I stare at the girl in the mirror, mesmerized by what I see. This girl has flowing, full, long wavy hair that glows under the lights of the vanity. This girl has eyes as big as a doe's that glisten and twinkle; a deep shade of blue. This girl has curves; a petite and feminine frame. This girl wears a dark blue, almost black dress that shimmers as she moves with the light of thousands of crystals sewn onto it. This girl wears heels and barely falters her steps—after much practice.

Can she really be… me?

"Elegant; classy; I love it!" One of the girls squeals. I hear Atticus say something in agreement before they lead me out into the sitting area. Diamante is there, too.

Her bright blue eyes pop as she smiles warmly at me. Her beauty almost stuns me for a moment and makes me forget that I look just as pretty (okay, maybe a little less). The tightly fitted bluish-greenish dress clings to her body up until her knees and then billows out in tufts, while mine is tight through the abdomen and flows out at the hips.

It's safe to say that hers is a tad bit sexier than mine.

"You look great, Ardaigh," she says in a cheerful tone of voice.

I crack a smile and reply, "Thanks… you look amazing."

"Thanks!"

"Alright, now we need to get going," Atticus says with a broad grin. "They are lining up as we speak."

We travel the long way through connecting tunnels and corridors and such until we reach the building that Caesar Flickerman uses for his shows. They line us up against a wall and we are taken out onto the stage by our District. I watch as the show begins and District 1—all three girls—walk out gracefully onto the stage. Their dresses are bright, showy and glamorous; something you'd expect from their District.

All three have heads of luscious blonde hair—though, one has hers pinned up into an elaborate updo involving glitter and braids. Their bodies are that of grown women; they're probably all twenty (the limit that Daivat set). I honestly don't know why I'm even here right now. I felt confident until they walked out onto the stage.

"And now for the big reveal," Caesar says, building the suspense. He looks towards Daivat, who is standing near the chair opposite of him. The blondes shift in their places as he walks closer; a pink rose in his grasp.

"You all received at least one rose this afternoon… that was how we narrowed down the field," he says as their eyes grow wider. "The one that receives this," he holds the pink one up, "will move on in the competition."

He pauses for a moment, still smiling before he hands the rose to the girl on the far right—the one with flowing blonde hair that nearly hits her backend. She puts on a face of feigned shock and jumps up and down a little in the tall heels her stylists strapped her into. Then, she calmly exchanges a kiss on the cheek with him.

"And we have our tribute from District 1, people!" Caesar exclaims, flashing his signature grin. "Miss. Emerald Glamour!"

The crowd roars to an ear-piercing level, even through the TV screen. Obviously the crowd has their favorites.

District 2's winner is feisty, spirited eighteen year old girl with a very short brown hair, curled up at the sides. She's pretty in a strange sort of way, like a fairy from the picture books my dad used to scrap up from the local black market for me and Amelie. I think she might be shorter than me, but can't tell because of the high heels she's wearing to go with her extremely short dress.

District 3's girl has blonde hair, too but it's shoulder length and not as, how do you say, bright as Emerald's. The rest of the girls are all uniquely beautiful in their own way. Most of their names escape me.

When it's Diamante's and my turn we're led up a flight of short stairs and pushed onto the stage. The voice of Caesar greets us as we walk as gracefully as possible across the glimmering floor.

"Ah, and now we have the two lovely tributes from District 7!" He says joyfully. My eyes skip from him to the crowd. However, I'm so blinded by the spotlights that I have to look back at him. Then, I glance at Daivat, who I can feel staring at me. I focus on Caesar in order not to look in Daivat's eyes.

"The choice is between the ever so beautiful Ardaigh Fyrn and the stunning Diamante Buckley," Caesar says, glancing over at Daivat.

My eyes, as if they have a mind of their own, flicker over to Daivat. I meet his gaze as he walks over, the auditorium falling silent with suspense. Only the sound of his shoes clicking against the stone floor can be heard.

When he reaches us he hesitates for a moment, smiling out at the crowd. They seem to be collectively holding their breaths. You can hear a pin drop.

I glance out at them and when I look back up at him, he holds the rose out. The crowd roars and it takes me a second to realize that he's holding it in front of me. He's standing in front of me. ME.

I hear Diamante clear her throat as my trembling hand takes hold of the rose. He bends down and kisses my cheek—for the second time. That makes the crowd cheer even louder. My mind swirls and my head spins. I feel faint as Diamante takes her leave, walking across the stage to the other side. Caesar takes my hand and holds it up with his, much like he does with the others.

"We have our official District 7 Tribute! Miss. Ardaigh Fyrn!"

He voice booms through the speakers and echoes through my head.

Me. I'm staying. Dia is leaving. This can't be happening.

"I will see you soon my dear," Caesar says softly, so as not to let the microphone pick it up. He gives me a quick kiss on the back of the hand before guiding me around him. I hurry off the stage as swiftly as possible, the pink rose still clutched in my hand.

Atticus is waiting for me, while Winnie tries to comfort Dia.

"Dia," I whisper as Atticus attempts to congratulate me. Instead of returning the smile he gives me, I push past him and arrive at Winnie and Dia's side.

"Dia, I'm so sorry I—you—you should be here not me," I babble mindlessly as Dia cries into Winnie's shoulder. She simply waves me off.

Winnie goes to speak but Dia cuts her off. Her voice cracks and trembles as she replies, "I know you didn't mean it, Ardaigh but please… please win for us."

Us? Does she mean the two of us? Or the District? What is she talking about?

Before I get the chance to ask her two peacekeepers and two avoxes appear. One of the peacekeepers says, "We are to escort you back up to your suite. You may gather your things and then come with us." They're addressing Dia—or at least trying to.

