"Evelyn Denny?" a man asks as he steps into the room. He must be the stylist; he has long silver hair that goes to the middle of his back. His skin isn't dyed, but he has silver tattoos on his neck and forearms. His eyes are gray and highlighted with silver eye shadow to bring out the lighter flecks in his eyes. He wears a plain black shirt and pants though, not the weird clothes most sport. He is tall and very thin, not one bit scary or intimidating.
"Yes?" I can still hear the suspicion in my voice, I know he won't hurt me, but I guess it's in my nature.
"I'm Nevo, your stylist." He seems to be nervous, "This is my first year."
That explains why I didn't recognize him; most stylists for this event are televised quite a bit. I never remember their names, but I can recognize faces.
"How are you feeling?" Nevo asks me.
I'm a little surprised he cares about my feelings. His compassion soothes my nerves a little and I decide I can trust him. I haven't been able to tell anyone how I really feel, it's all bottled up inside of me so I guess that's why I tell him the honest truth.
"I feel like a chicken that's been plucked for dinner, I probably have only one layer of skin left after all that scrubbing and waxing. My eyebrows hurt from the tweezers, my teeth are sore from the whitening, my nails ache from the filing. But above all," I hear my voice tremble but Nevo's kind eyes keep me going. "I'm scared to death." I finish with a whisper. I twist my mother's wedding band around my finger as Nevo studies me. He finally breaks the tension by speaking.
"I swear I will use every ounce of skill, all the knowledge that I have, and every minute of my time to help you." His eye light up. There's a fire in my stylist, I didn't think that anyone from the Capitol would want to help me. Perhaps he thinks I can win so that's why he said those things, maybe he truly wants to just help, whatever the reason is I don't care. I just need all the help I can get.
Nevo instructs me to stand up; I'm dressed in a white robe and nothing else. He tells me to remove it, I know that this is his job and he won't think anything of it, but I'm still a little self-conscious. I remember Caroline's words to not fight the stylists though so I slip off the robe. Nevo studies my naked body, he doesn't take very long and then he nods and says I can put the robe back on. I do so quickly, it's chilly in here.
Nevo sits on the bed and pats the spot next to him for me to take. I do and then he starts to talk.
"As you are well aware of, the tribute parade is tonight. Now normally your district has been famous for typically wearing cow costumes. Well we are going to change it up a bit. We have done our research and designed four outfits for your team and they aren't all cows. You will represent the cow-"
"I thought you weren't putting me in a cow costume!" I cover my lips and apologize for the interruption. Nevo smiles and pats my shoulder.
"I said you would represent the cow, not be the cow silly girl. Your other friends will represent a horse, a pig, and a sheep. Don't fret, you will look fabulous and not at all like a real cow." Nevo rises from the table and offers me his hand. I take it and he leads me through a door in the room and into another, much bigger room. He takes me to a vanity table made of gorgeous oak and sits me down.
He gives me a new face, literally. I don't recognize myself when he lets me look in the mirror when he is finished. A girl looks back at me; her lips are a beautiful apple red, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her skin is flawless and her eyes are big and mysterious. Her thick lashes are miles long and brush her high cheekbones when she blinks. White eye shadow and black eyeliner make her face even more stunning and dramatic. Her dark hair falls in waves down her back. I'm a little scared though, who is that girl I see? Where is Evelyn in my reflection? I don't wear makeup normally or do anything to my hair except pull it back in a side ponytail. I've never been beautiful, but Nevo's hands have made me beautiful for the first time.
"Thank you." I watch my full lips move as I speak. "It's wonderful."
"You're very welcome darling, now onto the dress!" Nevo sweeps out of the room and leaves me with the new Evelyn. I stare at her baffled face in the mirror until I hear the footsteps announcing Nevo's return.
"Close your eyes! I want to see the look on your face when the full picture is finished." He sounds super excited so I obey.
I drop the robe and lift my arms so Nevo can slip the dress on. He is careful not to mess up my hair or makeup, the fabric is smooth as silk as it falls down my body. Nevo guides me blindly over somewhere and then I open my eyes when he tells me to.
My mouth gaps open at the sight of me in the full length mirror. It's definitely not a cow costume. The dress is fitted tightly to my body- not so tight that I can't breathe or walk- and flares out at the bottom in a mermaid style. Its pure white and shines in the light.
"It's beautiful Nevo, but how am I representing a cow? I look more like the sheep I think."
