You turned around in shock now to see your best friend, standing right in front of you wearing a similar costume like yours--a black unitard with black boots, headpiece, and cape to complete the ensemble.

"Why hello, Peeta," you smiled in greeting, feeling yourself heat up and blush as you looked at him. Luckily, you managed to keep your cool, and you managed to keep your pounding heart in check.

Peeta nodded at your ensemble. "You think the flames our stylists mentioned about is a good idea?"

You shrugged. "I have no idea. The idea itself sounds amazing--definitely something unique. But you do have a point. What if we get burnt?"

"You rip off my cape, and I'll rip yours off," Peeta joked.

"Okay," you giggled, which turned the heads of some of the other tributes.

Soon, you heard footsteps, and you saw Cinna and another stylist--probably Peeta's stylist--approach you. Quickly, you stepped up on the chariot, Peeta stepping up right beside you.

"This is synthetic fire," Cinna promised you, holding up a small match lit with a blue flame. "It's supposed to give everyone the effect of real flame on your capes, but trust me, you'll hardly feel a thing."

You chuckled. "I hope that's true."

"Otherwise, we'd be burnt to a crisp," Peeta added, and you all had a good laugh.

"Hey, where's Haymitch?" you finally asked, breathless from laughter.

Peeta shrugged. "With him being so incoherent, we shouldn't let him near an open flame."

More laughs and more head turns came out of that joke, but you were used to it. People have been doing that all the time to you and Peeta back in District 12, so their stares just passed off as friendly ones to you. Though at some point, you'll have to acknowledge that these other people staring at you are the tributes that you'll have to kill in the arena to ensure your victory...

Not now, (Y/N). Don't even think about it now.

Soon, everyone started to line up for the parade, and you felt the horses in front of you pull your chariot towards the end of the line. Being from District 12, you were the last people to head out of the Remake Centre for the entire Capitol to see. And the horses were trained ahead of time to pull the chariots and lead you through the parade, so there was no need for you to worry about them bringing you in the wrong direction.

The doors opened, and you saw District 1's tributes, their chariot pulled by snow-white horses, exit first. You couldn't help but stare in awe at their amazing pink ensemble, with small jewels glittering on the clothes as well. Of course, there would be something shiny and rich on there. District 1's main industry was luxury.

District 2 went out next on their chariot, followed by 3, then 4...by the time District 10 just pulled out, Cinna came over to the both of you.

"Alright. I'm lighting your capes now," Cinna said, holding up the match and setting fire on your capes. You expected a burning sensation and a smell of something going up in smoke, but you smelt nothing, and there was only a small tickling feeling. You were sure Peeta felt the exact thing, because then he smiled at you, his eyes twinkling under the firelight. Reaching up to his headpiece, you turned it on, and he did the same to yours.

"Alright, guys. Chins up. Smile. They're going to love you!" he cried as he got off the chariot. Apparently it seemed like he had one more idea, because then he turned back with Peeta's stylist to you and yelled something else.

You turned to Peeta in confusion. "What is he saying?"

"I think he wants us to hold hands," Peeta murmured to you, and you blushed. You only held Peeta's hand in the comforts of home, whenever you needed each other for support, or just whenever you felt alone. The fact that you were going to show the Capitol that you were friends since you were younger made you feel dizzy, but you only nodded as you reached out your right hand for his left, and he took it tightly, intertwining your fingers with his. It took all your will to stop yourself from blushing profusely, because then the chariot was rolling away and out of the Remake Centre and into the blinding lights that served as the parade venue, where every single Capitol citizen were screaming your names.

The sight of them made you feel even dizzier now--overwhelmed now, even--but you only heard Cinna's voice in your head. "Chins up. Smile. They're going to love you!"

And so you took the courage and waved to the crowd, your free hand outstretched and waving to the entire city while your other hand was firm and tight in Peeta's grip. Not for the first time, you were grateful it was Peeta beside you, here to comfort you before you entered the arena. Even Peeta took the liberty to wave as well, and as time flew by you even blew kisses to the crowd.

Suddenly, you felt your other hand jerk from below, and Peeta raised your interlocked hands high in the air, earning even more screams from the Capitol citizens.

