Interviews
Katniss must really hate me now. Not only did I completely resist to undress, I also (instead of riding in the chariot with Lobo) last minute climbed on one of the horses and rode it out in the nice shimmering orange gown Cinna had prepared. I could hear Katniss shouting out at me angrily.
Another thing Katniss should be terribly proud of: I totally pretended not to pick up on one thing they helped us prepare for. I did though, not to worry. What she was truly proud of though was the 10 I received. I must have been so cute and innocent I brought on the pity from the Gamemakers.
Now I sat in a chair next to Lobo. He was quiet and tired. It was the night of the interviews and he looked as if he didn't get a wink of sleep. I was more rested however. When we were called out to stage, Lobo just dragged on. Katniss whispered encouraging yet threatening words in my ear. I ignored them for the most part and took my place on the stage.
Of all the interviews, three stood out to me. The first two were by the boy and girl from District 10. They were twins named Kyra and Keegan. The two refused to do their reviews separate, and they seemed to become a target for the Gamemakers.
The other on was a career tribute from District 4. His name was Mars. He was named for the god of war. He stood out, because I was instantly able to see he was an enemy.
Caesar had asked him, "Who do you think has no chance of winning?" He replied with, "That girl, Summer, from District 12. She's friendly, gullible, and too trusting. She seems to have the mind of a two year old." At this I was angered, but instead I said, "THANK YOU!" I then bowed and Lobo jerked me back down.
Before I knew it, I was up to be interviewed with this Caesar dude!
"Well Hello, uh… Summer... Byrd is your last name correct?" He said. I stood silently for a moment; tricking Katniss into thinking I would make an effort. I opened my mouth like I was going to answer his question but instead I broke out in song, in a deep, rap voice.
"I feel that I can't miss! I know want me to fall! Dah... Dah, dah… cause I'm A WINNER! Yeah I'm a winner!" I sing loudly. I know usually a rap dude would sing that but oh well… Caesar raises his eyebrows and nods. I feel more stupid than ever but I keep it up when the crowd laughs.
"What? Why are you laughing? I'm not that bad! Am I?" Then I say, "Everyone likes a hug!" Then I hug Caesar and back up.
"Ok then!" He says. "So summer, you look like quite a familiar face. I feel like I've seen you before."
"Sure ya have," I said sarcastically, patting him on the back. "You probably saw me get selected and then on the TV being introduced... I was the one riding the horse," He slightly smiles and then continues. He must be thinking how I am such a retard.
"So are you excited about the games? You seem pumped," he grins.
"OH SO PUMPED!" I shouted loudly. "OHMIGOSH! Guess what Caesar dude? I ate an entire pineapple this morning! It was kind of sour though."
"You did?" He laughed. Even he couldn't handle me.
"She did," Lobo makes a side comment, unheard by most.
"You are quite an unusual tribute, aren't you?" He asks. I nod, quickly until my neck hurts.
"Everyone thinks I'm very childish!" I smile and gesture to where Katniss is.
"So earlier, I asked who people thought was the most vulnerable. All of them replied with you, would you agree?" I sigh and nod staring at the ground.
"They're probably right. Even Lobo thinks that," I lie. "I've known him a while, and he's never wrong. On anything at all… It's also true dat I'd sooner kill myself than another being."
"Oh, ok then. So you're the opposite of a cannibal obviously, so that must mean you're vegan? WHOOPS! Our time seems about up, but there is so much I wish to ask. Is there anything you want the audience to know?" He asks.
"Ya know that first day when I rode that horse into the arena? I named him Pepper and I heard someone say its opposite day," I say.
"Very nice, and sooting name for a horse!" He makes play on words. I stare at him.
"Anything else?"
"I LOVE YOU CAPITOL CITY! Thank you! Good night!" I shout out sliding on my knees back to my seat. And Opposite Day it is. I can be so incredibly stupid looking. I see many of the tributes start to fume, and hate me even moer. They don't seem to have known that I really meant that as I hate capitol city.
