Part 6 - The Parade
When Jaemin finally spotted Jeno amongst the crowd of tributes, stylists, escorts and mentors, he had to hold back a gasp. Now, don't get the wrong idea, Jaemin didn't like Jeno in that way, but Jeno looked ethereal. His outfit was almost identical to Jaemin's except his tunic was sleeveless, showing off Jeno's incredibly toned arms. When Kai said Jeno's outfit had shorter sleeves he definitely meant shorter. He was also wearing makeup, although it was a little less intense than Jaemin's white eyeliner and metallic eyeshadow. Instead Jeno's eyes were painted a light grey, with red and orange accenting the edges of his eyes, and thick black eyeliner framing his lids. Approaching Jeno, who was staring mouth agape at him, Jaemin grinned.
"Different huh?" He said cheekily. Jeno simply gulped and nodded in response.
"Different is definitely the right word for it Jaemin." Jeonghan commented. "And here I was thinking you had a resting bitch face, but with a bit of contour it's more of a resting pretty bitch face." Jeongyeon giggled and Jaemin stuck his tongue out at his escort who chuckled. "You look great Jaemin. Now a quick rundown of what you're going to do for me whilst on that carriage. As the carriage is leaving the gateway I want you to kiss. When you're out of the entrance act all shy, pretend like that wasn't meant to be seen and then hold hands the rest of the way. Jeno I want you to stand tall and strong. Be dominant. Jaemin wave but stay very close to Jeno, you two are almost the same height, but make yourself seem smaller, more innocent. A strong couple is what I need. A couple who will survive together. Let the press build a love story. Trust me the citizens will soak it in. Just play your part, and sponsors will be flooding in in no time." Jeonghan exhaled, saying all of that in basically one breath.
Jaemin could tell he had spent a little too much time thinking about all of that. There were parts of Jeonghan's speech he didn't like, like the part where HE HAD TO KISS JENO! That was not in the contract. Jaemin nodded, but then gave Jeno a pointed look. Semmingly getting the messaged, Jeno turned to their escort, rubbing his nape shyly.
"Well, um, you see the thing is Jeonghan," he coughed awkwardly, "we've never kissed."
This didn't seem to phase their escort as he grinned wider.
"Well then this is the perfect time for your first! Now off you go, District 10's just gone. Good luck and remember what I've told you." And with that Jeonghan bounded away. The two tributes looked at Jeongyeon for confirmation but she simply shrugged in response, muttering a quick good luck before speeding away. Jeno and Jaemin exchanged a look. They were ushered onto their carriage by a random worker and then the carriage began to move. Nervously, Jaemin grabbed Jeno's hand remembering what Jeonghan told him, positioing his body slightly behind Jeno's.
"Uhm about the kiss," Jeno stammered, "we don't have to if you don't want to." Jaemin looked up at Jeno, confliceted whether he should just do as told and kiss the other boy or follow what his brain was telling him and not kiss Jeno. Seeing they were nearing the exit, Jaemin knew he had to make a decision now. Without even thinking he grabbed Jeno's chin and tilted his head towards him.
"Let's just do this." he whispered before capturing the others lips in his. Jeno was obviously not expecting this as he made a little noise of surprise and tried to pull back but Jaemin kept a firm hand on the tallers jaw. He felt the light change and a roar of noise hit the two like a brick wall. Jaemin pulled away, mouthed a sorry to Jeno, before beginning to act. He looked out into the crowd of millions, and lowered his head smiling sheepishly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jeno do the same but instead grinned in embarrassment. Good. Step one complete, now just act like a couple.
By the time they had reached the end of the parade, and were waiting before the president's balcony, Jaemin thought he was going to throw up from all the acting. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much and he wanted nothing more than to stop holding Jeno's hand and go back to bed. But no. He had to stand here, still smiling waiting for the President to come out and say the same thing he says every year. Jaemin felt Jeno squeeze his hand a little and he looked up with a questioning look.