"Just wait dear." Nevo puts black stud earrings in my ears, a delicate looking gold necklace with a simple black stone around my neck, and lastly ties a black sash around my torso and ties it behind me so the tail of it goes to the bottom of the dress.
"It's a more elegant and sophisticated look to the cow isn't it? Now that you're black and white do you see the inspiration from the cow?"
I nod. "It's perfect, thank you Nevo."
He grins from ear to ear. "I'm glad you like it. Now it's time to meet up with your friends but first you'll need these." He gives me a pair of pitch black pumps to slip my feet in and black gloves that go all the way to my elbows. I haven't worn heels ever; luckily Nevo lets me hang on to his arm as I wobble out of the room.
"You look great Evelyn!" Caroline exclaims. She was the sheep in our group; her dress goes to about knee length and made of a material that is light, but looks and feels like the soft wool of a lamb. Her shoes are boots made of wool that go to the middle of her calf. She has glittering diamond drop earrings and a sparkly bracelet on her thin wrist. Her hair is curly and pulled into a side ponytail. She looks innocent, like a lamb. I wonder if our stylists were going for that. It suits her though, that's what Caroline is despite her age, she's innocent. Normally that would be the approach if you had a very young tribute, but it works for Caroline.
It's a good thing wearing pink doesn't bother Erik; he is wearing a skin tight pink long sleeve shirt that shows off his muscular chest and black pants and shoes. His outfit is really simple, I don't understand why because Caroline and I's are more extravagant and eye-catching. I guess they are hoping we will catch people's attention and then we will keep it.
Jason is dressed very simple as well. Khaki colored pants and a white button up shirt. He has chaps on and spurs on his brown cowboy boots. He has a cowboy hat to top it off. Not that it takes much to make Jason get some attention; one of the ladies who was painting my nails was talking to her friend about how her daughter was totally infatuated with Jason after seeing him get off the train.
We are in the holding area waiting for the tribute parade to start. Our chariot has three, tan colored horses waiting to pull us along. The tributes from the other districts are getting their last minute checks by their stylists then start to board. I've been getting an awful lot of glares from girls and lots of double-takes from the boys. I wish they would just fix their stares on something else besides me. Jason walks over to me, I wonder why he won't look at me in the eye?
"Ready for this?" he asks.
"As much as I'll ever be." I say back.
He nods and continues to stare over my head as he speaks. "Well the Capitol is about to see something they've never seen before." He finally meets my eyes for a second before they flit away. "My stylist and I have something in store. Just don't question it alright."
"What is it?"
An impish grin lights his features. "Oh you'll see soon enough."
He turns his back and walks away. I search for Nevo, he spots me and comes over. "Everything alright?" He asks me.
"How do I look?" I say in a small voice, District 1 is about to go and the nerves have finally knotted my stomach up and left me short of breath.
"Stunning darling. Now remember what I told you to do."
I gulp and repeat his instructions. "Wave, smile as much as I can, be friendly, stand up straight and proud."
"You'll do great darling. I'll be right there waiting for you at the end and you will have your friends with you the whole way." he gestures to my team, they are talking amongst themselves. "Now get over there."
I nod and walk over to them. I've gotten a bit better with the heels, I just have to go slow.
"Don't throw up Caroline, you'll ruin your dress." Erik taunts.
Caroline lightly punches him on the arm, "Oh stop it Erik! I'm already nervous enough and you're not helping." Her eyes twinkle with laughter though as Erik fakes a look of pain on his face.
"Hey! I can't afford to have a bum arm Caroline! Watch it!"
"Time to go guys." Jason says. District 6 is just pulling out.
I stumble after my team and Erik hops in the chariot first. Jason gives Caroline a hand up and Erik helps her the rest of the way in. the step is only a foot off the ground, but I'm unsteady enough as it is.
Jason holds his hand out but I hesitate. "Come on." He says. "It's not that hard."
I lift the bottom of my dress so he can see the horrific shoes I'm wearing. "Easy for you to say."
He laughs and grabs my hand to pull me forward slowly. "I guess I'll have to find a solution then won't I?" He puts a hand on each side of my waist and lifts me up into the chariot where Erik is waiting to steady me when I am set down on my feet again. District 9 is pulling out now, we are next.
"Get in quick Jason." Caroline says but Jason isn't at the back like he was moments ago. Instead his voice comes from by the horses. He is riding bareback on the lead horse!
