OMG I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so long! I had a nasty case of writer's block. I'm so sorry! I hope this chapter makes up for my lateness. I hope you like it. Please review!
Max's POV
I woke up to the sensation of cold water being thrown on my face and kicked at whoever dared to throw water at me to wake me up. I hated being woken up by water. I speak from experience here!
Whoever that stupid person was grabbed my foot before it made impact with their chin. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision so I could see who actually even thought about me attacking them and actually grabbed my foot, because that person actually has a brain. I opened my eyes to see Haymitch grinning at me and holding my foot. "Good morning, sweetheart." Haymitch said grinning as he dropped my foot on to the bed.
I yawned. I wasn't going to fight with Haymitch. I like him as much as I could possibly like someone, with the exception of Ari and Gale, of course. He's pretty cool for an old dude.
I got out of my super comfy bed and started to get dressed without thinking at all, forgetting that Haymitch was in the room. Big whoopsie right there. All I could say was at least he closed the freaking door when he came in to pour water on my face. He gasped as he saw my wings and I put my shirt right back over them in haste and got into a defensive position. Well crap.
"Please don't tell anyone! I'm begging you, just don't!" I begged, out of character for me. Haymitch was staring at me wide eyed. Well how lucky am I to forget someone was standing right there next to me while I took my top layer off? I'm a complete idiot. Dylan's probably going to a kick out of this incident. Haymitch took in a deep breath, shook his head, and sighed.
"I knew there was something funky up with you the minute you walked up onto the stage. Now I will leave the room and pretend nothing interesting ever happened," Haymitch said smartly and started walking toward the door. He opened the door, left the room, and closed the door.
"Good idea," I yelled so he could hear me. Now I was fully brought back to my senses and actually scanned the room to see no one was looking. I couldn't believe I forgot Haymitch was in the room when I got dressed. I must be losing my touch! Yet again, I was tired and got ice cold water thrown on my face. I got changed into comfortable clothing and noticed we were at the Capitol. Already. I opened my door and sprinted into the dining room and saw Haymitch sitting down once again at the table.
"How long was I out?" I demanded of him. He looked up at me amused and grinned.
"You've been out all day yesterday and all morning," he informed me grinning in amusement. I stared at him in shock. So I've been out over 24 hours? Jeez fourteen years of experimentation really do take it out of me.
"Lovely. Where are Katniss, Peeta, and Dylan?" I asked him, and this guy with brown hair and wearing gold eyeliner walked into the room. I raised one eyebrow at his choice of eyeliner.
"The 3 other tributes are with their prep teams. And since we had 2 more tributes then as usual, Portia is prepping Dylan and I will be prepping you for the Hunger Games. Oh, how rude to not introduce myself. I'm Cinna, and I will be your stylist while you're here. And you must be Maximum Ride, correct?" Cinna introduced himself and asked me. I once again got ticked off at the mention of my full name. Why can't people just say "Max?" It's just one syllable compared to four!
"Just Max," I said dully, and Haymitch chuckled lightly. I whipped around and glared at him.
Haymitch grinned and said amused, "You're just full of surprises, aren't you Sweetheart? One minute you're begging me for something, then the next you're glaring at me." Cinna smiled a pleasant smile at me and Haymitch, and I noticed that it was genuine and not fake, unlike some white coats I know.
"Follow me so I can get you ready for the opening ceremony." Cinna said and guided me off the train. Haymitch followed me off the train, and Cinna guided me into a room with a mirror. He blushed and said shyly, "I'm not used to doing this, but I'm going to have to ask you to take your clothes off so I could prep you for your outfit and wax you." He might as well have thrown a brick at me just then. I retreated to the wall faster than the average person.
"No! I'm not letting you wax me, let alone take my clothes off!" I yelled at him and he put his hands up in surrender.
"I completely understand. It's usually not my job to prep, I just help design you're clothing and do your hair. Do you want me to just do my usual job?" he asked me and he rose up in my opinion. I moved up from the wall cautiously and warily.
