Well here's the next chapter, don't forget to give constructive feedback and feel free to ask questions and give ideas about the story.
Chapter 9: Stella
I nearly rip my dress off when I get to my room, wanting to rid myself of anything that reminded me of situation I'm in and what could happen to me in the next few weeks. I'm standing in front of the most complicated looking thing I've ever seen: a Capital shower. It takes me five minutes just to figure out how to turn it on and when I do, hot water sprays right into my face. I always hated the luke warm baths in front of fire at home but I'd much rather be having one now instead of standing in this thing. I somehow find a button that produces pine-scented shampoo, thinking it would remind me of home I press it. But it smells manufactured and fake and only reminds me how far away I am from it.
I must have been in there for a long time because I'm only just finishing buttoning up a denim shirt I found in my wardrobe when I hear Cassia's stilettos clicking down the corridor.
"Come along everyone it's about to start!"
We all gather around an enormous, paper thin TV, which must be at least five times bigger than the old, beat up one at home.
"Right, lets see what we're up against. Remember, this the first look you get at any possible future allies, or enemies." Torey says. Her calm expression and logical tone is refreshing and reassuring after today's chaos, but it also makes her sound a bit inhuman. Still, it's better than the jibbering wreck some victors become.
The first person to be called is a tall, light blonde girl from District 1, like most of their tributes she looks like a strong fighter. But this isn't what makes her threatening, there's wicked glint in her eye which makes me feel uneasy.
When District 2's male tribute volunteers, Cassia lets out a little squeak, I can't decide if it's one of excitement or shock.
"Looks like Jed isn't the only victor's son in the Games! That's Kayden, son of Brant Flint and grandson of Jay Flint, both victors!" Judging by the determination on the huge boy's face, he's planning on following in their footsteps. I am relieved when we're finished with the "career" districts, as I've heard Brenden call them. They all look so much bigger than me, the boys could snap me two like a toothpick and the girls look like they're already planning my death.
Now they're showing District 7. I feel like I've travelled back in time as my name is called and I watch myself take to the stage.
"That dress is so adorable, Stella" Cassia gushes. I glare at her, I'm sixteen years old, I've never worn a dress on a normal day and came home every day caked in mud from the ages 5-10. I have never been adorable in my life! Those Careers are probably laughing their heads off at this cute little girly tribute! Is this how everyone sees me now? Cole's scream of "No" shouts through the TV screen as Jed is reaped. From then on the cameras mostly stay on the farther and son.
"And Jed looks very fetching in his suit" Cassia says, providing more much appreciated commentary. I've always found it very ironic that people from the Capital who take fashion so seriously don't seem to own any mirrors. Take Cassia for instance: Her scarlet hair is a gigantic mass of frizzy curls that goes right down to the torso, Her black corsage thing looks like it's grown even bigger since the reaping, her face is same shade as porcelain shower contrasted with her bright red eye-shadow and lipstick, and that's just the neck up. She's wearing a black and red striped dress which is about a foot wide at the skirt with one sleeve that sticks out like a fin. I find it very hard to believe that she could be a fashion icon. But I've never been into that sort of thing so what do I know?
Apart from the Careers only three other tributes stand out to me: a scrawny looking boy who barely looks a day older twelve from District 9, a boy who's nearly as big as Kayden from District 10 and a girl with glasses from District 3 who was using every ounce of strength she had not to cry. But that didn't matter, I'd be meeting them all soon enough in the arena.