lips are left alone, except for some gloss.
Amber walks in as the prep team is putting the finishing touches on my face.
"Good job ladies, you can go now."
They obey and walk out of the room. Amber pulls out a dress and holds it up. I am astonished at its beauty. It is a long white dress with sapphires dotting the skirt, like stars in a white sky. The strap goes around the back of my neck, which is good because I didn't like the strapless part of my dress last night. I put it on over my head and walk around in it. I thought it would be heavy with all the gems on it, but it's pretty light. Amber fixates a tiara on the top of my head. Its silver and has sapphires on it as well. I look like a princess. I step into my shoes, which thankfully are flat. They are just simple white slippers.
"So are you nervous?" Amber asks me. I'm too busy admiring my attire, and it takes me a second to realize she is talking to me.
"I was, but now I look absolutely beautiful! I see you are having fun with sapphire." I say.
"Yes, they are very beautiful gems, and they suit you well." She says with a smile. I wonder if Marcus will be wearing something similar.
Me and Amber talk for a while about where we are from, our family, and tell each other stories. We avoid talking about the games though. I decide that I like Amber, and she seems as much against the games as I am. My father walks into the room.
"Well let's have a look at you, darling." He says. I stand up and twirl for him.
"You look gorgeous. Now show me that winning smile." I put on my best smile.
"If you keep that up, you're going to have sponsors fighting each other to send you gifts." I giggle and say, "I just hope my mentor lets them go through. The guy is a little tough to work with." I say sarcastically. He laughs.
"Keep it up and he just might not send you anything." He says just as sarcastically. He walks me out of the room and we meet marcus with his stylist, Jonas. I was right, he is matching me. His suit jacket and pants are sapphire blue and a white shirt and tie. He has a crown on his head that matches mine. He looks equally amazing, if not, better. We are taken to a garage under the White House where 50 chariots await. All are pulled by two horses. Marcus steps up into ours and and grabs onto my hand to help me up. He keeps his grasp on my hand.
"You look amazing. Your stylist has magic fingers." Im blushing again, which is stupid of course. I just don't know how to react to compliments.
"Thanks. You look handsome in your suit." I reply. We sit down and he lets go of my hand.
"If I start to fall, grab me. I don't like having attention drawn to myself." I say.
"Of course, wouldn't let my team-mate get injured on my watch."
The parade music begins and the horses start to take off. Hundreds of people line the streets, watching the parade. I see the crowds reaction to my dress. The sapphires shine brightly in the light, sending rays of blue in all directions.