Atticus, Winnie and I share a confused look, while Dia just keeps sobbing. We obey and follow them back up. While I'm allowed to go get ready for bed, Dia has to gather the few things she has and leave. I give her a long, warm embrace before I'm forced to go shower. Atticus told me she'll be moving into another building and will take on a career as a model or something. However, I think she'd rather be home—even she can't hide her homesickness.

"It's okay, Dia you'll be fine. You're stronger than me," I insist before she's pulled away from me. I feel suddenly attached to her. I mean, she was a good friend for these past two days. Or at the very least she was a fair competitor. She didn't viciously attack me or anything. She was actually very pleasant. I would have liked to have her as a friend.

I take a shower, all the while replaying the events in my head. When I walk back out into my bedroom the rose is sitting there—actually, all three are—on the bed, staring back at me. An avox is pulling my covers back for me. I smile at her, but she can only nod. As I slip into a pair of black sleeping pants and a dark blue top, she takes the roses. She leaves the room, but comes back minutes later with all three of them; white, red and pink in a tiny white vase.

I don't know why but it makes me smile. She stands there beside my bedside table, where she put the flowers. It takes me a moment to realize that I have to dismiss her.

"You can go. Thank you," I nod with a smaller smile this time. She seems startled that I thanked her and leaves in a hurry.

Atticus enters, with Winnie close behind him. He says, "Congratulations, Ardaigh."

I shift uncomfortably. He clears his throat.

"Now, I know this might be a bit much for you to handle right now, but Daivat is going to be doing nightly rounds from now on. Just saying goodnight and getting to know you girls a little more," he explains as I stand there with my jaw almost on the ground.

"What?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

"Ardaigh," Winnie scolds. "What did I say about that?"

I give her a roll of my eyes before turning back to Atticus, who says, "Don't worry, dear you'll be fine. Just come out here and wait for him."

Hesitantly, I follow them out and sit down on the couch in the sitting area. I don't know how long I sit there, my mind racing and my heart pounding—but it sure seems like a long time. Both Atticus and Winnie are unsuccessful in trying to get me out of the haze I'm in. Then, as soon as the front door opens, they leave in a hurry. I stand, seeing Daivat enter. Suddenly, I'm thrust back into reality.

He chuckles lightly, "Please, sit," he waves his hand.

I sit back down and he takes a seat beside me. I notice he's in surprisingly normal clothes now—a plain white t-shirt and black cotton pants.

"You looked absolutely beautiful out there tonight," he compliments. I look up and meet his eyes. He smiles as he says, "but I think you're even more beautiful without all the glitter and sparkle—I'm not a huge fan of the fashions around here, so it's nice to see a naturally beautiful face for once."

My face heats up with blush. I quickly duck my head down, but he sees it anyway.

"Thank you," I answer quietly, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"You're so cute when you blush," he comments, chuckling slightly. That makes me blush even harder.

"But really," his tone becomes serious as he asks, "Why are you so surprised that you're still here?"

The question flusters me, and I stutter, "I—um—I just didn't think that… that I would be… um…"

"Pretty enough?" He finishes the statement for me. Then he laughs, "You more than pretty enough—and I'm not just talking about your beautiful face."

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. I look up at him again. He explains, "You don't talk to me with an attitude—or like you're trying to fill a job position… in fact, you barely talk to me at all, which leads me to believe that you're a quiet girl… and the type that hasn't said a nasty word to anyone in her entire life. Am I right?" He asks at the end, wincing as if he's not sure.

I laugh. I actually laugh; only slightly and softly but still, it's a laugh. At first, he raises his eyebrows in concern, like I've gone crazy.

"Yes," I answer. I swallow hard and continue to talk. "And… I'm just too used to peace and quiet to be here…"

"I know," he admits with a smile. "But… I want you here… you're refreshing. All the others are either to pushy or too terrified of me."

I let out a puff of laughter. He gives me a look and I turn my gaze to my hands.

"I was scared of you," I admit before I can stop myself. My cheeks heat up drastically as I realize what I've just admitted, so I keep my focus on my hands.

There's a pause of silence. I can feel him staring at me. His gaze is so intense that I'm beginning to feel naked in these thin pajamas.

"Ardaigh," he says softly, "Please don't be afraid of me. There are too many people that already are. I don't want you to be one of them."

My bite my lip, contemplating what to say next. I explain, "I'm not… anymore."

When I look back up at his burning stare he smiles. The brightness in his eyes return. I feel him take hold of my hand, squeezing it gently.

"Good," he replies, "I wish you luck for tomorrow."

I'm stunned when he lightly kisses my cheek; that's the third time in one day.

"Goodnight, Ardaigh," he says gently, standing and taking his leave.

And I'm left sitting here, with my fingers absentmindedly touching the place he kissed on my cheek. My skin still feels flushed and my palms are sweaty. There's the familiar prickly feeling in my gut; the same one I felt when I first met him.

All the while I'm trying to shake off the crazy thoughts running through my head at warp speed.

Among those thoughts is the crazy notion that I might—I just might… win this thing.

I need to stop thinking. I need sleep. And most of all, I need all the courage and bravery that I can muster from now on.

Because if it's one thing I know about the competitions that the Capitol has for the people of the Districts… it's that they're never easy.

Why hello there! :D haven't spoken to you guys in a while. I'm terribly sorry I really do apologize but now that my first year of college is done I can focus on my hobbies (such as this). Thank you so much for reading and favoriting. Comments are welcome, as always and I appreciate them very much! Thank you once again :) 3 hopefully the next update will be soon.

P.S. Sorry for how crappily written the end is :/ once again I was forced to finish writing it while I was on break at work lol