· 。ﾟ☆: *.☽
▎ RUINS ▎
»»————-　act one. uneven odds
SIX ━━ the art of pretending

don't lose your fire

— unknown

     ERIN FOUND HERSELF SHOWERED, WAXED, AND OILED thanks to the assistance of her prep team to prepare her to see her designer, Gailia, the next day in order to compose herself for the final interview before the Games. Gailia and her prep team were extremely excited, and they chattered on about the honor of doing her hair and makeup for the last time, which left a bittersweet taste in Erin's mouth.

     She was either surrounded by tears or happy smiles from her team; she wasn't sure which was worse.

     Erin waited patiently for Gailia to return with her dress. Her hair had been styled into beach waves and her makeup had been perfected. All that was needed was the dress.

     Gailia rejoined the group with a beautiful white dress. Erin closed her eyes and smiled softly.

     "I thought you might like it." Gailia said.

     Erin nodded at her. "It's beautiful."

     Gailia gave her a sad smile before helping the tribute into the dress; she sighed as she adjusted little details.

     Erin looked in the mirror behind her—she was, quite honestly, astounded at Gailia's creation. The dress looked amazing. She loved everything, from the simplicity of the color to the tiny detail of the pearls sewed onto the collar.

     Gailia finished the look with a simple seashell bracelet and a coral headband. Erin felt proud to have lived in District 4.

     The dress cascaded down to her knees likes rolling waves; it may have been slightly over-the-top with district representation, but Erin felt as if remained refined.

     "You look ravishing!" Gailia smiled, proud with her creation as she placed Erin's hair over to right.

     Erin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Thanks to you." She looked at the rest of her prep team. "Thanks to all of you."

     At that, all of the girls burst into tears, weeping for Erin's success or for the Games to be canceled all together.

     A low, teasing whistle came from Johanna as Erin walked inside the waiting room. She blushed, doing a little spin before rushing to her friend.

     "Look at you, doll—all pretty and dressed up. " Johanna winked.

    Erin nudged her shoulder in response. "Wish I could say the same for you."

     Johanna huffed and rolled her eyes. "Will they just drop the tree concept? Honestly, it's never going to work out."

     Erin was about to reply when Katniss swooped inside in what looked like a gorgeous wedding dress.

     "A wedding dress? Really?" Johanna raised an eyebrow while her stylist ran over to her, fixing any imperfection on her leafy outfit, much to her distaste.

     "Snow made me wear it." Katniss replied.

     A slow smile graced Johanna's lips as she patted the Girl on Fire's shoulder. "Then make him pay for it."

     Erin was ushered over to the stage entrance by a colorfully dressed crew member. "Erin Benton!" Caesar Flickerman announced excitedly into the microphone, guiding Erin over to the seat placed next to his.

     Erin held her head up high as she walked towards Caesar, keeping herself focused.

     "Welcome, welcome!" He said, showing off his bleach white smile. "My, oh, my, what a marvelous dress, dear." Caesar winked at the audience.

     She gave the purple-haired man a fake smile, giving him small twirl filled with as much irony as the one she had given Johanna. The audience went wild, their cheers almost making Erin go deaf.

     "Thank you, Caesar." Erin responded politely, finally looking towards the crowd and gave them a forged smile. She thought about the Capitol's corruption and the disgraceful things they've forced so many to go through.

     Caesar whistled. "Your stylist really out-did herself this year, don't you think?" He turned back towards the audience. 'What does everybody say about that, huh?"

     Caesar chuckled charmingly as Panem's people erupted into another round of cheers and applause. Erin managed to catch her stylist's eye, and Gailia wore a pleased, proud smile.

     Caesar calmed his people down and swiveled towards Erin. "Now, the last time we saw you, you were just a sixteen-year-old girl! But, my, look at you now. You've grown to be a beautiful lady." He shook his head dramatically, wiping away fake tears.

     She gave him a tight smile in response.

     "You must get lots of attention back home in District 4 from all the men, right?" Caesar grinned. "Anyone special back home?" He hinted.

     "Oh no, no suitors back home." She shook her head. "I do have my brother though, he's my rock, and, well, I'm his, and—" Erin's voice cracked as she began to plant the seeds of her plan.

     Caesar placed a hand on her shoulder with a look of concern. It looked wrong on his silicone face. "Are you alright, dear?"

     Erin sniffed feasibly before she looked back towards the audience. "Yes, well, it—it's just that we're each other's lifeline, you know? I can't imagine what this must be doing to him." She began to fan her face, pretending to hold off tears. "I mean, he already had to go through this once, but we were promised a better life after that! But, I guess Snow doesn't care much about that." She sighed sadly, wiping at her eyes.

     "I just want to be happy with my brother. I can't bare the thought of him being all alone in this world!" She made sure to let a single tear roll down her cheek as she tilted her head.

     "He—well, he always told me I would get married and have kids—he would have been an amazing uncle—but, well, but I guess I'll never experience that."

     The crowd burst into protests.

     Erin stood beside Beetee when Finnick was called onto the stage. The crowd erupted into tears, and it was like nothing had happened: the fickleness of the Capitol. The women and some of the men were swooning, and Erin swore she saw a few people actually faint at the mere sight of Finnick Odair.

     Caeasar excitedly waved Finnick over, sitting him down before facing the crowd. "Now, Finnick, my boy, I understand that you have a message—a message for somebody out there, a special somebody."

     Erin frowned; she hadn't known that Finnick was interested in anybody, and she knew that it surely wasn't some Capitol tart. She was thoroughly confused, seeing as they both told each other everything.

     Caesar laughed good-naturedly, winking at the audience, before turning towards Finnick. "Can we hear it?"

     "My love, you have my heart for all eternity. If I die in that arena, my last thought will be of your lips.

     When all of the interviews had been completed, the tributes were stood on a high platform overlooking the people of Panem. Every single tribute had done their best to prevent the Games from happening. However, the display of Katniss turning into a Mockingjay was a clear sign of Rebellion.

     The final act of the show was here—all of the victors were against the Capitol now. They were united as a team.

    Erin grabbed ahold of Beetee and Finnick's hands before raising her arms with the rest of the tributes.

     The spark grew bigger.

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