I Volunteer
Chapter Three
Snip, snip. I watch as my dark brown hair falls to the ground in wet lumps. Feeling my hair go was somewhat sad; it was like my entire life changed. I know that's an overstatement, but it did feel significant. I was losing myself piece by piece to this place, starting with my hair.
This horrid looking woman, Serenia, was the one cutting away at my hair, which had long since grown to cover my eyebrows. She talked in such an odd way, no wonder why I could never get that capitol accent right.
"All done!" Came her shrill voice as she finished cutting my hair. It's shorter now, maybe the length of 2 or so inches. At least they didn't dye it or anything. My luck, it could've ended up a luminescent yellow or even worse, purple. I have a hard time believing that I'm going to get off so easy. Usually, at least to my knowledge, the tributes look completely different after the makeovers. I snap out of my thoughts as a loud roaring starts in my ears. I jumped slightly at the noise, frightened. In the end it was just a hairdryer. It was new to me; in District 12 we didn't often have electricity, much less commodities. Seeing Serenia once again as she went to pick up yet another comb I can't help but be repulsed by her way of dress.
She was wearing a weird, shiny red colored dress that crinkled and creaked with her every move. The sound it made had me gritting my teeth every time. Her skin too, was strange. It was as if she had been dyed a fuchsia color. The makeup she had on looked about an inch or so thick. Serenia made some laughing noise, it sounded like a cackle to me, before scurrying of to find my stylist. Portia, that was her name.
I sat back in my chair preparing mentally for what this insufferable woman was most likely going to do. I had seen the games in the past, as we have always been forced to, and I know what's most likely going to be our getup. Coal miners, that's what we are and the only thing that stylists seem to think fits our district. They normally put the tributes in these god awful baggy uniforms, earning them no sponsors. One year they even had our tributes stark naked, covered only in coal dust. As far as my luck had taken me the last few days I wouldn't be surprised to see myself like that within the hour.
"Well, certainly dark, tall, and handsome. Turns out the camera does add ten pounds." A voice broke through my thoughts and I spun around. A woman was standing there, who I assumed to be Portia, looking relatively normal. No skin dye or weird piercings. Heck, no strange cosmetic surgery it seemed at all.
"So…" she said sitting in a chair across from me, "Gale is it?" I nodded in conformation as she continued. "You see, my partner Cinna and I seem to think that the whole coal miner jumpsuit is getting a little old. This year we both wanted to try focusing not on the mining, but the coal itself, do you get where I'm going?" She asked. I shook my head, confused.
"Well Gale, when it comes to coal what do you do with it?" She said trying to use a pleasant voice. I figured the question rhetorical, that is until Portia looked at me with expectancy. "You burn it?" I said, my tone turning the statement into a question. I was scared frankly, for burning alive wasn't the way I want to go.
"Exactly." She said in a slight awe. Within the next few minutes I found myself in what was either going to be the most sensational or deadly costume of the games. I'm dressed in a black unitard, combat boots, and a long flowing cape. Trust me about the unitard, if it wasn't the games I wouldn't be caught dead in one. Portia showed me a synthetic flame that was going to be used on my cape along with Katniss'. At first I had been skeptical; however the woman won me over after lighting her own arm on fire. There were no burns, as she showed me afterwards, and she seemed perfectly fine.
Hesitantly, I touched the flame, my hand too coming back free of burns. The flame was tickling, and just slightly uncomfortable. I would have throne an outrage, yet this did seem better then wearing a baggy jumpsuit, that made a mockery of what both my father and Katniss' had lost their lives for.
After everything was fitted and good I was lead down to the basement of the building. It was not dreary and small as one would expect a basement to be, but instead an elegant stable room. There were twelve pairs of horses, all hooked onto carriages. They ranged greatly in color, from stark white to District 12's own coal black. The horses were all larger than normal, probably mutts from the capitol. They stood in a uniform way; it would be hard to believe that it was natural. The stable was full of extravagant chandeliers and gold trimmings. It would be breathtaking, but then again, I couldn't care less.
