Glimmer

I go back to the first floor, to the penthouse where my mentors and all the Careers know what I have done. I feel nervous when my hand touches the doorknob and I consider hiding somewhere. Maybe my new ally would let me stay with her until the Games begin?

Oh if only!

I push the door open, terrified of what I might find on the other side.

I press my lips together and then pull them apart, realizing this would be a slap from my mother. It causes wrinkles.

I walk into the room slowly, still finding nobody who might attack me. Only the Avoxes wander around, I watch them curiously for a moment, realizing I could have become one of them today.

Still with no sign of human life, I go into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water.

The sun has just gone down and the Capitol is coming to life as the streets suddenly fill up and become louder and louder with each passing minute. The sun reflecting on the shiny buildings was easily the most beautiful sight in the world.

Once I've finished my glass of water I go to sit in the living room and await my judges.

The TV is on but is only filled with images of partygoers and flashing colors.

I wince, changing the channel over and over but finding nothing that doesn't give me a headache. I give up, switching it off and staring at a blank screen.

It's not until six at night that our District Escort enters the room, he looks upset beneath the layers and layers of makeup that cover his face.

He spots me and I know that I am the cause of the stress.

I try to smile it off but he ignores this, calling over shoulder and alerting somebody to my presence in the room.

Marvel and Cashmere come into the room, followed by Ammolite who stares at me with complete disgust.

Slowly, as though they fear I'll make a run for it the second they make a quick movement, they enter the living room and sit down on the leather couches.

I can't bring myself to say anything, what could I say? I've disgrace my family and I've disgraced my District. I'm sure they will regret the day they chose me out of all the other girls to fight in the keep this year's Games.

"Do you realize what you have done?" Cashmere asks in a slow voice, barely making eye contact with me and somehow still managing to make me feel insignificant.

Before I can think about what I should say, or how much worse it could be, my mouth is open and I'm just letting everything out... again "It was an accident I swear! I- I just went to the bathroom, and there she was! I can hardly remember what happened but one minute we're yelling at each other and the next thing I know Seenca Crane is- is talking about Avoxes and punishment and… And I panicked."

I've done nothing to get rid of her disgust as she continues to stare at me.

I've known Cashmere almost my entire life. I remember watching her during her Games and wishing I was as brave and as beautiful as her. She may have won on a technicality but she did it looking great.

I let my eyes wander over to Marvel who refuses to make eye contact with me. He's technically my mentor and I know I've made this a difficult year for him.

What a crappy first Tribute I am for him, huh?

I bite my lip and drop my eyes to the floor and stare at the pretty carpet that doesn't have a single stain in it.

If Katniss doesn't kill me, if the Careers don't kill me, if the Games don't kill me, none of it will matter. I will never be accepted back home.

I'm sure the moment my mother saw me she would kill me herself. Maybe she would do it slowly, poisoning my food so that she could live in a Victor's house for at least a few months.

There's nothing I can do at this point, it's too late to change my mind or go back in time.

Eventually, Cashmere and Ammolite leave the room. They all but spit at my feet.

Our District Escort huffs before getting up and storming out right behind them.

It's just me and Marvel and even he has a difficult time looking at me. I doubt he will help me in the arena. Even if I managed to get Sponsors would he even send me anything?

If I'm lucky though, I won't need Sponsors. If Katniss wasn't lying about being able to hunt I might still have a shot at this.

Marvel glances up at me, sighs and shakes his head. "Digging your own grave here, Glimmer."

I fall against the couch, no longer concerned with being so well poised. "Dug my own grave then planned the funeral."

I don't know Marvel very well, I never really spoke to him back home. He's well thought of by the people of District One, my own mother included who watched his game and was constantly cheering him on.

The thing I remember most about him last year though, was not the Games themselves but rather the Recaps. He sat on that chair while they played the Games over again, only this time he was the main character of it.

He had a smile on his face but I remember for an instant that smile dropping and his eyes suddenly dulling. How is entire face, despite the makeup, lost its glow.

I remember wondering why he wasn't on top of the world in that moment, with everybody watching him and everybody screaming his name at the top of their lungs.

How could you not be happy then?

He stands up and leaves the room, leaving me to my own thoughts. There's no place left to run or hide. There never was in the Capitol, was there?

I had nobody left in the world. I meant nothing just as I was worth nothing.

My resolve settles as I get into the elevator and hit the '12' button. She may think there was a way out of this alliance but I would prove differently.

I would make her want to be my ally.