The sun's rays tickled me awake as I sat up in my bed to stretch out my arms. I freaked. Where was I? How did I get here? Where's the rest of my family? Oh yeah… I remembered. I was going to be in the Hunger Games. I got up, got dressed, and after a quick breakfast, we arrived in the Capitol. It was beautiful! Technology was seen on every corner. Jabari appeared next to me, and we both stared in awe. I remembered my angle, and began waving at the screaming Capitol people. I felt like a celebrity…

Soon, Toffie escorted us towards the training building where we were shown to our rooms, on the 11th floor, for District 11. I stepped off the elevator, and once again, I was in shock. Capitol delicacies filled the room. I looked over and saw two pale, lifeless beings. I opened my mouth to ask who they were when Laxman stopped me. "Those are avox. Their tongues have been cut off, and they're not allowed to speak to you, but if you give them a command, they must obey. They're here as punishment. Make no eye contact, or really, any contact with them," he explained. I nodded slowly. I felt bad for them. I wonder what they did to be punished… The possibilities were endless.

We were shown to our rooms and I sat on the bed. I sighed, and wanted to enjoy the luxuries as much as I can, because I knew I would be dead in a few days. I can't believe that just three days ago, I was at the reaping. Three raps came from my bedroom door. "It's open!" I told my visitor. Jabari peeked his head in. "Uh… Toffie wanted me to tell you that we have to go see our stylists for the tribute parade," he informed me. I got up and followed him towards the dressing rooms in the prep room. The tribute parade is when the citizens of Panem see all the tributes, in a parade.

I was sent off into one room, and Jabari was sent to another. Inside waited my three stylists. I soon learned that their names were Cashmere, and Gucci. The capitol has such odd names… They explained that they would be waxing me, doing my nails, and all sorts of girly things to me, before I would be sent to my main stylist, Joel. I clenched my fists as they stripped off all the hair on my body. They looked disgusted, and I was embarrassed. We don't have much to take care of ourselves with back home. After what seemed like forever, they stepped back, pleased with their work. "Let's send her off to Joel!" they announced.

Joel was a tan, handsome man. He was quite tall, and used to live in District 4 before he moved to the Capitol. He had sandy brown hair, and sea green eyes. I stood awkwardly in front of him, nude. "They did a good job with you," he finally said, "So, of course you know, that for the tribute parade, we usually dress up the tributes with a costume that has to do with their district." I nodded. Some of the costumes were ridiculous. Once, District 12 was nude, covered in coal dust, because they are known for their mining. I didn't want to think about what my costume was going to be. "District 11 is known for their agriculture, am I wrong?"

"Yeah, agriculture," I replied.

"Your costume will definitely wow the crowd, and in the Hunger Games, you want to be remembered, so you can get sponsors. Do you know what those are?"

"Sure do. Your mentor can get you sponsors, and the sponsors can give you supplies in the arena when you need it."

"That's correct. Now for your costume, we wanted to design something that would make the crowd remember you." He turned to a closet where he received a stunning green dress. Green pearls and diamonds aligned the front of the dress on my chest, in an intricate design. The dress fell down to my knees. There was lots of tulle on the bottom half of my dress, which became fitted at the bottom. It looked as if I were a blooming green plant. I loved it. "It's stunning!" I told Joel. He smiled at me. "Thanks. Let's go to the prep room." We reached my chariot, and we were one of the first to arrive. Our horses were white and green vines were draped around them. I fed them some sugar cubes, and petted them, amazed at their beauty.

I was soon joined with Jabari. His costume and mine had the same theme, but mine was a dress and his was a tuxedo. None the less, it was magnificent. "You look… great!" He told me. "Thanks, you too." I blushed and turned away. Soon, the other tributes arrived, clearly jealous of our costumes compared to theirs. I smiled. We got in our chariot and the anthem for Panem blasted through our ears.

"Citizens of the Capitol, here are our 54th Hunger Games tributes!" District 1, started the parade, dressed up like they were snowflakes. They looked stone-faced and serious, neither smiling nor waving. I rolled my eyes. Before I knew it, it was our turn to head out. There were thousands of people, all waving and cheering for me. I waved and smiled, everyone loving District 11.

By the end of the parade, I noticed that I was holding hands with Jabari. Just now noticing, I awkwardly pulled away as my face, once again, turned red. I looked as if I were eating raw chili peppers. We headed back towards our room, and Laxman congratulated us and Cashmere, Gucci, and Joel complimented my performance. I was beaming.

I instantly fell on to the couch once we reached our floor of the training center. Jabari soon joined me, sitting on the opposite side of the couch. "Well that was fun!" I told him. "Sure was. You looked amazing, Sadari." I smiled. Then I stopped. Was I, Sadari Proulx, actually falling in love with Jabari Stone, the prince and rudest guy in District 11? He's just trying to get into my head. The more I trust him, the easier it will to kill me…

Jabari and I went our separate ways into our rooms. Tomorrow, we would begin training, and see who our competition was. Better get a good night's sleep…

Well, that plan didn't work. Once I got into bed, my mind was all over the place, thinking about too many things. After tossing and turning for several hours, I decided to walk around a little bit. I went towards the window and sat down, staring at the city below. I felt a shadow behind me. Cautiously turning my head, I was relieved. It was only Jabari. I moved over so he could sit next to me.

For several moments, we sat in silence, staring down at the Capitol having parties at bars, eating as much food as they'd like. We would never get that luxury back home. I stared at Jabari, taking note of every facial muscle moving. After a while, he finally noticed me. "What?" he asked. I shrugged and adjusted myself to be more comfortable.

"It's just… you're so different than I expected," I told him.

"Well what'd you expect?"

"I thought you were going to be a jerk, like you are back home."

"A jerk? We barely talk, Sadari. Why would you think that I was a jerk?"

"I don't know. I see you with your friends, bullying the nerds and making fun of the kids who can't climb as high as you guys do."

He was silent for a minute. "Really?"

"Yeah. You've bullied some of my friends too."

"Well I don't mean to be like that. My friends dare me to do the stupidest things, to stay in their gang or whatever. I just… I don't know…"

"Oh… When I met you, you were different than I thought."

"That's cause… I've had a crush on you for a really long time, Sadari."

I blushed and turned away. Jabari Stone? Has had a crush on me? I must be in a dream.

"You're kidding, right?"

"No. Sadari, look at you. You're beautiful. And you're smart, and caring, and you help out with Plum a lot."

"That's just cause she's my friend."

"Well I don't know anyone else who would be willing to help Plum. Everyone in school makes fun of her."

I sigh… This conversation is bringing me memories of home, and I don't want to be reminded of it.

"Jabari?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I have a crush on you too…"

"Well this just sucks…"

"Um… I'm not sure I understand…"

"You do realize that we're going to have to kill each other in a few days?"

I. Officially. Hate. The. Capitol.

"Okay, here's the plan. Let's try to act like lovers on screen. That will definitely get us sponsors. Then in the arena, we can team up. At the final eight or so, let's split up, okay?"

"Cool." And with that final note of the night, he walks me back to my room, and kisses me on the cheek.

Thanks for reading! Remember to review! That would really encourage me to keep writing! And be sure to check out my SYOT. There's still slots open!

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