the ruler [THE HUNGER GAMES]¹

Ten.

"BEAUTIFUL," Persephone compliments after two hours of makeup and hair. She stands behind me as I look in a floor to ceiling mirror, her head hooked over my shoulder as she brushes out the skirt on my dress with her manicured hands. She's right, I do look good. Green must be my colour or something, because the dark shade around my eyes brings out the green in them and the fabric against my skin contrasts perfectly. I'm not often confident in my looks, but tonight I feel like a victor. It's a nice feeling.

I am escorted down to the large hall by Persephone at six. She isn't invited to the ball, but she insists on leaving me just outside the door like a parent dropping their child off at school.

Important people from my district wander about, socialising and eating from the large buffet along one wall. I see Haymitch sat in a corner, already drunk, and Katniss's prep team making a lot of noise as they greet the mayor. I'm just considering turning back and locking myself in the library when a voice I've only heard from far away or on TV comes from my left.

Katniss doesn't look at me as she stares in on the party that is all for her, "I hate these things. Do you?"

"I can think of nothing worse," I admit.

She finally looks at me and I can see the ghost of a smile on her face. "I'm Katniss. You're Fawn. I wish I got you for the plaque. Enobaria almost ripped my throat out with her teeth."

"Yeah she's not the friendliest," I chuckle, "I suppose we should go in?"

Katniss nods her head and we walk into the hall together. It's funny, three out of four victors in the room are the youngest people present. We are by far the best dressed too. Katniss looks striking in a purple sleeveless gown with her dark hair down in soft ringlets. Peeta approaches us, and he wears a black suit that ties him to his partner through the purple stitching and tie. I notice up close the slight limp he has from his prosthetic leg.

"Making friends?" Peeta asks Katniss, extending his arm out for her to take.

"Haymitch said we can trust her, and she seems a little more sane than the rest of our guests. I can't deal with another mayor asking me how we manage to get clean water in Twelve for five hours straight," Katniss loops her arm though Peeta's but remains a distance away that doesn't scream couple to me. I'd heard all the rumours that the arena romance was fake, but I was pretty convinced. However I have the least romantic experience of anyone my age, so I maybe I would believe that some kissing in a cave is the peak of love.

"I'm not arguing," Peeta motions for me to follow him so I do. He leads both of us to a quieter corner of the hall, away from all the prying eyes.