Get ready for an extra long for chapter and thanks for the reviews everyone especially the shattered star for doing both betaing and reviewing! =)

Chapter 7

I grab a banana and a glass of cranberry juice and go to my place. Blake's still taking food. He sits at the table. He has three pieces of buttered bread, a big bowl of cereal, a glass of milk, two strawberry yogurts, and a chocolate doughnut on his plate.

"Have enough food?" I ask sarcastically.

"I'm not sure, enough for the first course of breakfast, maybe," he says, laughing.

"Excited for the interviews?"

"You kidding me, but at least I have can do some things. I'll probably get a decent score." That's what I love about Blake; he never tries to deny the truth.

"Yeah, I'll show them my gymnastics and maybe I'll try to climb a tree but that will definitely bring my score down so maybe I'll leave that out."

"Did you forget about yesterday when you kicked the tree's butt and got all the way to the top?"

"Yeah, but to be honest, after I got down I didn't even know how I managed to climb the tree. I don't know what hit me."

"Hello, ready for the interviews Blake?" Effie greets Blake forgetting to greet me.

"Yeah Ginger and I are ready!" he said trilling out the ready.

"Oh, Ginger, I forgot about you. Well, maybe, just maybe, you will get an OK score," Effie says.

"Well I'm sure you can climb it again," Blake tells me.

"The tree that you climbed? You didn't actually, well you did," Effie reports to me.

"What do you mean?"

"The nurse drugged you in order to boast your confidence," Effie shrugs off like it's no big deal. But it is.

I sit down knowing I won't be able to find the nurse without getting caught running through the infirmary. Wait… Katniss was probably involved…

I run out of the room and I can tell that Blake is following me. I run to Katniss' room and then take a detour to the training room. Nope. Where is she?! I head towards the main mentor's room and find her there sipping coffee.

I barge in not really caring about manners and yell. "Excuse me?! Drugs! To prove to myself that I can climb a tree when I really can't? How could you do something like that to me!? I thought you wanted us to win? To know when I'm actually there… I won't know how to climb a damn tree, because of you!" I'm in such a rage I don't even feel Katniss hugging me. Instead of accepting her hug I run out of the room and into Blake.

"What's going on?" he asks.

"Ask," I take a deep breath and point to the devil in disguise, "Katniss." Blake actually looks surprisingly calm. Just then I hear a bell. Ugh… interviews!

"Would all the tributes please report to the entrance by the interview room?" Caesar Flickerman calls out.

"Go. You can get amazing scores. Just remember how you felt Ginger." It's kind of creepy the look in her eye; too determined.

Blake and I head towards the room. No need for us to really hurry. We'll be last anyways. Hopefully the judges won't get bored. I wonder if they ever have.

When we arrive I see about half of the other tributes waiting. We stay towards the back and a few minutes later everybody else is here. Someone checks to make sure there are no scared and hiding tributes and then lets Cinderella through the door. She looks at everybody with a smirk on her face.

I assume that the walls are sound-proof because I can't hear anything except murmurs of the other tributes waiting to go in. Blake and I discuss strategies and what exactly we are going to show the judges. It's kind of weird because Blake keeps turning his head like I'm bothersome to be around or something.

After what feels like a few days it's my turn. I wish Blake luck on his training interview as he does for me.

I walk in.

The judges greet me. They are sitting in front of a long table. They have some writing utensils and notepads, nothing else.

"Hello, my name is Ginger from District 12 and I will demonstrate my high points," I inform the judges.

I take my gymnastics stance. I flip and I flip and I cartwheel and I jump and I run and I do all the gymnastics stuff I can do.

I keep running and then I notice all the equipment. There's a tree (not going to climb), weights, monkey bars (I love those!), and some spears.

So in all I did my gymnastics and I did some punching on the big bean sacks they had. Good thing I didn't do climb the tree, who knows, maybe I'm still being drugged.

They dismiss me. "Thank you." I leave.

