THE GREAT WAR (f. odair)

CHAPTER 3.

The Capitol.

Aellia and Darius practically stared out the window after eating breakfast at the city.

It was gorgeous. The bright lights, the skyscrapers, everything. Of course, for them, it was temporary.

The thought of them being temporarily in the Capitol made Aellia sink back in her seat.

Both of them would never be in the Capitol at the same time after this. One of them would be there alone, or neither of them.

Finnick had his eyes set on Aellia while she watched the excitement disappear out of her face. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

He had thought about it himself when he was chosen for the games. Maybe they weren't so different after all.

Cecelia had Aellia dress in a white long sleeve body suit and high waisted plaid skirt for stepped off the train to greet the citizens of the Capitol who eagerly would be waiting for their arrival.

Aellia looked back at herself in the mirror after brushing her teeth and decided to put her hair back in the buns she had them in yesterday, fighting with her bangs as she normally did.

She walked out to the parlor of the train and Cecelia began gushing over Aellia. She could feel Finnick and Darius' eyes on her.

She normally didn't wear skirts or even dresses. It was always pants. The past two days were a change for her.

They pulled into the train station, the screaming of the people practically deafening even through the walls of the train.

"Alright, guys! Big smiles when you walk out! They love you both already! Your hug from the reaping has them very excited." Cecelia gushed.

Darius and Aellia stood at the doors of the train, Aellia's breathing shaky. Darius laced his pinky with hers and smiled at her. She smiled back and soon enough, the doors opened.

The pair walked out and the Capitol erupted into even louder screams. They chanted their names, waved and even threw flowers, one of which Aellia caught.

They both smiled brightly and waved to the oblivious people who clearly didn't understand what these two teenagers would be doing in the next 5 days.

Soon enough, Finnick and Cecelia escorted them to the training center where they would be going with their stylists to get ready for the parade.

Finnick brought Aellia to her station and lightly grabbed her arm before she walked in.

"You got this. Getting all changed and everything will be weird but when I see you later, you'll be ready to show the people of the Capitol who you are, my little fighter."

The pet name was enough to make Aellia's cheeks a bit pink and she nodded, "I'll see you later."

Walking into the station, there were three people standing there who greeted her excitedly.

The excitement made Aellia's nose scrunch. How could people be excited to watch 24 innocent kids fight to the death till one remains?

She shook the thought off and changed into a gown before being instructed to lay on the table. Her eyebrows were tweezed and waxed to perfection, her body was waxed of any hair, she was moisturized and oiled up.

They put on fake nails that resembled the color and wave pattern of the ocean. She glanced into the mirror as the nails were put on and she saw how different she looked, even now. Her hair taken out of the buns and her face completely smooth.

As they got her all prepared to meet her stylist, she learned the names of the three assistants. Felix, Delly and Hazelle. They were all lovely and eccentric.