Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games or any of the characters, they belong to Suzanne Collins.

Today is the opening ceremony. I spoke to Peeta early this morning. He seemed unsurprised by Gale's decision. Emily was practically forced out of bed by Cinna, so that was one less thing for me to worry about. I let him decide what to do with the two of them.

"I see dark and mysterious," he moved around them – pausing inches away from Gale's uncomfortable face.

"Perhaps not a complete contrast from last year…" he dithered for a bit and then clasped his hands together with an audible snap.

"I've got it!" Cinna exclaimed. The tributes were taken away again.

"Well what do you have in mind?" Peeta had left me to deal with this - the opening ceremony with Cinna and then he said he'd prepare them for the interviews in a few days time with the aid of Mal.

"Well…not matching costumes this year – something glittery for the little girl, but definitely not sequins. I'm thinking silver, mirrors or-" he placed a well manicured finger on his chin; deep in thought he hummed to himself. Great, I thought to myself, she's going to look like she's just rolled out of a 70s disco.

"Diamonds!" I was deafened by Cinna's shout. Even better, she'll look like a cheap, knock-off necklace.

At least Cinna was starting to get the right idea though; district 12, coal, made into diamonds. Not pearls like Effie had thought. God she was a barmy woman. Completely eccentric. I miss her in a very weird way.

"Don't you want to know about Gale's costume?"

"Go on then."

"Red."

"Red what?" I questioned rather rudely.

"Red everything!" he was too excited for his own good.

"Trousers – maybe flares-" this disco theme was getting out of hand…

"Shoes, top, hair and face paint – give him gloves too. Lipstick – but" I knew there was more "but smoky black eyes, charcoal – smouldering; in thick black circles. It's perfect!" I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes at his hysteric behaviour.

"Red, scarlet, blood, danger, warning, crimson – but also fire…" he lingered on that word as though it had a significant connection to me.

"And love, last year's ultimate theme." I was ready to let go and laugh; laugh until I felt sick and dizzy and someone had to pick me up off of the floor – but I didn't. If I was serious enough and went along with it Gale would look ridiculous and would hate it! Then when he was so helpless, he'd want my help to protect him from Cinna.

"Interesting…why black?"

"Darkness."

"You're right – it is perfect." I left it at that and returned to the living room. Nobody disturbed me and I disturbed no-one. Mal had been quiet. Her presence was unnoticeable. She said nothing. Did nothing. So far she'd been pretty much useless. Mal had been there watching Cinna's outbursts and fashion light bulbs flickering above his head, whilst he rambled on about materials and shades of black, however she had not even smiled at his performance.

Mal did not come to lunch that afternoon. Not one person questioned or commented on her absence. Peeta ignored me. Gale shot a few emotionless looks in my direction and Emily just swallowed a small amount of her meal – concluding by gulping practically gallons of water down and giving herself hiccups. Silly girl. No. She was just a girl. It wasn't her fault she'd been thrown in at the deep end and was preparing to fight for her life. Of course she was nervous. I'd have been worried if she weren't.

"Showtime!" Cinna belted out to everyone the next day after a silent day of everyone avoiding each other and another sleepless night for me. I wanted Peeta's warmth back, like in the games when he had held me so close...I had been able to sleep in the most impossible conditions; beacuse of him...

Unfortunately Cinna had stuck me in a long, wrap-around, silky piece of material – claiming it to be a sophisticated dress. I was not so sure. This was the only time I'd get to see the tributes before they were presented in front of the Capitol. They were together, however, keeping a large distance apart. Blinding light hit Emily and she stood rigidly in a long costume – just above her feet started a stiff black base – structured to stand out from her legs. Textured and rough, it looked uncomfortable, but my eyes were drawn to the rest of it. Further up it became paler and more flexible, started showing speckled shining shards of what looked like glass – but I realised they were supposed to be diamonds. Or at least were supposed to represent diamonds. From her waist they became more frequent and larger, until the whole of her shoulders were encrusted with expensive looking stones. Around her eyes were miniature gems, glued to her eyelashes and in lines from the corner of her eyes making her eyes sparkle. She looked freakishly beautiful. Then my gaze struck Gale.

Cinna's idea sounded stupid. Gale should have looked like he'd fallen in a tub of tomato ketchup – in comparison he had never been more…dashing. It was the first and only thing I thought would come close to describing him. My eyes reconnected to my brain. Gale is handsome although dangerous. He has the look of a fighter, but the build of a survivor. His eyes said 'run' but his body was so inviting. Although they were a pair, I felt I was more suited to be at Gale's side than Emily did – but I had never been so glad I was in my shoes – not hers. Why I stood for this unknown child, I will never understand further than assuming it was an irrational thought; followed by an impulsive reaction. Idiotically, I had even fooled myself that Gale meant more to me than my own life. More even more than Prim's life. I had volunteered for her - having nothing to expect, yet I stood for Emily knowing full well that I had struck gold with surviving once. I thought I wanted to be with Gale, even when I knew what that entailed.

Peeta joined me and after staring at the stunning show Cinna was preparing, he took my arm briefly in an affectionate moment of forgetfulness. Embarrassed he dropped it as if he'd been burnt. By fire girl. And it stung. Hard to imagine he'd once cared the way he did. We left for the stand and felt and well as heard the audience's anticipation as the first tributes were released from their cage.

Author's Note

Thanks for all of your reviews – hopefully a few questions were answered – if not they might be in the next chapter! A little task I have for you first though; as I am in need of ideas and suggestions, please if anyone can think of any names – good or bad, weird and wonderful – for the tributes. Please I need help badly! Even your own name if you're stuck for ideas too. I will aim to include all of them in the story and will list you as the contributor, so please send me some ideas in a review or PM – if you're really feeling imaginative some thoughts for strengths/weaknesses would also be appreciated! Thanks for reading and for sticking with this! I will update as soon as I can :-)(coolbeaniostwilightrules7)