Different Districts

Chapter 11 (Part 2)

Gah, I'm doing tribute parade. (Also: I'm working on other stuff IN THIS BOOK so this may take awhile...)

Rue

I stood in front of Atria as she inspected me.

"I think we'll put you in a golden dress!" She said and clapped her hands. "Follow me!"

I followed Atria to a large rooms with high ceilings and Windows looking out on the capitol. Atria was holding a dress that was long and golden. It was simple and adorned with small bits of gold near the collar. It wasn't very impressive but I gasped as it caught the sunlight and simmered.

"Take it!" Atria laughed. "Go ahead and put it on."

It took the dress and slipped the material on me. The lightness and quality were no different than what it looked like it should be. The dress was light on me and I barely felt it. The dress was thin and smooth like silk though I doubt it really was silk.

"Almost there." Atria said.

She took out a golden crown and set it upon my head. The sunlight caught it and it lit the room on it's own. The crown was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. And I was wearing it! I laughed joyfully and spun around it a circle. The dress twirled around me and bathed the room in golden light. I looked up from my dress and stared into Atria's eyes.

"It really is wonderful." I said.

"I hope so. We spent a while making that." Atria replied.

Then she pushed me out of the room and into a room with the other tributes. I was astonished at the splash of color that they portrayed. Then Atria pointed to a golden chariot and said:

"That's yours."

I walked up to the chariot and brushed my fingers against the solid gold. How much did this cost? Even most people in district two couldn't afford this! I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I didn't notice Marvel until he tapped my shoulder. I spun around and there he was. His golden tunic and pants were nothing compared to my dress. The crown he wore barely held the sunlight that gleaned upon it.

"I thought mine was good, until I look at you. Your like a sun!" Marvel said.

I blushed bright red. I could tell he envied my outfit so I tried changed the subject. I looked around widely and caught sight of the horses. Their cream color was dull against the bright gold reins.

"The horses and chariot are so cool!" I said.

"Is it solid gold?" Marvel asked.

"I think so. It might not be all gold throughout." I replied.

Marvel walked to the horses and touched the bridle that they had on. The gold glowed as the sun's rays shown upon them and Marvel turned and stepped in the chariot.

"It's cool! Join me." He called down to me.

I stepped up the golden steps and next to Marvel. When I looked over at the people they were awash of colors. I wasn't that high up but the faces seemed to blend together and the colors making giants rainbows.

"The parade is about to start. Please get in your chariots." The speaker sent my thoughts flying.

In no time our horses were jerking us towards the front. Then district one tributes were off before I could get a look at them and when I chariot left I was consumed by laughter. The capitol citizens cheered and screamed as we rode past. I lifted my hand and waved at them. They cheered louder. I smiled and looked at Marvel. My happiness carded as he stood there rigid.

"Wave! Maybe even smile." I hissed under my breath.

"Why?" Marvel asked.

"To get sponsors!" I hissed back.

"And why would we need-" Marvel was cut off as the horses turned and bend and ended up in front of President Snow.

The rest of the chariots rolled in next to us. The crowd was still cheering but not as loud. Snow smiled and made a gesture for them to be quiet. Then he spoke.

"Welcome to the 74th Hunger Games! We now-" I stopped listening and looked around.

All the bright people smiling and laughing. And some even betting. No one cared that they might die. No one and that brought tears to my eyes. I didn't realize the tears until Marvel whispered in my ear.

"Don't cry now. You'll have plenty of time later." He whispered.

I took a deep breath and stopped my tears. I can't let them see weakness in me. I am from district two but I doubt that makes much of a difference. I looked back at Snow and put on a winning smile.

"-And now we honour the beginning of The 74th Hunger Games!" Snow concluded.

The chariot jumped and started exiting the area. I could already hear snippets of conversations from the conversations saying: 'That's girls hair was so cool!'  'My mother looked better then you.' And so on. When we stopped the chariot I was relived and almost ran strait into Liz.

"Watch where you're going child!" She hissed.

"Thanks." I rolled my eyes.

Liz led us to a glass elevator. A boy and a girl dressed up as trees stepped into the elevator. The girl's black hair rolled down her shoulders as she ran her fingers through it.

"They got all my wood chips out, Delez!" She said to the boy.

"Come on Azalea! They good. But not the best." The boy, Delez said back.

"Tree people." Snorted a girl.

"Is there a problem?" Azalea asked.

"Trees! What normal."

"Iris. Don't." Said a boy.

"Really? Why not, Castor?" Iris asked.

"It's not-" I could feel his surprise.

The elevator lifted off the ground as Liz pressed 2. The other people's mentors pressed 4 and 7. For once I got a good look at Iris and Castor. They both were dressed up in the bright colors of a rainbow fish. The elevator slid to a stop and opened to a floor. Liz stepped out and mentioned for me and Marvel to follow. As soon as we stepped off, the elevator took off.