I step into my room, and am amazed at it. The bed is big enough to fit 3 people, and it has a dark purple cover and pillows that match the color of my reaping dress. I have my own personal bathroom, with many sweet-smelling soaps and candles. I get into the shower and turn the water on. I let out a small yelp when the hot water touches my skin.
I reach for the knob and turn it down some. It's like my shower at home, but much roomier and has a set of speakers to play music. I don't want to listen to music right now though; I'm not in the mood. I grab some shampoo that smells like coconut and wash my hair. I wash my body with a body wash that smells like a mix of apples and oranges.
By the time I step out of the shower, I smell like a fruit basket.
There are dryers that are on the ceiling and floor, so I turn them on and stand as they dry my body and hair. I brush out my hair and put it into my regular high ponytail and slip into a simple black t-shirt and jeans. I wonder how long I'll look like the girl in the mirror. First the stylists are going to change me, then the arena. If I make it out, will I ever look like the same girl? Would I even be the same girl? I can't imagine the emotional impact on someone the arena can cause, but I know I'm going to find out soon enough.
I decide now is not the time to think about it as I flop down on top of my bed. Its soft and I sink into it, sighing at how comfortable it is. I even have my own TV in here and decide to pass the time watching it. There isn't really anything good on, so I settle for the food network.
The time passes a lot faster than I thought and I realize its four hours later when I start to feel hungry again. I guess its dinner time already though. I get up and go to the dining room where I hope no one is waiting, but if you haven't guessed I'm not really a lucky person. Marcus and dad are both sitting there, enjoying a delicious looking bowl of soup.
I sit in the seat furthest from both of them as I grab my own bowl, not once looking up from it.
"Look who decided to make an appearance," my father mutters sarcastically. No matter what mood I'm in, my father always acts the same towards me. No compassion whatsoever. Unless I'm bawling my eyes out. But no, when I'm annoyed or angry with him he just gives me more reason to be so. I roll my eyes though he can't see it and stir the soup with the silver spoon.
Marcus clears his throat, "I'm sorry about earlier Annelise, I didn't mean to come across as a jerk." I look up briefly to see his face, trying to find any hint of sarcasm etched across his face, but only find sincerity. He is actually sorry.
"Its fine," I sigh, "I guess I'm just being moody." I don't think that at all, but there isn't any use in using precious energy being mad at him. He gives me a slight smile before his attention turns back to his soup.
"Don't start going soft on me now boy," dad jokes, slapping Marcus' back. Marcus laughs softly and that's the end of any conversation in the room. We all finish up our soup before the main course is served- a baked potato with butter and a salad. I waste no time in eating the potato, it's my favorite food.
Dad and Marcus make small talk over things that don't interest me as a girl, like sports and cars. I just focus on my food which is my number one priority right now.
I walk to my room after dinner is done and hop into bed. Immediately my mind is whisked away into dreamland.
When I wake up in the morning, I make my way to the dining room, where I find Marcus sitting alone. Father must still be sleeping. We are served fried eggs, bacon, toast with jelly, and hash browns. I only eat my eggs and toast, not really hungry. I try to find something to say, but come up short. I never really had good conversational skills. The only things I can think of involve talk of home which I couldn't bear talking about. Then the games, which is no good. I know next to nothing about him so I can't really start a conversation based on that. He seems fine not talking though.
We go to the TV room and watch a special about the Hunger Games. I don't want to but he's in control of the remote.
"I can't believe any of this is happening. It all seems like a bad dream." Marcus says finally. I look at him. Well I guess it's a good start in a conversation.
"I know what you mean. And the odds of us winning are very slim. But I made a promise to my family- and your sister- that I would win." I say. He raises his eyebrows at me.
"My sister?"
I nod. "She came and visited me and told me to protect you and made me promise we would win." He seems surprised, so I assume she came after she visited him.
"Huh, did she say anything else?" He asks.
"Yea, she told me about your home situation. I'm sorry to hear about your father and mother." I reply sincerely. It really is a sad situation, but I can't say I know how he feels.
"Thanks, but don't be sorry. I don't like people feeling sorry for me." I do notice the flicker of sadness in his blue eyes and find a way to quickly change the subject. I hate seeing people upset but something about him makes it ten times worse. I have the strange urge to comfort him but hold it in.
"You don't happen to know when were landing do you?" I ask. Real nice Annelise. That's the best you come up with? Before he has the chance to answer, dad comes in.
"Hey kiddos. Sorry I missed breakfast. Anything interesting happen?" I shake my head.
