Chapter Three

As soon as the red light on the camera went dark I moved away from Gale and Plutarch. Haymitch approached behind me. "Hurry up, girlie. There's a party in the ballroom for you..." he snickered. "Tributes." I glared at him, making for the enterence. But Haymitch caught my wrist and turned me towards Gale. "Your mentor has something he wants to show you."

Gale grumbled something, turning and walking down a hall. I followed wordlessly. Yeah, I would get stuck with Gale Hawthorne. Hated solely for who my grandpa was. He lead me back to my old room, grimacing. I entered to the sight of three older women. Two were so obviously Districts, while the last was a Capitolite. I smiled at her, but she kept a serious face, cautiously glancing at Gale. I gave him a glare, because it's obvious I would be changing. "Get out," I snapped harshly. He shrugged, ablidging.

I very soon realized that the district women came in here just to oogle at the pretty clothes. They were supposed to be making me over. But instead they only leant a hand when the woman - Nicolli - asked them to fill the bath. When I was bathed and standing in front of the mirror, clean and polished, Nicolli started holding dresses up to my body.

I must admit, even at Beauty Base Zero - which didnt take long for Nicolli to get to - I was pretty. It may be the Capitol vanity in me, but I am pretty. My long, curly brown hair had natural blonde highlights, making it sparkle. And my eyes looked sort ethnic, with their long eyelashes and almond shape. They were the most striking feature I had, since they were a cute blue color. And I have to say, even with the lack of food, my body was just as great as it was before all this happened. I was only five foot, two inches. Many people easily overtook me in height. But I only weight around 100 pounds. Which was fine with me. My bust was slightly small, but I saw the push-up bra Nicolli had laying on the bed. No blemishes, but I was sure that would change with the oncoming games.

I was pretty. So I was watching myself in the mirror when my Stylist pulled away the dress and scrambled for another one - this time in a bright blue.

I was okay being naked in the presence of other women. I was used to being dressed up by stylists, females. That's why, when the doors burst open, I scrambled. I didnt even look to the people at the door, I grabbed my robe and held it up to cover myself. Nicolli was quick to rush to my aid.

I knew I had a blush when i glanced over at the people who invaded my privacy.

There stood my Mentor, eyes wide - embarressed he'd burst in - with two soldiers. Both were blushing almost as much as me.

"What?" came Nicolli's raspy voice. She was old, yeah, probably a retired Hunger Games stylist. But she didnt look her age, it was only her voice that gave it away.

Gale stumbled on his words for a moment, and I felt a smirk coming onto my own face. When he saw my accomplished look, he straightened. "Plutarch requires that Miss Snow where something black tonight." He then handed Nicolli a sort of dress, hidden by a white wrap over it.

"Then I'll pick something pink," came my defiant voice. There was a growl coming from Gale and I backed slightly. That's when the other two of my prep crew came out of the bathroom, froze at teh sight of Gale, and then scampered away. I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I'll where black, but I pick my prep team."

Gale was shocked, again. "Alfie and Joannha are perfectly suited-"

"Their not suited for anything but scraps and left overs. Let me pick, or I come in pink," My icy blue eyes met Gale Hawthorne's grey ones and for a moment i thought he would hit me or something. But he glanced down the hall before letting out a guteral groan.

"Who?"

I had to think for a moment before I straightened. "Marek Jonseen and Zione Snow."

I looked him straight in the eye when I said my brothers name. At first glance, I thought his face softened, then it got hard again and he called for the two District helpers. They left, albeit, quite dejectedly. "I'll see what I can do."

He slammed the door shut behind him and it was only me and Nicolli left. Being strong had been hard and I collapsed onto my bed. Nicolli consoled me for a moment before I blurted out how I missed my grandpa.

Wrong thing to say, seeing how he usually kicked out those stylists over fourty. She was probably fifty, if not older. Her strokes grew less kind and she eventually turned away. "Put these on, Mickie."