"Hair, yes, but I'm getting dressed in the bathroom." I stated as I took a seat in front of the mirror. Cinna smiled and started to fix the mop that's called my hair.
I have to say, Cinna does a freaking good job with hair. When he was finally done, I looked in the mirror and saw my used to be messy blond hair actually in pretty feather light wavy layers. There were also a couple of accessories in my hair that actually brought out my chocolate brown eyes. Finally I looked nice for once. It's a big change from being tested on in a lab everyday wearing the same clothes most of my life.
"Whoa," I said. Wow, can I sound anymore pathetic? What the heck was that! Whoa. I'm losing my touch, once again. Cinna smiled at me and my idiotic response.
"Do you like it, Max?" he asked me smiling warmly. I shook my head sarcastically.
"Love it?" he asked again and I nodded my head once sharply and Cinna chuckled. He threw me a bundle of really tight looking clothes. I jumped up out of my seat in anger. Why was I angry? I don't know. I'm funny like that.
"I can't wear clothes this tight!" I complained holding up the bundle of clothes with I believe a horrified/angry expression on my face. Cinna gave me a very puzzled look.
"Why can't you wear tight clothing?" he asked me puzzled. Oh ho, so he's one for direct questions, eh? Well I'll give direct all right.
"Because I've got issues that don't need discussion," I said and crossed my arms against my chest. Why not just come right out and say I have issues? C'mon, even I know I have issues. Cinna sighed.
"You can trust me, you know. I can tell you're hiding something." Cinna said, dead on about the hiding thing, but I should probably make it clear that I don't trust anyone. Except for Gale. Heck, I don't even know why I trust him!
I shook my head and said firmly, "I don't trust anyone." Actually, Cinna seemed kind of trustworthy. He was nice and, surprisingly, he doesn't hate me for my pickiness of clothing. So that ought to count for something.
Cinna smiled and said, "Okay, you don't have to tell me. So, do you like the outfit? I can make it looser if you want me to." Wow, he was offering me something. Now I like him as much as Haymitch! I smiled.
"Thanks that would be great. Do you have a thick undershirt I could put on?" I asked Cinna, and he smiled and nodded. He took the clothes out of hands.
"Yes I do, I'll go get it for you." Cinna said and walked out of the room. When he came back, there was a deep black undershirt in his hands and a much looser version of the clothing he gave me before. Nice thick clothing, may I add. I smiled and took it out of his hands.
"Thanks Cinna, I'll go get changed." I said and turned around and made my way to the bathroom.
I was almost to the bathroom when I heard Cinna shout horrified, "Wait, Max! I almost forgot, the rooms in here are bugged with cameras." I whirled around and stared at him in disbelief.
"Isn't that kind of intruding on personal space?" I asked skeptically, and Cinna sighed.
"Let's get back on the train. The bathrooms there aren't bugged with cameras, but there are microphones." Cinna said, and I sighed and nodded. Great. Everywhere I go is going to have microphones, cameras, or a combination of both.
He led me back onto the luxurious train, and I headed toward the bathroom that was in my room. I hesitated in the bathroom doorway, and made a decision I would probably really regret later. Oh well. Cinna saved my butt by warning me about the cameras. It's only fair that I show him my wings.
"Um, Cinna, you can come in if you like. I think I might need help with the back." I said reluctantly and winked at him so he would get the clue. Jeez, this is the third person who's going to find out about my wings! I really am losing my touch today! I have too many issues with my brain. I should have a chat with Jeb about the bugs with my brain and maybe I could get them fixed.
Cinna smiled and said, "Sure. I'll be glad to help out." We both walked into the bugged bathroom and I locked the door. I laid the clothes on the floor and slowly pulled of my windbreaker. I have so many reasons why I shouldn't do this, but it was already too late to turn back.
I took off my windbreaker, and Cinna let out a faint gasp as I spread out all thirteen feet of my beautiful wings.