Chapter 3: Shine
That night could have been one of my worst. In my head the reaping when my brother's name was called out was repeated over in my head and I was forced to see what could have happened if I hadn't been there. The final image of seeing Feli being having a knife lodged into his chest brought my eyes to an open.
I certainly hadn't expected waking up to the sight of two hazel eyes staring down at me. I must have jumped about five feet backwards into the headboard of the bed which sent a new pain running through my head.
"What the hell-"my speech was interrupted when a hand covered my mouth, forcing me to look at the intruder. She had ashen skin with dark brown hair which was secured back into two pigtails with red ribbon. She also wore a long blue sun dress of sort; she certainly didn't look very Capitol like so this reassured a little. Around her eyes were blue curving markings which reminded me of waves, these were also repeated along her next and down her arms and partly her legs.
"Good morning." she said, smiling. "I'm Michelle, one of your stylists." Oh the very joy.
She finally removed her hand allowing me to breathe easily and speak to her, "Morning." I said grumpily, still not very pleased with the rude awakening.
I was ready to get out and take a nice shower when she gripped my face in between her hands and stared at me letting out a small hum. "Would you care to take your hand off my face?" I muttered through pouted lips, she only squeezed my cheeks harder.
Finally she let go, "You're pretty spotless, not much work to do. I think I'm just going to shape your eyebrows a bit..." Whatever having your eyebrows shaped meant it didn't sound awfully fun. The fact she was only going to do this to me meant there was someone else who would do worse- usually there was a main stylist who would take care of the main things and the others would get rid of the small details.
Michelle took my hand and looked at my nails- this also meant she would probably do something about them.
"Is it only you?" I asked her, as she turned around into a bag searching for something before pulling out a pair of tweezers which didn't look nice.
"Yes." she replied,"Well, in the sub team its only me, Francis doesn't like having a lot of people fussing." She added. Francis must be the stylist; the name rang a bell in my head but nothing too clear for an image to form.
I soon learnt that having your eyebrows 'shaped' was not very fun at all. Having the tiny hairs pulled out from probably a place they shouldn't be pulled from killed with each tug and pull, but I managed to get through it with a few hisses of pain.
In between being looked after by her careful eye I had pieces of breakfast to keep me going through the day.
Michelle kept quiet and didn't ask too many questions. When I looked at her my thought was she didn't belong, when we see the capitol people on the screens back in district twelve they are far too eccentric for words, but something about her said plain. Which lead me to the conclusion she isn't from around here, maybe four or eleven, but I couldn't be sure.
She worked hard through the morning until each of my nails was a perfect shape with not a single piece of dirt under the nail, I don't think I had ever been so clean in my life.
"What's with the hair curl?" she asked, pointing to the hair sticking off my head.
"It's a family thing," I answered, "if you cut it off it just grows back, believe me I've tried."
"Are you looking forward to tonight?" she questioned whilst packing away her items.
"Not particularly," I replied. During the entrance ceremony we would have the joy to be pulled along in chariots of sort whilst the futile Capitol members cry out, overwhelmed with the joy of seeing the children who would be killed brutally in costumes' of all sorts.
Usually the members from District twelve wear either skimpy outfits with lights on hats, or are covered in black dust to imitate coal. A few years back the tributes were completely naked, only a layer of soot coated them. I certainly didn't want to dress in such a way. At least I wouldn't be a tree from district seven.
"I think I'll be just looking forward to getting it over with," she nodded at me.
We then had lunch with the others. I noticed Antonio also looked cleaner than the night before, his hair was much neater rather than having odd locks of hair sticking out from his head.
We had light conversation as we discussed the next coming days, it didn't really spike my interest, but I had a lurching feeling in my stomach when Abel announced the interviews that would come the penultimate day before the games. I hated speaking with people, and this interview was important- it decided whether you got sponsors or not who could give you life saving items. Abel and Effie would have to do some work to get me presentable to speak to a crowd without getting angry or irritated.
Before this though came the training, I actually didn't mind this since I already know a few skills and I will certainly be able to try my hardest to win the gamekeepers interested.
After having a lunch of soup followed by some seafood imported from district four, (as Effie tells me) and a following pudding which left me full, if one thing was for sure I had put on a few pounds and I had only been away from twelve for a day.
