UPHILL BATTLE (Cato)

Three: I'm going to be a WHAT?!

My prep team were irritating me.

There were three of them, a taller one and a shorter one. I hadn't learnt either of their names, but it wouldn't matter anyway seeing as they were identical aside from their height. The third was at a height between them both.

All three of them were clad in blue uniforms. The twins both had cyan coloured hair, yellow eyes and pale blue facial tattoos that curled up from their collarbones to their eyebrows. Their noses were pointed and turned up slightly, giving them a mousey look.

The other, a man with fantastic eyebrows himself and a moustache that you could hook a horseshoe onto, had his skin dyed a violent shade of purple. His eyes were also purple, as was his hair, which was sparse and balding. He looked like someone had dumped a can of paint over him. Purple paint.

I spent several, long, long, hours being plucked, and groomed by these strange people, who whispered and giggled and gossiped as I gritted my teeth from the pain they inflicted to make me pretty.

It felt like they worked me forever, before finally, finally, they were done. I knew this because the tall twin stopped, and squawked, "I think she's ready! Call Nona!"

Nona? My stylist. My prep team scurried out, and the man gave me a robe to cover myself with, which I took gratefully. It would, in any other situation, be weird to have a man working on me, observing my naked body, but the Capitol men and women seemed so odd and alien that I couldn't really see them as people.

I sat, alone and in silence for the first time in literal hours, and wondered what Nona would be like. Nice? I could only hope.

It wasn't long before the and was there, and I could finally learn who Nona was. Nona, was a young woman, eyes fluttering and golden in colour. Her hair was silky smooth, coloured black, with streaks of matching gold added in. She was dressed in a golden shirt and black trousers that hugged her legs easily. Huge, hoop earrings hung from her ears, contrasting nicely with her chocolate brown skin.

"Robe off, please." She gestured to me, flashing a smile. I paused, looking at her tentatively, before dropping the fabric to the floor. She immediately looked me up and down, inspecting me. I began to feel very uncomfortable. Her piercing eyes stared at me like a hawk eyeing its prey.

"Good, good. I finally have something to work with here!" She circled me, before pausing and saying, "Sit."

I sat. She turned, calling "I'll be right back!", over her shoulder. She popped out of the room, and my shoulders dagger with relief, only to tense up again as she reappeared with speed, holding a costume in a bag.

"For this parade, you're going to be a Cowgirl!"

I stared at her for a moment, before hissing, "I'm going to be a what?!"

She sighed, "It was Myron's idea. I told them I didn't think it was the best choice, but do they ever listen? No. Never."

I frowned, but continued, "I'm sure it won't be that bad - Jenny says you're a very good stylist!"

Nona smiled, but nodded, "I got your measurements right, and the colour scheme isn't too bad. Could be worse."

She straightened, and turned back to the bag, "Close your eyes while I put this on you." I obediently shut my eyes, and felt her slip various clothing items into me. I sat patiently until she was done.

"Now open your eyes, and tell me what you think."

My outfit was a white shirt patterned with gold lines, under a golden, sequined jacket. Tied there like a bow tie was a loop of golden string, matching the colour of my belt. I also wore dark trousers, and golden cowboy boots.

"Oh...." I said looking myself up and down in surprise, "A lot of gold, but I actually don't look that bad."

"Here." Nona brought out a sparkly, golden cowboy had and placed it into my head, "Just to add in some more horror."

I laughed, "Thank you. Actually. I look great."

She grinned, "My pleasure."

Fortunately, the other tributes were dressed just as badly. One looked like flamingos gone wrong. Seven had stupid hats. Eight looked like jesters. We weren't the only ones embarrassing ourselves, clearly. Two districts, however, looked... not to bad, actually. District Two (surprise surprise), and, somehow, Twelve. I was shocked, as Ben and I hung around out chariot.

"Just... Smile and wave. Smile and wave." Jenny finished telling me. I nodded. It was a moment later that Aemilia and the mentors left, going to their special seats. I felt heat on the back of my neck, eyes staring. I whipped around, but whoever it was must've turned away at the last second.

Strange.

An announcement rang out, telling us to start getting into our chariots. Ben clambered up easily, and stood, staring forward. No help? Rude. I reached up my hands, and used my arms to haul myself up. I was somewhat short, and to any other girl of my size this would have been impossible, but my arms were muscular and strong from working in the fields and, most importantly, with Duke the bull.

I straightened in place, clasping my hands around the bar. The beginning chariots had already begun to roll forward, and a wave of butterflies started in my stomach. I knew from watching previous games how many Capitol people would be out there.

I took a deep breath, and our chariot jolted below me. I could feel Ben's presence next to me, see him almost fall despite his tall frame. Ha. He deserved that. We rolled forward like the district before us, our into the open air.

We were immediately greeted by loud cheering, screaming Capitol people in ridiculous outfits. I fixed my face in a flash, plastering on a smile and waving as gracefully as I could. On the screens above, they showed the most popular chariot, Two's. Unsurprising. They wore golden plated gladiator costumes, and looked fierce but regal as they both stood tall.

The boy caught my eye, and I was beginning to inspect him but in a sudden switch, they changed. Instead of District Two, District Twelve was up on the screen.

Were they... On fire?!

They were dressed in black leotards, but definitely on fire. Must've been synthetic. I felt a small stab of jealousy. I wonder who the sponsors will go to NOW. I don't stand a chance.

But I kept my smile in place. Kept waving. All through Snow's lengthy speech, I was expressionless. On the way back to the tribute centre, I was smiling and waving again.

Damn District Twelve.

The tribute parade! Yay! I used the outfits from the movie, and Rhea is from Ten, so her and Ben were cowboy and girl.