Deadly Game - Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

Caro leads me into the styling room again, and tells me to close my eyes. I hear how Sizza, Marc and Heart enter the room, and I feel them removing the gown from my body. Something is pulled over my head, and I feel a silky fabric against my body, like the dress I got from Denlay. That one is safe in Evan's backpack.

They do some changes on my clothes, and then order me to sit down.

"Heart, I want you to do her hair like this", Caro says, and I feel hands touching my hair. Caro and Heart discuss my hair with low voices, and I don't understand many of the terms they're using. The Capitol accent doesn't help either. I feel someone, probably Sizza, applying make-up to my face, and thin lines are drawn on my bare arms. According to my memories from earlier, it's Marc's steady hand.

The quiet man fascinates me. His hair is a dark blue, and his clear grey eyes look natural; no contacts or surgery's have damaged the real color. He doesn't speak much, but when he does, it's always something that sounds wise and important. He doesn't really behave like the other Capitol citizens I've met so far. Neither does Caro.

I sit perfectly still until Caro tells me to stand up and turn towards the mirror. Marc's strong arms turn me in the right direction.

"Thank you, Marc. You can open your eyes now, Cassidy." Caro's voice is a little nervous.

I open my eyes, and blink a few times to make sure I'm seeing right.

I am.

The dress is pretty. It hugs my curves, and flows down like a waterfall from my hips. The silver-blue fabric is thin, and my seashell-necklace is still around my neck. My hair falls in curls down to my shoulders. It's been washed and it's shiny. The brownish color that has always seemed so boring looks surprisingly good.

My make-up is bright, blue eyeshadow and clear lip gloss. I already have a nice tan from working outside, and my skin is quite flawless, except for a scar on my right temple, that is now covered with concealer. I look stunning.

"Caro! This is amazing!" I hug Caro, and she awkwardly pats my back.

"Careful, Cassidy. You can't ruin the dress yet," she laughs, and I pull back slightly, gazing at my prep-team.

"Thank you, guys, you are amazing! This is perfect!"

"Glad you like it," Sizza smiles.

Heart holds out a pair of blue high heels, and I get a little nervous. I'm not used to high heels. My mum had a pair, and when I was little I liked to walk around the house with them, but I haven't walked with heels for at least seven years. Marc notices my nervousness.

"Don't worry, I'll catch you if you fall." I smile gratefully at him and step into the heels. They aren't that high and surprisingly comfortable. They fit me perfectly.

Caro rearranges the dress, and then turns me to the mirror again. I, like everyone else, gasp. Something has happened with the dress. It isn't just blue and silver anymore. I swear I can see waves moving over the fabric.

I don't really look like myself. It's not the thin, all too long, dirty girl that works whole days under the burning sun. No, I'm a shining young woman, beautiful and eye-catching. Just because someone applied a little make-up and a dress.

I turn back to the others. Sizza and Heart smile at me, and Caro looks proud. So does Marc, who has wrapped his arms around Caro, hugging her from behind. A couple. Not that much of a surprise. They seem to fit each others personalities.

"It's time to go," Caro says, and the perfect moment is over. Nervousness, no, pure fear, seeps into me again. I'm going to see the other tributes for the first time, in real life. I go stiff.

Caro leads me out of the room.

"Cassi? Am I allowed to call you that?" I flinch when I hear the name. A new nickname. Cassie is what they call me back home. Evan said Cass, and that's okay.

I think for a moment. "Yes. I consider you my friend."

"Okay. Well, don't worry about the others, Cassi. I'm sure you'll look best out of everyone. No offense, but the other stylists are really crap this year." I smile. Somehow Caro knows just how to cheer me up.

"I trust you, Caro. I know you're the best stylist in the world."

"Well, that's a little overboard."

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is."

"No."

"Yes."

"Stop it, you two! You're acting like children!" Evan's voice interrupts our bickering. I haven't noticed that we've reached a big room with sofas. Evan is sitting on the couch, as is Violet.

"We are children," Caro says and sticks her tongue at Evan.

"Good point, Caro."

Violet watches me with approving eyes. "Good work, Caroline."

Caro makes a face. "Please, Violet. Don't call me that. It doesn't fit me at all. Caroline." Her voice is like venom when she says the last word.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Caro."

"Nah, it's okay. Just don't do it again, Violetta!" They both laugh, and then leave the room, leaving me alone with Evan. He looks at my dress, and smiles.

"Caro is a genius. Good that you two got along well."

"Caro is really nice."

"She's a lovely friend, and a dangerous enemy."

"I can't imagine her not being nice."

"Oh, believe me, you don't want her as an enemy. If Caro approves of you, the whole Capitol is by your side. She's extremely important here. She likes you, and that's good. She's the best friend you can ask for. Supportive, nice, loyal, protective... an angel. And as an ememy she's your worst nightmare. A devil. She can make your life a living hell. And I mean it."

"Who is Caro exactly?"

Evan is quiet for a moment. "President Snow's oldest grand-daughter. She hates both him and her parents. The only one she really adores in her family is her little sister, Arianne."

"Caroline Snow... sounds familar." I can't seem to take in the fact. Nice, energetic and childish Caro, the grand-daughter of the evil President Corolanius Snow? No way. And still... the way the prep-team treated Caro with respect, the way she carries herself... it's true.

"It's great for you to have Caro as a stylist. It'll get you more sponsors. I'm a good friend of Caro's, and when I asked her to style my District, she glady said yes."

"Thanks."

"No problems, Cass. Everything for you."

"Wait. You knew it was me who was the tribute when you asked her?"

"Yeah."

"That's a double thank you." It doesn't matter he didn't know me then. It was still a gesture of good will, a gift that might make me survive.

"Do I get a thank you-hug?" He laughs. I nod and hug him carefully, so that I don't crush my dress. He glanzes at a clock on the wall, and sighs. "We have to go. Rino will be downstairs any minute, and I have to talk to him."

Suddenly I realize, this is it. It's now I need to shine.

Evan smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry, Cass. Just do your best, and you'll be fine. Try to keep a poker-face."

"Poker-face is my speciality."

We laugh, and walk to the lift where Caro and Violet are waiting. It's silent on the way down. When we step out, Caro immediately pulls me towards a chariot. It's all covered with seashells and glows. The horses are white as snow. She helps me climb in, and gives me a few last minute tips for the ride.

"Use your poker-face, be regal, and half of Panem will be sponsoring you," is the last thing she says before she leaves me alone in the chariot. Soon Rino climbs in, and District 1 has already rolled out on the street. District 2, then 3. And then it's our turn.

The chariot rolls out on the street, and my poker-face is as good as ever.