Soon Michelle came through tapped on my shoulder and said, "I'll take you through to Francis for the main costume fitting."
I was lead through the main sitting area of our level, and into a small room. Hanging from the walls were clothing hangers, with various enclosed covers hanging from them. There were roles of fabric leaning against the sides and a desk in the back with a sewing machine on.
"It's nice to meet you." my eyes wandered through the room to meet the greeter. A young man, no more than twenty five stood in the middle of the room. His blond hair was tied back into a small pony-tail that stuck out from the back of his head. A simply white shirt was tucked into black trousers. Again he didn't look Capitol like, maybe the touch of gold eyeliner around his eyes only distinguished as a Capitol member.
He held out his hand to me and I shook it, his grip was strong and the smell of some wild plant drifted over to me.
He let go of my hand and said, "Let me just find the outfit you're going to wear tonight."
"Please tell me it covers the whole of my body." I added and he let out a little chuckle before un-hooking one of the hangers from the side of the wall.
"No, no. nothing of the sort." he smiled and un-zipped the cover to reveal a black jumpsuit. A small sigh of relief came out of my mouth. "You see I wanted to create something different for district twelve, I've only ever worked under the other districts."
"Must have done something bad to get moved here..." I muttered and he nodded, running a hand through his hair.
"You could say this is my big break, I worked on the sub-team before in seven, but I was never allowed to do anything large, or be involved in such a large amount in the tributes. Now if you could change behind that screen," He handed be the suit and I took it and stepped behind the screen in the corner of the room slipping out of yesterdays clothes and into this new outfit.
"You see, I had a little trouble thinking about what to chose, me and Portia, the other stylist spent quite a while deciding on what to do." He said as I pulled up the fabric around me. It felt light, yet there was so much technical detail in this very item I knew it couldn't be a plain jumpsuit. "But in the end it was obvious what we were going to do,"
I stepped from behind the screen stood before him. He walked around me in approval of the fitting. "What do we do to the coal that we mine?"
I thought for a moment, was he expecting me to answer? Everyone knows that you set fire to coal...
"You're going to set me on fire!" I yelled at him, backing away, "are you crazy? Some kind of idiot?"
"No, no." Francis waved his hands, "Calm down, I would do nothing of the sort." he pondered for a second," maybe something of the sort."
He moved towards me and meddled with the fabric around my waist until a small click was heard and he backed away leaving me to look at myself in the mirror. The black fabric had come alive and for a second I had the instinct to stop, drop and roll but I soon realised there was no point. Colours of gold, red and yellow danced on the fabric, imitating flames so well.
I don't know how long I just stood there in amazement, but it could have been the whole afternoon. My gaze was interrupted when Francis leaned back and clicked the switch which immediately extinguished the flames.
"Shall we move onto your make-up?" For the next hour I was made to stay still as a statue as Francis painted onto my face dark shades of coal, now and again telling me to stop fidgeting. I desperately wanted to take my hand and rub by nose but I resisted. He had such a delicate hand that each stroke seemed to be perfectly shaped and soon I was covered in the stuff.
He also pondered over my piece of hair, wondering what to do with it. "I think I will leave it... I may have to cut it off for the games, but it can remain for now," I almost wanted to stop him, I'd like to think it as the thing that will keep me believing that it's still me in the games.
Before I knew it, it was time to go to the ceremony. I met Antonio, who was in a copy of the outfit I was wearing, and I almost didn't recognise him until I spotted his emerald eyes that stood out dramatically against the dark shades of his face. Portia, the other stylist and Francis accompanied us along with Abel and Effie.
We were driven off in the cars from yesterday to a small building where chariots where waiting with horses lounging around beside them. The ceremony would have the chariots loop around the main square in front of the Presidents building, and then ending with a speech from the man himself.
Most of the other tributes were already here, dressed in extravagant outfits that consisted of trees and a cow here and there. The tributes from one were in glittering outfits reflecting they're district well- luxury items, they almost looked liked gems.
Someone announced that we were to be ready and we stepped onto our Chariot which was at the back as they went round in district order. Our outfits were set up and we were soon alight in unison, earning a few looks from the other tributes, victors and stylists. I would be jealous if I was them. Maybe this year twelve had a chance?
I could hear the capitol screams from here echoing around which made my stomach sick at the thought of what was behind the doors, what if they didn't like me? What if I fell off and killed myself?
