Lavender Percy, 18

District 11 Mentor


Upon arriving in the Capitol, I left Asa and Quincy to meet with my own stylist and prepare myself for the tribute parade. But all I can think about now is Bison. When I see him tonight, will he flash that same charming smile at me like the first day we met? Will we hug? Is it too early to kiss?

Butterflies soar through my stomach as I think of that last part. Since winning, the Capitol has sold me to numerous "lovers" but I feel like I've never been in love like this.

I've only truly been in love two times before, the first being with a peacekeeper named Manuel back in my district. He was sent back to District 2 shortly before I was reaped. I never saw him again after that, but he left me a necklace with a golden flower on it, which I kept as my token.

The second time I was in love, I don't even think it could count as true love because it only lasted a day. During my games, I grew close to my ally, the boy from District 12. His name was Jacen, and when our large alliance fell apart, he protected me, and we only kissed once, but I knew then that I loved him. Or I guess I would've loved him if we knew each other outside of the arena. He was killed by these giant horse mutts the next day, but he pushed me out of the way, and saved me from getting crushed. I hear him screaming my name while I sleep, and I live with guilt every day.

I also still see the whimpering face of the little 12-year-old that I had to kill. We were the last two tributes standing, and I had no choice, but I always wish I had let the girl win. I grew up privileged for a District 11 citizen, and winning didn't bring me anything. It was only my selfish desire to live that allowed me to end the life of an innocent child.

I met Bison while mentoring for the first time, last year. We had hit it off, and became good friends, sending letters back to each other every week. And through these letters, I had learned that Bison and I were really similar. Bison also lost someone he loved, and funnily enough, it was the girl from District 12, the same district where Jacen came from. We bonded over his love of poetry, and my love of songwriting, and have dreams to publish our work someday, if the Capitol will allow us.

As I received each letter, the more of a connection I began to feel with Bison. Not too long ago, a few weeks before now, I finally confessed my love to Bison, and how I long to be with him, despite us being from different districts. I almost didn't expect it, but Bison shared those feelings with me, and ever since then, we've been waiting to meet again.

I've been in love three times in my life. But there's no chance I would have ever been able to be with them. I fell in love with a boy from District 2, a boy from District 12, and now a boy from District 10. And moving districts just aren't possible, especially if you are a victor and expected to represent your district forever. Maybe one day, we can convince the president to change things, but for now, writing letters and meeting once a year will have to do.

My stylist, Bora, smiles as she finishes up my nails. They are a beautiful lavender purple color, which match both my name and the tips of my hair. The color contrasts well with my brown skin, and soon, my outfit is complete.

"You look amazing!" Bora says. "I know Bison will love it."

"Thank you, Bora. I hope he will."


Bison Eckhart, 27

District 10 Mentor


Me and Tawnee get to speak to the tributes one last time, before they head off to the parade. Aaron's stylist must know about his bullfighting career, because he wears practically the same outfit worn at the reaping, symbolant with a matador. He holds a fake sword and everything.

Barbara, or Barb as she likes to be called, is dressed like a police sheriff, with a golden badge, hat, and holding a fake handgun. I like the idea for the parade outfits this year, both more striking than the typical cow-print overalls we've received these past few years.

"I'm gonna be honest." I say. "You both have a shot at nailing this parade. Of course, the career districts might get more attention, but the audience might look at you if you're both ecstatic enough."

They both grin, and I pull Barb, Aaron, and Tawnee into a group hug.

"You got this. Good luck."

The tributes wave to us as they are escorted by peacekeepers out to station, where the chariots will be waiting for them, while their stylists can give them last minute alterations.

Tawnee looks at me, a smirk across her face. "Well what are you waiting for?"

I nod, knowing she is referring to Lavender. Not many people know about our recent relationship, and I still feel very nervous, considering we've only met once. And when I first met Lavender, I honestly didn't like her. I thought she was a stuck-up Capitol sympathizer, who won out of sheer luck. But as we began sending letters, I began to realize that she was a lot like me, still grieving and grappling with the pain of our victories.

I stare at myself in the mirror, making sure my neatly trimmed hair stays back. I look a lot different this year, ever since I got my messy curls cut off. Will Lavender even recognize me?

Soon enough, me and Tawnee are in the elevator, going up towards the large balcony, where the mentors go to view the parade. Through the crowd of mingling people, I try to spot Lavender.

