#tbpparty

I was tipsy from my drinks already, holding a glass in my hand tightly as if it was the only thing keeping me tied to reality. I wanted to go back to my room and nap, but I had to keep up appearances for the ever-watching Sponsor. I stood in the corner, sipping on my bubbly drink and watching people mingle.

So far I’d not seen many Tributes actually attend the party. There was… maybe five others here, if that. Were the rest late to arriving, or already resting up for the Games tomorrow? Should I even be here? Should I be mingling with the Game Makers, or other guests, or trying to meet the birthday girl?

Even though sometimes I felt confident enough to win the Games, I also wanted to just wallow away in my room and sob about the odds of that actually happening. So instead, I was here, drinking fizzy spirits while trying to keep mine up.

“Joan?”

I heard my name and glanced up, almost spilling my drink down the front of my gown. I recovered, and found bouncy brown hair greeting me. Feeling faint, I gave a smile, clearing my throat.

In almost any other situation, I would be more than happy to go to a party. But when most of the guests are going to become your enemies within the next few hours... it kind of put a damper on the mood.

But what the heck. Why not go out and have a party, pretend tomorrow isn’t happening? I might as well have some fun while I still can, right? I just have to ignore this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I’m about to chuck my guts up.

I like my dress. It is very red. Red like roses. Red like blood. Red is my favorite color. I wore it at the reaping, and in private training, and at my best performances. Good things happen whenever I wear red. Red is my lucky color. It’s a very nice color.

The party is very loud and crowded. There are lots of people dancing. The people from the Capitol look very weird, like they all belong in the circus. Everyone’s skin is pink. I think that it might be Agnes’s favorite color. She’s the birthday girl. 

I never got to have a birthday party like this one. There’s so many gifts and so many sweets. I really do love desserts. I push through the crowd of dancing creatures and arrive at the dessert table. It’s covered in a pink silk tablecloth. The silk is so smooth. I reach out for a small pink cake with little pink roses on it. I bite into it. It is very sweet. There must be lots of sugar in it. I smile.