"Lovino!" My thoughts were interrupted by Francis call, he held up his and Portia's' hand which were interlocked with each other.
"I think he wants us to hold hands." Antonio's lips were close to my and I felt his hot breath on my neck which made me go red, I went even redder when his hand wrapped around my own and I was met with his smile. Damn his perfect ability to be perfect, damn it.
In a matter of moments we were being rolled out into the centre of it all. The big screen had switched its view to the newcomers who were burning away. The Capitol members screamed harder than before in the excitement of seeing us on fire. I looked straight ahead most of the time, sometimes glancing to the people around us, maybe waving now and then.
Throughout it all I gripped tightly onto Antonio's hand which made me feel safe and stopped me from falling on many occasions. My face was still hot but at least the make-up was hiding my terrible blush.
We were on fire but without the pain, an experience that I may want to repeat, but only without the pain, and I had a feeling our stylists wouldn't stop now. We were the boys on fire, and no-one would forget, but I could only hope that the gamekeepers would.
I almost got into the feel of having people fawn over me but only when the ride around was over and it was time to listen to President Snow go on and on about the same things he does every year. He stepped up onto the small balcony that overlooked the Capitol and began, he reminded us once more about the dark days and the debt we must pay, ending his speech with "Let these games be as good as the rest." sending the Capitol into screams once more.
I was glad it was over. I felt much better without the eyes of millions watching me, but then I remembered the whole of Panem would be watching me during the games, which once more sent my stomach lurching.
Only now I remembered to let go of Antonio's hand, which had become hot and sweaty from gripping so tight.
The other tributes looked towards us as we still glowed happily away in the dark room; we literally had just started a spark in all of their hearts, the games were on. When our suits were turned off I felt dull once again, but I was glad to be able to take the heavy layer of make-up off.
Back in the training centre I took a long bath, letting myself sink underneath the water more than once. I enjoyed the feeling of being completely submerged underneath the depths of the bath tub.
I changed into a clean outfit of a shirt and pants, moving the suit into a folded square ready to give back.
We had a quick dinner before heading off to bed, but that didn't mean it couldn't consist of four courses.
"You were brilliant out there!" Effie had said, congratulating us, "this could be m- I mean, our year! And the holding hands, that was a nice touch!" she added.
"It was Francis's and Portia's idea." I said, but I don't think she was paying much attention, she was in her own little world and mumbling to herself about things only she could probably understand.
Abel also congratulated us between a deep inhale of the smoke coming from his pipe, apparently most people were speaking about us now, we had made an impression I made a promise to myself to thank Francis, he possibly has made the difference of me and Antonio staying alive.
We then all sat on the sofas' together, including our stylists. We watched as the pairs of tributes circled around, there was 'ooing' and 'ahhing' at the different outfits, but the biggest reaction was when we appeared. We all clapped at the efforts of our stylists until the Panem emblem appeared on the screen and it went black.
Francis approached me at the end and handed me my gold pin back," You left this on your clothes."
"Thank you," I said, taking it in my hand and putting it in my pocket for safe keeping.
"A mockingjay, a strange choice for a pin, but very classy," he added.
"Thanks for tonight, your design was...amazing." I found it hard put words together to describe what he had made.
"No problem, it's what I'm here for," he said, before heading off to which Michelle trailing behind.
Abel approached us and said "Tomorrow is training, so I want you two to get a good night sleep." and we were rushed off to bed after finishing the selection of cheeses on the board.
I was about to enter my room someone tapped on my shoulder, alerting me, it was Antonio. "Goodnight." he said simply.
I was confused at his gesture, but I returned it with a,"goodnight." back before entering my room and shutting the door behind me. I didn't know what he was playing at, we weren't meant to get along, we would be killing each other soon enough. Maybe he was going to befriend me then kill me when it was easiest.
I went to bed, again wearing my clothes, I was making a habit of this, but I didn't really care. My mind was too busy filled with the thoughts of Antonio and the ways in which he would trick me.
Hello! Thank you very much for the feedback on my story. I'm glad you like it!
A quick warning I will be following a little close to the story line of the Hunger Games so if you don't want spoliers I'd be careful. Also I plan on following onto all of the books so don't be disapointed if a character doesn't show, they will be sooner or later :3
I have exams this week so the update may be delayed, but I will try my best!