| " L O O K S . " |

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"Lets go, up and at 'em, Princess."

"Why?" I groan at Paul as he pulls the blankets off of me. I roll over, trying to ignore the cold air that snaps at my exposed legs.

"Because we have some very important things to discuss," He replies.

"Like what?" I huff.

"Like the tribute parade, which is today."

"Why today?"

"Because. I don't know why, they just chose today," He shrugs.

"Okay, fine. What do I have to do?"

"First of all, you have to get dressed and take a shower. After that, you are going to have a conversation with me and the other mentors."

"What are we going to talk about?"

"Your act for the interviews."

I let out another groan as I get out of bed, and stretch. This is going to be a long day, I can already feel it.

___♕___

After a very long breakfast, I head to the living room with Bane at my side.

"Okay, teach us the ways of the Capitol interviews." I say in a Capitol accent. Reena chuckles, but stops when our mentors enter the room.

"First of all, you will not do that," Leo says after rolling his eyes.

"Why not? I'm a naturally funny person, why can't I show that?" I raise an eyebrow. "Are my jokes not good enough for you?"

"You can't show your actual self in the games, it's not 'interesting' enough for the Capitol. They want drama and role play." Crystal adds with a shake of her head.

"Role play?" Bane questions.

"Exactly. And we already have your parts planned."

"When will we get started with this stuff?" I ask, relaxing into the sofa.

"Soon enough. But for right now, we need you all to get ready for the tribute parade. Aven and Quint will be here shortly."

___♕___

After being prepped, plucked, and re-cleaned by my prep team, Aven walks into the room. My hair and makeup is done, but my prep team hasn't let me see any of it. They say it's a 'surprise' and that I could see it after Aven put on my dress and added the finishing touches.

"Can I please know what the dress looks like?" I beg. He chuckles in responce, shaking his head.

"Nope, sorry Lana. But I promise it'll be beautiful. Now close your eyes." I follow his instructions and close my eyes. He slips off my robe and slips the dress on over my head.

The anticipation in me grows, wanting to see the dress.

What color is it? What do I look like? Can I look now? Does my makeup look okay? Why-

"I'm guessing you want to open your eyes now, right?" Aven asks.

"Yes." I say a little too quickly.

"Okay, you can open them."

I open my eyes as soon as I do, I gasp.

The dress is long and white with lace and diamonds on the bodice. There is a cut that is filled in with cloth at the top of the dress, and it's very pretty. My makeup is done in a smoky way, matching my dress. My hair is in a princess bun with loose strands of hair framing the sides of my face.

"I love it." I manage to say in awe.

"I do too," Aven starts. "But it needs one more thing." He walks from the room for a moment, then comes back in. I stare at the mirror and watch as he places a princess crown with diamonds scattered on it on top of my head.

"I have a feeling that the nickname from Paul caught on," I laugh.

"Actually, Paul requested it."

"He did, did he?"

"Yes. Bane is matching you with a prince crown," He informs.

"Really?" I ask, raising my eyebrows.

"Yep. You're allowed to see him now, we have to head to the stables." He says, checking his watch.

"Then lets go." I say, pulling his arm. We head down the hallway, into the elevator, and to the stables where all of the tributes are crowded with their allies.

"There they are." Aven points out Triton and Bane.

"Thanks Aven. I'll see you after the parade," I wave, and walk over to them, leaving Aven behind.

"Nice dress," Triton says, looking down at me. I smile, trying to hide my blush.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I wink. He shakes his head, staring at the ground.

"C'mon, Lana, we need to get to our carriage," Bane interrupts.

"But I haven't gotten to talk to any of the other careers," I complain.

"It doesn't matter, lets go." He rushes, pulling me away. I struggle on my heels, wobbling back and forth.

"Attention, tributes. Enter your carriages for the beginning of the parade. Thank you." Benjamias, the head game maker, speaks loudly from a few feet away. I sigh, and follow Bane. Our carriage is white with silky linen around the edges and white roses placed around it.

I hop on, and watch as the first few chariots dissappear. I get anxious as our chariot moves closer and closer to the opening of the Capitol road.

"Here we go," Bane mutters as the Capitol people come into our view. I take a deep breath, and smile. The crowd cheers as we wave and blow kisses to them.

"And here are our District two tributes. And wow, just look at them! They look like royalty!" Ceasar exclaims.

After a speech from the new President Snow, all of the tributes make their way back into the stables. I leave Bane behind to make my way back to our living quarters. At this point, the only thing I'm worried about is getting these shoes off.

"Can I accompany you on your journey, you highness?" Triton asks, stepping in front of me.

"I don't think you would want to," I chuckle. "I'm going to my living quarters to take off these shoes. They're killing my feet."

"Well, I can't let a Princess walk in pain, can I?" He asks, and scoops me up into his arms. He begins to walk, carrying me bridal style to the elevator.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"To my living quarters." He smirks. I roll my eyes.

"Fine, but hurry."

___♕___

After getting to Triton's living quarters, I took off my heels and changed into some of Raley's clothes.

"I feel a lot better," I sigh in content, relaxing onto his bed.

"That's good," Triton says with a smile, plopping next to me on his bed.

"Yeah, for me anyway." We go through a few minutes of comfortable silence after that, at least until Triton spoke up.

"You know Bane likes you, right?" He questions.

"No he doesn't."

"Yes he does. I know he does, because he looks at you the way . . . " He trails off.

"He looks at me the way, what?" I ask, urging him to continue.

"He looks at you the way I look at you," He says softly, looking at the floor.

"But you don't . . . what?" My eyes widen. "You like me?"

"Yes, I do." He looks down at me. In a flash, before I can think, his lips are on mine.

What do I do?

I make a quick decision as I push him off of me, and sprint down the hallways. On my way out of his living quarters, I grab my heels. Despite Triton's calls for me to stop, I head quickly to the elevator. I push the 'down' button, and tap my foot a few times in impatience, glancing backwards. But the doors don't open.

I run to the stairs, hoping I'll make it to my living quarters before Triton can catch me.

"Lana, stop, please!" Triton begs as I head up the next flight of stairs, and into my living quarters entrance. I slam the door behind me, and slide down the wall. It's then that I realize I only have one heel left.

Damn.

"What the hell happened to you?"

Double Damn.

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