Chapter 9: Loueh

With one hand on the door handle, I hesitated and gave myself a quick once-over, head to toe. I flicked my dark brown hair to the side, smoothing it out, and then decided to just tousle it. I winked my navy eyes, deciding that the left looked better. I smirked at myself, surprised at my sense of humor considering what waited for me. Reaping Day.

I straightened my long wine colored tie and tucked into the navy blazer I wore over a crisp white button down. My fitted tan pants that I rolled up at the ankles flattered my bum quite nicely. Imagine all the Capitol hearts that would break if I was reaped. Finally, I laced up my worn brown leather shoes and snapped my suspenders with my thumbs. I pushed down the fear that gnawed on my insides like the true Tate I am. I rolled my shoulders up and back while cracking my neck and swinging out my arms, my classic routine. Finally, I pushed open the door of my apartment in The Square, being met with all eyes on me. Leave it to Loueh to bring a small smile to the people's faces even on such a difficult day.

In District 8, I was much different than everyone else. In a city where everyone works minimum wage in dark, cold factories, I was more Capitol than District 8. I practically lived there, too.

At the higher-end factory I worked at, we supplied fabrics for the Capitol's basic clothing shops. Higher-ranked people would buy from boutiques that I only dreamed of. Every year, I eagerly watched the Capitol's designers smugly wow everyone with their Opening Ceremony designs. Maybe someone with status noticed my fine care and craftmanship with textiles and name- dropped me to their friends, because my factory got a lot of requests for W.2018, a.k.a. Loueh Tate.

One day I was messing around and I created a simple shift dress, killer if worn with confidence (and 6 inch heels). I snuck that in with an order of textiles, and I got hundreds of requests for it in this size/color/fabric/length/etc.

And here I am today, taking a train to the Capitol weekly, meeting and discussing with some of fashion's finest. I went above and beyond the shift (although it remains my most requested) and I am starting to see potential in everything. I hand-pick and coach my own models, some of whom are jealous of my confidence and my long, leggy strides.

But no amount of natural charm or dark, alluring eyelashes could prepare me for what today would bring.