The next day was spent preparing for the Tribute Parade. We were provided with a whole staff of stylists and designers. Each. My stylist was Jorge. He was pretty good at what he did. But he didn't talk much. Just grunts and mumbled phrases. He showed me the outfit Melissa and I would be wearing. "No way," I hissed.
The length of fabric from the toes to the neck, were designed to look like train tracks tight around the body. Then the headdress was a little halo with miniature Hovercrafts on it. I would look like a total dork in this thing. "There's no way I'm suffocating in this skin-tight railroad-suit. Oh no," I protested. Then a hand rested on my shoulder.
It was Tammy. "Yes you are," she spat. Then she wheeled me around to face her. "Look, I know it's not the most glamorous thing in the world, but this can play to your advantage..." Tammy reasoned. I shook my head, livid. "Oh yeah, and how so?" I barked at my mentor. She rolled her eyes and questioned, "Do you have a nice figure?" I turned beat red. "Er," I stammered, "I...yeah. I think." Tammy shrugged. "Good enough for me. You go out there, pose for the ladies, and show us your figure," she finished. I was suddenly feeling pretty encouraged.
After getting dressed, (it was a struggle) I looked around. I saw Art and Casey. When I walked by, I swear Casey checked me out. "That was odd," I muttered to myself. I noticed the rest of the Career pack as well. And I had been right. Fred, from 4, was the fifth Career. But the girl from his District wasn't there.
Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by Remi from 7, and Cara, from 5. They were flirting 100 miles a minute. I nodded, acted cool, and flirted back. I couldn't act too into them, or rumors would spread. But I also had to come off as charming. I think I did pretty well with that. Remi seemed really impressed. Tammy was right! I was a hit with the girls.
I casually walked towards the District 6 chariot. Melissa stood there awkwardly in her costume looking uncomfortable. I nodded to her. Melissa's eyebrows raised in surprise. I wondered if she'd ever learn from my confidence. I swiftly leapt up onto the chariot. Then, once everyone was seated, and ready, President Alan's voice began speaking proudly in the stadium outside. I readied myself. Melissa was scooted all the way to the other side of the vehicle. Away from me. I turned my head sideways at her. "What's up?" I took a cool position leaning against the wood of the chariot. She shook her head in disgust. "Loser," Melissa muttered. I smirked. "We'll just see who's losing in the end," I replied smoothly. I could tell she hated my style. My calmness, confidence, pleasure in her misfortune, and likable personality. She rolled her eyes, then got in a position facing away from me.
Then District 1's chariot rode past us toward the front. Jewel sat nearest to me. I know I shouldn't say this about my enemy...but she looked pretty hot. She had a beautiful blue dress that matched her hair and eyes perfectly. Jewel quickly glanced at me, and totally checked me out. I mean, she didn't do it like, a sneak peek. She looked me up and down so obviously. She did it on purpose. For some reason. Then she looked up at my face, held my gaze, then winked and smiled. I could feel myself melting as the chariot pulled away from us. "Well, she likes you," Melissa pointed out. I nodded. I probably looked like an idiot to her. Nearly drooling all over myself. But I couldn't let Jewel get to me. She was just trying to take advantage over me.
District 2, 3, 4, then 5 rode out into the stadium. Then finally it was us. "Time to swoon, girls," I mumbled just loud enough for Melissa to hear. I loved annoying that girl. We were yanked into motion. The chariot entered the stadium, and the sun blazed a purple line across my vision. But I quickly recovered, and smiled widely, showing off my teeth and indented dimples. I winked and pointed to people in the Capitol audience. I flexed my muscles. In that tight costume, I looked great. Then, I had the inspiration to do something interesting for attention. I grabbed the edge of the chariot before me and pulled myself up on top of the front of the wagon with ease. Now standing on the front of the vehicle, I smiled wider and posed over and over. I could hear the crowd "Oooing" and "Ahhhing." I knelt down and showed off my arms and legs. I could feel the Capitol's admiration. Finally, we neared the circle of chariots near the President's podium. I bowed in the direction of President Alan, then slid from the front of the chariot smoothly.
After a short speech by President Alan, we returned to our Dressing Rooms to get undressed. Before I got to my room, Jewel approached me. I was about to shirk away like I would at home, but I decided to stay confident. I whirled around to face her. "Hey, pretty boy," Jewel said in greeting with a wink and that winning grin. I nodded to her with a smile of my own. "What's up Jewel?" I returned. She smiled. "Ah, nothing Skye. How's the Capitol serving you?" Jewel inquired. It was all small talk. For now. "It's pretty cool I guess," I shrugged as I spoke. She nodded and pursed her lips. "So," she looked straight at my torso, "Nice outfit." Jewel stepped a little closer to me. "Thanks," I grinned. Then I did a very courageous thing. I stepped forward as well. "Well..." she gently put a hand on my chest. "Have a fantastic night," Jewel finished. Then she kissed me on the cheek. It wasn't the usual peck like most girls do. No, it was weird. Jewel pressed her smooth lips against my cheek and held them there for about 5 whole seconds. Then she winked again and waved at me and walked away. Then I melted again.
After explaining my meeting with Jewel to Tammy, she was ecstatic. "Oh, wow! Even the princess of District 1 has a thing for you, Skye! This is awesome! You'll have the Capitol wrapped around your finger in no time at all!" Tammy ranted. She always had a way of getting me to see the good in every situation. I still got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about Jewel's kiss. It wasn't anything huge like a kiss on the lips, but it was still...amazing. Melissa eavesdropped, while pretending to converse with Conley. Later that night I saw the look of disgust, and slight jealousy on her face as we went to bed.
That was the Tribute Parade. Finally, as I lay in bed that night, I began constructing a plan of action when the Games finally came. And Jewel would play a key role in it.