Kevana wakes me from a troubled sleep, holding out a purple, frilly dress.
Thresh sits across from me and, seeing the dress nearly chokes on his brandy.
"What's this for?" I ask Kevana, who gives me an impatient look.
"Why, for the Capitol, of course!" she says. "I don't want my tributes being seen in those horrid District 11 clothes." She says "District 11" like one would say dirty undergarments. My hands ball into tight fists on my lap. She's so snobby, really.
"When will we meet our mentor, Kevana?" Thresh asks.
"All in good time, I'll give you that," she shrugs. "I'll be back in an hour, and I want to see you two with your hair brushed, teeth clean, and outfits on." She leaves, and the door closes with a snap.
I know "all in good time" translates to "I don't know," but if it involves being wrong, not on time, and/or not knowing something, Kevana hates it.
I sigh and lean back into my seat. "I've decided I don't like Kevana," I announce to Thresh. He smirks.
"Welcome to the club."
"I'm sorry it's so small," I smirk back.
Thresh laughs. It's loud and it reminds me of jingle bells. We used to ring them every Christmas eve in…
No. I can't remember home, can't look back…
"We'd better get dressed," Thresh says, fingering my dress. "The Queen won't be very happy."
"She said an hour," I remind him. "I've never seen that before."
I point to a black box with a glass screen. I think it's called a TV.
Only the rich have one. And if this is the only time I'll get to see one…
Thresh reads my mind. "Turn it on."
The first second I push the red button on something called a remote, the TV turns on and I gasp.
It's District 12's Reaping. Their Capitol escort, Effie Trinket, is gushing to the crowd what an honor it is to have their very first volunteer. She's as loony as Kevana.
My eyes scan over to the left, where I see a small blonde girl, kicking and screaming as a black-haired boy carries her away from a girl with a brown braid.
"KATNISS!" she screams over and over again. "Katniss, Katniss, Katniss! Don't go!"
But the brown haired girl called Katniss moves away from her, taking one worried glance back and climbs up the stairs to the stage.
"What's your name, dear?" Effie asks her.
"Katniss Everdeen," the girl replies, looking as if she wants to cry. I don't blame her. I would too.
"I bet my hat that was your sister, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
A boy named Peeta Mellark is chosen too, and they go into their justice building, just like that.
That's it? No one helps? No one cries? They just stand there like gaping idiots.
I choose to turn the TV off. I can't bear to watch anymore.
At least when I was chosen, there was a silent uproar, everyone looked either sad or mad.
But Katniss's reaping is just silent.
I look at Thresh.
"Will she be all right?" I ask him, my brows furrowed.
He shrugs. "You'll probably get to meet her, you know."
"Yeah, when she's slitting my throat."
I get up and grab my dress.
"Come on, we've wasted twenty minutes."
I think about the Hunger Games all throughout getting ready, I barely know what I'm doing.
I dress and meet Kevana and Thresh in the hall as our train comes to a stop. Kevana hands me white gloves and a parasol.
"For the look," she winks.
Thresh crosses his eyes behind her to amuse me and I stifle a laugh.
The doors slide open, and so does my mouth.
The Capitol is beautiful and exotic. Giant buildings capped with slanted roofs are all around. All of the people look so different. I see one woman with a yellow curl of hair and bright pink eyelashes. I see men pushing carts of candy of all shapes and sizes, and a giant TV in the center featuring Caesar
"This is where you live?" I exclaim.
Kevana smiles at my obvious enjoyment.
"Isn't it gorgeous?" She beams. "I assure you only the finest of the Capitol will be presented to you."
And I was worried about the mentor?
We go up purple concrete steps to the main building, which will serve as our home for the next few days. We board an elevator.
"The elevator goes according to District and floor," Kevana explains. "So, if you ever go explore the city, and want to come back, just press 11." She clicks 11, and we zoom up.
"We can go explore?" I beam.
"My, my! Don't they have anything impressive at District 11?"
Thresh leans close to my ear when Kevana turns away.
"She'd be surprised. We should show her the houses."
"OH, HOW do you two LIVE?" I mimic her Capitol accent in a worried voice.
We come to our floor and this time Thresh and I are both amazed.
It's an enormous apartment, really. We have giant room with a fluffy purple carpet, and a large TV showing all of the tributes. I note a couple; a blonde girl from District 1, a brutal-looking boy from 2 who reminds me of Thresh, but he doesn't look very nice at all, and Katniss.
"Well, then!" Kevana beams. "Here is your team, tributes!" we turn around and see a row of people.
"This is Frinda, Rue," Kevana nods to a lady with pink curly hair. "She is your stylist.
"Then we have Sarsen, Xenia, and Miranda," she points to a group of people, all with blue hair and yellow outfits. "They are your prep team.
"And did I mention you get two Avoxes, to serve you?" Kevana giggles. "Well there you have it!"
I feel a sickening feeling in my stomach. To serve me? No! That's basically saying I have slaves.
Thresh is introduced to his team, and we both go to our rooms.
Good.
I have quite a lot to think about.