Hey all! Thanks for the reviews, they are what gives you all chapters! So remember, review and receive chapters in return! lol
That being said, I must say this is one of my favorites so far. Hope you all enjoy. (If you want the full experience, lol) This chapter was written to The Hunger Games Score- Tenuous Winners/Returning Home.
Enjoy!
The District One chariot was beautiful.
Holding my breath, I walked around it, holding my robe in my hands even if it was tied around me. It was white with swirls and designs of silver and blue, pink hints and deep purple accents subtly hidden around the curvature. It practically shined in the light, pulled by white horses. I absently pet one of the mares, feeling the soft, white hair under my buffed fingers. We were the first tributes to arrive at the final prep room, a large space that held the chariots and tents to add finishing touches to the tributes before the parade, and I wasn't even dressed yet. My hair was up, swooped and styled to an elegant updo with highlights of silver and blue peeking out of my hair. My bangs had been dipped in shimmery pale blue to fade into my blonde hair, tips only dyed. Nestled at top of my head was a silver tiara, bedazzled in gems of cool colors and intricately woven. Two strands of pale pink pearls swooped from the ends of the tiara and joined to the back of my updo, disappearing into it. My tiara is crystal, almost like ice. However, this is nothing close to my Tribute Costume, Zafrina assured me. She's so giddy that she's the only one Cinna let see the costume, and only because he needed her steady hands to finish the back.
I smile at the hint.
Demetrius is standing in the chariot, robed as well, and imagining the parade already, looking out to the imaginary crowd. After a few moments, he stops to watch me.
"So…what's the plan?" He asks, leaning on the edge of the chariot. I keep stroking the mare's white hair.
"What plan?" I ask monotonely, still not looking at him. I adjust my headpiece gently, putting it in place. I turn to him, putting my polished hand down from the horse. "I have no plan."
He sighs. Glitter falls from his brown hair. Like me, his hair is a highlighted with darker blues and is glittered with silver. He has a crown, one fashioned much like the victor's crown, but larger and all silver. He has smaller gems than mine, and pearls like mine are fashioned into the crown, only smaller. Hints of bronze in his crown make his green eyes pop. The silver in my tiara makes my blue eyes iridescent.
"Well, we should have a plan," He says, jumping off the chariot to join me. He stands beside me as I look at the large doors that will lead us out to the parade in about an hour or two. He continues on, bumping me on the shoulder. "We could be friendly. Never known each other. Love each other. Hold hands. We could even hate one another and not even look at each other."
I laugh a bit. "We're masters at the last one."
He grins.
"So is that our plan?"
I shrug uneasily. I cross my arms. "I think we should talk this over with Cashmere and Gloss."
He shakes his head. "Well the tribute parade is soon, and we have to make a decision. So what's it going to be? New strategy? Or our deal? Are you coming home with me, or dying alone?"
His questions startle me. He holds his hand out to me, a somewhat sincere look in his eyes. I look at him, genuinely.
"Why are you doing this?" I whisper, narrowing my eyes a bit. He presses his lips together.
"You want to go home, don't you?" He questions again. I shake my head slowly.
"That's not an answer. Why. Are. You. Doing. This?" I say again. He puts his hand down and comes closer to me. I step back a bit and look away. "You shouldn't ask me these questions. We shouldn't be here. You don't like me. I don't like you. Yet we're here, and right now it seems your the only way home." I then look at him again, and he looks away. Finally, I say, "But why are you making me love you for the cameras?"
"I'm not making you do anything," He said acidly. "You're doing that yourself."
"Because you're giving me no other choice! Go home with your or die alone? Wonderful palette of choices!" I shout at him. My words reverberate in the empty room, and silence ensues. He stares at me, eyes wide. My mouth silently stutters for a follow up, but gives none. After a few moments, my hysterical arms come down to my sides and I make him face me, grabbing his chin to make him look at me.
"How do I know you're not going to kill me yourself?" I say through gritted teeth. "How can you pretend to like me when all you've known is seeing me fail?" He grabs my hand and puts it down to my side slowly. He sighs. After a brief pause of staring at his gentle action, his eyes flicker to mine.
"Because maybe….maybe you're my way home too."
I feel a tug in my chest at his words. We stare off for a while longer as we both take in his statement, and finally I speak.
"Demetrius, let's not lie to each other." I urge, my eyes softening. "I want to be on the same page with you. At least before the countdown."
He looks like he's going to answer, but a loud bang startles us, and we turn to see both our prep teams and our stylists, Cinna and Jaques- a tall, tanned woman with dark brown hair down her shoulder in a large, intricate braid and black eyeliner that made her eyes almost ravenlike- coming at us, 2 large boxes in tow. We move away from each other and head to our respective teams. Behind them also come Cashmere and Gloss, matching in gold. Cashmere wears a retro dress in pure gold that stops above her knee, with a leafy gold headband in her blonde hair that curled down her back. Demetrius matches her, with tan pants and a pure gold shirt, a dark brown blazer over it. Cinna sees me before Cashmere gravitates towards me.
"Hair is perfectly executed," He says proudly. Venus grins slyly. Cinna looks at my face as well. "Clear make-up, blue and silver, with glowing cheekbones- perfect as well." Bienna nods at the compliment. Cashmere claps excitedly.
"We're taking this one," She says triumphantly, "Even if I have yet to see the damned dress."
Cinna grins at her. "You'll see it in a few moments. We had to make sure it wouldn't melt on her back."
My eyes widen. Melt? Cinna wasn't kidding about the ice.
He sees my recognition. "Enough with the hints! Get into the tent so we can change you out of this robe," He chuckles. I smile as he eases my nerves. As I'm led to my side of the tent, I look at Demetrius and his crew before we embark onto our hidden compartment in the 'ONE' tent. We meet eyes, even with our teams in the way, and I stop. He does as well.
He nods, a glare in his eyes. I nod back.
"Don't open your eyes," Cinna whispers, and I hear rustling of fabric in the back. He asks me to extend my arms, and I do so. I feel heavy weight of satin and tulle on my body now, and I shift in my spot so they can put on the dress. I feel a breeze on my back. Then, Cinna comes before me, his voice in front of me.
"Are you ready for the cold?" He asks. I don't answer, and then I quickly nod.
"Y-yeah."
I hear no answer, then I yelp at the first contact with the cold. I knew it was ice, but I felt none of the condensation on my back. They piece together my gown, I can feel it, and when I feel nothing more, my eyes close tighter in anticipation. The feeling of cold is gone now.
"Open your eyes," Cinna finally says.
I blink, and then I see it.
"Cinna….its…..it's amazing."
"Because...because maybe you're my way home."
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