The prep room is different to the one I was in last year, nicer everything is still white but softer, there are leather stools and seats instead of metal. Aurora leads me over another door and opens it to reveal a bathroom, She programs the shower for me and leaves me to undress and wash. Once clean I stand on to the red plate on the floor that dries my body and hair and then I put on a soft dressing gown and I walk out to Aurora and she so gets to work. Polishing my skin, When she gets to my face she notices my eyes. "Amber have you been crying?" She asks softly. "Yeah, I have broken down twice in two days. Sorry." I explain sadly. "Aw why Amber?"She asks caringly. "Well Yesterday I watched my best friend get reaped in the games. And I remembered Ben this morning, He was like my brother." I explain getting tears in my eyes again. "Oh Amber. It will be ok, Ethan's strong he can win." she smiles. After that she carries on with my makeup. After a few hours she is done with my body/face and goes out to get my outfit, She returns with a white garment bag and she unzips it to reveal a beautiful orange knee length strapless dress that gradually turns into red towards the bottom that has matching red sandals. "Wow Aurora what happened to keeping my gracious shy childlike appearance?" I ask looking at the dress. "Well we thought it's been a year since you won so you could have grown up in that time into a proud young women. This is only a transition to the final look we have for you." She smiles proudly. "Ok. I'm trusting you not to make me look like an idiot." I say partly sternly. "You won't you will look beautiful! I promise." She smiles holding out the dress for me. I take it off her and put it on with her help. Once she has put the finishing touches to my hair and makeup and places my crown on top of my head again, she finally lets me look in the mirror. I look to see a girl that's in the middle of becoming an adult. My makeup is slightly heavier than last year, lips and eyes are a darker colour, there is less colour in my cheeks and my hair has been curled so they fall into ringlets and my crown sat on top of my head. My dress is beautiful, the top hugs my body, giving the impression that I'm curvy and at my hips it flows out into a knee length skirt. "Wow! Aurora Its beautiful! I look amazing!" I smile happily turning around and hugging her. "You are welcome hunny." She smiles happily. As we look in the mirror There is a small knock at the door, and it opens to show Leo in a smart black suit. "Hey girls, you ready Amber? We have to go to get to our places in time." He smiles happily. "Yes I'm ready." I smile spinning in a small circle showing him my dress. "You look amazing Amber!" He smiles. He slowly walks over Aurora and kissing her softly on the cheek. Leo then leads me out of the remake centre into another car which takes us to the city circle and we are lead up to a box for district 11, Aurora and the rest of the prep team will join us later.
As we enter our box, I notice how all the other escorts and mentors stares as we walk past. As we enter our box I turn to Leo and softly says "Leo why are they all looking at us?" as quietly as I can. "You look amazing that's why!" He smiles gesturing to my dress, hair and makeup. "Oh really?" I blushing slightly. "Yes." He smiles pointing to my seat. As I sit down the mentor from district 12 leans over the divide and starts talking to us, smelling strongly of alcohol. "Now you my darling! you look beautiful!" He slurs drunkenly trying to put his arm around me. "Haymitch. Don't mess up our lovely little Victor here." Leo jokes patting me on the arm." Oh sorry Love! I wish I had a tribute like you." Haymitch states hiccupping throughout. Before I can say anything a small woman with a pale green wig and a pale pink dress with large shoulder pads , enters the district 12 box. "HaymitchAbernathy! Please compose yourself!" The small women squeaks hopping up and down. "Yes Effie" Haymitch sighs sitting down in his seat taking out a sliver hip flask and taking a large drink. The bizarre little woman walks over to the divide between our boxes. "Leo! My darling! It's amazing to see you again." She smiles with a strong Capitol accent, it takes all the restraint I have not to start laughing. "Effie! Sweetheart! How are you?" Leo smiles standing up and walking towards the woman with his arms open. They hug and kiss each other's cheeks. "Oh Leo! The train ride was awful! The tributes are so cute, but terrible table manners." She moans. "Oh my! Effie this is Amber Lewis, Last year's Victor and our new mentor. Amber this is Effie Trinket the district 12 escort." Leo smiles turning to me holding his hand out for me to take. I stand up and make my way next to Leo. "Oh Amber what an honour to meet you." Effie smiles taking my other hand and shaking it softly. "Nice to meet you to Effie." I smile kindly bowing slightly. "Oh my, you look beautiful tonight!" She beams. "Thank you Effie, you look lovely too." I smile graciously. "Oh and its lovely to see your stylist has shown you're growth, that you are maturing into a young woman, instead of that girl they showed you to be last year." She smiles. I smile in a thank you as she carries on talking. "Oh and it was amazing how close you and you're fellow tribute were, brought a tear to my eye, when he died." She explains happily. Slightly shocked I squeeze Leo's hand trying to keep composure. "Thank you Effie, Ben was like the brother I never had, but he made it so I would win." I explain sadly holding the tears back again. "Oh of course, was so sweet what he did for you." She says sadly. "Ladies, the Opening Ceremonies will start very soon we need to take our seats." Leo jumps in saving me. "Yes of course, I'd love to talk to you again, before the end of the games." Effie smiles kissing me and Leo on the cheek. "Yes we'd love that too Effie." Leo smiles leading me back to my seat. "Thank you Leo." I whisper as I take my seat again. "You're welcome." He smiles taking his seat next to me.