XxXxXxXx

As I'm called into the room I take a deep breath. I've been being taught to control my anger so I mustn't get angry with the judges. I hate them, I mean; they're part of the game- making. I despise them all; no matter how little they are involved.

"Hello, my name is Blake: I'm from District 12." I say.

"Go ahead," one of the game-maker tells me.

I go to the weights, pick the 100 pound weight up and start going. I do this for a few minutes and I can tell the game-makers are so bored that I move on to spear throwing. It goes quite a ways; at least they look slightly impressed. I climb the tree there about half-ways and then climb back down. What more is there for me to do?

The room I'm currently standing in is really pretty and has a ton of modern equipment but I really don't pay too much attention.

"You are dismissed," the same person tells me.

I bow, thank them, and head out. I still have the interviews. Blech. Cinna directs me towards the dressing room.

XxXxXxXx

"I think this will be really pretty on you," Lyla tells me holding up a pair of black pants and a white shirt.

"Sure, I guess." I'm about to go to the slaughter house so does it really matter what I wear? Nobody will remember anyway, but I hate fashion none-the-less. To act more involved I ask, "Is there a significance of it?"

"Well black I personally think stands for kind of tough. Caesar Flickerman will probably be asking questions of why you volunteered. So look strong, not like a little girl. Actually…" she ponders something, "Perfect! You will wear a long red skirt and a white shirt actually. The shirt will be very bland, no frills, ruffles or anything. You skirt will be the same, just plain dark red."

"No! You said I'll wear the black so I will!"

"No you are going to wear this. Understood?"

"What… ugh!" Fine I'll just wear it since it doesn't really matter anyway. I want Lyla to stay liking me so I take the clothes and head towards the dressing room.

I walk back and she says, "Perfect, but maybe a belt would do you good. Let me find a good one." Lyla heads over to a closet and pulls out a bunch of belts. She hands me a red one, it blends in completely with my skirt.

"What shoes should I wear?" After I ask that Lyla goes to the closet and gives me a pair of white sandals. I put them on and adjust them to my mini foot. They are extremely comfortable. I actually love my outfit. I never wear girly clothes so it's kind of a big change. I look at myself in the mirror. It will do -hopefully- because interviews are only one hour away!

XxXxXxXx

As I take my seat on the long row of chairs placed for all the tributes I see the other menacing tributes already seated. I start to cringe. They are officially scary. Blake sits next to me and whispers, "The careers asked me to join an alliance with them if I get a decent score."

"What did you say?" I ask with scared eyes.

"I said it depends what the other scores are."

"What! So you might actually join them! I will never forgive you if you do!"

"Sshh. I don't know," he sighs, "it'd be nice if they weren't stalking me to throw a spear through my heart."

"The scores!" a man announced.

The scores are flashing up, almost there.

3

2

1

The scores…

I immediately scroll my eyes down to the section labeled District 12. I see my name and my score is…

4

W.O.W. That is pretty bad. I knew I wouldn't get a good score but that bad?

"Yeah!" Blake yells. He got a… 10! Good for him. "Woo-woo!"

"Congrats Blake," I tell him but I don't think he can hear me with all the pandemonium.

The scores are as followed:

Cinderella and Bronze-10.

Penny-10, Axel-9.

Daisy-8, Fred-6.

Gleney-9, Jez-10

No surprises there… the careers always get amazing scores.

Jena-5, Darren-10. Actually I found out that they are siblings. Darren volunteered when Jena was picked.

Lolo-6, Koby-3

Kai-5, Bosno-8. Bosno must have really started to bug the judges because he looks like a career.

Chica-2, Tolon-5

Jan-8, Joe-10. How did Jan manage to pull off an 8? She's like the same size as a mouse. Well actually more like a bear cub.

Nina- 8, Con- 7

Bell- 9, Toby- 4

And of course… Blake- 10 and then there's me with a 4. Yay! Eh, not really actually. I didn't think my score would be that low. I'm actually kind of embarrassed.

Caesar announces the interviews are to begin.

