Effie's POV:
The butterflies are viciously attacking my stomach as Haymitch and i were informed to link arms and smile. The doors whooshed open and the pair of us were revealed to the rest of the Capitol who were judging our every move. My round-hemmed dress stayed perfectly in shape as we simultaneously stepped off the train together and hundreds of Capitol reporter's cameras flashed at us; leaving us starry eyed. We vaguely waved at the sneaky stalkers- even the slightest hint of any thing strange would be plucked and tweaked to be a delving love story or a desirable hatred for one another.
I gripped Haymitch for support as we were directed towards the president's mansion. Snow was a highly feared personality- some would say that if you looked in his eyes for too long, you would turn to stone. A male and female Capitol model was selected to represent each district and to act as our guide to the mansion. They were to be dressed in clothes that, in a single glance, would convey the district they were designated to. The male rep stole me away from Haymitch and grabbed onto my hand. His skin was painted grey and dressed in all leather. I didn't exactly see the district in his outfit but I daren't complain. The female rep desperately tried not to touch Haymitch's body and gagged when she was instructed to hold hands with him. She wore a matching outfit to my guide and her black hair was scraped back into a slick beehive hairdo.
We arrived at the extravagant front door and our guides reluctantly joined the other districts. Haymitch and I rejoined arms and the beautiful double doors swung open with effect. A strange odour immediately struck me; a combination of roses and a sour stench that lingered in my sinuses. I took a deep breath and we stepped inside. The doors swung shut and violin music was loudly amplified throughout the building, I could already hear the cacophony of tipsy mentors and escorts, giggling away. District twelve associates were always scheduled last to arrive.
"Oh, hello!" A man I recognised as Demetrius, District nine's escort, slurred when his hazy eyes met us.
"Hey, Dem!" I pretended to be happy to see his edited face. Demetrius had used so much Botox that it hurt my cheeks thinking about it. "What a wonderful ball." I lied as I scanned the room for someone at least half sober, avoiding eye contact with the cameras dotted around the mansion's lobby. "So tell me, darling, are you feeling lucky these games?" I pretended to be delved in deep conversation.
"Ooh yes!" The drunken tinge in Demetrius' words was ugly and harsh. "Very lucky indeed, Ms Trinket. In fact, a fortune teller predicted that one of my tributes would become victorious this year!" I couldn't help but let a small snorting noise vacate my mouth. Ha; fortune teller?! What a load of old junk.
"How fabulous!" I exclaimed, clasping my hands together in 'glee'. Finally I stole someone's eye line and shooed drunken Demetrius away. I grabbed onto Haymitch's arm and we walked towards the staring eyes. "Good evening, Finnick. Annie." I greeted the District 4 mentors.
"Hello, Effie. Haymitch." Finnick held my hand and bent down to kiss it whilst a shaking Annie scowled. "Excuse us." The male mentor grabbed onto the nervous wreck. I nodded as they walked on to a quiet corner. I couldn't help but watch on as Finnick held onto Annie whilst she buried herself into his shirt.
"I can't." She whispered to him. "Please don't go." Annie pleaded whilst he stroked her wavy brown hair.
"I'm not going anywhere, okay?" Finnick rubbed her back and then looked around to ensure no sober eyes were watching. I quickly switched my gaze to Haymitch who I found was looking at me all along. Annie and Finnick returned and apologised.
"Not a problem." Haymitch smiled. "So, any nice food here you can recommend?" Finnick nodded and lead us to the buffet. I looked down to the floor and noticed the mentoring couple were holding their little fingers together. Annie's blue cocktail dress shimmered as she turned around, pointing to the food.
"My favourite is the spicy prawns." She quietly and softly spoke, showing her perfect white teeth. Finnick smiled when Annie spoke on her own account.
"Mine's the salmon and goats cheese. Try some of the asparagus with the prawns, it's like heaven." He put extra emphasis on the word 'heaven', making it sound like a tv advert.
"Wonderful, thanks." Haymitch finished, dismissing the pair. "Do you think they're... Together?" He whispered to me when they were out of sight and back in the crowd.
"Maybe. Very possible." I replied in a hushed voice.
"Want some prawns?" Haymitch asked, gesturing to the platter with hundreds of sea specimen on. I nodded and faked a smile, pouring a blue fizzy soft drink for Haymitch and a pink one for me. He handed the round silver plate with four prawns and two asparagus on then picked himself a plate, only putting one salmon slice on.
"Not hungry?" I asked, tucking into an asparagus.
"Something like that." He sipped a bit of blue fizz and gazed up to the bedrooms above the stairs. I wondered if he was suggesting something then quickly banished the rude thought, taking a look for familiar faces. Finally I caught yet another staring pair of eyes, but this time I'd never seen them before.
~abbie
