The 83rd Victor: District 4; Chapter 10
Ahh! Elyce's last few days in District 4 before her Victory tour! So sad! Ugh well…be strong Elyce!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games that is Suzanne Collins. Just Elyce's story came from my mind.
Previously in the 83rd Victor:
Blake has come back for Elyce's hobby interview.
Chapter 10
The interview and performance go smoothly. No problems, I don't stutter my words or trip and fall while I'm dancing. Kai doesn't mess up the song on his piano either. They cleared a space in Kai's living room and hung white sheets with the same twinkling black vines on the bodice of my dress for a backdrop.
Everyone clears out fairly quickly. Except Blake. He asks Kai for help getting something out of the car. They come in with big black bags in their arms.
"How do you wear these? They're so heavy!" says Kai.
"God Blake what'd you do? Kill someone?" I joke.
"They're your costumes remember?"
"Oh yeah! I don't remember there being this many…"
"I brought four more. For your victory tour."
"Ugh that thing."
"It was fun to make these though."
"Can I try them on?"
"They're not done yet. I just wanted to show you."
"Then let's look."
"Here," says Blake, handing me a bag. "Take these up to your room, they're all the old ones. Including your reaping dress."
"I'll come with you," says Kai, jumping up to help.
We walk up the stairs to Kai's room. I'll put the dresses in there because my room is empty, all my belongings downstairs to be moved tomorrow.
"You jealous of Blake, Kai?" I ask with a smirk.
"No! Well…maybe. He gets to undress you and see you naked! I mean come on what guy wouldn't want that!"
"Ha ha. Hey you have seen me naked before; in the bathtub that one morning."
"Yeah but that doesn't count…you were covering yourself."
I roll my eyes. "I sleep naked in your bed every night."
"No you sleep in underwear, that doesn't count."
"Whatever, Hatheson. Maybe someday you'll see me like that too." Wait, what did I just say? Dammit, Elyce you're an idiot! Think before you speak!
"What was that?" asks Kai, raising his eyebrows.
"Nothing. Why do you care so much anyway?" I ask.
"Eh…I just wonder what you look like completely vulnerable but very sexy."
"Okay…" At least he's honest. "Now let's go or Blake will start wondering."
We walk downstairs and Blake has four dresses spread out on the table.
"Nice," says Kai.
"I started in your tour order. First, District 5: power." The dress is a lemon yellow with a straight neckline and a drawstring under the breasts. It's tight and goes down to my knees but the back drops lower to the floor. The top and bottom have a spring green ribbon at the top; the same color as the drawstring. Because the back of the dress drops lower than the front, you can see some more spring green material behind my legs.
I go to touch the dress but Blake swats my hand away. "Don't, there's pins," he says. There are green shoes with a yellow heel to go with the dress.
"For District 6: transportation," Blake says, pointing to the next dress. It's a mermaid style, floor length dress made of metallic, silvery-gray material embedded with dark blue sparkles. The shoes are dark blue strappy heels.
"I think, for that one, you should wear that necklace and ring…They would match probably."
"That's a good idea…" says Blake. He turns to Kai. "Have you ever thought of being a stylist?" We all start laughing, knowing a fashionable Kai is quite impossible.
"Anyway, this is for District 7: lumber." This dress goes just above my knees and just above my elbows. It is a chocolate brown color with vertical stripes of gold sparkles about an inch apart. The shoes are gold ankle boots with wedge heels.
"And for District 8: textiles." It's black, mid-shin length and fitted to the waist. There is a belt of small lavender bows at the waist, which is where the dress starts to flow out. The shoes are light lavender flats with peep toes and a little navy blue bow over each hole.
"I like the District 8 dress best," Kai says.
"I don't know which I like best," I say. "5's is hot, 6's is sexy, 7's is sophisticated and 8's is cute."
"Exactly what I was going for," Blake says, snapping his fingers. "Well, I better get going back to the Capitol…I need to get started on more dresses."
"When does the tour start anyway?" I ask.
"Two weeks."
"Oh gosh."
"I'll see ya soon Elyce," says Blake, giving me a light kiss on the forehead. "Later Kai."
Kai nods in his direction. Once the door is shut I shout, "Fashion show time!"
"What?"
"I'm gonna show you all my old dresses.
I show Chase and Sainya my dresses too. They try them on as well. Chase likes the Pre-Games interview dress and Sainya likes the Games Viewing/Crowning ceremony dress. They're both quite jealous of the water heels. I try not to think of the memories these hold.
Kai and I have moved my things to my house but I'm barely ever there. I sleep, dance and eat at Kai's house. The only thing I do at mine is shower and get dressed.
Two weeks later Kai and I stand at the train station; him holding a small bag of my necessities. I'm fighting back tears. I turn to Kai; he looks blurry through my watery green-gray eyes. I throw my arms around him, laying my head on his chest and sobbing. Kai cups my chin and lifts it gently so I'm looking up into his light brown, tear filled eyes. "I'll watch you on TV. I promise."
"I'm gonna miss you," I bawl.
"I know, Elyce. I'll miss you too."
"I need you," I murmur. Then he kisses my cheek and I walk to the train.
Sad sad sad! About three chapters where Elyce has to be away from Kai! Tears! Be strong readers! They will make it through this!