Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 7 - Suspicious Feistiness

I hate my life right now…I so freaking hate it! I mean, I know I was going to be a wearing a dress on the chariot. What girl doesn’t wear a dress? But hell, this doesn’t look anything like a dress! They’re putting me out there like a tree…a freaking tree! This thing is ugly as hell and I’m supposed to be seen publicly in this piece of crap! Just when I don’t think anything can get any worse…I really should stop thinking like that. Something always comes to slap me in the face. If there’s one thing I long to do, more than anything right now, it is to strip out of this dress and burn it in front of Lavio! Now that would be a good laugh for me right there.

When they’re done putting on all the layers of makeup and the dress, they put me in high-heels. Because of course, I have all the experience in the world walking in these things. Damn it, it’s a goddamn miracle I haven’t stumbled already. I look like a walking tree…well, I suppose that was the idea, but hell…I don’t feel human walking in this thing! As I get out of the elevator, I see Blight and Talon are talking and the minute they look at me, I can see a grin spread on Blight’s face. I look around and I see others look at me the same way. One of them is a Career…one of the girls, from District 1 I believe it is. She and the other Careers are laughing at the unsteady person that is Sylvia Mason. I’m gonna make sure you pay for that, bitch. Just you wait!

“Hey, don’t get too comfortable in that.” Blight says as I approach him and Talon. Holy crap I just want to strangle you so bad right now! I give him my angriest look as I get to them. “Comfortable…that’s the word, Blight.” I mutter in silent rage as I try to keep my dress in the way it is supposed to. Looking at Talon, I immediately envy him. He’s got more of a lumberjack touch to his costume. Damn it, would it honestly hurt to put me in something similar?! Damn it I so hate Lavio for putting me in this! “Okay, this is about to start so let’s get down to business.” Blight starts as my attention is back on him. “Remember our deal, Feisty: weakling…be nervous and scared. That’ll do just fine.” He starts. “I’ll stick to it if you do.” I simply say. He nods as he turns to Talon. “You have a free role here. Make people see you.” Blight then says as he and Dess leaves us.

Talon helps me up on the chariot as I have no chance on doing it on my own…thanks, Lavio! The chariots are about to start moving when Talon looks down on me. I catch his eyes examining the dress. “It’s got to be torturous for you to wear that thing. I think it’s a miracle you haven’t acted out even more about it.” He lets out. I shrug gently as I look for the words to answer back. “Let’s just put it this way: the minute this thing goes off, I’m gonna burn it in front of Lavio just to make him feel my pain.” I then answer. “And there it is…the feistiness.” Talon lets out as we enter the spotlight.

This is way too big for anyone. Damn it, I’m so overwhelmed by the sight, the attention and the people all around me, that I’m actually portraying the weakling just fine. I guess I am a little weakling and a tiny bit scared of the people living here when I see all the ugly outfits out there. God, how can they live with themselves? It’s just so down-right ugly. It’s all I can think about until I catch Talon is waving at the crowd. Oh, right, I should probably be doing that too. And I get to it as well, but I’m not supposed to overdo it according to my plan. Besides, I put my hand up a little late and we’re almost at a half-circle in front of the President’s balcony.

“Tributes, we welcome you. And we honor your strength, your courage, and your sacrifice…” And then he goes on and on. That’s when my feisty-look covers my face. It’s the same speech like the other ears. How they ‘honor’ our everything for being here. Well, it’s not like we chose to be here.  Looking at the president, I study every inch of him. I’ve heard he’s quite a tyrant…well I know that he is. He feeds of this control that he has on us, the Districts. I’ve heard so many theories about him and the white roses he always wears. He’s about to finish up. “…and may the odds be ever in your favor.” He says. Only, that’s when the creepiest thing happens. He catches my look. He’s looking right through me. Let me just tell you right here and now, that that’s not comfortable at all. God, I’m such a freaking genius. How can I not have made myself a target right there?