"Wheeeheey! Foxy's in the games!"
I blink. Foxy?
That's what they call me.
Foxface.
The shout came from the boys' section of the reaping, from a boy I know as Tederick Downing. Tederick is dragged from the section and whipped, once, twice, three times.
I receive numerous shoves, encouraging me to the stage, where our districts' escort stands. Her name is Elennette. Elennette smiles at me from the stage, and I see my face on the great screen behind her. I walk slowly to the stage to join the boy that they picked. The boy is always picked first.
I won't bother to learn his name.
Elennette pats me on the back and heads me towards the door.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
She shouts the traditional slogan down the microphone as I walk away from the crowds.
The transition between the reaping and all the following events before the Games go fast, no matter how I anticipate entering the arena.
The train to the capitol steams, making me feel disgustingly sick. The lamb stew they feed me pushes my stomach to the brink and it revisits me in the toilet. I run to my room on the train and lock the door. I must not appear weak.
Elennette raps on my door several times, the most recent to tell me we've arrived. I guess, seeing as the final lurch of the train brings up what's left in my stomach.
As I leave the train, my fellow tribute is scowling at the crowds of cameras and members of the Capitol. I wave, twice, as I'm not sure how I want to make my approach. I reach the tall building.
My goodbye to my family was quick and abrupt. My mother couldn't make it as she's at home, mentally ill. My father and brother came, my brother hidden behind my father, only visible by his scruffy red hair.
I meet my stylist and his team. My stylist, Brint, is short with bright crimson hair. He frowns a lot, and his creased brow never ceases to furrow. He lies me down on the table.
"Foxface. I can call you Foxface, can't I? Well, that's what I shall call you. I never hear you being named anything other than that."
As soon as anyone catches sight with me, it's 'Foxface'. I'm past the offensive stage.
Brint and his team, which consists of two males and one female, strip me down and begin to wax everything they can reach.
The two males, Aldred and Andreo, start on my legs. The female, Deldred, begins on my underarms and eyebrows. When I'm done, I feel there is not one hair left on me other than my fiery hair.
Then comes the makeup.
Brint makes my face shimmer.
Silver eyeliner, eyelashes and face- glitter coat my face, just enough so I don't feel coated. My hair is brushed through and Deldred weaves silver threads into plaits that frame my face.
My dress is beautiful, though I am not a dressy person. It's completely silver and a collar holds around my neck.
I get on the chariot.
This is it.
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