Disclaimer: I do not own this world. All canon characters belong to Suzanne Collins. Non-canon characters Allie and Phoenix belong to RandomNerdyKilljoy (Wattpad) and Phoenixsword24 (FanFiction dot net) respectively. Check out their works!

Chapter Eleven: Preparation

"Allie, get off me!" Phoenix yells, but he's secretly enjoying it.

"No! Stay still, will you? Cat'll go crazy if your streak isn't in. She's adamant that we get this done," Allie laughs, trying to stop Phoenix wriggling away.

"Who's adamant we get what done? And what are you doing to him?" Effie asks from the doorway.

"Adding a red streak to his hair. And Cat's adamant. Or mad, I'm still unsure which," Allie says, grinning at Effie.

Effie looks intently at Phoenix. "Do you want these girls to dye your hair?" she asks.

"Yeah. Cat had the idea. I just think it shows allegiance to the rebels," Phoenix shrugs. "Besides, she said she'll change it back once the execution's over."

"Effie!" Haymitch calls from two floors down. "You're needed, now! Someone's spilled their water all over your schedule!"

She gasps. "I'll have to run. I'll be back in two hours to collect you for the execution," she tells them and runs.

Cat returns as Effie runs off. "How's that streak doing?" she asks, tilting her head.

Allie grins, pinning the foil in place, painting on the dye. "Really well, actually. It'll be an hour for that, then an hour for the gold," she says, grinning. She looks at her friend and gapes. "Cat, what did you do to your hair?"

"I added a gold streak," Cat grins, pointing to her fringe. "Look! Do you want one, too? I have three extra bottles."

"Ah, after we're done with putting dye in Phoenix's hair. Then we can. Cat, did you get more Mountain Dew?" Allie asks, busying herself with covering the streak in more foil.

"Yeah... I also got us these to celebrate with later," she says, holding up tall cans of Rockstars Energy. "I had to get multiple flavours, I couldn't choose. But hey, we can celebrate in style!"

Allie grins and lets out a cheer. "Hey, Phoenix, will you and Johanna be joining us?" she asks.

At this, Cat perks up. "Hey, that wouldn't be a bad idea. All four of us!" she exclaims, grabbing the gold dye. "I'm gonna just... Thank God it was bleached."

She pulls gloves on and starts applying golden hair dye to Phoenix's hair. Johanna's voice sounds from the doorway. "What in God's name are you doing to his hair?" she asks, surprised.

"We're colouring it for Snow's execution," Allie tells her, shooting her a look before returning her gaze to watching Cat putting gold dye in Phoenix's hair.

"Okay... Capitol people are weird," Johanna declares, then sits opposite Phoenix. "Why have you got tin foil in your hair?"

"To prevent the gold getting in the red," he tells her with a small shrug.

"Well, then. Glad I don't dye mine," Johanna says, smirking.

Allie asks "Will you be joining us for the post-execution celebration?"

Johanna raises an eyebrow. "Who's us?" she asks warily, her eyes landing on Phoenix.

Phoenix seems to sense what she means and says "Allie, Cat, me. And you, if you're into it."

Seemingly happy about that idea, Johanna nods. "Okay, sure," she agrees. "What are we celebrating with?"

Cat pulls out a can. "This stuff."

Johanna grins. "We're not gonna be around all adults, right?" she asks. "Because this will get messy."

Allie smirks "Cat's the mother hen."

"Up until caffeine's involved. We'd best stay away from the adults. Especially after we almost took Heavensbee's eye out," she smiles, then removes her gloves. "Okay, Phoenix, we just need to leave that in for a bit, then we can remove the dye."

Johanna grins and asks "Don't tell me you're putting makeup on him, too?"

"Of course we are!" Allie exclaims. "He's agreed to it."

Cat whips out her makeup kit, then shows Johanna an ashy grey eyeshadow and a golden eyeliner. "These," she tells her, smiling proudly. "They compliment each other beautifully. Not to mention how good it'll look with his eyes."

Johanna shifts a little closer to Phoenix, as if guarding him. Both the other girls seem to sense that and Allie steps in, saying "Trust me, Jo, she's not hitting on him. She's very into fictional characters. Or, you know, guys who are the human form of said fictional characters."

"Allie, come on, that is..." Cat starts, but cuts herself off with a confused frown."Actually, forget I protested."

Allie bursts out laughing. "I know, I'm right."

"Don't get used to it!" Cat jokes. She looks to Johanna, who's still watching her warily. "What's up?"

Johanna's voice is almost a snarl. "Nothing."

"Come with me," Cat says calmly, wasting no time in dragging her to the bathroom.

"I can and will snap your neck if you try anything," Johanna growls.

"I'm straight and not trying to kill you, keep your hair on," Cat retorts sharply. "Now, I wanna ask you something, so don't take offence. What happened between you and Phoenix last night?"

Johanna blushes, caught off-guard. "What do you mean?"

"You've gotten really protective over him. Come on, tell me. I'm not telling anyone," Cat says, her voice low and confidential.

Johanna looks at her, then sighs. "We almost kissed," she admits.

Cat nods, smiling a bit. "I guess you like him, then?" she asks happily.

"A lot," Johanna says.

"Cat, come help with this dye!" Allie calls.

Cat calls "Coming, Allie, just a minute!" then looks at Johanna. "You wanna know what I think?" she asks quietly.

Johanna nods, knowing Cat will be helpful to her. "Yeah," she whispers.

"I think your feelings are mutual. Tell him," she tells her quietly. "I'll get Allie out for you."

She leaves, allowing Johanna to think about what Cat had just said. "Can I tell him?" she whispers to herself, under her breath.