All you could do as you looked at their priceless reactions was smile, and it only got broader as you neared the president's podium. You were on fire. And you were happy to be in the spotlight with your best friend and crush beside you. As your eyes swept around to the other tributes and their shocked expressions, you only safely assumed that you literally outshone them. It wasn't just Cinna's handiwork and the flames that lit your costumes and brought it to life. It was the fact that you and Peeta brought forth a statement. That you wouldn't be defeated as long as you both had faith in yourselves and each other.

After a few moments, the chariot stopped in front of President Snow's podium, and you eventually let your linked hands fall back to your sides, grasping onto the carriage as it lurched forward slightly, then pulled back as it righted itself. You squeezed Peeta's hand slightly, and then you felt his thumb rub against yours in comfort, sending butterflies floating up into your chest subconsciously.

Up on high, you saw the president--a very short middle to old-aged man with white hair barely framing his face--with a long black jacket donned over him and a white rose, just at the peak of blooming, tucked in his lapel. Back in District 12 you never really regarded him with an air of respect, and now that you're seeing him live and in the flesh, you couldn't help but feel afraid of this man. This was the man who continued the tradition of hosting this punishment after the districts tried to rebel. A man without heart, a man without the choice of heeding anyone's pleas.

Who knows how much longer these Games would last?

"Welcome, welcome!" The president called out in an attempt to simmer the crowd down. Eventually their screams did die down, and you were grateful for the slight break in hearing so much noise for the night.

"Welcome. Tributes, we welcome you," the president continued, nodding at each and every one of you. "We salute your courage...and your sacrifice," he added.

Sacrifice? Was he not only referring to everyone's willingness to join the Games, but also to your selfless act back in District 12 with Prim?

The president's voice snapped you out of your thoughts. "And we wish you...Happy Hunger Games!"

The crowd's cheering resumed, just as loud as ever.

"And may the odds...be ever in your favour!" he concluded.

The crowd's wild cheers and screams and applauds filled your ears once more as you felt the chariot lurch forward again and lead you away from the City Circle, once again at the back of the line, and into the Training Centre. The moment the doors closed, you let out a sigh of relief, and you squeezed Peeta's hand again in excitement, remembering to turn off your headpiece as Peeta did the same.

"Well well well!" Effie cried out. "What a show you put on out there! You guys are ALL they will be talking about!"

You grinned as you got off the chariot, your hand still locked in Peeta's for the sake of it.

"That. Was. Amazing," Cinna followed up, appearing just behind Effie and giving you both a hug.

Haymitch even joined you guys now, wearing a dark blue jacket with his hair brushed and groomed much nicely than you would imagine. "Well done. So brave," he commented airily.

This made you smirk. "Oh really. Are you sure you shouldn't be near an open flame?" you joked sarcastically.

Haymitch only chuckled. "Oh yeah? Fake flame? Are you sure you--"

Suddenly, he stopped as he looked over your shoulder, and you turned as well. There, just staring at you--no, glaring at you--was one of the tributes, possibly from District 2. He had a very well built body with rippling biceps and a glare so piercing you could just turn away without a second thought. But for the time being, you held your gaze. He won't be able to sense any defeat as long as you were still challenging him with your eyes.

Haymitch cleared his throat. "Let's...uh. Let's get to your room," he said uneasily, leading you away from the rest of the tributes, and you eventually tore your gaze from that muscle-built tribute, who was still glaring at you, clearly displeased.

As you headed towards the elevator with Effie, Haymitch, Cinna, and Peeta's stylist, Portia, you glanced down at your interlocked hands and realized just how white the knuckles were on both of yours. You opened your hand with some difficulty and let go, shaking it out to get some feeling back into it.

"Man. I thought that wouldn't even end," you remarked, a smile reappearing on your face.

"I was only wishing it wouldn't," Peeta agreed. "But it was an amazing time while it lasted. Did you see the look on everyone else's faces?"

"I only hope we can stand a chance against them," you nodded.

Peeta only smiled. "Hey. We'll worry about them when the time comes." He then reached over and took your hand again, lightly this time. "You should wear flames a lot more often, you know. They suit you."

This only made you blush slightly and look down. It was rare for Peeta to compliment you like this, and whenever he did, it made you fall in love with him even more. You only wished you told your mom about this now, hoping that she'd be with you to help you through, but you had to remind yourself that she isn't here.

But in quaint response to this situation, you leaned over and kissed Peeta lightly on his cheek, not regretting it for once.