I have another shower the next morning and let the warm water run down my grubby skin, I towel dry my hair and watch the curls form, I throw on the shirt and cut offs I wore last night and walk into the carriage for some food.
Food.
Everywhere. At the orphanage there always was a shortage, they did their best but with 10 mouths to feed it got tight. I made sure that I got it before it ran out and spent hours outside foraging. I know the basics of what I can eat and how to prepare it. It gave me a bit more energy than the usual person from 12.
But this. Brightly coloured pastries, fruits, juices. We had nothing like this back home. Grains and beige slop. Squirrel and rabbit. But this is something else.
"Try some of this." I look up and see Annabelle holding a cup of steaming brown liquid. "It's called hot chocolate."
"Thanks." I take the cup and sip cautiously. The sweetness explodes over my tongue. It's amazing, like drinking gold. My eyes light up "This is really good."
"I know." She smiles.
The warmth in her eyes almost makes me want to smile back.
We eat in silence; I cram the food in my mouth like it's going to be taken away from the table.
She gets up and pushes in her chair.
"See you later." She says.
"You too." She walks to the door. "Are we getting made over today?" I put down my bread roll.
"Yes." She turns and looks at me.
"Oh well, good luck."
"I hope I don't come back and see you with pink hair." She gives a small laugh.
She waits and looks at me. Waiting for some emotion. She gives up and walks through the doors.
I finish eating my bread and then make my way down the remake centre. I look at myself in the mirror. I run my hands through my curls and sigh. I will probably look like some kind of freak by the end of the day.
The morning passes in a blur of activity. I am washed and scrubbed down thoroughly like I carry some disease. I am waxed. I am plucked.
"Just close your eyes." I look up and see a lady with long eyelashes staring at me. I look over and notice a small pot with a paintbrush in her hand.
"What… what are you doing?"
"Your hair, trust me it will look a lot better than it does now." She grabs hold of my hair firmly.
I look at the light shade of brown, the waves and the curls fall from her grasp.
I pull away but she yanks my head down against the neck of the chair. I clench my fists and close my eyes, taking one last look at my plain haircut and my muddy brown eyes. I guarantee after make-up and a haircut I will look nothing like I do now.
I can her cold bony fingers slicing my hair, chunks fall past my ears. I have never had my hair styled before, I have done it myself with a knife, hacking bits off until it's the desired length, it's never been very short. I guess I never bothered with looking nice since there was no point.
I can feel the dye being applied, the liquid coats my curls. I am left alone whilst she goes and consults with my stylist. I don't dare to open my eyes.
A while later I feel warm water drip down my skin, I can feel someone else towel dry my hair. Hands gently massage my scalp. I can feel product being applied, and then the hairdryer is turned on, hot air blasts past me.
Next a comb is brushed through my hair dividing sections and creating what she calls as 'texture'. Fuck knows what it's going to look like when I open my eyes.
An hour goes by, my neck aches and the hot air is making my cheeks burn. I sigh and scuff my shoe on the floor.
"You can open your eyes now." The towel is removed from my neck.
Slowly I open my lids.
Fuck. What.
I look in the mirror. But it's not me who stares back.
A strong confident boy looks back. He has glossy chocolate hair, his hair is cut around his ears but the hair is styled up into a quiff. His eyes are a rich deep brown, they look honest and trustworthy, his eyebrows look strong and tidy but not forced. The make-up has gotten rid of the big black bags under my eyes and I am left with a soft tanned skin. I turn my head from side to side. It's not me… I almost look… I almost look.
"Attractive." I turn round and hear a girl's voice.
I swivel my head around and the corners of my mouth try and smile. I don't let them.
I look at her. She looks beautiful, not that she didn't before, but now she looks really stunning. Her blonde hair is luminous and rolls down her shoulders in curls. Her eyes are highlighted in purples and greys, making her almost topaz like eyes shine. Her lips are coloured in a dark purple, making her look powerful but the smile is there, that's what makes her look like Annabelle.
"You scrub up well." She beams.
"Not too bad yourself." I give her a half smile.
"Someone's changed." She touches my hair. "It's gone darker right."
I nod.
"It looks really good." She gives a laugh "You look really great Dan."
I reach out and touch her hair, the blonde curls feel as smooth as the silk shirt that I am wearing. "You look better."
"I know but did I really need improving." She giggles and I give her a mock punch on the arm.
We are then instructed to get changed into our tribute parade outfits. The classic coal miners look. My suit is just a bit burnt around the edges, I have a grey shirt and cut offs. Annabelle wears a charred grey dress with little purple cut outs that match with her make-up.
It's the standard District 12 look. Not enough to make us look weak but not enough to make a lasting impression.
We are guided to the main area with all the tributes; I try and blend in standing awkwardly with the horses.
"I'm going to go over there." Annabelle pats me on the shoulder and gestures to a group of girls.
She is gone before I can reply. I carry on stroking the horse's mane. Looking into the beautiful eyes of theirs. I run my hands through my hair with worry.
I look around at the other tributes. I see the careers. I see the outline districts staying together. I can almost picture everyone from the reaping that I watched last night. I can see almost everyone except, except that boy, the boy with the coal black hair and the blue eyes. The boy that took my breath away.
Suddenly I feel someone behind me.
"Can I stroke him?" It's a boy's voice.
Shit.
I look round and come in contact with him immediately our eyes lock together. His eyes are even brighter in person. He almost matches me in height. His hair is flicked over his face.
I suddenly feel self-conscious and wish I could hide behind my own hair.
"Can I touch him?" He gestures towards the horse.
"Um.. sure."
We just stand there for a minute, he strokes the horse and I stand there speechless in his presence.
He pulls back from the horse and looks me in the eyes.
"Thanks." He quickly shifts his weight to his other foot and swivels in the other direction and walks back to the girl from his district.
He didn't even tell me his name.
Everyone is called into places. Annabelle comes walking back and watches the boy turn away.
"Who was that?" She asks.
"I don't even know." I reply. "But I want to find out more." I mutter under my breath.