Hellooo! I'd just like to say thank you for everyone who reviewed, story alerted, author alerted etc. It really makes happy! Oh and thank you to mrspeetamellark55 for the concept of Glimmer liking Peeta, I really liked the idea and will definitely incorporate it when I get to that point. Anyway, time for the story (sorry for the lack of Peeta in this chapter but seeing as they aren't in the same District, he wouldn't have been there for the preparation and stuff but he will be in the next chapter I promise!)…
It's Forbidden:
"Katniss wake up! It's time for breakfast and you have already had a lie in far longer than any proper young lady should have!" Aah, what noise better to wake up to than that of the sharp, shrill accent of Effie. As she walked over to open my curtains I heard her muttering,
"Honestly, that girl isn't going to get any sponsors…ought to be brushing up on her manners…never have I ever met someone so…" before she headed towards the door. Turning back she noticed that I seemed to have dozed off again so she ran over to me and literally grabbed my arm and dragged me out of bed. Talk about being lady like!
"Umphfff…Effie!" I groaned at the bright woman as she quickly teetered out of my room only to be replaced by a bright red-haired girl who gave me some clothes and then took me down to the breakfast table where everyone was already seated. When I took my seat next to Jayden, he tilted his head to the side so he was looking me in the eyes and then gave a small, meek smile, which I half-heartedly returned. Suddenly, Haymitch, as drunk as always, sauntered into the room and came right up to me, resting his hand on my shoulder.
"So the monster awakens, eh Miss Everdeen?" blushing slightly I muttered a 'Good Morning' to him as he seated in his place at the head of the table.
"Now, you haven't met Cinna yet have you?" Haymitch slurred, lazily pointing to a tanned man with short black hair and gold eyeliner that I have to say, although I am not a fan of, really did make his eyes pop. I smiled at Cinna and he nodded at me. He looked kind and caring although I had no idea who he was or what his part in these games was.
"Cinna is your stylist Katniss." Effie explained taking over from Haymitch. "He has done some wonderful work and his job id to make sure you are presentable at all times. He is going to make sure that-"
"I look pretty and sponsors will want to sponsor me. I know!" I interrupted waving my hand dismissively. Jayden chuckled slightly, as did Cinna, while Effie looked fuming.
"You young lady," she began, pointing at me," need a serious attitude adjustment. If you're going to stand a chance in these games then-"
"And you," I rose to my feet interrupting her for the second time, "Need to stop acting like this is all just fun and games when you know really that you are sending me and Jayden to our deaths!" Beside me, Jayden looked down and gulped. Cinna was looking at me with anticipation and the lady next to him who I presumed to be Jayden's stylist, was trying to hide a smirk at my standing up to Effie. I don't know what was making me act like this but ever since last night what with the new rules and that Peeta boy from District 1, I hadn't been feeling myself. With the anger all-rushing through me, in the spur of the moment I picked up the small knife besides my plate and threw it a where Effie was standing. It narrowly shot past her head and firmly planted itself in the wall right next to her. Everyone's heads sharply turned to look at me in amazement, shock and, in Haymitch's case, amusement. Slowly, and drunkenly he started to giggle while Effie was trying to get over the 'traumatic experience'.
"Well, well, well it looks like we actually have a fighter this year! Katniss what else can you do with a knife?" He gazed at me in wonder. I looked at him in curiously.
"Well I'm quite handy with a knife, as long as the object I am trying to hit isn't too far away from me I can hit it nearly spot on every time." I blushed as Haymitch smiled.
"Yes, now that is what I am talking about! Are there any other hidden talents that you have?"
"Well not that I can think-" I began before Jayden decided to join in,
"She's lying. A bow and arrow is all she needs and then she could easily wipe out all of the tributes before the countdown had even finished. She's amazing! She goes hunting with her boyfriend all the time and she always hits her targets perfectly."
I stared at him confusedly. How did he know all of this? I mean I was pretty good with a bow and arrow and it was my favourite weapon of them all and I did go hunting with Gale (who was not my boyfriend I might add) and hit the targets quite solidly every time. But I wouldn't say I was amazing!
"Is this true Katniss?" Effie pipes up, recovered from her 'near death experience' just a couple of minutes ago. I wasn't sure how to respond because if I said yes, then that would sound like I was bragging but I didn't want to lie and say no because it was partly true. Luckily, Cinna leapt in to rescue me.
"Excuse me Effie, Haymitch, but it is only 3 hours until the tributes ceremony and we have a lot of work that needs to be done so if you don't mind, Portia and I would like to take them away to get ready." He calmly said with whom I assumed was Portia nodding beside him.
"Ah yes very well." She then lowered her voice but I could still just barely hear her, "Please do your best to make them look presentable! We really have a spark of a chance with Katniss and she needs as many sponsors as she can."
"I understand Effie but don't worry, Portia and I have an idea that will blow the audience away and no one will ever again look over District 12." Then with that, Jayden and me were whisked off into separate chambers.
Cinna led me into a room where three people were awaiting me, their eyes widened as they saw what a mess I was.
"Prepare her to see me in 20 minutes. And be careful," I saw a glint in his eyes as he smiled at me, "She's not afraid to attack you."
The prep team looked petrified as I started to laugh quietly remembering the fiasco at breakfast but once Cinna had left the room they quickly rushed over to me muttering stuff like, 'Oh goodness look at those split ends!' and 'Ugh! She's so hairy!' but all in all they seemed alright. I was stripped out of my clothing while they put stuff on my legs and then ripped it off, pulling all of the hair out with it. Once I had no hair left in places other than my head (thank goodness) they set to work tidying up my hair; getting rid of split ends, giving me layers to add more volume (whatever that was), and they even dyed it a darker brown. They seemed to be please with their work so far and honestly, so was I until they started powdering, plucking and so called 'beautifying' my face. After 10 minutes of that they eventually seemed satisfied and so they called Cinna through. As he entered, I suddenly was comfortable and less aware of my being nakedness, it was as if he had this aura around him that just automatically made you trust him. He smiled at the work that had been done to me as he walked over to a chair opposite me and sat, in silence.
"So, you're here to make me look pretty for the opening ceremony?" he shook his head.
"No Katniss, I'm here to help you make an impression. As you probably know, his is my first time helping in the games." He said calmly.
I scoffed, "So naturally they gave you the worst District for designing clothes."
"Aah yes I have seen some of the previous outfits. But no, I was offered District 1 but I chose District 12. The concept of a mining has always intrigued me and I think you'll like this year's costume." Again that glint came back into his eyes. He chose District 12? No one had ever willingly been placed in District 12. Everyone had always wanted District 1 or 2 seeing as they had the best specialties and tributes.
"What is this years outfit then?" I asked meekly.
"Let's just say that no one will forget you or your District for a long, long time. Oh and one more question before we get you ready."
"Yes?"
His smile spread all the way across his face and I couldn't help but smile back. Cinna opened his mouth to speak,
"Are you afraid of fire?"