"Just relax, darling!" Roxie, one of the members of my prep team, says. The other two, Orpheus and Iggy nod.

Relax?   I'm making my first appearance in the Capitol in two hours.  First impressions are everything.  

And I still haven't decided how I'm going to act.  Smile and wave at the audience? Act like they don't exist?

Ever since I got off the Tribute Train, I've been thinking about this.

Rip!  The sound of wax snaps me out of my thoughts.  

"There. That was the last one. And you were such a good girl!" Orpheus takes out a container of what looks like lotion.  "This will soothe your skin." 

The smelly lotion stings at first but becomes soothing and cool.  

After that, I'm set in a bathtub of rainbow colored water while the team rubs foreign concoctions, oils and conditioners through my hair, gives me a manicure and has me put on a dozen face masks. 

I'm already dreaming about what my costume will look like.  I'm praying it won't look like the 61st Hunger Games costumes.  Our tributes were dressed as giant see-through perfume bottles, and the smell was so strong it made 10 people faint. 

"Cashmere, you can get out of the tub now." Roxie hands me a towel.  I hastily dry off, doing my best to cover my lady parts. 

"No need to hide. There are no secrets between you and us," Iggy says and a cheeky grin spreads across her face.

"Iggy!" Roxie scolds.

"You're very beautiful. You look almost...exotic," Orpheus notes as he examines me. 

I guess I do look exotic.  I got my dad's blonde curls and my mom's slanted green eyes and ivory skin. 

"All the sponsors will have their eyes on you!" Iggy exclaims and half-dances around the room as she takes out a set of brushes. 

As my prep team does my makeup, they chat among themselves, tittering like colorful little birds. I just sit and listen learning about this peculiar world. 

I want to see how I can win over the Capitol. And who's better to ask than a Prep Team?

 "Roxie?" I ask. 

"Yes, darling?" She replies. 

"What's your favorite part about the Opening Ceremonies?" 

"I like sizing up the tributes and seeing their costumes," Roxie answers. 

"What kinds of tributes are your favorites?" 

"The ones that are beautiful and strong.  Mainly the careers."Roxie applies more makeup to my face. 

"The hot boys that wave at me," Iggy swoons dreamily. 

"The people who have that fire in their eyes, like they want to win," Orpheus adds. 

It seems like all of them want beauty and confidence.  That I can do.

***** 

"Hi Cashmere.  I'm your stylist, Quintus," Quintus greets me.  He has long green dreadlocks and dark skin tattooed with snakes. 

"Hi," I say.

"Wow, great job team! She looks amazing," Quintus congratulates the prep team. "Now, for your outfit." 

I inhale sharply. Don't be a see through perfume bottle.  Don't be fur undergarments.

"It's a surprise."

I close my eyes and slip into the outfit. It's a dress, that's for sure. I run my hands along it, feeling a bumpy texture. 

"You can open your eyes now." 

I gasp in delight.  I'm in a knee-length dress and stilettos.  Attached to my dress is a clear flowing cape that must be 15 feet.   My entire outfit is studded with glittering diamonds. 

The end of my cape looks like it's been dipped in them, while sparkles are woven into the rest of it. 

My golden hair has countless tiny diamonds woven into it. Even my makeup is perfect: my eyelids are painted silver and tiny crystals are stuck around my eyes.  

The clear gems all catch the light and turn a kaleidoscope of colors. 

That's when I notice the gems are all sharp at the tips, and my nails are filed into crystal claws. 

"Diamonds are beautiful but lethal, just like us tributes should be," I muse. 

Quintus laughs.  "Well said, Cashmere.  Well said.  Don't forget the crown."  

**** 

I take the elevator down to the Training Center. Twelve chariots are already lined up in order.  I spot Gloss, Ruby, Jasper, Leto and a group of people that look like his stylist and prep team.  

"Cashmere, you look great!" Gloss nods at my dress. 

"Thanks."  I adjust my crown.

