"Strange life I live, but it's what you've decided." — Foster the People, I Would Do Anything For You

I don't speak and keep my eyes firmly rooted on the ground. I know that I can't be coming across well right now, but I don't really care at this point in time. I'm still shocked with what occurred less than half an hour ago.

It's just me and the boy from my district, as Finnick and the other mentor for us have gone elsewhere for a while.

'Well,' the boy says. 'This sucks, doesn't it?'

'Quite,' I manage to say in reply.

I wonder if he remembers me.

'I'm Finnegan,' he says, and extends his hand to me.

'Absidee,' I say, and shake his hand with little force.

I'm feeling extremely subdued at the moment, but think I should be alright after some time to sort out my thoughts on the train.

'So you're Finnick Odair's cousin?' I nod and Finnegan sighs. 'I guess I have near to no chance of winning then.'

I look him up and down. He looks quite strong, stronger than the average person, anyway. He obviously has a chance of winning.

'Of course you do.'

'Come on, Finnick's charm is nothing against the little strength I have and my skill with knives.'

'I've already talked to him,' I say curtly in reply.

'I thought that wasn't allowed?'

'It was a more personal goodbye than sorting out a strategy,' I say coolly, staring out the window as the scenery wizzes past. I can see the sea, and murmur a quiet goodbye to it. Finnegan doesn't notice, luckily. He'd probably think I'm off my nut, saying goodbye to the sea. He'd mark me as an easy opponent and kill me before I could even begin to protect him. He did mention his skill with knives, after all.

'Okay.'

I notice that I may seem a bit hostile at the moment, so I decide an apology is best, even if this boy might end up killing me some way or another. 'I'm sorry, okay? It's just a shock. I know it's the same for you, too, and you probably feel worse as I am related to one of the mentors. But you do realise Finnick wouldn't deliberately cut you out of getting supplies in order to just keep you alive? He does have a heart, you know.'

'It's fine. I never thought that though, and I didn't mean to imply it.'

A door just opposite us slides open mechanically and Finnick and the other mentor enter. She's a girl who looks in her late twenties, and she's wearing a light, summery dress which just scrapes her knees. She looks so sweet and kind, that I think for a second she can't be a mentor. How could someone like that kill others? Maybe it's just an exterior, and she's actually a mean killing machine. I remember the phrase 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. I don't seem to remember this mentor's games, though.

'Hello,' Finnick begins, and me and Finnegan both look up. 'I'm Finnick Odair, and this is Selene Woodakre. We will be your mentors for these games.'

Psh, as if Finnick needed to introduce himself. He's known all over Panem now. It's nice to learn the woman's name, though. Selene sounds like such a peaceful name. This Selene seems serene all over, in fact, but I remember to be wary of an exterior act.

'I'll be mentoring you, Finnegan,' Selene says, which means that Finnick'll be mentoring me. I'm slightly glad. 'And Finnick'll be mentoring you, Absidee.'

'Ok,' Finnegan says, then stares at his hands for the next ten minutes, twisting them over and over in his lap.

I begin to worry for the times ahead, and just hope I can be killed quickly enough in these games, so my family won't be too hurt.

We reach the Capitol later that day and Coco shows us to our rooms, on the fourth floor of the huge building, which has a total of 12 floors. We, we being me and Finnegan, have short talks with our mentors, again I persuade Finnick to send some of my sponsor gifts to Finnegan, which he protests against for the second time, insisting that he's my mentor, not Finnegan's, and that he's intent on keeping his baby cousin alive. I then punch his arm, reminding him I'm only a year younger than him.

After the conversation I'm carted off to the Remake Centre. I'm plucked at, waxed, and many other things until I feel tingly all over. I did try to look after myself back in 4, so I'm not completely rabid looking, but it still takes a while for my prep team to finish the job off. Which gives me time to think, so I don't complain. I know what I'm going to try and do in these Games.

I'll stick to Finnegan, try to protect him as much as I can, for as long as I can, then eventually be killed. Which I don't mind, as long as Finnegan does his part to help my family. Which could be anything, I suppose. As I die, I'll try to tell him vaguely what I'd like him to do. Hopefully he'll listen to my death wish, as long as he survives until the end of the Games and wins. I hope that this year District 4 will have a winner.

Soon the prep team have me stand up in front of them, completely naked, so they can inspect me. I feel a little conscious, but not so much. I've lived in District 4 my entire life, it's quiet normal to show a bit of skin. It's natural.

The team give me a nod of approve and push me into another room. I assume this is where I'll meet my stylist. I feel slightly awkward now, as I'll be meeting him or her, completely naked. There is a dressing gown at my disposal, but what's the point? They'll probably have me strip down again soon enough.