She gave me matching underwear, including the bra I'd seen earlier. I was quick to change and then put on the slinky black dress. I looked at it in disgust before grabbing my pink clutch and throwing on black heels. I was sexy, yeah, but looked too old for my age. When Nicolli started putting on my makeup, i stopped her, instructing her to just put on dramatic eyeliner and leave the rest natural. she did as I told her and when Gale arrived fifteen minutes later, he knocked. I answered, throwing open the door. The two men behind my mentor gawked for a moment before they turned and lead us to the door.

"Why did I have to wear black," I asked as soon as the door shut behind us.

"We're District 12," came his short reply. I thought on this for a moment before asking who was my male counterpart. "Slaier Bronston."

My glare was only reinforced my my eye makeup. We didnt say anything until we were at the doors. "Why are we having a party?"

"Peeta and Beetee told us there has always been secret parties before the games," he replied stoicly, opening the door for me. I never recalled any secret parties, for the tributes or for anyone. Parties in the capitol, especially the mansion, were never secret. I have no clue why former Victors told the rebels about this. But I wasnt complaining.

I entered quickly and noticed everyone else was just standing in a circle. Gale grabbed my elbow and set me next to Slaier. He, too, was wearing black. He did look kind of cute in his tux, but I looked away.

On my other side was Snake, wearing a gold outfit, with Water, wearing an equally gold outfit, next to him. I figured they were 'District One.' 'District Two' was made up of Ashton and Brenanna, who were wearing silver. Walter and Rhanona were both wearing gray, maybe for Distric 3's tech-y side? Satose and Licorice were wearing pretty blue ensambles. Xander and Fara were in matching yellow clothing. Next came 'District 6'. Plaite and Rose were wearing white, probably for the medicines that are produced in 6. Kaulke and Clayre - who was still crying - were wearing brown. Herc and Princilla were in rainbow colors, no clue why. Textile probably is hard for people to have a color for. Porter and Ana were in muted pink. Satin and Shia were both wearing white and black, for the many cows slaughtered in District 10. Minke and Eevaline were on the other side of Slaier and their outfit was a pretty berry red color. At least our stylists didnt try to make fools of us on our last night.

When Ana saw me, she gave me a slight wave before putting her head down again.

We tributes just stood there for a while, staring at each other, until Water started bawling - even worse than Clayre. Feeling horrible, I left my place in the circle and was at Water's side in seconds, kneeling in front of her, bringing her into a tight hug. No one moved.

Until I whispered into Water's ear, "It'll be alright, Water. Lets give these District idiots something to talk about."

I stepped away from poor, sobbing Water and stalked over to the large DJ area, situated between Herc and Clayre. I ripped the microphone from the District man holding it and thrust it into Herc's face. He'd sung for the school occasionally, and for audiences of thousands along with his grandmother, but had stopped when she died. I gave him the warmest face I could muster, and spoke sweetly. "Come on, Herc. This will probably the last any one of us gets to hear music. Your last concert. Give us a good one."

Herc held the microphone for a moment before looking up at me with his big brown eyes. I saw the tears welling in them, but he took the stage and started one of his songs, one by Aphrodite. I smiled at him before returning to Water. I grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the center of the circle. Everyone was still staring at me as Herc belted out his number. After a minute, I heard someone else step out onto the floor, but kept my eyes locked on Water, who was slowly recovering. After Herc changed songs to a faster, more upbeat one, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to Shia - who had a huge grin on his face. I relinquished Water and turned away, deciding on my next partner.

Ana glanced both directions before taking a step out, grabbing my hands and we started dancing. Herc changed songs again, now grinning as he sung. Water stopped crying, left Shia, and pulled Rhanona into the circle. Eventually, most the kids who lived in the Capitol their entire lives were out dancing, except Fara - who had stalked away and was sitting at a table with a few kids from the district. Eventually, Porter, Minke, and the trio of girls joined us. Everyone was grinning - although we all knew they were fake smiles, just to show the Districts that we will always see the bright side of things.

