I wake up to the early morning sun streaming through the curtains. I slither out of bed, rubbing my eyes, and open the curtains. The Capitol reflects the rising sun's light and stings my eyes. In an eerie way, it looks beautiful. It's quiet below, almost too quiet. I clutch onto my grandmothers necklace and sniff it. A few more days and I will be home.
I decide to go for another shower. After my restless night, I look like a crazy girl. Hair everywhere, as if I've been electrocuted, blood shot eyes and dark circles. I step out, about 10 minutes later, and the mat instantly dries me. I look in the mirror. Ah… Slightly less insane-looking.
I programme into the wardrobe something suitable for training: tracksuit bottoms and a short sleeved shirt. I moisturise my body, something which Aelia and Horatio both mentioned on numerous occasions that I needed to do. Apparently, the salt and sea wind in 4 has 'destroyed' my skin. I get dressed and skip to breakfast, the sun blaring in the massive glass window. I walk out onto the balcony and inhale deep. It's not the same, not like home.
I sigh and go to the dining table. Clearly I am the only one who remembered what day it is today; the table is empty. Oh well, more food for me! I sit down and pile my plate with fruit and bread. I don't know why but I am joined by Horatio and Crispus. They say they want to wish me good luck, but they spend practically the whole of their time with me criticizing my appearance.
"Something more revealing," mutters Crispus.
"Excuse me?" I say, slurping in hot coffee to wake me up.
"Yes, definitely. You want to remind the tributes how amazing you were last night, so they feel threatened," says Horatio as he spoons endless amounts of sugar into his tea.
"No, I think this is fine," I reply.
They stare at me disapprovingly.
"Tighter, at least!" exclaims Horatio.
"I'll see what my mentor says," I murmur as munch on a slice of toast.
"No, I'm sorry. I have to sort you out now," Horatio says, getting up and walking over to me.
Out of no where, hairbrushes and make up and appear and he is fiddling with my face. I don't struggle. I know it will only make things worse. He is a persistent man and clearly has to get his own way.
Aelia appears from nowhere and shrieks: "Horatio, how do you do it?! She looks half decent now!"
I glance around Horatio and she is stood at the top of the table with Cyrus and Jasper. They sit at the table and start to eat. I roll my eyes. She's such a lovely person.
"It's all in my veins," Horatio replies.
He's tidied my hair into a fishtail braid, similar to how my mother did Sayla's hair for the Reaping, and lightly dabbed make up over my face to cover any blemishes. He sits back down and we continue eating breakfast.
"Morning all," says Finnick as he makes his way to the table. He sits opposite me and nods. "Hi Annie."
"Hello, Finnick."
I blush slightly as I remember how awkward last night was. He wanted to kiss me, really wanted to. Now he probably isn't going to be relaxed around me and won't be as friendly. I sigh to myself. Prepare to meet the rejected Finnick Odair.
After breakfast is finished, Finnick takes me into my room to discuss how I should go about my first day of training.
"Before I say anything, you need to change." Oh, not him too! I stare at him contemptuously. "You look so relaxed, like your having a lazy day in bed. You need something that says you mean business."
I sigh and trudge to my wardrobe and change into a white vest and skin tight bottoms. Finnick smiles.
"Better. Now, you're not sticking with Jasper, are you?"
"No, I can't."
"Right okay," he says as he starts to pace. I knew it. He isn't going to be normal. I sit on my bed and listen intently. "For the first half of the morning, I want you to stick to survival skills. Even if you go with the Careers and get all the stuff at the Cornucopia, you will still need them. Try the camouflage, fire making and edible food stations. They are the most useful. At lunch, sit with the Careers, get to k now them, laugh at their jokes, be funny and cute. Well, that won't be an issue. After lunch, try some weapons, but not big ones. Things like knife throwing and archery would be a good place to start. Remember: don't seem like a massive threat. Save the spear until the last day and your session with the Gamemakers. I have a plan for you then."
He stops speaking and looks at me.
"Well?" he asks. I smile slightly.
"Sounds great," I say. He smiles in relief.
"I won't be here tonight."
"Why?" I ask. Obviously I'm going to be concerned. I would want to talk to my mentor about how it went.
"I have business to attend to." What? I didn't think Victor's had to do business in the Capitol. "But if you want, you could stay up late and wait for me."
"No it's fine," I mumble. "I'll need my rest."
"Oh, okay then," he sighs, slightly disappointed. "You better be going."
I nod and make my way to the lift, Finnick following close behind. He presses the button for me.
"Good luck," he smiles.
"Thanks," I say as I make my way into the crystal compartment. The doors shut and I'm whizzed down to the bottom.