² SECOND CHANCE ─ the hunger games

six - dazzling debut

— ZOEY —

WE ARRIVE AT THE CAPITOL.

Everything looks the same, yet so different. Last time we were here, everyone was wearing neon colors - the sharpest in the crowd. And now, blue seems to be the color that's trending.

We step out amidst cheers and cries into the sea of blues that surrounds us. Light blue, baby blue, sky blue, navy. How nice of them to wear my favourite colors when obviously we're going to be sent to the death?

Kunboss, Eunice and I wave to the crowd, and we wait for a minute or so by the curb until a black car arrives to pick us up. We can't walk like last time, because apparently we're 'celebrities' now as everyone rushes to take pictures of the revived tributes, and the road is way more packed than it was.

The windows of the car are darkened - so we can't see outside, and they can't see inside. I tense as the car starts to move and encounters a bumpy patch of road, and finally, after around five minutes or so, we arrive at what's called the Remake Centre - or the Styling Centre.

We get out of the car and are immediately greeted by a young woman who looks around eighteen. She doesn't look familiar to me, yet Eunice immediately runs up to her and hugs her. "Sophie!" she yells, and when a man around twenty arrives behind her, Kunboss waves.

I'm still bewildered as to who these two people are, but they drag us inside the Centre anyway, and I begrudgingly follow. As we're on the way to their workplace, I whisper to Eunice, "Who are they?"

"Oh, Sophie's my stylist. Marius is Kunboss'."

"What about mine?" I hiss. My stylist, Courtney, is nowhere to be found.

We get settled on the high tabletop, and I perch near the end, furrowing my eyebrows at the stylists.

"Guess you would have thought to tell me where Courtney is," I remark sarcastically.

Sophie and Marius seem confused. "Courtney?"

"My stylist." I explain, annoyed.

"Oh right, Courtney. Forgot to tell you, we'll be styling for all three of you since you're a team now," Marius says. "Unfortunately, Courtney is at home, there are some family issues that she's run into."

We get to work because there's no time to waste. Sophie braids my hair into a crown around my head and puts some flowers into it, curling it into waves that end shortly above my shoulders. She paints my nails a glorious mix of teal, gold, and white, with Eunice's being blue.

They leave and return a few minutes later, holding garment bags. I gasp in awe when the outfits are revealed—they're sparkling teal outfits that seem to give off the effect of 'antifragile'. That we can burn down the Games with even just water. That we're here to win. 

"Just be yourself," they remind us when we arrive at the City Circle. A horn sounds, and I step up onto the chariot, linking arms with my allies, as our chariot rolls out.

Everything goes by in a blur, and the sea of people keep cheering as we wave at them. I grasp Kunboss' hand tighter and we blow kisses into the audience together as they call our names.

— GWYNETH —

My friends' chariot appears from behind the barricades, and they make a stunning entrance.

Elegant white horses lead the way as their chariot begins to circle the podiums. They're all wearing sparkling outfits, linking their arms and smiling at us with power, telling us that they surely can win together.

The loud calls and shouts of their names circulate the Circle, and Zoey blushes, burying her head in Kunboss' chest. Someone calls out something new - Zoboss. A combination of Zoey and Kunboss' names. 

Even as more tributes start to appear behind them, the shouts of my friends' names remain the loudest, and they keep their arms linked. Flowers land on their chariot, and I smile knowing that they've become the highly supported and anticipated tributes this time.

Their chariots slow down on the third lap around the City Circle, surrounding the prime minister who stands on the podium in the middle.

"Twenty-four young people. We thank you for your sacrifice. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour."

This concludes the Tribute Parade, and I quickly rush to my friends as they hop off of the chariot. We get into the elevator together and Eunice decides to break the silence. "Thank you, for everything. I never got the chance to tell you."

The elevator makes a loud ding and we exit on the 9th floor, where we've been assigned to stay.

Amidst awkwardness, Eunice, Zoey and Kunboss quickly rush off to their rooms to remove their makeup and take showers, and I push open the door that's labelled 'Mentor'.

It seems the same as the other rooms, but I notice a secret door in the corner. I push it open to see a mini workstation, where I'm supposed to monitor the Games, and a tablet which says 'sponsor gifts'.

As soon as I open the door, I exit, close it, slamming it shut. It reminds me too much of how I'll have to say goodbye to my friends soon as they enter the arena.

I plop down on my bed after I take a shower and pick up the remote for the TV, scrolling down to 'Hunger Games Replay'. I attempt to watch some clips of my Games to figure out the best strategies for my friends, yet end up realizing something way more serious.

The salute I give as Kunboss' cannon sounds and tears run down my cheeks. 

I watch myself through the screen taking out the berries and hand them to Laine. With a count of three, we attempt to commit double suicide. Her cannon sounds, and she falls to the ground, her heart no longer beating. Dead. I watch the nightlock berries fall to the ground, staining my hands.

And suddenly, I get a flashback that sends horrors and chills rolling down my spine.

= FLASHBACK =

On the day of my victor's ceremony, the Prime Minister walks up to me holding a silver tiara. Instead of directly putting it on my head, he seemingly taunts me with it. He comes so close to me that I can smell his repulsive breath. "Blame yourself for Gamemaker Myers' death," he says. "Rochbok of Byrok will rule, no matter what."

= END OF FLASHBACK =

Oh no. No.

Acts of defiance. My kiss to Kunboss' forehead. My attempted suicide. My friends will suffer in the arena because of me.