"Well, so we have saved the best for last, Lobo Wolfe!" Lobo dragged himself up to the podium where Mr. Flickerman was.
"So Lobo, you seem like a promising tribute. You seem strong, tough, and if correct me if I'm wrong but you seem as if you could endure a whole lot," Caesar says politely.
"I can," was his simple answer.
"Why don't you tell us about yourself, your history, your past," Caesar suggests.
"Well," Lobo smiles. "Most of my child years are a big… blur. I remember though I always hung out with K- I mean sheesh, Summer, whatever her name is, ga- I am unfocused tonight."
"Oh is that so? Do you feel like this may be similar to last year with Katniss and Peeta? The star-crossed lovers?" He asks. Lobo's eyes widen like saucers.
"No, N-n-n-no! At best we're rivals. We're nothing alike," he grins. I sigh.
"In that time we fought, we were separated later because it got so bad, but now we're back together again," he explained, in a sad tone.
"Oh, really? That's interesting. Do you reckon you two will fight with each other throughout the games?"
"Yes. No. Maybe. Well, it's hard to say. We might. It's a possibility."
"Summer doesn't exactly seem like the rival, competition, fighting type," Caesar trailed.
"Exactly, but she's good though when provoked correctly. For example she scared an Avox on the train half to death with one of her mood swing outbursts," He commented. I look down at my feet, avoiding stares.
"Well it was nice speaking with you, Lobo, please have a seat, and your time is just about up!" Caesar concludes. The Anthem played and we exit the stage.
"Nice job, Lobo!" Peeta says, giving him a high-five.
"How's Katniss?" I ask him.
"Oh, she left just a second ago with Effie. She'll be absent until it is time for you to start the games. She had a hovercraft take her to see her mother and her sister for some reason," he tells me.
I shrug and return to the top floor of the building. I go my way and Lobo goes his. Peeta goes up with us and goes to a guest room, seeing that he actually wasn't participating.
I lay flat on my bed until I hear a knock. I recognize it as Lobo's heavy hands.
"Come in!" I call. He walks in.
"You crazy little nut. I think that's the most convincing job you've done in a while," he says quietly, approaching.
"Thanks," I mutter. "Do we really hate each other that much?" He goes quiet.
"Well, probably not, and we didn't have much time for fighting, but the audience ate it up!" He tells me. I just nod.
"Now, tell me," I start, "How did no one recognize you?" I am curious.
"Well, when we were separated last I was a tooth pick and I kind of looked like a little geek," he would've said more but a third voice popped up in the chat room.
"Well, you're certainly a little different with only Lobo around," Peeta says. I jump in surprise and then growl.
"Actually I'm completely different," I say. "I'm not the person I've tricked you and Katniss and the rest of the world into believing," I confess. There is no point in trying to hide it now, so I give it up. From what I know Peeta can put on a great show, so I think I will let him in.
"Really?"
"Truth is, I'm smart. I'm rebellious, kind of a daredevil, thrill seeker. I am fierce and really if I had given up on the cute act and went with combat I would have gotten a 12," I admit almost everything.
"Really? So there is hope for you yet? Why do you act like you do in front of people?"
"Reasons!" I almost shout.
"Listen to me, Peeta," I say backing him up against the wall. Lobo just waits for the entertainment to begin.
"No matter how close you are with Katniss, no matter how many secrets you share you can not share this one. You have to keep my real personality a secret. If I, or Lobo, are going to win, I need everyone convinced that I am stupid. People will believe that it is a tactic, like it is, if you and Katniss aren't in on it. She still has to believe that I'm stupid. If she thinks I'm hopeless, the crowd will believe that is actually how I am," I tell him harshly. He nods and I back up.
"Promise?" I ask.
"Promise," he agrees.
I sigh and then shoo both of them out of there. I then go to my bed and duck under the covers. Then I curl up in a ball bring my knees up close to me. I let out a deep breath and close my eyes. Despite the big day tomorrow I try to sleep. I am successful.