Mari knocks on my door really early in the morning. Really early. We have to wake up because we're arriving in the capital.

"I'm up!" I yell to shut her up. I hear her high heeled shoes scurry away. I step into the shower and press buttons that give me warm water, berry shampoo, wisteria body wash, and a soft sponge. It's such a perfect shower that I feel quite optimistic as I head to breakfast.

I wave to Ares and smile at Vincent as I prepare my plate. Everyone appears to be tired and grumpy, but I'm kind of excited. I know the Games are nothing to be excited about, but there's something about going to the capital that hits a nerve. The amazing buildings and crazy people will lighten my moods for sure! And hopefully everyone else's.

Once I finish eating, I play with a little with my necklace. It's my district token, gold with a tiny locket containing a picture of my parents and me sitting in my garden. Ares notices and walks over. "What's that?" he asks. I say, "It's my district token, a locket from my mother." "It's really pretty... like you," Ares says. He walks to one of the windows.

I look over at Vincent. He's glaring at Ares. I suppress a giggle; obviously someone's jealous. I sit on the couch in the conjoining sitting room. Vincent walks over and sits with me. He starts playing with my hair and Ares glares over at him. I imagine what Ares would do if he knew about last night.

Mari walks over to join us. We spend the last twenty minutes of the train listening to her gush about the capital. When the outside gets dark, I'm relieved. We're almost at the capital.

I look out the window at the candy colored buildings. The crazy people are staring and pointing at our tribute train. I wave. The citizens screech and look excited. One of them faints.

It's so heartwarming that they want to see us die.

The crowds disappear as we pull into the station, but there are even more paparazzi. I seem to be a people person, which is weird considering I don't really talk to anyone.

Mari leads us to the Remake Center. My stylist waits inside. She introduces herself as Aliana. My prep team stands behind her like a squad of puppies ready to do her bidding. I get weirder the closer to the Games I get.

Soon all my precious grime, dirt, and hair is stripped from my body. I miss it. "Sorry," a member of my prep team, Foir, says, "I know it hurts, we're almost done." "No," I say jokingly, "I'll just miss it." My prep team stares at me. "It's a joke," I say. All of them break into nervous, little capital giggles. I sigh. This is not going to be fun.

Aliana comes in to inspect me. "That's a good start, but we'll need to do her face makeup, hair, dress, and a little body makeup." How hard can this be? Surely cleaning me was enough? At least the hard part's over.

An hour later, I miss the waxing. My body is still numb from it, but at least now it wouldn't hurt as badly. The hair and makeup wasn't bad, but Aliana has decided to add body glitter to every inch of me not covered in costume. I even have jewel studs in the crook of my arm. My costume is turquoise with little dark green jewels studding the torso. The jewels obviously match my arm jewels. I'm given a necklace and earrings, again with the green jewels. I imagine how stupid I must look and dread the moment Vincent sees me.

I step in front of the mirror and hope I look recognizable. I do and there's something about the costume that makes me look, well, gorgeous. The green brings out the green in my hazel eyes and my hair continues to bring out the brown, creating an amazing display. The dress fits all my curves perfectly, hugging my body in just the right way. I look in a way irresistible but also magnificent and overpowering. I have a quick daydream of stepping out and receiving a victor's crown, but I snap out of it quickly. I'll have to work for that.

"So do you like it?" Aliana asks. "I love it!" I respond. Mari rushes in. "Are you almost ready? People are lining up for the-" she stops, "You look stunning Crystal!" I blush, "Thanks Mari." She leads me to the chariots where most of the tributes are already gathering. Everyone stops what they're doing as I walk by. They all stare at me and I find myself blushing again.

Vincent and Ares are waiting at our chariot for me. They're wearing something similar to my dress but for boys. Mari and our stylists arrange us on the chariot. Vincent stands on my left and Ares on my right. The stylists tell us to hold hands like the other tributes. All the district tributes are united with each other, but I can't help notice Vincent's glare at Ares when they take my hands.

The huge doors open and our silver horses start to walk forward. The moment the crowd sees us, excited screams meet the air. I let go of Vincent's hand to wave, but he grabs it back. I try with the hand Ares is gripping, but he does the same as Vincent. Slightly frustrated, I resolve to just smile at the crowd.

After all the chariots have circled, the president has made her speech, and we get inside, I expect the boys to release my hands, but they don't. It's only when the stylists and prep team crowd around us that I manage to get away.

I end up in an elevator with the District 9 girl. We end up the only ones there. Luckily, since I'm only on floor 1, we don't have to stand there awkwardly for too long, but even the short ride is uncomfortable. I give her a small wave as I step off, but she continues to stare at the wall. Fine, be weird.

I walk to the sitting room, so I can watch the rerun. Aliana, Ares, and Ares' stylist. Mari walks in with Vincent and his stylist. Vincent scowls at Ares. Ares ignores him. I put my face in my hands. My parents always said girls were the difficult ones. Not that I would ever know. That's why I have to go home. I loved my life, but now I know how interesting it is to know people my own age. Even if they are a bit weird.

After the reruns, I head to my room. I really don't want to talk to anyone. I just want my mom to be here and tell me what to do about a bunch of out of control boys. There's a knock at my door. 'No!' I think, 'Not again.' I crawl under the pillows and hope whoever it is will think I'm asleep.

I hear the door creak open. This is kind of like a horror movie. I smile to myself, but remember what I'm being forced into is a horror story in itself. Someone sits on my bed, shifting the mattress. I pull the pillow off my head, "What? What could you possibly need?" My voice comes out a little too frustrated and mean, but I'm beyond feeling bad.

Before Vincent can answer, I start sobbing. He's quiet for a minute. Then he crawls over to join me. I began to speak, having to take breaks to release my sobs, "It's just that I don't really know anyone my age...Until the Games... and...I'm never away from home...and I'm homesick... and all of a sudden...I'm being thrown into the... arena...and you and Ares..." "What about me?" Ares asks. My head shoots up. Of course they'd come together and try to weaken me like this. This is all strategy. I can't let them know that I know. "Why are you both here? And why wouldn't you let go of my hands during the ceremony?"

"We're here because we knew you were upset and we wanted to make you feel better," Ares said. "It was my idea," Vincent cuts in. "This is what I mean," I moan, "Why are you so flirty or whatever?" "Maybe it's just my nature," Ares says, "I actually have a girlfriend back home." I laugh. "I actually like you though," Vincent says. "But we're going into a tough place," I warn, "We'll have to watch out so we can all go home together."

"Whatever it takes, we'll make it home," I whisper as they both pull me into a huge hug. "33 tributes to go," Ares says. "Still got to make it through training," Vincent says. "And the Games," I murmur. "So all our fighting is over. From here on out, we're allies," Vincent says. They leave to go back to their rooms and I can't help feeling reassured. I can really make it home. And maybe with my new best friend and my new lover.

Do you like this length? Review to tell me what you think! -Theuglyduckling492