Interviews
I woke today feeling quite nervous. I had a dream about the interviews and I did terrible. And as I stood my dress fell down. But it wasn't just about being naked in front of everyone that made it embarrassing; all my secrets seemed to have been revealed and I was being laughed at.
But when I woke up I realised that the interviews hadn't happened yet. Tonight was the interview.
All of yesterday Effie and Haymitch had coached me. Jeremy and I had separate coaching so we had four hours with Effie then four hours with Haymitch. Haymitch had decided that I would be sexy and sophisticated for the interviews. So not too flirty but not too serious.
Right, I think, this shall be a very interesting interview.
My prep team then came in and started getting to work. They did everything like last time except now they have painted my nails in a green sparkly nail polish. My hair was like last time; left down with a plait to the side of left face braided with a green ribbon.
My make-up was a little bit of green eye-shadow and extra-long and curly mascara. Then they put on a rose-pink lipstick and clear lip-gloss and already I look beautiful.
Then Cinna came in with what I assume would be my dress. He tells me to close my eyes and I do. I feel the silky dress slip down my body and step into a pair of sandals .Then somebody slips a necklace on and earrings in.
"Open," Cinna says.
I open my eyes and look at a beautiful figure standing in front of me. And that was me.
My dress was strapless that reaches the floor and was green and is made from a fine silk. I was wearing a green pair of slip-on sandals. My necklace was made entirely of silver and diamonds; it had a silver chain and a diamond shaped as a love heart. Then my earrings were long and had three green feathers.
Cinna then slipped a green head-band into my hair and the outfit was really complete.
I was a beautiful green star.
"Twirl for me," Cinna whispers.
I twirl and the prep team squeals with delight.
Then Cinna orders them out and I can tell that he has something to say.
Once they left he spins and smiles at me. "Nervous?"
"Eh..." I manage to say.
"Don't be. You'll be great. Now, I want you to twirl in the interview, the crowd will appreciate you more. Try to be yourself in the interview. If you get nervous just look at me. Unless, you don't like me," he teases.
I smile, "Of course I like you."
He nods.
Jeremy and I then go to in a limousine and are driven off to the stage in the city's circle.
We wait in line till Caesar Flickerman introduces the tributes and we all walk on stage. The crowd is wild.
There are two sides for the tributes to sit; on the left-hand side is where the girls sit and on the right-hand side is where the boys sit.
Caesar tells some jokes then introduces District One girl tribute, Shyne. It's like with the Private Trainings except girls go first this time.
Shyne is wearing a silver dress with blue stripes. The entire dress is sparkly.
She appears to be sexy but she's horrible at it. She's pretty and all but she can't flirt. So she turns to aggressive but it's not working out either.
Her interview sucks pretty much. I know she must feel humiliated now, but she stands strong. Then the timer goes off and she walks off the stage and into her seat.
The District 1 boy then goes up-Mitchell, I learn- and he appears to be aggressive. District 2 girl is flirty. District 2 boy is aggressive and blood-thirsty. District 4 girl is all out; she is sexy all the way. She has a perfectly tanned body and blonde hair and brown eyes-gorgeous-and she gets a billion catcalls.
Then Erik comes up and his charming; he's funny, witty, smart, sophisticated, strong and charming. And I can't help falling in love with him like every other girl in the Capitol. He reminds me of Finnick; also a District 4 winner who looks exactly like Erik and also used a trident as a weapon. Odd...they're exactly the same...
The tributes skim through. I remember only some outfits and personality; district 8 had a girl with a beautiful red dress that clearly was made to show off her curves. District 7 boy was silent and sullen. District 10 girl had her blonde hair in fish-tail braid with a purple dress on. And Tilly was next and she looked like a little bird. When she walked to the middle of the stage she looked like she could fly. There were a hush over the crowd as she glides to Caesar.
Then next thing I know it's my name that's called up. I stand and walk steadily (and I hope graciously) to Caesar.
"Hello Michelle," Caesar says, extending his arm for a hand shake.
"Hello," I reply. My hands are sweaty but Caesar doesn't wipe them after our hand shake which is good.
"So, Michelle, tell me, what was the first thought that went through your head when your name was called in the Reaping?" Caesar asks.
My first thought? I was terrified for the real Michelle. I didn't want her to go to the Hunger Games!
But of course I can't say that. Then my secret would be out.
Quick! Make something up!
"I...I thought that District 12 is finally going to have a new Victor," I answer, trying to sound confident.
The crowd cheers. They love it when someone's confident like that. It gives them a good show.
"I'm sure they will. Now, what did you think of the Opening Ceremonies?" Caesar looks curiously at me.
I glance to Cinna. He raises an eyebrow.
"I thought that it was the most spectacular costume the Games have ever seen," I said honestly. "I mean, Cinna is the most talented designer. I mean, look at what I'm wearing now!"
Everyone gawks at my dress. Cinna spins his finger and I twirl. There are immediate squeals of delight from the crowd as I spin.
"Ooohhh, do that again!" Caesar requests.
I twirl but grip Caesar's arm as I get dizzy.
He seems to get the picture and don't requests anymore twirl.
"So, Michelle, tell me about yourself." Caesar asks.
About me? No way. Quick...tell him something...lie! Or...I don't know...say something!
"Well, I have a twin sister called Jennifer. I have an older brother called Daniel, two younger siblings called Leila and Cameron and a mum," I answer.
"No dad?" Caesar asks curiously.
I shake my head. "He died in a mine explosion."
"I'm sorry to hear that. So, what are your talents?" Caesar asks, I can tell he's trying to change the subject to something non-depressing.
Okay, I tell myself, start being mysterious.
"Oh, I have many. Some that even the people closest to me don't know," I say mysteriously with a sly smile on my lips.
Caesar laughs. "I bet you do. So Michelle, District 12 must be extremely different from the Capitol. Tell me, what is the best thing about the Capitol that impresses you?"
Uh...many things. Quick! Think! Think!
"The lamb stew," I get out.
Caesar laughs along with the audience. "The one with the dried plums?" I nod. "Oh I could eat a whole bucket load," he turns to the crowd with a loom of horror on his face and his hand on his belly. "Tell me, is it noticeable?"
The crowd laughs. See, this is what I mean. Caesar helps you in the interviews. He helps make an impression.
"So Michelle, let's talk about your training score. E-lev-en. That's a huge score. Can you tell us what you did in there?" He asks hopefully.
Uh-oh. "Uh, well let's just say it was...different," I say with great caution.
Caesar laughs. "Oh come one, you're killing us! Details, details," He keeps on persisting.
"Well, that depends," I look to the Gamemakers on the balcony reserved for them. "Am I allowed?"
The man that fell in the punch bowl spoke, "No! It cannot be shared."
Yes! "Well sorry, Caesar, my lips are sealed." I say, pretending to lock my lips. "But I can say that it's most likely the first. And I am one to definitely not count out just yet."
Caesar says encouragingly, "I wouldn't for the world," the gong rang. "Well, folks, that's all we have. Give it up for Miss Michelle Willows," the audience applauded and kept clapping even thought Jeremy has been called up.
Jeremy is really shy; he try's talking casually but he's just plain terrible.
Nothing special really happened in his interview. Once the gong rings all the tributes stand and we sing the national anthem.
Then we are sent home, with one thought stuck in our heads: the Hunger Games begins tomorrow.
We eat and then say our last good-byes to Haymitch and Effie. Since we won't see them tomorrow we say them now.
Effie cries but says something bad because she has to and goes off to fix her hair.
Haymitch reminded us of his earlier advice and hugs us both.