Looking around it was obvious all of the other districts had already arrived. In fact, only my Catnip was missing. While waiting I couldn't help but to take in the other's costumes. District 1 had bejeweled clothing, District 2 in fancy items too. District 3 were wearing an electronic suit and dress combo, with LED flashing lights, looking directly at them gave me a headache. District 4 had fish themed wear, and the other districts too had themed items to their district's main trade. I received a few odd looks, dressed in the all black. I assumed it was because of the lack of baggy uniform. That was, until, I heard the voice speak up from behind me.
"So, not too shabby Gale, but personally, I think I wore it better." Katniss said and I spun around to see her. It may have only been about four or six hours, but it felt as if I hadn't seen her for years. Now, with the way she looked, the room was given a run for its money.
Dressed in all black, like me, she was absolutely beautiful. While, of course, I would prefer to see her wearing a hunting jacket in the woods, even I had to admit that Katniss was the most outstanding looking of us all. She wore the simple black unitard with knee-high boots, which were supposedly the women's proper footwear in this god-forsaken place. We looked almost identical, save the shoes and her elegant headpiece. It was unique in a way the capitol citizens would eat up and once lite afire I was sure it would look even more amazing. I couldn't have been more right.
With moments of catching sight of Katniss we were both lead onto our carriage. "Up you go Catnip." I said repeating the words that had condemned our fate. She shot me a fearful look before slipping into an unemotional mask and stepping up. It was there that Cinna, Katniss' stylist, lit us ablaze. With her features lit by the glowing cascade of flames surrounding her face, Catnip took my breath away. It was a heart stopping moment.
We exchanged a glance as the tribute's carriages, which were more like chariots, started to leave the stable. I reached out, grabbing her hand. She gave a little start as our own chariot left the stable. I couldn't get over the fact of her beauty.
As our own chariots breached the doors a certain amount of quietness came over the crowd. They seemed frightened, as if we were really on fire. Tentatively, I raised my hand, waving to those around. The silence broke in shouts of excitement. Katniss put on an uncharacteristic smile that matched mine, and she began to wave too.
There were many exclamations of many in the crowd were chanting her name, which they had bothered to find in the directories. Some said my name too, but less did so, and I couldn't blame them. I was nothing compared to the creature standing next to me. It wasn't like I was aware of that too much anyway, for the whole time I was staring at her.
I was aware enough however, that when it was thrown my way, I was able to catch a rose. I handed it to Katniss, who gave it a delicate sniff. At that point I couldn't hold back, and swooped down to give her a kiss on the cheek. However she chose that time to turn to face me.
My own lips caught her's and, after receiving a startled look, Catnip returned the kiss. I felt my cheeks darken a shade, for at the moment all of Panem could see us. My gaze flickered up to the one screen that, sure enough, was featuring us. Bringing my hands up to her head, I pulled her face closer to mine. She wrapped her arms around me and for just a moment, the games faded away, nothing else mattered but us.
After what felt like eternity we pulled apart. I gave her a cheshire cat grin and she blushed as bright as the rose I had just given her. Against my will I looked away, at those around us. The crowd was ecstatic. Some were screaming, others swooning. Locking my fingers in Catnip's the chariots took one final lap before arriving once again at the stables.
As the door closed and the horses stopped the other tributes hade capitol attendants help them off. I waved mine away as he came forward, hopping down on my own. I moved to the other side, helping Katniss down too. I gave her a quick little kiss on the cheek before Cinna and Portia ran toward us. They were both chattering madly at how good we looked, and all of the compliments they received. I had this strange looming feeling though, I just couldn't shake it. Turning around I discovered the feeling to be that of the District 2 tribute's eyes boring into the back of my head. He looks like he means business, but I ignore him. For now that is.
Of course, just as our prep teams and stylists died down, who would show up, but Effie Trinket. "Ohh, you looked so amazing. Everyone loved you. I kept on saying that you two would bring an all new fire to these games!" She stopped for a moment and then slammed a heavily clawed hand onto my shoulder. "And that kiss, oh, they loved it. The star-crossed lovers. How much better could it get!"
She continues sputtering out creepy praise which I effectively tune out. Before long she says something about "Campaigning for the sponsors who lapped up your essence!" or something strange like that. However, she does not fail to pull me into a hug that I quickly pull away from. It may just be me, but she smelled like burning sugar. Believe me, that is not anything good.
