I meet my prep team and my stylist - Cinna. Normally kids from our district get dressed in coal miner outfits our something equally as gross. It doesn't do well to earn sponsors. This year Cinna and Peeta's stylist want to do something with fire, since coal makes fire. It makes me nervous.
I will admit, I look stunning. Cinna has done an amazing job. I look older than my 16 years. I look taller than my 5 feet - something I never thought could be made possible. I meet Peeta and his stylist Portia down at the bottom of the Training Center for the Tribute Parade. Peeta is dressed like me in all black. Cinna lights something on fire and I gasp, sure that I am going to be burnt to a crisp. All I feel is a slight tickling sensation. I am on fire.
Right before Peeta and I leave to circle the crowd, Cinna shouts something at us, but I can't tell. I look at Peeta.
"I think he wants us to hold hands." We clasp hands and Cinna flashes us a thumbs up.
The crowd loves us. They are shouting our names, our district. I am glad Cinna suggested that we hold hands because I am pretty positive I would have fallen off from fright.
As we complete our circle, Peeta loosens his hand and I tell him not to because I am shaking again. He grins at me and I feel a little better. Cinna extinguishes our flames and Effie congratulates us and the prep teams. Everybody loved us.
We ride in an elevator to the twelfth floor where we will live for the next few days. I don't like the elevator and I think it might show on my face because Cinna reaches out and pats my shoulder.
I get to my room and lie down. I have a big bed and I immediately lay down in it. It takes all my willpower not to just fall asleep right then. I take off my clothes and slip into a nightgown that has been laid out for me. I fall asleep instantly before I can even think of home.
The next morning, Effie is rapping at my door and telling my to wake up! I take a hot shower. That is a luxury where I live. My parents are just coal miners and we only have access to cold water to bathe in. You get used to it after a while.
I make my way to the table where breakfast has been laid out for us. Peeta is already there and eating. Haymitch is probably hungover and won't be up for a while. While we eat, Effie turns on the TV to recap the reapings and the parade. My heart sinks as I see that almost all of the tributes are bigger than me, even the girls. We do shine during the tribute parade, though. We really look stunning.
Haymitch arrives.
"Good job last night. You made a good first impression. Today you'll start your training. I want you guys to train together. I don't care whether you are allies or not. Don't do anything stupid or anything that will draw attention to yourself. "