Songs & Seas | Hunger Games

XV.

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MARIA THOUGHT THAT ONCE HER VICTORY TOUR WAS OVER, SHE'D FEEL BETTER. Although looking back, she probably just told herself that to get through the day. When did her days become such burdens? G to the Districts was just the tip of the iceberg.

When she arrived at the Capitol, there were crowds of people awaiting her. They stood on either side of the entrance to the Victor apartment complex. She imagined they weren't just there to see her, perhaps they were waiting for the other victors as well. She's just the shiny new toy, but she was sure they had their favorites.

The crowds of people at the entrance transported her back to the first day she arrived at the Capitol; these very well could be the same people who greeted her the first time, but fashion and style changes so often in the Capitol that she doesn't have a prayer of recognizing any of them.

They reach for her just as before, only this time they know her name.

"Maria! Maria!"

"Are you going to sing Maria?"

"What are you going to sing, Maria?"

"Did your dead friend like your voice, Maria?"

That was the last thing she heard before entering the building. Only her grandmother really called her Maria-Rose. Her full name always sounded too long, and it seemed like the second name always hung off the end almost unnecessarily. Now, without her grandmother, the name Maria-Rose has become just Maria, and that's all.

The apartment they selected for her was bare with tan walls and white carpeting. Two chairs faced an uncomfortable couch. The only decoration was a framed photo of President Snow hung on the wall,

She looked over her shoulder at Rhett, who was helping the Avoxes with the bags. He knowingly made eye contact with her.

"You can decorate," he informed with a huff. "But it's not like you want to spend too much time here."

That was an odd undertone in his statement that made her brows knit. She worked over his words in her head and decided not to press the matter. She didn't get a moment to anyhow as the door burst open and Mina and Rina skipped in beaming. They'd switch their hair to blue and orange now, so Maria could only guess who was who.

They began to rattle off as they corralled her into the bedroom to begin the process of getting her Capitol ready.

"Aren't you excited for your party?" Maybe Mina asked as she combed the girl's hair. "I hear Bardley Brickston is going to be there!"

Maria's brow creased, she opened her mouth to inquire, but Possibly Rina began to squeal. "Oh my goodness! Maria, you'll love him! He just got his teeth imprinted, they look fabulous!"

Maria's face contorted, "Imprinted?"

"Of course," Maybe Mina scoffed. "It's all the rage, don't you know?"

She did not.

"I have my appointment next week to get mine," Maybe Mina said with her rose in the air. "I'm getting blue hearts."

"Next week?" Possibly Rina shrieked. "Oh, Mins, surely it'll be out of fashion by then."

Now, definitely Mina shook her head. "No, Capitol Couture says two weeks," she corrected.

Maria tried to listen out of politeness, but the topic was so mind-numbing that she had barely any idea of what was being said.

Rina went to reach in front of Maria for her nail file, and the Victor's eyes went wide. She latched onto Rina's wrist and examined it, unsure of what she was seeing.