The next day, Penia woke us up early.
"I'm leaving! Effie will be here in 20 minutes! Good luck to all of you!" She kissed us on the cheek.
We all waved, congratulating her.
"20 minutes?" Ryder asked.
"Let's party!"
Finnick and I laughed, shaking our heads.
"We have to train first."
Ryder smiled. "I'll go first."
"You need any help?" Finnick asked.
Ryder shook his head. "I'm good."
He walked into the Training Center and disappeared.
Finnick and I sat at the table in silence.
"Listen, I'm-."
"Ok about-."
We spoke at the same time.
"You go." We said in sync.
Finnick laughed.
"I'm sorry about yesterday.
Um...I honestly didn't know it looked like we were-..."
"About to kiss?" I asked.
"Yeah." He said awkwardly.
"But now thinking of how Ryder saw it I understand that it did look bad and I'm-."
"Don't apologize." I said.
"It's not your fault."
***
"I'm here!" A lady screamed.
I turned around.
She had pink hair and crazily colored makeup.
"You must be Effie." I sighed.
"Yes, darling. Aren't you beautiful?"
I smiled. "Thanks."
She kissed my cheek and faced Finnick.
"Don't you just think she's gorgeous?"
She asked him.
I closed my eyes in embarrassment.
Finnick turned red. "Yeah, I guess."
"Effie," I said. "Can I ask you a question?"
She nodded. I pulled her away from Finnick.
"What did Penia tell you?" I demanded.
"About what, dear?"
"Me and Finnick."
She laughed.
"Oh, him! The Barbie doll. She said you like him and she wasn't sure if he liked you so she asked me to have y'all spend a lot of time together and he'll start liking you."
I face palmed.
Why, Penia? I thought. Why?
"By the way, today I'm letting y'all have a free day. There's a secret bar downstairs." she winked.
i rolled my eyes.
i walked out.
"According to Effie, we have the day off." i said.
Effie walked into the kitchen.
"Oh, and there's apparently a bar downstairs. Y'all wanna go tonight?"
"Ooh yes! Imma wear a tux!"
Ryder cheered.
Finnick and I laughed.
"You're so weird." i chuckled.
Ryder ran into his room to get ready.
"So...what're you wearing?"
I asked Finnick.
"Something nice, I imagine.
Probably a nice top. Maybe some pants."
"Maybe some pants?" i asked, cocking an eyebrow.
He chuckled.
"I'll go get your stylist.
Btw, interviews are tomorrow night.
We'll practice tomorrow afternoon."
i nodded as he walked away.
-ten minutes later-
a girl walked in as i was playing with the necklace Clayton lended me.
"You must be Brooklynn.
I'm Alba, your stylist.
Finnick told me y'all are all going to the bar downstairs, correct?"
i nodded.
"Alright, and you like Finnick, right?"
"What?!" i almost shouted.
"Why'd you think that?"
"Because he's Finnick. Duh."
i laughed.
"i was thinking..."
she pulled out a long navy dress.
it was beautiful.
with her left hand she pulled out a lightly tan colored jacket to go with it and dazzling silver heels.
i wasn't a big fan of heels...or dresses...
or dressing up in general, but it was gorgeous.
we had a couple of hours to get ready.
i took a shower and shaved my legs.
Alba blow dried my hair and braided it into a beautiful fishtail braid pulled into a bun. she added two accessories to my hair.
she then applied my makeup.
eyeshadow.
blush.
powder.
base.
mascara.
and lipstick.
i put on my dress, jacket and heels.
i was surprised when Alba started tearing up.
"You look gorgeous, Brook."
she complimented.
"Thank you." even though i didn't know how i looked.
she pointed to the body length mirror.
"take a look."
i walked closer.
i was stunning.
"Do you think i can look like this for the interview tomorrow?" i asked.
"of coarse. go on and head down to the bar. i'll grab Finnick."
this is what i looked like in the face.
this was what i was wearing...