Breakfast was a quiet event. Effie sat at the head of the table, while I sat across from Peeta. Haymitch had joined us not five minutes later, sitting gently next to Peeta.

I kept my eyes down at my plate which was smothered in eggs, bacon and stuffed potatoes. I didn't even want to look at him, let alone speak to him. I wasn't very hungry, especially for this rich food, so I slowly grabbed a scone from a woven basket. My moves were very cautious as I spread some raspberry jam and cream on it.

Peeta piped up "They call it hot chocolate."

He slid a white ceramic jug over to me and nodded in encouragement. I'd had chocolate on only one occasion. Father had brought some back from work one day in a brown paper bag. He had snuck it to me while my sister was in one of her moods and while my mother was healing a patient. It was the best thing I'd ever had. The thought of it hot though, made me salivate.

I picked up the heavy jug and poured the creamy liquid into a porcelain teacup. I blew on it before taking a small sip. I licked my lips before sculling the rest down. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and saw both Peeta and Haymitch smiling at me.

"Excuse me for a moment," Effie got up from her chair.

I was thankful the attention was no longer on me.

"So, have you any advice for us?" Peeta spoke as he dipped a roll into his hot chocolate.

Haymitch cleared his throat "Stay alive."

He gave me a glance.

"That would be funny for anybody not in our position," Peeta turned to Haymitch.

"Look, Buddy, it is way to early for this."

"Yeah, and it's way to early for us," Peeta motioned towards me. "To die."

Haymitch breathed heavily and started to reach for his flask sitting in the middle of the table. Peeta's arm shot out and blocked Haymitch's hand. I reached out, grabbed the flask and held it in my lap.

"Give it back, Sweetheart," Haymitch said with an outstretched hand.

I gave him a look of defiance. He sighed and sat back down in his chair.

"You wanna know how to survive, fine. You get sponsors. To get sponsors, you need people to like you."

"That's not good enough," Peeta said with a tone.

"Well it's what I've told everybody else lucky enough to be chosen."

"And look where that got them," Peeta yelled.

I wanted all the yelling to stop. I wanted Haymitch to somewhat cooperate and stop being so difficult. It was not making anything better, actually, it was making everything worse.

Suddenly, something caught my eye. My abrupt standing caused the two men to stop arguing and turn to me. I'd reached the window now and had my palms pressed flush against it.

It was the Capitol. We had arrived. The train began to slow and more light filled the cart. I took in the white marble buildings and fancy vehicles driving by. Bizarre faces, owned by strangely dressed people breezed by. The had painted skin and wore horribly bright colours. If it wasn't for the magnificence of the city, I would have cringed away.

I found myself actually waving to these strange people. They were all smiles and threw flowers and greetings at the window where I stood. I still hadn't decided if I liked this attention, but for the mean time, I continued.

I heard Haymitch say something to Peeta from behind me, but I brushed it off as nothing.

I was beyond embarrassed at my nakedness as a lady with orange eyebrows and lashes hosed me down. She moved to my face and began plucking my brows. A man with piercings and green hair was waxing my legs. God did it hurt.

Why was this necessary? I was going to go into the arena to either live or die, not to attend a beauty pageant.

"Didn't you already do that?" I asked as the man placed another layer of wax on the top of my thigh.

He looked at me funny "Yes, but you are quite... Hairy."

I furrowed my eyebrows at both his comment and high-pitched accent.

I had been in this torture room for over 3 hours. In that time, they had washed, hosed and waxed my entire body. They had cut some of my hair off too and every time I went to touch it, they pushed my hands away. They had scrubbed me with something that smelt of cinnamon and I was sure had taken a few layers of skin off.

They hosed me down again before allowing me to wear a robe and taking me into another room. It had slate grey walls, no windows, no mirrors, one door.

I waited for around 5 minutes before a dark skinned man entered. He wasn't like the others I had seen on Tv, or even today. Besides the overly bright gold eyeshadow and ear piercings, he looked normal.

"Hello, Primrose," he said using my full name. "My name is Cinna, I will be your stylist."

"Hi," I squeaked back.

"Don't mind me," Cinna gently slid the robe from my shoulders and let it fall to the ground.

I shivered at the sudden cold as Cinna circled me.

"So, tonight is the opening Ceremony," he placed the robe back around my shoulders. "It is customary to wear something in relation to your district."

"Twelve is coalminers," I said.

In the past, district 12's stylist had dressed the tributes in a horrible range of things. Overalls, skimpy uniforms with helmets and one year, completely naked with ash covering their bodies.

I cringed.

"I won't be naked, will I?" I cringed.

Cinna laughed "No, absolutely not. Peeta's stylist, Portia and I were discussing how we are going to focus on what happens to the coal."

He looked at me with a devilishly look in his eyes and I gulped. "You're not afraid of fire are you?"