I move through, trying to look from a different angle, but suddenly I feel a slight tap on my shoulder. I turn around, and to my happy surprise, see her

"Hey! How did you even recognize me?" I say.

"You're taller than everyone else here." She whispers. "I like the haircut. It looks very nice on you."

Then she pulls her arms around my neck, and I lean in to kiss her.

"I never imagined we would be doing that." I say, almost everyone on the balcony has now averted their attention to us.

Lavender laughs, kinda sadly. Some of the other mentors also laugh, some smile, and others clap. Last year, I never even dreamed that this would happen.


Alberta Lee, 17

District 5 Female


I stand stiff, like I'm some sort of doll or something, and try my absolute best to stop myself from screaming my lungs out. Why the hell did my stylist put me in this too-tight dress?

"I think you should get fired from your job!" I sneer at my stylist, a younger looking man with blue hair whose name I won't bother myself to remember. He ignores me, and continues to paint something on my face.

After my outfit is done, I look at myself in the mirror, and I look hideous! The sparkly white dress squeezes my body, and my hair is in a tight braid which hurts worse, I have some weird yellow headband on which is supposed to look like a moon, and my face is painted with black dust, glitter, and small moons, supposed to resemble the night sky apparently.

"Can you please make it less tight!" I yell, my stylist clearly an amateur at his job.

"I've already loosened it as much as I can." He says, and I hiss at him.

"You are a piece of shit. Find something better for my interview outfit!"

He continues to ignore me, and since I can barely move, I am placed on a dolly, and wheeled out to the parade center. I see the other tributes also walking in, and it's really embarrassing!

The dumb-looking blonde from one is already cackling at me. I stick my middle finger up at her, which gains the attention of her district partner, who also begins laughing. I already have her marked down as one of my targets in the arena.

We come to a stop at our chariot, where Namid stands, with a puzzled look on his face. He wears a sparkly bright orange jumpsuit, without sleeves, and with the top opened up to reveal his chest. His crown is decorated to look like a sun, and I realize I am supposed to be the moon, while he is the sun.

The dolly is set down, and my stylist helps me up onto the chariot. All of the tributes, including Namid, have their eyes set on me, and with the tightness of the dress, the shame seeps in, and I begin to cry.

Namid is about to say something, but suddenly I hear a snicker coming from behind me.

"Someone is having a bit of trouble it seems." A girl's voice says. She walks to the front of our chariot, and sizes me up and down, and I recognize her as the girl from District 9, Mazie.

"I'm honestly quite embarrassed for you. But you honestly deserve it, considering how your family took all of the food and money for yourself, leaving district citizens to starve."

My face goes red, and the girl's scrawny district partner attempts to make her go away, but Mazie continues going on.

"Your sister was lucky, that you were brave enough to volunteer bu-"

"Keep my sister's name out of your fucking mouth!" I yell, loud enough that it echos throughout the hall, and everyone is staring at me again. If I wasn't wearing a dress this tight, I would be down there beating the shit out of this girl.

Mazie looks at me blankly. "You won't last a day in the arena, mayor's daughter." The girl then walks back to her chariot, and I realize that people from the other districts recognize me somehow.

I keep my anger locked inside, and start crying again. Namid puts his hand on my back, and attempts to comfort me.

"Don't listen to her." He says. "She's mad about something, I don't know what, but she doesn't even know you, so it isn't your fault."

Namid glances at me, and gives me a soft smile. For a moment, I feel comfort in his beautiful, dark eyes. It distracts me for a bit, making me forget all of the rage and embarrassment I felt prior. But the moment he looks away from me, the anger comes back.

That redhead bitch from District 9 is gonna regret ever laughing at me.


I was going to just post the parade, but I decided to make this chapter for fun :) I hope you all enjoyed! Also something I should point out - This story takes place in a universe where the second rebellion failed, and Katniss was captured by the Capitol, and all of the living victors were killed. So I have no canon victors, since they were all killed during the victor's purge, and all of my victors won from the 76th games and beyond. Just wanted to clarify that!

Also, I am working on the blog! I won't post it until after the bloodbath though, probably.


Questions:

1) What do you think about Lavender and Bison? Do you think their relationship will work out?

2) Do you think Alberta will suceed in killing Mazie and Elizabeth?

3) What is your favorite color? (mine is gold or black)


-xo, cassy