Ethan and I get up and start our walk around the orchard. When we reach a small group of peacekeepers, the highest ranking one walks over to us. "Miss, You are not needed here, you are to report to the justice building for a meeting with the mayor about the day of the reaping." He reports flatly. "Yes Sir. Thank you." I smile politely. I turn around and start walking out the Orchards with Ethan at my side. "I don't want to go." I moan as we get out of the orchards making sure no one can hear me expect Ethan. " I know, but it's your duty." he said mimicking the Capitol accent. I laugh as that what the district 11 escort would say. Ethan walks me right to the door of the justice building. "I'll come find you later, I promise."I smile as I hug him. "Ok you better. I'll be at home, Cya later." he smiles as he turns and walks back down the steps and I watch him cross the square towards his house. After he leaves my view I turn and push the large oak doors open and enter the justice building.
When I enter the Entrance hall I see our mayor with dark brown hair, talking to four people from the Capitol that I know every well. " Amber thank you for keeping us waiting."The mayor jokes as I make my way towards the group. "Sorry sir, I only just found out I was needed here." I explain politely. "It's fine. Your just in time for dinner." He smiles softly. "Hello, Amber." Smiles a tall man holding his arms out to me, the very man that watched over me in the games. "Leo!" I smile as I walk into his arms. We embrace softly, it's been months since I've seen him. When we part, I look at the others that came with him, my prep team. "Aurora, Caius, Rhea what are you all doing here?" I ask stunned taking in there changed appearances'. "We need to organise the Reaping, and as you are last year's Victor, and our districts mentor, you are going to be watched, so you are going have to present yourself proud and beautiful, the gracious shy district 11 victor you were last year." The Mayor explains as he motions us into the large dining hall. I look at the feast spread across the large table and can tell at once that the Capitol are paying for this meal, plates piled high with many different meals that could feed the majority of district 11, the mayor and I exchange glances over the food sharing the same thought. We all sit around the table, the mayor at the head of the table then Leo and I sat on his right and left, Aurora my stylist for the games with radient blonde hair down to the top of her long legs, sits next to me. Out of my prep team she is the most beautiful, even in district standards, with her chocolate brown eyes and blood red lips. Whereas Rhea has shoulder length red hair, with brown eyes surrounded in dark make up and dark lips, And Caius looks more like a god that a member of a prep team, having a well muscled body, and short black hair and piercing blue eyes. Then there's Leo, My guardian, with blonde hair with gold highlights and deep blue eyes, the only way anyone can tell he is from the capitol is that his skin has a slight sparkle to it. These people are my friends even if they sent me to the games, it was their job and I don't hate them for it.
We eat discussing various things. "Oh Amber, After dinner we are going to look at a few outfits for the reaping and discuss what you what to wear over the games." Aurora explains when the second course is severed, hiding some of the details. "And making sure I haven't let myself go." I smile jokingly. "Erm yes that too." She smiles blushing slightly. "Ok." I smile. We finish our meal discussing protocol for the reaping. After dinner the Mayor leads the prep team, Leo and I, to a large room with a bathroom connected to it. Caius and Rhea take me into the bathroom, undress me and set me in the shower setting it the way I need it, As we go they constantly praise me for looking after my body. Once out of the shower they quickly shave my legs and place a small robe over me as Aurora enters with five large dress bags. I try on all five of the outfits and show, the Mayor and Leo, and we all decide for a simple dress in my choice of colour, with small heels shoes, my victor's crown and my district token, a silver charm bracelet that was my mothers. After I change back into my normal pleated skirt and white shirt, I chat to my Capitol friends finding out that Leo will be staying in District 11 until the reaping and Aurora will return the day before, in order to make me beautiful for the cameras but Caius and Rhea will stay in the Capitol to prepare things. After a few hours I leave the Justice Building and make my way to Ethan's house. I make it there quickly just as the sun starts to set. I knock softly on the door, and Ethan opens the door with a relieved expression. "Hey I'm done." I smile softly. "Good I was starting to get worried." He explains as we hug. He closes the door and we go for a short walk. "Sorry, I had to have dinner with the mayor and the District 11 prep team and escort, We had to discuss everything about the day of the reaping." I explain. "Oh why were the prep team here." He asks with acid in his voice. "They still plan what I wear at public events and make me look beautiful for the cameras, they had five different outfits for me to choose from." I explain softly trying not to start a fight. "You don't need a prep team to look beautiful, Am." He says turning to me and moving a strand of my wavy brown hair out of my face. "I know, but the Capitol disagrees." I sigh staring into his eyes. "Ethan! Ethan you have an early day tomorrow, come on in." Ethan's mother shouts from their front door. "Ok mom, I'll just walk Amber home." He shouts back rolling his eyes in the sunset.
I laugh slightly as we walk back to mine. When we reach my front door I turn to him. "you know you didn't have to walk me home." I say shyly. "I know but I wanted to, Am I can't hang out tomorrow after work I have to work all day then on Sunday as well, sorry." He explains sadly. " Don't worry, I'm sure I'll have stuff I need to do." I smile rubbing his arm. " I want to see you thought, spend time with you." he explains trailing off as we look into each other's eyes and slowly we move in towards each other, as we get closer to each other, my bag rips open and everything falls out on to the floor. I Quickly turn away from Ethan and hurry to grab all my belonging up off the floor, and Ethan bends down to help me grabbing my drawings before they blow away in the wind. We grab all of my stuff and take it into my house and place everything down on the table. "I know I want to spend time with you too but these things happen."I explain sadly turning back to Ethan. "Yeah I best go. I'll see you soon." He sighs turning around walking back towards the door. "Ethan." I call after him following him. He stops and turns to face me. "Be careful in the Orchards." I say sadly as I give him a kiss on the cheek. "I will, Bye." He says slightly stunned and he walks out of my empty house, to go home. I make my way upstairs to my bed room. When I get to my room I light the candle on my bedside table and then sit on my bed confused. What happened tonight? There has never been anything other than friendship between Ethan and I so where did that confession in the orchard come from and then that moment on my door step? And why did I kiss him? I only ever thought of him as a close friend, someone I could trust. Surely I'm just reading too much into things. I slowly get up and get ready for bed and go to sleep still slightly confused.