"Would Cinderella from District 1 please come up?"

All the careers, Cinderella, Bronze, Axel, Penny, Daisy, Gleney and Jez, keep saying how they will win and how no one has a chance against them. Not very original. And it's especially boring to listen to.

Most of the people talked about their interests and their personalities. Also they talked about what their goals were and how they would love winning and about the Capitol.

i

This is the only one that stood out from the others.

"District 7's own… Kai!"

A very timid girl stands up in her pair of blue pants with sparkles and a frilly yellow tank-top. She makes her way to the stage.

"Hello. How are you today?" he says.

"Hello yourself. I'm quite fine actually," she whispers. I have to strain my ear to hear what she is saying.

"I'm fine too. Let's get started." He's nice to repeat what she said she people could actually hear.

"OK! Let's start with some questions. How do you like the Capitol so far?"

"It's really pretty and nice and the food is great."

"Any favorites?"

"The chocolate cake."

"Well, I do eat a lot of cake. Have you tried the Capitol's cake? It is to die for!"

"I have tried it. I loved it and I guess it was literally to die for. I would have never tried it if I hadn't been picked."

He doesn't know what to respond so he just goes to another question, "What's your favorite animal?

"Horse, definitely."

"Have you ever ridden one?"

"We have horses to help haul hay but if you sit on one you will get a severe beating or be put to death." She whispers the last few words.

"Oh. Yea well…" I think he really hates the responses he's getting. She just told him something kind of secret of her district. A horror about her district. "Well how about your family? Any siblings?"

"Well I had a foolish little brother. I loved him. He was 6 and one night we had to stay working five hours past when our work was over. That's not unusual though, but we don't get any extra pay. Anyway he was extremely tired. I tried to keep him awake. He just couldn't though. I was hammering something together and he was supposed to be pounding nails into something. Right after I gave up trying to keep him awake he zonked out. Just as the supervisors were coming around. They saw him asleep and said by not obeying the rule of working he would have to be out to death. I tried to wake him up, but they pushed me away." Tears were pouring out of here eyes all while she was talking but I know she can't control them. Her time was almost up. I really want to hear what happened. I feel so bad for her. To have something happen to you, to have something like that happen to Jess would be…

The audience was silent. Some on the verge of tears, some bawling their heads off. As soon as they go home they'll probably forget anyway.

"Stop it! You're breaking my heart!" he says as he blows his nose and wipes his eyes.

She stops. She can't go on anyway. At least without crying and sobbing.

The bell goes off.

"May the odds ever be in your favor." I doubt the odds have ever been in her favor.

She is crawling back to her seat, one step at a time.

I look towards the careers and only one looks like he was snickering at her. One of the others hits him but they don't look sad. Just a bit though… maybe

A time passes as the others went up and now it's my turn.

"Miss. Ginger Rok from District 12!"

I walk up and trip.

I burn my knee on the ground and it's kind of painful so I accidentally yell. Everyone looks at me. I swiftly get up; I don't think I've ever been this clumsy. Aren't gymnasts supposed to be graceful?

I look at the others and while everyone is laughing Kai is looks at me with pity in her eye. I actually accept her pity and return the pity. She then starts to tear-up in her eyes. I can tell that she's thinking. If only I had tried a bit longer to keep my brother alive. I return He's still in your heart. She replies. Can we do telepathic notes or something?

Then I realize I've been standing there communicating with her and that everyone is looking at me to go sit down. Oh, god! I walk faster than normal to my seat.

"So how are you, a bit slow on the draw I'd say," Caesar jokes.

"Sorry, I just felt dazed," I tried lying. I'm awful at lying, I've never really had to since I never hung around people and I would never lie to Jess.

"Are you trying to lie because you are not the best at that," he laughs. I hate him; why is he against me?

"You're correct. I was lying."

He looks surprised that I talked back to him that he just continues and doesn't ask what really happened. "So what's special about you? Oh, wait! You volunteered and you are only twelve. Can you explain why you volunteered?"