At the end of the night, i was pooped. Ana was leaning on me for support and begging for a sleepover. I didnt even ask Gale before saying yes. So when he and Lindell - Ana's mentor - came over to seperate us, I announced our sleepover. Eevaline and Rose heard and quickly scampered over - without Clayre, since most the 12 year olds had gone off to bed an hour or so ago. I grinned at them and said they could come too, without consulting their mentor's. Gale gave me an exasperated look and was about to say something when I called out to Licorice and Brenanna.

"Hey, wanna sleep over?" I said, grinning wickedly. They both glanced at each other before strutting over, saying yes. Soon I had Princilla and Satin along for the ride too. I had asked Fara, but she declined quickly and her mentor escorted her away.

Soon there was a crowd of eight girls, standing expectantly by the door. In front of us was a group of eight mentors, trying to decide what to do. Shia snuck up behind me, Kaulke and Plaite at his side.

"What are you doing, Mickie?" He asked, frowning. I smirked up at him.

"Giving them trouble."

"That's not a good idea..." he warned. Plaite nodded and said his goodbyes when Erastus called him over. Kaulke stayed by us.

"Well, I think it's a good idea," the boy said, giving me a wink. I grinned fully at them. These two boys had never been in my class at school, but because of their frequent visits to the mansion, we grew to each other. They were good friends. "I'd do it too if Marshburn didnt hate me so much. He's a creeper, you know."

Me and Ana turned to face Kaulke as he gossiped about his mentor. The other girls were chatting with each other or the few boys were were still here. By now herc had relinquished his rights to the mic and had gone off to talk to Annie Cresta, probably commenting on her pregnancy - herc always did have a thing for feminine things.

"Yeah, when I was changing he insisted on being there to make sure i didnt get away. Like when the stylist - who, thank God, was from here - made me take a bath, he had to sit on the toilet watching me. Then when Stinlly - my stylist guy - made me stand there naked in front of the mirror, Marshburn stood there, just staring," Ana and i laughed along with Shia as Kaulke shivered.

"But you know you like it," Shia joked, grabbing his friend's ass. Kaulke just shrugged, leaning into the brunette, forcing me and Ana into giggles again. I glanced back at the mentors, they were still arguing over the sleepover issue.

"Okay, enough about your sexuality, boys," Ana said, rolling her eyes. "What about Mickie's hottie of a mentor."

I blushed at Ana refering to Gale as a 'hottie.' "He hates me. Loathes. I only got him by default because no one else wanted me. Like you said, Shia, just like dodgeball."

Shia shrugged. "I was picked last too, by Fulvia Cardew."

Ana ignored my statement. "But he's so cuuuute, Mickie. And if you dont jump onto the Hawthorne bandwagan I think Kaulke and I will try to steal him!" I laughed at Kaulke's face. Ana didnt get the he and Shia were just joking. Sometimes she can be so clueless. I tried telling her that he was joking, but she frowned. "I totally doubt that," she eyed Kaulke and he glared.

"I totally kiss girls! Man lips taste funny..." we all quieted and I elbowed Shia.

"Is he talking about your man lips, Shia? You too were getting pretty cozy before." Me and Ana laughed again, but Kaulke turned to me, swooping me down into a quick kiss. I felt a blush rise on my cheeks.

Okay. i do like boys. A lot. I like the taste of them, their looks. I totally go for men, not females. And I've kissed multiple times. Many students I used to hang out with, even Shia on one dare. And it wasnt as if I minded Kaulke smooching, he was actually pretty good at it. But I've only ever kissed in private, or at least semi-private. Now everyone was looking at me as this boy macked on my lips. When he let me go, he was grinning beyond belief and I was blushing so red I probably resembled Missikins' old hairdo.