A man walks in, and he looks in his mid 30s. Thin, and surgically altered in unbelievable ways. If I'd thought my prep team were the epitome of the Capitol, this is something else. His cheekbones stick out so much it's almost unnatural. His skin is powdered completely white, with tints of blue only on his cheeks. And then his eyes. They're insanely blue, it kind of hurts to look at them. His hair is a lighter shade of blue.
I groan inwardly.
I am going to look like a CLOWN.

I just hope that Finnegan's stylist has some idea what they're doing and has taken charge of the outfits for the tribute parade.

My stylist stands there, staring at me for a few seconds, then walking around to see me at a different angle, then doing the same again. He does this for five minutes.

'It's good this year. Something I can definitely work with,' he mumbles to himself.

I don't like how he refers to me as 'something', but don't speak. Finnick advised I don't talk much during the styling.

'An Odair, eh? Definitely something I can work with.'

I feel a shiver go down my spine, and I feel completely vulnerable, stood here naked whilst a strange, alien-resembling man evaluates me.

'Well, she's definitely a good looking girl,' he continues to murmur, and I feel a bit miffed. I am here, y'know. 'But that'd be expected I suppose, the cousin of Finnick Odair.' He snorts, which makes me cringe. He doesn't notice though, as he's too busy staring at the back of me.

'Right. Let's get you dressed, sweetie.'

I bite my tongue to try to restrain myself.

Ten minutes later, I'm completely dressed in my parade outfit, which is a nice wrap around dress, which is made out of blue, sparkling material, which shimmers in the light every time I move. The only downside to the outfit is the amount of skin it shows. But I don't complain, if it'll gain me sponsors, I'll do it. Well, as long as it's within my boundaries.

And anyway, it's not out of the norm for the older tributes to show off their assets during the parade, so I keep my mind off how covered I'm not.

My make-up is added to my face, and I'm glad that it's not too over the top, with more subtle tones. Aside from the blue eye shadow which would look quite hideous by itself, but goes well with the blue outfit I wear.

'Alright, darling, off you go,' my stylist shoos me off, and I'm glad to leave.

When I reach the area where every tribute waits, with both their stylists, district partners and mentors, Finnegan and his team are already there. So is Finnick. I notice my stylist is nowhere to be seen, and I don't mope over his nonappearance for a second.

'How did they treat you?' Finnick asks.

'The prep team were fine, I basically got lost in my own thoughts with them, but my stylist... cringy,' I say quickly, as I know the parade will be starting soon, from the way Finnegan's being fussed over by his stylist furiously.

Finnick frowns. 'How so?'

'Don't worry,' I brush it off quickly, but I know I'll probably have to explain later.

A Capitol girl runs (in heels, which is damned impossible, I swear. I can barely walk in the heels I'm in) up to us, and I wonder what she's here for.

'Finnick!' she squeals in her funny accent, and I can't help but pull a face. Oh.

I try to plaster a smile onto my face, realising just how moody I've been the last day. I won't gain any sponsors at this rate, no matter what Finnick does, which means I won't be any help to Finnegan at all. I can't seem to bring a real smile onto my features though, so I just use a fake smile instead.
There. That suits my environment. The fake Capitol with fake people, fake appearances and fake personalities.

Finnick talks with the girl, looking confused. 'Why're you here, Fiala?'

'You know my father's a gamemaker, Finn.'

Did she just call him Finn? Even I don't call him Finn much! Jeez, these Capitol people.

'Yes, but I didn't think you'd be allowed,' replies Finnick.

'I just wanted to see you, Finnick,' the girl, Fiala, whines.

'I know, darling.'

Seems the people of the Capitol aren't the only fake ones here. I'd never heard Finnick call anyone 'darling' before. The way he says it reminds me of my stylist, and I feel sick.

Finnick wraps an arm around this girl, and I realise this must be what everyone talks about. Finnick Odair, who'll go through 4 girls sometimes during his regular trips to the Capitol.
Not the Finnick I know. Not the Finnick I feel proud to call my cousin and my best friend.

I hear an loudspeaker announce that everyone will need to be loaded onto their chariots in five minutes, and I'm glad. I feel extremely nervous.

'Hey, Absidee?'

I turn and see Finnegan. His stylist has finally stopped fussing over him, it seems. She's done a good job though, to be fair. How he's been done up highlights his best features. He's also dressed quite similarly to me, but with suitable adjustments made, of course.

'Yes?' I say.

'Do you want to talk after this parade?'

That's an odd and extremely random request. Perhaps he wants to try and get rid of the friction we experienced earlier on the train.

'Um,' I stumble on my words. 'Of course.'

He flashes me a smile, which I find quiet charming, before mentally slapping myself.

NO.

'Get on the chariot, otherwise you'll miss your cue,' Selene says hurriedly.

Me and Finnegan both step onto the chariot, and wait.

District 1 go out.

Then District 2.

Then 3.

And then, it's us. District 4. We're pulled out into the blinding lights, and screaming crowds. Here's where it all begins.