"You look stressed." Jeno whispered into Jaemin's ear. Jaemin gave him a tight smile.
"I'm alright. I just want this to be over."
"Yeah me too, but not much longer." Jaemin sighed, and knowing he had a role to play, leaned his head on Jeno's shoulder. Jaemin could feel the stares of the other tributes but ignored them. They weren't his concern until they reached the arena. Suddenly, noise from the surrounding audience brought Jaemin out of his thoughts, as he looked up at the balcony where the President was now standing, smiling and waving at the onlooking cameras and citizens.
If there was anything that he hated more than the Hunger Games, it had to be the President. He was the man who had caused all of their problems. He sparked the rebellion all those years ago. He caused the starvation and famines in the outer districts by draining them of their supplies. He introduced the games. The President had killed thousands, if not millions, of innocent citizens of Panem simply because of his greed and need to maintain the wealth and power of the Capitol. So yes, it was far to say Jaemin hated the President with all of his being.
The speech was long and boring and almost identical to the previous years. Out of boredom, Jaemin averted his eyes from the president's balcony and began to look around at the other tributes. On the train to the Capitol, Jeonghan had made him and Jeno sit through the full hour coverage of each tribute reaping, so they could get an idea of what they were up against. If Jaemin was being honest he fell asleep by District 7 (the show reviewed each tribute from District 12 to 1), so didn't exactly remember everyone's names. Actually now that he thought about it, Jaemin could only recall the names of the tributes from 11 and 10. Qian Kun and Zhong Chenle from 11; Moon Taeil and Nakamoto Yuta from 10.
He looked to his right at Yuta and Taeil, two of the oldest tributes in the games.
The two were wearing matching flared jeans, with brown and white checked shirts. Taeil's hair was slicked back, showing off the highlighter painted on his cheek bones. Yuta's hair fell onto his shoulders in loose black waves, one side pinned back shining silver pins. Although their outfits were simplistic compared to the other tributes, they both looked perfect for the livestock district. Jaemin was sure that there were plenty of Capitol women who would sponsor them on the spot, but he guessed that what their stylist was going for.
He then turned his head a little to look at Kun and Chenle of District 11. If Jaemin remembered correctly, Chenle was one of the three youngest tributes in the games this year, barely 14 yet about to give up his life for the satisfaction of the Capitol.
The two boys were dressed in denim overalls, Kun's reached his ankles whilst Chenles' reached his knees. Underneath they each had dark green t-shirts, with sleeves embroidered in gold grain patterns. Kun's hair was woven with braids of corn, and was flipped over onto the side. On Chenle's head sat a crown of wheat. Overall, their stylists had nailed the agricultural aspect of their outfits. When Jaemin turned back to look at the balcony, he felt a gaze burning into him. He turned to see Chenle staring back at him. Jaemin raised his eyebrow at the younger boy, who simply giggled silently and smiled at him. Jaemin smiled back. How could he resist, Chenle was adorable.
Stumbling a little, Jaemin gripped onto Jeno's arm as the carriage suddenly moved forward, scaring him. He could feel the tallers body shaking as he laughed at him and quickly hit Jeno on the arm. In response Jeno boldy tilted his head down and pecked Jaemin on the cheek, then whispered in his ear.
"Just a little longer. You can stop smiling in a minute." Jaemin looked at Jeno with big eyes, and then giggled, so the cameras would assume that Jeno had told him something cute. Jaemin lifted up his arm and began to wave at the audience, smiling some more before the lights were extinguished as they went through an archway that would take them back to Jeonghan and Jeongyeon. Jaemin let his face relax, rubbing his jaw gently. He felt Jeno let go of his hand and the two looked at each other and started laughing.
"At least that's over." Jeno said, and Jaemin grinned.
"Don't think that cheek kissing thing is a permanent instalment into our relationship mate." Jeno just shook his head, still laughing. Jaemin knew that they would have to keep pretending in front of the other tributes, in order to make everything even more realistic but for now he just enjoyed the new friend he had made, despite the situation.
