We are rather brutally forced into individual rooms for our family meetings. My last time to say goodbye. My first visitor is the baker.
"Hello, Miss Fuhrman. This is rather unexpected." He greets awkwardly. I sigh and nod. "I haven't been given long as I'm not a member of your family. I just wanted to send you my regrets and wish you good luck. I think you'll find that baking is a very relaxing hobby."
"Will you please look out for them. Make sure that they're eating and working."
He smiles at me, nodding and then is escorted out. Next to come in is little Clara. Her face is stained with tears. She runs in the second the door is half way open and hugs me tightly.
"You have to promise you'll come back." She sobs and I nod at her.
"Of course I'll come back." I tell her, reassuringly.
"But then you'll have a husband." She whimpers.
"No one can ever love you more than I do. And I could never love anyone more than I love you." I say and she nods.
"I don't want you to go." She cries and I stroke her hair and pull her to my chest again.
"I don't want to either. But I'll be back soon. It's only for a little while." I smile, though my eyes have filled with tears.
"Take this. So you don't forget me." She hands me her ring. Dad had 3 special rings. The first was his wedding ring that he gave to Mum. The second was his mothers wedding ring, which I had. (I had to unfortunately sell it shortly after his death.) The third and final was given to Clara. It was a silver band with a small emerald stone. I feel blessed. She's giving me her last memory of Dad.
"Times up." A stony faced peacekeeper commands. Clara clings to me as I carefully unhook her. I kiss Clara's nose and smile as she's dragged out. Finally is Mum.
"I love you." She tells me, holding me to her chest and rocking me like a baby.
"I'm scared Mum." I whimper and she shushes me.
"You'll be fine baby girl. It'll be over before you know it." I nod and pull away wiping my eyes.
"You have to keep eating Mum, Clara too. And make sure you keep working. I don't want you to zone out on Clara. I'm not dying. I'll be Ok." She nods and holds my hands, rubbing reassuring circles with her thumbs.
Then she's gone too.
I put my head in my hands, as I sink into a soft, warm couch.
"Miss, it's time to leave." An expressionless, void peacekeeper orders. I stand up, wiping the creases away from my dress. I will remain strong, they shall not break me. I take a deep breath and strut out the door. I'm led through a jealous bunch of girls and cheering crowds as we board the train. Photographers, from local and Capitol news, crane to get a good picture, without someone's head or arm in the photo. I board expressionless and immediately shy away from the windows. I sit in the bar cart, just off from where I boarded and watch the crowds, fighting with each other to move closer to the front. Alfie waltzes in, immediately at the window as if they are each magnets being pulled together. He waves and smiles to the crowds. Enobaria and Brutus come later, stalking in and slopping into the chairs grumpily. The train begins to move and I inwardly groan. Here we go to certain doom! Yay...Not. Once the crowd have disappeared, Alfie joins me and the other tributes in the chairs. He groans, wiping sweat from his brow. He catches my puzzled look and sighs.
"As if I'm actually excited, but there's no point getting all bothered. Nothing we can do." He slumps further into his chair and I carefully move my gaze. So none of us want to be here. Abadiscritto joins us shortly after the train began moving, sitting down and beaming.
"Isn't this just so exciting! It's just so amazing! And you'll actually get to meet the Prince! Befriend him! I'm so jealous! So, we watch the reaping tonight, when we arrive in the Capitol, ohmygosh, and then tomorrow you get prepped and it's the tribute parade! I've seen your outfits, so gorge. If only I were a few years younger..." He drift off into a dreamy gaze and it's obvious that everyone else stopped listening to him a long time ago, if they even were listening to start with, that is. The rest of the train ride is...dull. But yet so vibrant. It takes about an hour to get to the Capitol and a further 30 minutes, to the palace. I wipe down my dress and put on a beam,. Don't let them see you brake. I bound out the doors, waving, smiling and blowing kisses.
"Excuse me, miss." A small voice calls and I glance around to see a little girl, with bubble gum pink hair pulled back into bunches. She couldn't even be 6. I smile at her and walk over, crouching down to her level.
"Yes?" I ask. She smiles at me cautiously and looks up at me with doe eyes.
"I think you're very pwetty. I think that the pwince is gowing to pick you." She says, bashfully. I feel my cheeks flush as I giggle.
"Thank you, though if you were in the competition it would already be over. I just love your hair!" I explain and she beams.
"Thank you! My name is Lillia." I smile at her even more.
"That's a beautiful name." Then a peacekeeper nudges me and I wave before walking into the building. It's large, with crystal chandeliers and diamond doorknobs. I am in awe. We ride in an elevator to our floor.
"So girls, your rooms our down to the left and boys to the right! Your rooms will be labelled. You have an hour before dinner and the reapings will follow shortly. Don't be late!" Abadiscitto calls as I walk to my room. The bed is huge, soft and bouncy. I fling myself headfirst onto the mattress and blankets. The pillows are feather stuffed and comforting. The room is painted an unsettling shade of red and the floors are shiny and wooden. There's a wooden vanity and also a bedside table. The room also consists of a bookshelf, wardrobe and other likes. There's also an un-suite. I learn how to use the marble shower and bath. The whole room is basically just made out of glistening marble. How expensive. I take a quick shower and change into some black leggings and a blue tee. I pull my hair into a ponytail and head in the direction of the dining room. I find it just as dinner is served. I hurriedly dash to my seat and practically inhale the food. I never knew I could eat so much, be so full. I never had enough food to try. Then we're seated as the Capitol seal appears on the fancy holographic TV. Here we go...