The 225th Annual Hunger Games

In the point of view of Gauss Flamesteed, District 6 Male Tribute

CHAPTER 4.

SCORES & PUBLIC INTERVIEWS

The color drained out of Althea's face. "You did what!? Ms. Everdeen was a rebel! How could you!" She ran to her room. Fannia let a small giggle out.

Whytt burst into laughter. Saffra sighed. "I said give them something to remember in a good way." When Whytt regained his composure the Training Scores were broadcast on the TV.

The Careers had all achieved at least a 9. A district 8 girl scored a 2. The girl from 5 got a 10. After a few minutes, is was time for my score.

"Now for Gauss Flamesteed, the boy from the Transportation District, 6! His score is a ... 11."

Althea screamed from her room and burst out of the door to celebrate. Fannia gave a subtle well done nod. It was time for her score. Whytt was smiling. Fannia had practiced her camouflage skills during the interview. "Fannia Herriot, District 6. A score of 8!" Saffra clapped and Althea let out a whoop while Whytt continued to drink from his rum bottle.

The next day came very soon, as I slept quite well. I blocked certain ideas that the high score was to make the Careers target me. Whatever the reason was, the score would definitely get sponsors for me, even before the public interviews.

"Gauss! Ms. Herriot!" Althea shouted, "it's time to face the crowd!"

"For god's sake, stop calling me Ms. Herriot! It's Fannia!" Fannia replied, exasperated.

Saffra jumped onto her chair on the dining table and Whytt followed behind. They both took a bite of food ordered from the screen projected onto the dining table and then hugged us both.

"We both love you," Saffra started, "but you have to make the Capitol love you too to survive. As you know, getting sponsors is essential to your survival in the games. So show your good side. Be who you really are, and hide what could be harmful to you. Nathaniel Marspark is a wonderful interviewer, he knows how to help you go through the event."

"You'll be 12th and 13th, Gauss first, so you'll have some time to get prepared. Remember to win the Capitol's heart. You've won mine already, you two!" said Althea. Finally a statement that meant something to us.

We ate our meal silently and after we went to our rooms to watch recorded interviews. I decided I would let them feel pity for little Jackson. But I would definitely not show my feelings. I couldn't be deemed weak or people would never bet on me.

...

It was interview time. We took the lift. It was always an exhilarating experience, looking at the ground fly away from you at high speed. Before I knew it, butterflies returned to my stomach as I settled into a red waiting seat marked with a clear 6.

I had a brief session with Caldwell, he gave me a plain black and white suit with a glowing hem. "You can do this," he said to me.

After conversing for a while, I realized that the District 5 girl next to me was called Marissa. She had a skill at archery and also had a brother. Realizing that we had connections, I severed the talk to not get any emotional attachment.

I also got to know Fannia a bit more. She cooked food for her family and sister while they worked at the train manufacturing yards.

"GAUSS FLAMESTEED, District 6?" the interview escort said. It was my interview now. Nathaniel led me to the memorable white plastic spin chair and I tried to sit in it without falling into the bottom.

"So Gauss, what do you think about the Capitol and the Games? Nice suit by the way."

"I feel not much. All I know is that I will win for Jackson."

"Who is that?"

"My brother."

A sympathetic aww spread across the crowd.

"He had his first reaping this year. I promised I would win for him so we would be rich like the Capitol people."

"Do you think your family will be watching this?"

"Only Jackson will be"

"Why is that?"

"My parents died of morphling"

"Oh. I'm so sorry."

The crowd fell silent.

"What if you don't win, Gauss?"

I thought about Gauss, my friends and even Althea. I burst into tears.

"I - will- win, for my - for Jackson - for District 6" I sobbed

I halted the flow from my eyes.

"Well you can definitely win, and I doubt you won't try for your brother.'

The crowd clapped loudly, but I believed I hadn't done good. Definitely not. The cheers were much louder for Fannia, who had recounted her cheerful but poor life in the Yards.