"Let's do this guys!" He shouts as our chariot is yanked forward. Erik's steady hand on my elbow is the only thing that keeps me from falling on my back. I stand between him and Caroline as we are engulfed by screaming and cheering people. I think I'm going to faint.
I hear shouts of surprise as they spot Jason on the back of a horse. Then people are cheering his name. "We can't be out done." Erik yells over the noise. He waves to the crowd and I hear the shrill cries of girls as he winks at them. Caroline is waving and blowing kisses into the crowd and I'm standing dumbstruck in between them like a deer caught in the crossfire of a hunter.
"Lighten up Ev!" Jason is twisted around and looking at me, still waving at the crowd. "They love it. Just raise your hand," I raise a shaking hand in the air. I'm scared to death by the flashing lights and loud sounds. "Good, now move it back and forth," I manage to move my numb arm like he says. "Now relax and smile." To prove his point Jason smiles at me encouragingly. I pull up the corners of my lips, it probably is more of a grimace than a smile.
Jason laughs and to my amazement he starts to stand on the back of his horse.
"What are you doing! I yell. He waves off my concern and leaps from his horse to one of the ones behind it. The whole crowd gasps as he wobbles and I think he is going to fall but then he plants a foot on the edge of the chariot and says. "Scoot over Evelyn." I barely have time to move before he slips in between me and Erik.
The crowd cheers and screams even louder and soon they are throwing all sorts of flowers at us. Jason turns and puts his lips close to my ear. "Can you smile for them now? They love us."
"They love you Jason, not me."
His breath tickles my ear as he laughs. "You have to give a little to get a lot with this crowd. Get your game face on silly girl. We are depending on you too, do it for us."
He pulls back and is waving at the crowd again. He is right, I have to try. These people won't like us as well if I look mean and unfriendly. I have to win their hearts.
I take a deep breath and try to ignore the nerves. I use my most dazzling smile and I wave again, this time I put my heart into it and fight through the fear. I didn't know they could scream any louder, but they sure can. Soon the chants of 'District 10' are all you can hear. Jason plucks a flower out of the air, a blood red rose, and tucks it behind my ear.
We finally reach where President Snow lives and he is standing up high on a ledge with a gold rail. His hands rest on the podium in front of him that holds a microphone. The chariots circle around the courtyard for a while before we all fall into our places and stop facing him.
He looks just like the old president, minus the white hair and wrinkles. He is a much younger version with sleek black hair.
I don't hear what he says, I'm a little light headed from the anxiety of the parade. I'm just trying not to fall down. Jason and Caroline must see that because each of them grasp a hand to steady me. I see the video they play at the reaping showing on a screen above Snow's head but I don't hear the words. I finally get my ears to work again when the president says. "May the odds be ever in your favor!" and then our chariot yanks forward towards the training center where we will be staying until we enter the arena.
It's a good thing the boys were ready to catch me because as soon as I hit the ground I fall forward.
"She alright?" Erik asks Jason.
He is too busy laughing that he can hardly answer as his strong arms hold me up. "Yeah just a little stressed out I'd say." He starts to bend down to pick me up but I stop him.
"I can walk just fine."
"If you say so." He lets go of me and I kick off those awful shoes so I can walk properly. The ground is cold but it feels nice against my burning feet.
I find Caroline and walk next to her, she's the only one who didn't question my abilities. She looks at me with a look of understanding. "Boys, they don't always realize we aren't all damsels in distress."
"That's for sure." I say with a sigh. "We can't all play that card."
She nods and closes her eyes for a moment before her pretty green irises lock back on mine. "Especially not us, that won't work where we are going."I say nothing, there isn't really anything to say.
Normally we would have a mentor and an escort along with our stylists to take us to our floor, but I never saw Fovlias on the train so I'm guessing he bailed on us and Jezebel isn't exactly in any shape to guide us. So our group is a bit smaller than the other districts.
Nevo comes and takes my discarded shoes out of my hands and then leads our group to the elevator doors. The other tributes glare at us as we go by, jealous and enraged that we took the spotlight away from them. We cram on to the elevator with about two other districts. One of the boys from 7 judging by the tree leaves on his shoulders brushes against me on accident, he literally growls at me when we touch and I'm confused. He's already this hostile?
