The Very First Hunger Games

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Tributes' Parade

I don't have much time to marvel at the wonders of the Capitol before I'm whisked away to the Remake centre to be scrubbed, plucked and who knows what else.

Apparently, the Capitol looks at us, the people of the Districts, as something along the lines of "filthy creatures" so the Capitol insists that we must look at least half decent before appearing on television again.

Yes, some people in District 12 may be covered in a thick layer of grime but at least we don't all look like complete and utter freaks.

"Last one I promise" Sapphire says as she yanks the last wax strip from my leg.

The stinging sensation on my skin makes me want to scream but I clench my jaw refusing to let myself do so. I bet Luca doesn't have to go through this. Sometimes I really hate being a girl.

After Sapphire hoses me down, she rubs my raw skin with cream-colored lotion. I almost sigh with relief as the lotion soothes my burning skin.

"There, all finished." Sapphire says, adjusting the chair so I now sit upright.

"Now it's time to make you pretty"

I don't really care what the Capitol thinks I look like, but since desirable tributes are more likely to get sponsors, I decide to keep my mouth shut. I know Sapphire is only trying to help me and I never thought of myself as pretty anyway, so I'm not really that insulted. My face must say otherwise because as soon as she made her comment, Sapphire says:

"I wouldn't say you were ugly per se, just a little plain-looking. You just need a little hint of make-up and you'll look absolutely radiant"

It's amazing how the Capitol can be optimistic about practically everything. Even children killing other children. They see it as something of a sporting event, something to be proud of.

Three hours later I'm standing in a long strapless black dress. The dress is covered in hundreds of small crystals and I have matching satin gloves to go with my outfit. I look stylish, regal, elegant and nothing like myself.

I thought the tributes were meant to wear a costume that represents their districts. I can't make the connection between dusty, filthy coal and my beautiful dress other than they are both black.

I guess baggy miner suits wouldn't exactly go well with the Capitol. I wonder what Luca will be wearing.

I don't have to wonder much longer as Luca steps into the room looking as handsome as ever. He is dressed in a smart black suit and his tie is covered in the same little crystals that are on my dress and gloves.

We look like a perfect team.

"Oh, you both look gorgeous" Sapphire says, tying my hair up in a bun.

Being from District 12, Luca and I will be going last so we have to wait for the other tributes to go first.

District 1 goes first, dressed in all gold matching outfits, even their skin has been painted gold. Of course, gold is a luxury no one but the Capitol can afford.

The District 2 female tribute appears to be going for the Greek Goddess look while the District 2 male tribute is dressed as a Greek Emperor. I'm not sure what Ancient Greece has to do with District 2. Perhaps it has to do The Hunger Games as a whole?

District 3 soon follows wearing lit-up identical costumes. That's easy, District 3 specialty is electricity.

District 4 comes after District 3. The female tribute is young Too young - thirteen or so. Still innocent, but I doubt she will have any trouble finding sponsors because she looks absolutely adorable in her mermaid costume. Mermaid. Yes I think that's the right word.

Her district partner is dressed as a ship captain, which is almost laughable because he is nowhere near old enough to be ship captain. The District 4 tributes look strikingly alike. I wonder if they are brother and sister.

District 5 tributes are next, dressed as power plant workers. I understand, District 5's main industry is power but the costumes are so comical that I can't help but let out a little laugh.

District 6 tributes seem to be wearing costumes made out of tires from a car. I guess this makes sense, since District 6's industry is transport.

The tributes from District 7 are next, wearing jumpsuits covered in lush, green tree leaves. This is probably because District 7 specializes in lumber.

District 8 then follows wearing brightly coloured catsuits that have a number of different fabrics woven into them .They look as ridiculous as the citizens from the Capitol, which is ironic since it's District 8 that makes the clothes for the Capitol.

District 9 comes next dressed as farmers, I think because District 9's industry is grain.

District 10 looks by far the funniest pair of tributes dressed as cattle. District 10's industry is livestock but dressing the tributes up as cattle seems bit much. Luca and I are in fits of laughter

Not long after District 11 comes out wearing corn stocks, Theta ushers Luca and I out of the dressing room and towards our chariot. Luca has to help me into the chariot because of my stupidly pointy high heels that I'm yet to learn how to walk in properly. Sapphire tried to teach me how to walk in the heels gracefully with little success.

As I try to step into the carriage without falling, I trip over my long dress causing me to fall into Luca.

"S-Sorry" I stammer, using the side of the carriage to pull myself up. I hope he mistakes my embarrassment for pink blusher.

"That's quite alright, Willow" Luca says laughing.

Just a moment later the horses start to pull the chariot forward and the camera focuses on us, The Tributes from District 12.

When the lights hit us, I realize what the crystals were for now. The crystals make us shine brighter than any of the other tributes. The crowd goes wild for us. Their cheers erupt into screaming and they start to throw their flowers and jewelry at us.

We laugh and wave back at the crowd as the chariot descends out of sight from the cameras.

Before the tributes parade, I didn't see myself as a contender in The Hunger Games, I didn't think anyone would really pay attention to me. But now everyone will be talking about the diamonds of the show - the District 12 tributes. We literally outshone the other tributes.