Sylvia remained still and quiet as her prep team dressed her up in a tree costume: light brown skirt and top marbled with a darker brown, to resemble a tree trunk; and a bulky, branchy leaf headdress. It was an uninspired and bland costume, to say the least.
The crowd thought so too, and it was fair to say that District Seven were not favourites this year. District One, as usual, stole the show, with their dazzling bejewelled costumes and bright smiles.
Markus was mortified by his costume, looking as if he wanted the ground to swallow him whole, and Sylvia just stared straight ahead with not the slightest flicker of emotion.
After the parade, their stylist tutted, exclaiming how they'd never get any sponsors with those looks on their faces. Markus just nodded dejectedly. Sylvia didn't say anything at all.