The Mentor

4

We get to the tribute center within minutes, traversing the busy streets of the Capitol. I wonder how Peeta's doing, if his stylist is any good. Haymitch is sobering up slightly, and I know he's keeping his promise to help me.I get out of the car and walk over to the door. The doorman opens it for me, and I step into the air-conditioned first floor. Effie follows, bustling around like she does, remarking on the beautiful coral color of the tile before stepping over to the elevator."Now, we have five hours until the chariot ceremony," Effie says. "We must look presentable for the sponsors who will be there. I've laid out your clothes on your beds."That's Effie, always on top of things, always ready with a plan. I feel a sudden rush of affection for her ability to remove obstacles out of my way. It gives me more time to think.I won't let President Snow win. I can't. He might have the Games on his side, but I have everything to lose.The elevator opens onto the twelfth floor, and I step out. Effie bustles over to the skyline and begins flipping through a magazine. Haymitch puts a hand on my shoulder before heading down the hall to his bedroom.There's a ding from the elevator, and the doors open. I turn to see Finnick, wearing a bottle green suit, staring at me with sympathy in his eyes."Hey," I say, and he steps out onto the floor. I glance at Effie, who's watching with curiosity in her eyes, but when I give her a look, she stands and hurries from the room."How are you doing?" he asks, walking closer to me. I meet his eyes, trying to stay steady. He's the only one who knows it wasn't mere chance that Peeta was chosen."I've been better," I say slowly, and he reaches for me. I allow him to hug me close to him, burying my head in his chest."It's my fault he's here. I should've taken Snow's offer," I say, my voice muffled by Finnick's shirt."No," Finnick's voice is like a slap in the face, it's so hard. He grabs my shoulders with a vice grip and makes me look him in the eye. "Piper, this is not your fault. You made the right choice.""If I had known then that this would happen, I would've chosen differently," I said. "I would've taken it.""I know."I turn away from him and look out of the window at the Capitol. "What scares me the most is…I don't know if he can win. And I need him to win.""I'll do everything I can to help, Pipes. You know I will."I nod, and he smiles. "Come with me to the opening ceremonies tonight."I smile back, even though the idea of going out tonight makes me feel sick. "I'd love to."He steps back into the elevator and meets my eyes. "Piper, it's going to be alright."He's just saying it because there's nothing else to say. Nothing is alright, not him, not Peeta, not even me.I go to my bedroom. The first thing I see is a floor-length gown laid out on the bed. It fades from white at the top to coal-black at the bottom. A card lies on top of it. I unfold the slip of stiff yellow paper and read the curling script within.A gift for you from Zenobia. She never had the chance to complete it before her retirement, but I finished the design. You should match your tributes tonight.Your new stylist, CinnaI run my hands over the fabric. It's silky smooth, belonging on the body of a softer girl, one without so many demons. My fingers shift the dress, and a pop of color surprises me. There's a long slit in the dress I didn't noticed before, and the inside is painted with the reds, oranges, and blues of a burning ember.My prep team will be here soon. They'll lament how I've cut my hair myself once again and the state of my eyebrows, but I can bear that.I wonder where Peeta is, how he's faring the treatment he's receiving. Will I recognize him when he comes out on the chariot tonight?Of course I will. Peeta will never change.Within two hours, my prep team does arrive. I submit to embraces from them all and then they get to work waxing and stripping and greasing my body to appear presentable for the cameras. They gape over the dress and announce their pleasure at wrangling invitations for the ceremonies tonight."Piper, you just looked so heartbroken when that poor little boy was called as tribute I wanted to reach into the television and give you a hug!" Pleione exclaims, and Katri and Corbinus nod in agreement."I heard a rumor about you and Finnick Odair, tell me it's true!" Katri adds before I have a chance to respond."Oh, you two would be so cute together," Corbinus says as he pins up a lock of hair.I cough a little on his words. "No – no, we're just friends." I look at their disbelieving faces. "Just friends."Pleione gives Katri a knowing look. I stand and they slip the dress over my head. It floats down like a wave, resting at my ankles. I slip into the black heels and look at myself in the mirror. Red lips, golden eyes, my hair pinned up with crystal clips. When I move, peeks of the burning underside of the gown show through the incredibly high slit."Well, we should probably go get ready ourselves!" Katri chirps. "Bye, Piper!"They bustle out, and I pull a strand of hair from the up-do. It frames my face, making me look my age rather than twenty-five.When I walk out into the living room, Haymitch is sober again, stuffed into a white suit with a bowtie colored like fire."I hope this new stylist knows what he's doing," he grumbles, and Effie straightens his tie."Piper, you look wonderful," she says. She herself wears red."It's to show teamwork and solidarity," she says. "Now, it's almost time to go. Is everyone –?"There's a knock at the door, and I walk over to answer. When I open it, Finnick stands there, wearing a suit of greenish-blue, the white shirt underneath unbuttoned a little."You look beautiful," he says, but his eyes dim a little. "Are you ready?"I look at Haymich and Effie. "I'll see you back here after the ceremony," I say, and I step into the elevator with Finnick.It begins going down, and I look at him, noting the tightness around his mouth and his eyes."What's wrong?" I ask."Nothing.""Don't lie to me."He looks at me, holding both my hands in his. Even in six-inch heels, I'm still at least three inches shorter than him."I just don't like the idea of them seeing you like this," he says softly. "Of you being so exposed for them.""Finnick, I've always had to look beautiful for the Capitol. Nothing's changed.""It just bothers me," he answers, and I loop my arm through his."I don't have a choice. I'd do anything to get Peeta back.""And I'd do anything to help you," Finnick says, turning his head so it leans onto mine.The elevator stops and we step out, where the bright flashes and the rolling cameras are waiting.