"Hey." It's Jasper.  His outfit is exactly the same as mine, but he's in a sleeveless shirt and pants. 

I gulp. 

He could snap my neck right now if he wanted to.  A few years ago, someone tried to kill their district partner at the Opening Ceremonies and nearly succeeded.  

"Yes?" I ask. 

"Let's go talk to 2 while we have time," Jasper says, though it's more of an order. 

District 2 is dressed in armor and even have fake swords.  Both are extremely tall and muscular.  The girl has a scar on her cheek.  

"Hi.  I'm Cashmere," I smile at them and shake both their hands. 

"Beatrix Hernandez," Beatrix just gives me a curt nod.

"I'm Marshall." Marshall shakes my hand.  

"Jasper." Jasper introduces himself to 2.

"Do you guys think 4 will be good this year?" Marshall asks us, but it seems like more of a challenge to see if anyone disagrees with him. 

"Weak," Beatrix spits as she looks at District 4. 

"Definitely not what we were hoping for," Jasper admits.  

"Let's go!" Leto grabs me and Jasper with each hand and drags us off to our chariots before I can answer.

"What should we do?" I whisper to Jasper.  "We should definitely look like a team." 

"Yes.  But I'm not waving," Jasper grumbles.

"Ok." 

We step onto the chariot.  I square my shoulders back, lift my chin high and put on a small smile. 

As our chariot rolls in, the roar of the crowd is deafening.  People are clapping and cheering-for us! For me!

I feel the cool breeze on my face, making my cape billow out behind me. When I catch a glimpse of myself on the big screen, I nearly faint.  

Not to brag, but I'm so beautiful...yet so dangerous. The jewels catch the light and illuminate me.  I'm not just covered in them....I am them.   

The image gives me confidence, and I smile even more.

But we know we can do better.

He does the unexpected, slipping his right hand over my left. The crowd is screams like crazy. 

"Cashmere! Cashmere! Cashmere!" They chant.

I suddenly have an idea. I casually flick my hair over my shoulder, emphasizing the lethality of my jeweled claws. 

The crowd  goes "Ooh".  Then, a Capitol boy about my age throws me a violet flower.    

"For you, my love!" He yells over the crowd.

I put my hand over my heart like I'm touched and set the flower in my hair, then take off my bracelet and throw it to him.  

"For you, Mi Amore!" I shout.

Everyone around him are acting like drunkards, trying to catch the bracelet and thumping him on the back. 

I give him one last smile as the chariot turns a corner. 

President Snow's mansion is coming into view in the distance, so I take the flower out of my hair with my right hand and raise it above my head. 

Our chariot pulls to a stop, and I'm honestly kind of sad it's over.  I had fun flirting with the boy! Even though President Snow is emerging, people are still throwing me and Jasper things. 

President Snow starts his speech"Welcome to the 64th annual Hunger Games.  May the odds be ever in your-"  

"I love you Cashmere!" Someone shrieks and flings a necklace at me. 

"Favor," He finishes, his gaze fixated on me.

He gives the rest of his speech. But I'm not listening.  I'm basking in this moment of glory.

Our chariot's horses start running into the Training Center.  The audience collectively groans.  I somehow manage to spot the same boy in the crowd and blow him a delicate kiss.

**** 

We finally go to our apartment. I kick my heels off, but linger in the dress and cape for a little bit longer.  

The apartment has lots of furry furniture and ornate sculptures and paintings.  My room has a lace canopy bed and chandelier.

At dinner, everyone is complimenting our performance, and can't stop talking about how I flirted with the boy. 

After we finish, Ruby turns on the TV and we all gather to watch.  

Iggy starts crying hysterically when Jasper slips his hand over mine, and then when me and the boy exchange gifts.  "It's a love triangle! How romantic!"

I do have to say, we looked amazing up there. Jasper even made a girl faint.

We portrayed our image perfectly.  

We were beautiful...yet lethal. 

Hope you liked this chapter! Tell me what you think in the comments below.  Did you like the outfits and how Cashmere tried to play up the crowd?