Effie though, didn't register my own avoidance, and proceeds to pull Katniss in close after myself. She was a little taller than my Catnip due to her heels, and only successfully managed to suffocate my counterpart in her genetically-enhanced bosom. The ladies here and their breasts, crazy is what I call it. Katniss sends me a pleading look, so I yawn loudly, gathering Effie's attention.
"Well, none of that now, you two need to be off to bed! Don't want you to be late for training tomorrow." She adds one last comment about our attire and leaves. Next to me I hear Katniss let out a long awaited sigh. I look down at her, teasing with my eyes. "What?" she says affronted, to which I can only answer with an offhanded "Nothing", my tone insinuating that I left much unsaid.
We stand there, unsure of where to go when Haymitch comes around a corner. "You two played it perfectly." He said, laying a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off, moving closer to Katniss, wrapping a hand around her waist. "And Mr. Lover-boy I really didn't think you had it in you." He smelled of wine and spirits. I couldn't wait to get away. "Where are our rooms?" I ask gruffly. "Up the elevator to floor 12, you choose which room you want, the whole floor is yours." He said, staggering off to go speak with the district 8 mentor.
Katniss leaves my grip then, heading to the elevator, myself following close behind. We both step in, a little curious. This elevator was glass on all sides, not like the one we had been on before. She presses the button labeled 12 and we zip into the air. The ground rushes away from us and those on the ground turn into ant-sized blobs. It's exhilarating. I catch sight of Catnip's face, filled with amazement and awe. She looks like she desperately wants to try it again, but is too afraid to ask. Unable to resist, I chuckle, earning a skeptical look from her and reach out, pushing the ground floor button.
We zip down this time, the ground rushing toward us. Katniss' eyes twinkle in amusement, she reaching out herself to hit 12 and send us upward. She giggled as we came to a stop, I myself rising an eyebrow at her strange attitude. Maybe my mother was right; people do lose themselves in the games. Right now, however, I am not thinking of my mother, as I look into Catnip's eyes.
They are still twinkling, almost daring me to push the button again. This time I make no move for it and she gives a slight frown in disappointment. I wait for her to say something, but the words never come. When she decides to step off the elevator, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her back in and hitting the button at the same time. The momentum of grabbing her sends us both tumbling to the floor. She gasps in surprise, yelping. As we slow down before the ground she is lost in a fit of giggles.
Her face red as day, Katniss is sucking air, trying to catch her breath. She is glowing; the carefree look seeming out of place, yet beautiful on her face. Not that she doesn't always look this way. I wonder what it would be like to kiss her at this moment, leaning in.
"Ahem." It was the unmistakable tone of Effie Trinket, who was trying to enter the elevator. I stood abruptly, hauling Katniss up too. We were both blushing profusely on the quiet ride up the elevator once more. As soon as the doors opened to our floor Katniss and I rushed off the elevator, leaving Effie to travel to the level for mentors, stylists, basically all those who overview the tributes.
Halfway down the main hall, which might I add was very over the top and expensive like, we came upon two doors. They were each on opposite sides. Katniss looked up at me, all the joy of the elevator gone, replaced by worry. I hugged her tight into my chest, planting a kiss on her forehead. Our difference in height made it quite easy. I wanted the moment to last forever, but even though I hated to admit it, I was to-the-bone tired. This day had taken a lot out of me. Squeezing Catnip once more in reassurance, I pulled away, both of us heading into our rooms for the long awaited bliss of unconsciousness.
Yo, so there it is. Sorry for the long wait, I had a jam-packed week, not to mention getting sick a few days ago. I would've tried to update sooner, but this story doesn't write itself. And now I'm using the same phrases as my grandmother, I really do need help. Anyway, I am going to update at least every Friday or Saturday, unless something major comes up. For now I hope you like it.
Once again, like it, hate it, please review. Yell at me if you like. I'm up to 360 views, 11 favorites, and 10 alerts. However only 9 reviews. I know you are reading it, so just say something. Look at that button at the bottom of the page. It's bright, it's blue, and it's begging you to push it. For just this once give into peer pressure and push the pretty blue button. You know you wanna.
P.S.- All rights go to Ms. Collins, as always.