CLOVE POV
Cato is always on my mind. I don't know why, or how, but I find myself thinking about him at the most bizarre times. It's probably because I find him inexplicably annoying.
Now, for example, I'm having the hair ripped off my body and I'm just wondering what he was like, back in 2. I think about what he would have said to me outside of a Games context. I'd heard he got a lot of girls, and although I despise what I've already seen of his personality, I can see why. I imagine him loving this part, loving getting preened and pampered ready for people to cheer at.
Maybe his parents pushed him into training, like so many other families. It's usually that way, families with generations of ex-trainees, some including past victors, want their children to continue the family line and the glory. Part of me wishes my family had been like that instead of only broken.
The Capitol weirdos have me bathing in some soapy concoction which makes my skin feel like it could slide off of me. They completely stripped me of hair, and now they're rubbing stuff all down my legs. And they are not being gentle. I'm completely naked, too, a fact they don't even seem to acknowledge, making me feel strange for even noticing it. It's like I'm a plastic doll they're dressing up in fancy clothes. I bet Cato's getting the same treatment.
Argh! Stop thinking about him. He's annoying. That's why he keeps popping into my head.
That's the only reason.
Isn't it?
GLIMMER POV
I'm getting ready to meet the other tributes. And ready to see Marvel. And perhaps to flirt with other boys to make him jealous.
No, that's not what I want.
My stylist is an older man named Zak. If I saw him in District 1, I never would have guessed he is from the Capitol. In fact, I don't think he's had any self-alterations at all, which is very surprising. My mind wanders to what the Capitol fashion might have been 20 or 30 years ago, when he would have been around my age. Maybe it was more muted, and Zak might think the people who walk around now look ridiculous, just like the rest of us.
He comes in holding a zipped up bag, presumably containing my dress.
"Close your eyes," he says in a light, gentle voice that soothes my flurry of nerves which haven't ceased since the Reaping. I shut my eyes, and he guides me into a tight fitting jumpsuit. Once it's on, I reopen them.
The jumpsuit is a silver glossy material, reflecting the light which bounces off it, and it's studded with diamonds. I turn around, staring at my reflection. The girl in the mirror is a reflection I know is mine but appears in a way I could never have imagined. Even my eyelashes have hints of silver in them, making me feel like I'm shining like a District One jewel. I love my reflection, but it saddens me at the same time. Were I home, I could have been learning how to create jewels like this. Ones that make people feel beautiful.
"Wow," I say. Zak chuckles. "You like it?" he says.
"I love it," I say, conflicted. He's done my make-up to match the dress, and my hair tumbles over my shoulders in blonde curls. Everything sparkles.
"You look amazing. It suits you perfectly. Nobody will take their eyes off you," Zak says.
"Thank you. It's beautiful," I reply.
"I think it's time for you to head down to the ground floor," he says. "You and Marvel are on first,"
I let him escort me to where the horses are waiting. Our chariot is covered with the same jewels, and even the horses glisten with them.
YOU ARE READING
Careers Have Feelings Too | CLATO | GLARVEL |
Fanfiction"The thing is, I didn't expect to be like this," he says. The sunlight bounces off his golden hair, and it seems as if it's glowing. "Didn't expect what?" He smiles coyly, and all at once he seems more sure of himself than ever before. "I went wro...
