Safe and Sound (The Hunger Games)

Chapter 6-The Charriots

Later, I am led down to the remake center, which is really deep down in the building. My prep team greets me and gets straight to work. Everything is so relaxing until they start tweezing and waxing every bit of hair. After, they wash my hair and blow it dry with a machine. "I'm sorry, your hair is so knotty!" A girl with purple hair with multiple pigtails says. I brace myself as she rips a comb through my hair, and grip my hands on the sides on the table. My many years of swimming in the salty ocean have paid off on my hair. If this hurts so much, I can't imagine how it will be fighting to the death.

A stylish woman walks in the room, she looks about 25 and almost normal, except for her blue hair. "Hello Kaya. My name is Nimmi and I am your stylist."

"Hi." I quietly reply.

"So tonight is the night where you make your first impressions, other than the reaping of course." I nod to let her know I am following. "You are representing district four, the fishing district. Last year, your mentor Annie Cresta won, so we have to make your appearance outstanding! This is my first year as a stylist for the games, but I do have a few ideas on how you can leave a positive impression." She explains. I can't help but think what Nimmi has planned for me.

"So what are you thinking?" I ask.

"Well, when you think of your district, what do you first think of?"

"The water," I reply almost immediately. "The blue green ocean water with clam waves crashing on the sand." She walks around me slowly and returns to my front.

"I think I have an idea for that." she says with a smile. We talk and throw around ideas for awhile, and I end up transforming into a mermaid.

Within a few hours, I am standing in front of a mirror, just taking in my beauty. I am wearing a light pink bikini top, and a sea green long skirt. My wavy hair is enhanced with highlights as it flows down my back up to my elbows. On my head is placed a golden tiara with seashells on it. I look to my left wrist, where she has left my bracelet on.

"So, what do you think?" Nimmi asks.

"I'm speechless! I-I look incredible, I don't know what to say except," I pause out of breath. "Thank you." I say as I lean over and give her a hug.

My prep team, Nimmi, and I walk to the stables, where I spot Elliot and his group in the middle of the crowd. I run as fast as I can with my wedges on. He looks so happily surprised, and so am I. He stands there dressed with no shirt on, sea green colored bathing suit shorts, golden flip flops, and to top it all off, a golden crown almost identical to my tiara with its seashells.

"Wow Kaya, you look beautiful!" We meet and hug instantly.

"And you, Mr. Handsome, don't look too bad either." I say with a smile.

"Kaya! Elliot! Over here!" Flishia calls. We walk over to our chariot. It's gold with two well-trained horses waiting patiently in front of it. Elliot jumps on and then helps me up.

"I am so nervous that I will fall off." Elliot whispers.

"Look at me! I have to keep balance with these four inch wedges!" I laugh.

"Here, hold my hand. If you fall off, I'll go with you." He smiles back.

"Deal."

We look around as the chariots get in line, with district one first in line, and twelve at the end. Even behind the closed doors we can hear the anthem booming throughout the place. The citizens start cheering, and in a single moment the doors open and the horses are ready to start their ride. I grip my hand tighter around Elliot's hand.

"Here we go" He probably said, I couldn't quite hear him with all of the cheering. The crowd gets louder and louder as we get closer. Almost like at the train station, the crowd is cheering us on, but even louder with more people. I put on a big smile and start waving and blowing kisses to the audience. The chariot runs over a bump, probably a hat or rose, and I nearly fall out, but Elliot wraps his arm around my waist.

"Whoa, are you okay?" He yells over the crowd.

"Yeah, just lost my balance!" At that moment the audience completely lost it. Everyone is cheering us on, screaming district four, screaming our names.

When all twenty four tributes reach the end, President Snow stands tall and proud on a high balcony, trying to calm the audience down. "Welcome to the Seventy-first Hunger Games!" He announces. He says some other things but I barely pay attention because my eyes wander among the screaming crowd.

The horses back up and we are in the stables again. Flishia comes and helps us down. "I can tell you liked the shoes, why don't we practice tomorrow with smaller heels?" I laugh a little bit.

"Sounds like a plan." We walk away from the other tributes, and we meet up with our prep teams and designers. They tell Elliot and I that we should go upstairs and to go to sleep while they settle some things.

"Ahh," Elliot sighs. We walk out of the elevator and onto our floor. "Finally alone." He sits down on the couch and I join him.

"Yeah, today was exhausting right? Too much beauty stuff is too much work, right?" I say sarcastically.

"Hey, I had to wear makeup." He replies. I start laughing hysterically.

"Good night Elliot." I lean over and kiss him on the lips. and head to my room. I take a quick shower, scrub off all of my makeup, and slide into bed.

I can't help but think what the adults are talking about. Elliot and me being together? I mean, if they wanted us not to be together, they should have said something before the train scene. What else could they be thinking of? I have to focus on how Elliot and I will talk about the plan for the game. Only one of us can win, but how can we decide who? I can't even think of my life without him. In district four we are in the same class and live a few houses away from each other, so how can we not have met? I get a headache and just fall asleep.

In my dream I am in the arena. The arena is filled with snow, very similar to my uncle's arena. Elliot and I are starving and are covered in thick snow coats. We are walking together in the knee deep snow until I fall in a hidden hole. I keep on falling and falling until I wake up. I have to talk to Elliot. Now.