A Different Side- Glimmer (Hunger Games)

Chapter 6

The castle-like doors swing open slowly as our horses pull the chariot past them. The Panem national anthem is playing, although you can't really hear it over the eardrum-shattering cheer of the audience. District 1 is always a fan favorite.

"Glimmer! Marvel! Glimmer! Marvel!" they chant.

I see Poinsettia in the crowd and wave to her. My costume reflects light every time I move, and I feel so graceful and, well, glimmering. I know the tributes from District 2 are behind us, because they have moved on from Glimmer & Marvel to Clove & Cato. Usually, only the Careers' names are important to the audience members.

I'm still smiling and waving when all cheers for the Careers stop. There is no Glimmer & Marvel, or even Clove & Cato, but now Katniss & Peeta.

I'm shocked. Wait, aren't they the tributes from District 12? I have to do a double take. No one's ever cheered for District 12 before, nevermind chant the tributes' names. But I see why they're so special.

The two from 12 are dressed in black, like coal, because they're the coal mining district. But behind them are capes of fire, meant to represent the coal burning, I guess.

I start getting really worried, because not only has that Katniss girl volunteered for her sister, she's also made a memorable entrance in the tribute parade.

Once we're all lined up at the Circle, President Snow, our leader, emerges from the balcony above us. He's a tall man with paper white hair.

He makes his speech while I look at the other tributes' outfits. The more I see Katniss and Peeta, the more I'm annoyed. I just want to go over there and rip their heads off...!

But I calm myself, once I'm assured, I can totally do that in the games.

Clove and Cato's outfits are also stunning. They're dressed like Greek gods and goddesses, all in gold. Cato's costume shows off his muscular arms and I just want to melt...

The horses trotting jolts me back into reality. "You okay?" Marvel asks. I nod. I almost forgot he was standing next to me.

"You were wonderful!" Poinsettia laughs, just as we're stepping out of the chariot. Cretia agrees, and Marvel fist-pumps.

"Glimmer!" Glitter yells, wrapping herself around me so tightly it's hard to breath. "Your entrance was beautiful! I love your outfit, and the feathered headdress... gorgeous! It's as spectacular as mine!"

Poinsettia nods, and Micka smiles.

"I'm sure sponsors are just itching to bet on you!" she beams. I notice no one is talking about Katniss and Peeta.

"Speaking of itching... what's this tux made out of? The sparkles are cutting at my skin like knives," Marvel complains.

"Alright, then let's go," Micka sighs. She shoves her way through another crowd, and we ride in what she calls a limo. I've heard of them, and only the wealthiest of District 1 ride in them.

I know this building, it's the Training Center. Where everyone in the Hunger Games stays and trains until the games itself.

"This is the one time to envy District 12," Micka singsongs as we enter the building. "Unfortunately, they get the penthouse."

"What about us?" I ask. I dread the thought.

"First floor," Micka sighs. "But it's okay. You'll always be first for training!"

When we enter, the actual training center is the real first floor. We take the crystal elevator up one level, and I'm astonished by the bedrooms.

There are so many buttons all around the room I don't know where to start. I select a touchscreen by the closet and program it to arrange an outfit for me, a white tank top with skinny jeans and white flats. Normally, I would choose heels, but I've had enough of them for one day.

My costume is stunning, but my outfit is much more comfortable. It takes me a while before I realize I'm starving. But there's no one around.

I press another button and say what I'm craving. "Chicken ceaser salad. No tomatoes." And there it is. In seconds.

Munching on the salad, I notice the wall adjacent to my bed can be changed, the image on it, at least. I flip from a basic wall to a projection of the Capitol streets to an image of the woods. Yuck.

Eventually, I see a projection of a jewelry store, with shimmering necklaces and earrings. This calms me; if I didn't participate in the Hunger Games I would be a jeweler too.

"Come on, dear! Are you ready for dinner?" Micka yells into my room. I'm forced to leave the comfort of the bed, because I have to eat with them no matter what.

There's 32 of us at a table. The 27 victors, two tributes, two stylists, and one Micka. We have a roast pig with an apple in its mouth. It suddenly reminds me of when I recieved my first bow.

I'd been so excited, it had my name carved into it and everything. Too excited, I went outside and shot a wild pig running past a wooded area in central District 1. That would be considered poaching, but I was only five at the time and my parents had enough money to bail me out of whatever jail the Peacekeepers could possibly throw me in.

I load my plate up with cranberry sauce, pork, corn pudding, and a vine-like vegetable I've only seen in pictures. I heard it it's scarce in districts, except District 11, which is agriculture, and the Capitol. It tastes bitter when I chew it.

"Do you like the asparagus?" Poinsettia asks. I shake my head and spit in out into a napkin.

"You were amazing at the tribute parade. Did you hear the crowd cheering for you?" Micka says, breaking the silence. I've been so busy tasting my favorite foods I forgot they were all there.

"Yeah, I also heard them cheering for Katniss and Peeta," I mumble. Poinsettia, Cretia, and the victors just stare at me, not saying anything. Marvel looks down at his plate and I see his face turning red with envy.

"True. That's only because it was the first time in the history of the Hunger Games District 12 has made a splash at the Opening Ceremony. Besides, it was only their stylists' work. They probably don't stand a chance in the arena," Micka tries to comfort me. This is true. I sigh in relief and continue to eat my meal.

"They're gonna be my first target," Marvel announces. "I hate it when other people don't pay attention to me. I'll show them who's really on fire."

I smile and reach my hand out to high-five. He slaps it and shouts, "Whoo!"

"You know what? We should form an alliance," I suggest. "Against them. We can even see if the Careers from District 2 want to!"

"Yeah!" Marvel yells proudly.

"Alright, alright! Enough of this. Form your little alliance in the arena, not in your rooms. Now's the time to settle down and relax," Micka lectures. "Trust me, you'll have time to kill your enemies when the games begin."

The rest of the meal is Marvel and I secretly staring at each other, excited. I hate Katniss. I'm not sure why I do so much, but I do. She stole my spotlight at the tribute parade. She volunteered for her sister. Now is the time to get my spotlight back.