I've been waiting for this. I have my false answer.

"I wanted to prove that little kids, twelve year olds to be exact, can win the Hunger Games. I never recall hearing about twelve year olds winning."

"Actually only one has. But he turned thirteen during the Hunger Games so technically he was thirteen but…"

But here is the real reason I volunteered. I wanted to help the people in District 12, particularly people who live in the Seam. Some many people go hungry and die from starvation that I would have a meal at my house once a day. Like how they used to have Soup Kitchens. You come for a meal. That would be great. I don't care about the glory and fame; I just want more people surviving. That would be a huge accomplishment. I just don't want to tell the Capitol in case that's a sign of rebel and so that they don't ruin my plan.

He continues, "Can you tell me about your family?"

"I have a sister, Jess. She is so cute, sweet, and extremely smart. I love her more than anything. I really hope to see her again. Hi Jess!" I give a little wave. "I have a dead mother and a depressed father. My father hasn't gotten over my mom's death so I've been in charge of getting the food on the table, although my father is a carpenter. He provides money and I do everything else."

"Oh, how did your mother die?"

"She ate nightlocks. No one knows that but me. I couldn't tell my family but I guess now they know. I'm sorry for not telling you," I mumble.

"That's too bad," he says as he's trying to think of an original question. I don't think he wants to ask me about my score since it was awful. But he does.

"How about that score? Not the best, I'd say," I swear he really does hate me! He was supportive to everyone else except for me! Why is almost everyone against me?

Uhh… What do I respond to that?

But just then the bell rings and I get up. Blake and I exchange glances. I really hope he hasn't decided to join the careers.

XxXxXxXx

As my name is called up panic sets in. I hope he doesn't nudge me to say if I have a girl-friend.

Because I had one.

And now I hate her.

I start my way up to the stage and spotlight to the only interview I'll ever have in my life. I sit down on some velvety chair. Caesar greets me with a hand-shake and we get started.

"Hello Blake. Our last but certainly not least contestant. How are you today?"

"50% nervous, 20% excited and 30% annoyed," I respond truthfully to the maximum.

"Well that certainly is vague," he winks to the audience, "Tell us about you. Any special memories, friends, things like that you want to share with us?"

All I can think of is Kassy, my best friend. We had so much fun. We came from the two 'richest' families in town, if you could call us that. It's not like we had to be like Katniss and hunt for food for our families. We hung out all the time because we were both the same age. But now she hates me. Because I went out with her #1 enemy. So I can't think of any recent memories.

Uhh, let me think…

I got it!

"One day Kassy, my best friend," I start off. "And we were walking in the forest after school. We walked up and down creeks because Kassy really wanted a pet frog. We knew the right place to catch them so we headed there. I saw one and to surprise her I was going to catch it. One jumped out of the water and I tried to grab it, but I missed. Kassy was turned and it came up again. I leaned out to reach out for it but accidentally dropped it. So I was going to try again 'till I caught it. On my fifth try I leaned a bit far and accidentally fell in. It wasn't deep but I made a huge splash anyway. Kassy turned around and saw me in the water swimming frantically. She didn't understand how I could've possibly drowned in that shallow of water but she went to rescue me. She grabbed my arm and when I came up I had the frog she had longed for." The audience starts laughing their heads off. I hate them lots so if only they could actually laugh their heads off would be nice.

Caesar is laughing very hard so at least this is wasting a bit of time. But I still have time. "How about that score, 10, pretty impressive! Do you have any secrets?"

"Uh… no. I just threw stuff and weight-lifted and things like that. Nothing special."

"That's still a very good score anyway."

The bell goes off and as I'm heading back to my seat I see a person glaring at me.

Ginger.

She must've thought I joined the careers.

But now I'm going to.

I want her to die…

A slow and painful death.

Because I really hate her…

I know this chapter was long but thank you to everyone who actually finished it.

And the next chapter will be the starting of the games for people who are getting bored with this… ;)

Thanks for reading and of course leave a review!