(Chapter 15: Elora)

In the Remake Centre, I'm taken to a room where three Capitol people 'prepare' me to see my stylist. Their names are Audria, Cornilius and Petunia. I lie down, completely naked, much to my discomfort. The three of them wax and pluck off all the hair on my body except for the hair on my head and my eyebrows. As they do so, every time someone peels off a wax strip I wince.

"Ow." I say, but the three don't stop.

"Don't worry, we're just making you look human." Petunia says.

"It's nearly over." Audria says.

Then they all laugh like it's a joke. They cover me in some sort of oily moisturiser, and thread my upper lip and eyebrows.

It hurts so bad.

Then they smother my face in some horrible smelling oil and wash it off, and beckon me to stand.

They circle me, judging every part of my hairless, naked body.

"All good! Let's go get Xelia!" they beam, and hurry out of the room.

Moments later a lady who looks like she's in her mid-thirties comes strolling through the door. She had shocking purple hair that ended at her cheekbones, and several gold earrings on her ears, eyebrows and nose. Her lips and eyelids were a dark violet, and her eyes were bright lilac. However, her creepy gothic look was quickly replaced by a bright white smile.

"You must be Elora Yarrow. I'm your stylist, Xelia! You're looking pretty good, so let's talk about your costume." she says, and sits on the couch. I nod shyly and sit down as well.

"So, District 12: coal mining. So the other stylist for your district, Rupert, and I had limited topics. Coal or miners. We couldn't think of much for coal, and miners are so overdone. So, we decided to mix both!"

I don't say anything. I'm not at all surprised by what Xelia had said about the costume. There's not alot to work with for District 12 anyways. I might as well get this over and done with. Xelia stands up and strolls away, then soon returns with a costume in her hand.

"Let's get you into this then." she says, and gestures for me to stand.

Very soon, I'm standing awkwardly in my parade outfit as my stylists and Xelia take a look at me, smiling proudly. I swear some of the stylists have tears in their eyes. Petunia ushers me over to a full-body mirror on the wall. I'm in a tight black one piece leotard type thing with long sleeves. My shoulders have large blue diamonds as shoulder pads. I'm wearing knee-high laced black high heel boots. My blonde hair is out, falling over my shoulders. A miner's hat is placed sloppily on my head. I think it's supposed to look sexy. My grey eyes stand out, surrounded by heavy black eyeliner and little diamonds. My skin has a glittery sheen, and to top it all off, my lips are a bright, crimson red. It almost looks like blood.

"So! What do you think?" Xenia says, pale hands on her hips.

I'm speechless. Not in a good way. I look like I'm twice my age and a body-seller. There are no words for how uncomfortable I am right now. But, I throw on a fake smile and go along with it.

I twirl around.

"I look beautiful! Thank you so much!" I say.

"You're welcome!" My stylists chime, and Xenia simply grins.

"Alright, let's get you to the parade." she says.

We go down to the bottom floor of the remake centre, where the other tributes are getting loaded onto their chariots. William is there with his stylist. As soon as I saw him, I burst out cackling. He's wearing an outfit identical to mine, including the leotard. It looks so funny I can't breathe.

"What's your problem?" He scowls, but his cheeks flush red. He's embarrassed.

I giggle.

"Have you looked in the mirror?"

He turns his head away, muttering under his breath.

"Fuck you."

I'm about to wipe my face on my sleeve, when Xenia catches my arm.

"Don't. Smudge. Your. MAKEUP." she screeches.

Her obsession is enough for me to break down into laughter again.

I'm well aware that everyone is staring at me as I clutch my stomach, giggling like a crazy person. I probably am crazy. But who cares when I'm going to die in that arena anyway?

Our chariot is black, with matching horses. We climb on, and I struggle in my heels. I smile as I stand, and my eyes sweep the other tributes. They actually don't look that bad. District 4 looks like they're gonna spear me with their deadly tridents. But their mermaid getup is hilarious. District 2 are really burly, and are dressed like Medieval knights, holding their helmets and swords. However their armour hardly covers most of their skin. I look at District 1 and catch my breath.

It's the boy whose sister killed herself.

I know I should probably not remember him for that, or feel sympathy, but District 1's Reaping was just so hard and sad to watch.

I study him.

Dark, wavy hair, caramel coloured eyes, tanned skin…tied together with that amazing outfit…

"He's practically shirtless!" the voice squeals at the back of my mind.

I try to push the thought down.

"He's got a six pack!" It squeals again.

I pull my gaze over to his fellow tribute.

Disappointingly, she was pretty. Her hair sort of changed from dark blonde to light brown, depending on the way the light hit it.

"I wonder if that's his girlfriend." the voice groans.

I feel a pang of uncontrollable jealousy in my chest.

I find myself hoping that she is completely not his girlfriend, and that he is single.

Suddenly, the chariot pulls forward and the horses trot out into the street, following the brown District 11 chariot in front of us. The crowd cheers, though I know that our district is never the favourite. I smile at the stands, trying to present myself as likeable. It would be helpful to have sponsors in the arena after all.