Here it is! District 1 chariot rides. These chapters will be short because I just really want to get to the games.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games, although I wish I did.

Chariots

-District 1-

I stared at myself in the full-length mirror. After three painful hours of my prep team prodding and plucking me, I was completely clean and my skin glowed. People had often told me I was pretty, but only now, as I gaped at my reflection, did I believe them. Although I disliked my prep team with a passion, with all their gossiping and giggling that I found quite annoying, I had to admit they sure had done their jobs well.

"You look gorgeous!" Lotella swooned as she bushed my short hair into a bun with her neatly manicured nails, "You look simply stunning!"

"Yes! You actually look human now!" Pip added, earning a nod of agreement from Lotella and Vean.

"But I defiantly do not look as human as you do," I said sarcastically, gazing upon the strange outfits of my prep team. Lotella had her hair in a strange array of curls tussled in a mixture of reds and pinks down her back. To match, she had gems surgically placed in looping patterns on her face and neck. Pip was not much better with her sky blue lips and orange and blue outfit. Vean was by far the most normal looking of the three, but he still wore the same bright colours of the Capitol people.

They giggled at my comment, telling me, "oh, you are so funny, Mable!" or, "But of course we look more human! We've lived in the Capitol for much longer than you have after all!"

I scowled at them, for I had not meant it as a complement, but they took no notice. Instead, they blabbered on about how excited they were for the games, and finally, when I could not stand it for any longer,

I interrupted their meaningless chatter, "When will I meet my stylist?"

"He will be here any minute!" Vean insisted, breaking off from his talk of last hunger games chariot rides. With a flick of his sleek black hair he continued on with his story, leaving me grumbling on the table. It bothered me how they made me wait. Especially with nothing to do. I was never the most patient person, but I was sure that anyone would have gotten irritated with the squeaking of the Capitol people and the fact that they were completely ignoring me. Finally, after what seemed like a good half hour, my stylist showed his brightly coloured face.

"Oh hello Pip, Lotella, Vean and last but not least," he cooed and paused for effect, "Mable!"

"Bray!" my prep team cheered in unison.

"Yay!" I grumbled to myself, still annoyed at his lack of punctuality. They all gave their greetings with a chorus of hellos and 'my you look fabulous!' before Bray shooed off my prep team.

"You ready Mable?" Bray asked me, excitement written on his face.

It was clear that he would not have taken no for an answer, so I replied with, "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Good!" he squealed, clapping his strange gem covered hands together, "Let's get started!"

With that, he began putting all sorts of make-up on my face, until it felt like a thin layer of paint had been coated there. He had turned my away from the mirror so that I could not see what he was doing. I was desperate for a peek, but every time I tried to get one Bray would merely turn me back around. This infuriated me. It was my face that he was more or less messing with after all, so I had every right to know what was going on. But before I burst, Bray finished with, "Alrighty!

Now close your eyes and I'll put on your dress. Don't worry! You'll be able to see it in a minute!"

I groaned. How much longer was I going to have to wait? I still obeyed, and I closed my eyes just as he was pulling the silky fabric over my head. It was a very comfortable, despite the weight of it, and I could feel Bray tying a ribbon around my waist.

"Okay! Wait! Just one more thing," Bray exclaimed before dousing me with some sort of spray, "Now you can look!"

When I opened my eyes all I remember was being completely and utterly astonished. Reflecting diamonds covered every inch of the silk dress (Hence the heaviness) except for the silver band tied around my waist. It clung to my curves and flowed with each step I took. Glittering light flashed at each movement sending rays of colour around the room. Bray had put a wig over my head, and now dark brown curls fell from my shoulders and down my back. To finish it off, he had sprayed sparkles all over me, so I shined like a star.

"Bray..." I breathed, still trying to get a hold on reality. There was no way that this could be real, "It's... It's..."

"Fabulous? Wonderful? Amazing?" He suggested with a giggle, "I know! Now you better get going, the chariot rides are about to start! Remember, big smile and pose for the camera!"

With that, he shoved me out of the room where I was taken away and placed on District One's chariot. Soon after, Blondie joined me, and I couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Not that he looked funny, but I defiantly out shone him. He was in a plain black suit, and the only thing that sparkled on him with his tie. However, I sparkled all over. There was no way that the Capitol would be attracted to him more then me. He would be stuck in my shadow.

"What's so funny?" he snapped. Obviously he knew that he didn't look as good as I did, and he was furious.

"Don't take your anger out on me, Blondie," I sneered, a wicked smirk dancing on my lips, "It's the stylist's fault that I look prettier than you."

He glared at me, he fist balled in anger, "Shut it," Onyx spat, "And my name's Onyx! O. N. Y. X!"

I laughed at him, "of course, Blondie." I made sure to exaggerate the 'Blondie' and it did its job. Onyx's face turned to a shade of bright red. He opened his mouth to retort but stopped as the horse gave a tug. The chariot slowly began to role.

"Break a leg," I said sarcastically before we were completely surrounded by screaming Capitol citizens.

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