Chapter 5
I sit opposite a surprisingly sober Haymitch, and I sip my tea. The awkwardness sits over us, and I decide to break it.
"So, are you going to help us or not?" I say.
"If you promise to stop throwing knives at my head, and not interfere with my drinking, then I'll help you: you seem to actually have some fighting spirit." He says, knocking back two pills.
"I don't want your help, Gale does. He has to survive this, not me." He has so much to live for, but I don't.
"Brave, sacrificing yourself for him, what are you? Cousins?" I can feel my cheeks getting hotter.
"Friends." I say blankly.
"Well, that's not going to work, just being friends." He ponders. "If you want to stay with him in the arena, you'll have to be together." I protest, but if it the only way, I guess it might work. I finish my drink and go to Gale's room, the doors open and he's sat on his bed.
"Do you want some fresh air?" I say. He just nods and we go through the doors while the train stops to refuel.
"Gale, I spoke to Haymitch. He says a good way to get you home would be to pair up in the arena, and the only way we would be able to do that is playing boyfriend and girlfriend doing anything to get the other home, except you're going home." I say picking at my nails.
"Charlie, you can't do this, you..." He begins, but cut off by tears. "I don't want our friendship to be fake, especially now that we don't have long left together."
I'm adamant and sure of my decision:
"Look, Gale, I want to get you home to your mother, siblings, and Katniss; and I know that I want to give my life in achieving that."
"Thank you, Charlie. Thank you so much, but I'm not letting you go without a fight." His eyes say everything, and I smile at him, knowing that now if we both die, it won't be in vain.
The rest of the journey doesn't take very long. We discuss tactics with Haymitch, suck up to Effie, and try to enjoy the food. Even though I am a butchers daughter and we deal in beef, I've never seen this much steak just readily available and throw away. On our arrival in the Capitol, the brightness of buildings, clothes and people dazzle me, and although both myself and Gale detest these people, we play along with being 'honoured' to be reaped.
We are hurried from the trains into rooms where we will be prepped ready for the opening ceremonies tonight. I did shave my legs before the reaping, and do keep my eyebrows in some shape, and my prep team giggle in very high pitched voices. They still wax my eyebrows, legs and arms, as well as just about everywhere you could have hair. My hair is brushed, washed, conditioned, dried and brushed again.
They are just about to put it up when I stop them.
"Please, can I just use the brush." They seem a little startled, but I put it in my usual parting and style. They start whispering, and one runs off to 'ask about changing the style of my hair'. He returns, and they all resume, but instead of putting my hair up, they curl it, making my hair wave more. I am directed to a room and told to put on a robe.
"Hello, I'm Cinna, your stylist." Says the man entering the room. I am relieved that he looks quite a lot normal, with a streak of gold lining his upper eye.
"So this year, we've gone with a different theme for the costumes, so we're going to be setting you on fire, making you unforgettable."
A few hours later I'm stood in front of a mirror, having the last of my make-up put on, my waves of chocolate looking a bit more natural, and just about to head out. Cinna opens the door, letting me out first and pointing the way forward to a Gale, who is looking very handsome.
He's wearing the same as me, a black, shiny, tight fitting top with matching trousers and boots. His muscles are highlighted and accentuated, his hair curled and the light reflects of it in a way that makes him seem godly. He wears the pin he flashed me on the train over where is heart would be, and all I do is run towards him and hug.
"Remember we're in love, but save any declaration for the interviews." I whisper in his ear before pulling away. He takes my head in his hands, and we share a silent message before Effie, accompanied by Haymitch, walk over. Gale takes my hand and pulls me against him, resting his arm on my waist, getting many dirty looks from the other female (and even male) tributes.
Cinna takes us onto the chariot, and I brace myself for the scent of burning hair and flesh and the agony if burning, but I feel nothing. I feel Gale's eyes on me and I meet his, and grab his hand before he whispers:
"I'll rip your top off if you rip mine." And with that, we're moving, and we fix our gazes on our plans to rebel, on the mane of the horse, and occasional looks at eachother.
Hey there! Thank you so much for carrying on reading the story! I've been ill so I haven't been updating, but I've had the chance to write a few more chapters. I'm going to try and upload another tomorrow or maybe later tonight - but definitelyby Boxing Day. Let me know what you think of the story so far, and have an amazing Christmas tomorrow!
Abi :)