Erik's arm snakes around my waist and pulls me in tighter to our side of the elevator and away from that boy. My back is pressed against Jason's chest and my shoulder against Erik's. Luckily we reach the fifth floor and District 5's team exits so it isn't as crowded in here. Erik doesn't release me though because that boy is still staring me down, his eyes aren't harsh this time, they are curious instead. This makes me more uncomfortable. I don't protest when Jason's wide body steps in front of mine to shield me. Caroline comes up behind me and wraps her arms through one of mine.
I can't see what's happening anymore but judging by the way Jason's muscles tense up and Erik pulls me and Caroline closer to him protectively I'm guessing it's not going well. The doors finally open at 7 and I hear footsteps leave, only when the doors shut and we start to head for our floor do I release the breath I was holding. The boys relax but Caroline still holds onto me.
"That was odd." One of the stylists says, I don't know their name.
"He looked like her wanted to kill you right here and now!" Caroline says shrilly. "But then he had the most peculiar look on his face. I wonder what is going on?"
Erik makes a growling noise in his throat, I jump thinking it's the District 7 boy again but it's just Erik. "Well he better watch it. If he tries to do anything before the arena I might get a little extra practice in."
I spin the ring on my finger, it's becoming a bit of a nervous habit. Jason just turns slowly around and looks at me. His expression is unreadable. Just then our elevator stops on the tenth floor, our floor, and we all exit.
My jaw drops when I see the beautiful room we step into. The walls are a deep blue color like the skies back home and the carpet is a rich brown like the soil. The plush furniture looks inviting in its pristine whiteness. The air even smells like the clean, fresh air after it rains back home.
A mahogany table is in the corner of the huge room where we will eat and there's food there waiting for us. Erik steps towards it but a stylist tsks us and says we must change before we eat. Nevo takes my hand and leads me down a hallway that has four doors. He takes me to the second one down and opens it. He motions for me to go in and then shuts the door behind us.
"Your quarters." He explains. It's so big. The bed, the closet, the bathroom, everything is big.
"Wow." I say.
"Different from home?" He says with a chuckle.
"Very, very different."
"Well you will find clothes in the closet over there. I will leave you to it then and be at supper as soon as you can." Nevo shuts the door lightly on his way out.
I walk over to the closet immediately, the dress is beautiful but I want to feel comfortable again. I'm not much of a dressy, girly girl to begin with. I like jeans and baggy shirts. I open up a drawer and find a dark blue shirt and a pair of comfortable jeans. I lay them on the bed while I carefully get out of my dress then change quickly and run out to dinner barefoot.
I'm shocked to see that a new face is at our table this evening, Fovlias. He sits at the head of the table and everyone else is seated at the sides. Erik and Caroline looked annoyed, Jason looks indifferent. The stylists chat happily about the success of the opening ceremonies and how all anyone can talk about is Jason's stunt with the horse. I take my seat at the end of the table between Nevo and one of the stylists with purple corkscrew curls.
"Well now that you've finally arrived we can eat." Fovlias snaps at me before tucking into the food he piled onto his plate. Caroline and Erik sit on either side of him, judging by the look they share I'm a little worried they are about to shove their knives through his pale skin. Don't think we would be as popular if word gets out that we single-handedly murdered our district representative.
Luckily Caroline shakes her head slightly and they both reach forward to gather food on their own plates. I stop worrying and focus on the feast before me. Everything looks and smells amazing, I head for the beef first, we rarely keep any of the meat from the cattle we send to the butcher. We need all the money we can get so we just eat the chickens we raise mostly. When my mother became ill and my father refused to do anything but tend to her I had to run the farm almost completely by myself. I couldn't manage as much on my own so we made less and less each year, if it wasn't for tesserae we would starve. Eating beef became a thing of the past. As the wonderful taste fills my mouth I'm flooded with childhood memories of my mother cutting the meat into the thinnest strips to make soup with it, it was my favorite meal. I remember the good times before everything changed.
I don't mess with dessert, only real food to try and nourish my body and make it stronger for the games. Meat will strengthen me while sugar will make me fat and slow. Once everyone is finished Fovlias speaks.
"Well I suppose we should go over the schedule for tomorrow then. You four start training at 8 o'clock sharp, have lunch at noon, and then train until six. Everything clear? Good now I'm off to bed see you at supper tomorrow." He gets up and exits the room as fast as he can.
"Well he didn't tell us much that we didn't know." Jason grumbles. He rises from his chair and motions to us other tributes to follow him. We all get up and follow him back down the hallway where our rooms are, he opens the door to the third one down and we all file in. I wonder what he could possibly want?
How am I doing? Suggestions are welcome!