I wake up after the horrible nightmare is over. I take a quick shower, not caring what assorted smells of soap I use. I can't help but feeling slightly disturbed by the dream, and I know its going to put me in a bad mood today. Basically, in the dream, all I could see was President Stone's haunting appearance.
When I'm out, my prep team is patiently waiting, babbling on about the latest fashion trends. They greet me with a hug and try starting conversations with me. I'm not in the mood to talk after my nightmare, so they leave me alone and chat amongst themselves as they fix my hair, nails and make-up.
Today the tributes will be in the parade around D.C.. Amber will be here to prepare me for the parade after my prep team is finished. I wonder what she has in store. After last night's amazing gown, I can only imagine this one will be twice as amazing.
I only hope that my prep team can make me look stunning, along with Amber's design that I'm eager to see. This is the beginning, where we need to start making good impressions and winning sponsors. Sure, last night helped, but this is a huge event and potential sponsors are going to be keeping a close eye out for tributes to sponsor. I'm going to have to snap out of my mood, or at least put on a false front.
They curl my hair and pin half of it up. My face is covered in a powder that matches my skin tone exactly, so it covers flaws and evens my skin tone- or at least that what Jasmine said it does. I have a white eye shadow on and mascara. My eyelashes are short; so many coats are applied to make them long and full. A light pink blush covers my cheeks, and my lips are left alone, except for some gloss.
My prep team all compliment my bone structure and hair in an attempt to cheer me up. Not that I care about that stuff, but if they care enough to try to make me feel better, I guess I can pretend for a while. I smile and thank them, throwing out praise on there skills.
Amber walks in as they are putting the finishing touches on my face.
"Good job ladies, you can go now."
They obey and walk out of the room. I watch carefully as Amber hangs up the bag with my dress, excited to see what I will have the honor of wearing today. She pulls out a dress and holds it up, and I am immediately astonished at its beauty.
It is a long white dress with sapphires dotting the skirt, like stars in a white sky. The strap goes around the back of my neck, which is good because I didn't like the strapless part of my dress last night. I put it on over my head and fixate it on my body. Amber made it to fit my body and curves perfectly without it being suffocating. I take the time to walk around in it, moving the skirt to see how the gems look. No matter which way I turn, the gems spark brilliantly.
I thought it would be heavy with all the gems on it, but it's surprisingly light. Amber places a tiara on the top of my head. It's gold and has sapphires on it as well, so I assume she made it to match my necklace. I look and feel like a princess. I step into my shoes, which thankfully are flat. They are just simple white slippers.
"So are you nervous?" Amber asks me. I'm too busy admiring my attire, and it takes me a second to realize she is talking to me.
"I was, but now I look absolutely beautiful! I see you are having fun with sapphire," I say.
"Yes, they are very beautiful gems, and they suit you well," she says with a smile. I wonder briefly if Marcus will be wearing something similar.
Amber and I talk for a while about where we are from, our family, and tell each other stories. We avoid talking about the games though. I decide that I like Amber, and she seems as much against the games as I am. My father walks into the room mid-discussion of Amber's retelling of her and her sister's homemade fashion show.
"Well let's have a look at you, darling," he says. I stand up and twirl for him. "You look gorgeous. Now show me that winning smile." I put on my best smile.
"If you keep that up, you're going to have sponsors fighting each other to send you gifts."
I giggle and say, "I just hope my mentor lets them go through. The guy is a little tough to work with." He laughs.
"Keep it up and he just might not send you anything," he says just as sarcastically. Even Amber laughs at us, and I introduce her to my dad. After casual gestures are exchanged, he informs us it's time for the parade.
They walk with me out of the room and we meet Marcus with his stylist, Jones. I was right, he is matching me. His suit jacket and pants are sapphire blue with a white shirt and tie. He has a crown on his head that matches mine. He looks equally amazing, if not, better. We get on the elevator that is empty of other tributes- thankfully- and dad presses a button to take us down below the White House.
We are taken to a massive garage where 50 chariots await. All are pulled by two magnificent white horses. Marcus steps up into ours as I'm admiring our horses, and he grabs onto my hand to help me up. I have to hold up my dress so I won't step on the skirt and ruin it.
"You look amazing. Your stylist has magic fingers," he says, taking in my appearance. I'm blushing again, which is stupid of course. I just don't know how to react to compliments.
"Thanks. You look handsome in your suit," I reply. We sit down and he lets go of my hand, but I grab on to his wrist.
"If I start to fall, grab me. I don't like having attention drawn to myself," I say.
"Of course, wouldn't let my team-mate get injured on my watch." He holds my hand again and I smile at him. He smiles back, and we both turn forward as trumpets begin to play, gaining the attention of the crowd who start cheering. I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the crowd. Just by the volume of their cheers, I know there are many people.
The horses start to take off one-by-one as the crowd comes into view. Thousands of people line the streets, watching the parade. My nerves act up again and the butterflies erupt in my stomach. I unconsciously squeeze Marcus' hand tighter.
When we pull out into the sunlight, I see the crowd's reaction to my dress. The sapphires shine brightly in the light, sending rays of blue in all directions.