"We should be landing soon. Tomorrow we will be preparing for the parade." Suddenly, a voice comes over the intercom.
"Attention, tributes. Dinner will not be served on the plane. You will be having your dinner in the white house with the rest of your fellow tributes and the president." And then he signs off.
I can feel the plane descending as we arrive in Washington D.C.. No sooner than when we touch the ground and stop, the door opens and some very intimidating men in black suits come in to get us. They led us from the plane to a car that will take us to the White House. The men are very intimidating and I surprise myself when I scoot closer to Marcus in fear of the men, though they aren't even looking at me. Marcus doesn't seem to mind though. Or maybe he just doesn't notice.
Once we make it in the White House, Marcus and I are taken to separate rooms. The room I was placed in is painted a royal blue color with tan carpets and brown chairs against the wall.
I take a seat and glance around the room until 3 people come into the room. They are quite a sight. One is wearing leopard print skinny jeans and a leopard jacket. Her hair is an un-natural red color and falls to her hips. The other two are a little more simple, but not much. They are wearing matching bright pink capris, and one has a bright yellow shirt and brown hair, in spikes all around her head, while the other has a simple white shirt with a floral design on the front and bright blonde hair that is very curly.
"Hello darling! We are your prep team. My name is Jasmine!" The girl with the leopard print says," And this is Lori," pointing to the girl with the spiky hair. "And this is Heather," Jasmine says, pointing to the blonde. I wave shyly at them.
"It's nice to meet you," I reply in my sweetest tone. "I assume you're here to prepare me for dinner?" They nod like bobble heads.
"Yes we are! You will meet your stylist, Amber, after we finish. She will be dressing you. But don't worry, she is absolutely amazing!" Jasmine says, with a voice so low it almost sounds male.
"Go get changed into this robe so we can begin," says Lori, handing me a white robe. I obey and walk into the bathroom to slip out of my clothes and slip in the robe. The bathroom resembles the one on the plane, only bigger in size. I step out and the team lays me on a table they set up and begin.
They wax every part of my body, which is painful and I would not recommend it to anyone. Then they use tweezers to yank left over hair off my body the wax strips missed. After, they rub some sort of lotion on my skin to soothe it. I feel relief and close my eyes as they begin to do my nails and hair. I must have dozed off, because they gently shake me to do my make-up. They cover my face in powder and put on mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow and blush. When they finish, they all step back and admire their work.
"Oh she looks gorgeous!" Heather says. The other two nod in agreement.
"Annelise, Amber will be here in a few minutes, so sit tight until then." Jasmine says. They step out and I fiddle with my nails. They are painted a dark blue color. It looks like sapphires. I think. Oh shoot! I left Kaitlynn's necklace on the plane! I start to panic a little, until someone- who I assume is Amber- walks in. She is holding the necklace in her hand and I let out a breath of relief.
"Forgot something?" she smiles, tossing the necklace to me. I snatch it from the air and inspect it, making sure it's not damaged or anything.
"Thank you, I thought I had lost it!" I say. Amber looks more normal than my prep team. She is wearing a black leather jacket that stops just at her rib cage. Under it she has a tight white tank top and black pants. Her face is relatively clear of makeup, except for a deep red lipstick and mascara. Her red hair is short, stopping right above her shoulders.
"Well Annelise, I brought you a beautiful dress to wear tonight." She pulls it out of the bag she is carrying. It is a beautiful blue that matches my nails and necklace, strapless and flows to the floor and is made with a material I don't know the name of, but whatever it is reflects light like the iridescent surface of the gem it's made to resemble. Never in my life have I worn something so fancy or beautiful.
She slips it on over my head and has me stand in front of a mirror. With my hair curled and pulled into a low side ponytail over my right shoulder, my prep teams' impeccable make-up skills, and my brown eyes that seem to stand out with the color, I look absolutely stunning. Just like the precious gem around my neck. Beautiful, breathtaking even.
"This is…" I'm at a loss for words to describe it. "I love it. How did you know I was wearing a sapphire necklace?"
"I saw it when they filmed you boarding the plane." She says. "The color really brings out your eyes." A smile creeps up on my lips; that's what I thought too.
"Thanks. My best friend gave it to me. She wants me to wear it in the arena." I cringe slightly at that.
Amber nods and fixes the dress on me and has me twirl in it. I step into the shoes that match the dress and have about a 3 inch heel. It takes some time and some wobbling around to get used to it, but I get the hang of it.
"Perfect. Looks like it's time for dinner." Amber says.