"James," Effie says excitedly, "What on earth did you do?"

"I just swung a sword and hit a few dummies," I reply, still surprised.

"Why didn't you tell me you were so gifted in those areas?" She asks, still happy. "We could have made some publicity from it."

Asher remains depressed about his score the rest of the evening until, as we are lying in bed, I speak.

"You did really good," I say.

"Not as good as you," he replies gloomily.

"You can't let the Gamemakers get you down," I remind him. "Imagine how awful it would be if you let them depress you for every bad thought they had. After all, they're willing to kill us."

"James, I don't think you realize this means you chances of getting sponsors go down," he says. He is right, I have not considered that. We are partners, so they will look at both of us. But he was still in the upper half of the scores. I guess it is expected that Capitol tributes score low. But a thought comes to me on how to remind him this is not over.

I reach for the TV remote on our night stand and turn the television to the Hunger Games channel. They are finishing talking about scores and soon go to a segment called 'Time as a Tribute' where they review what certain tributes are doing. A woman speaks.

"Our it-couple is at it again," she says gladly. "Both District 12 tributes, Asher Mason and James Snow, received their scores in the top 50 percent of scores tonight, Snow tying for first." I turn it off. It would have helped if they had not mentioned that last part about me, but I think I get my point across to him.

"We are still the stars of these Games," I remind him and I can just barely make out a smile on his face in the dark.

The next few days are spent with Effie and the mentors, figuring out how to get sponsors and what we will do at the final interview. Once or twice a day, our escort releases a statement to the press that we make up. "No one touches my man." Ahser says about me. "He's all mine." The caption to a picture of me leaning on his shoulder. She even wants a serious one. "While I do love Asher, I must say there is somebody else who has my eye. Sorry ladies, I'm taken."

We decide to play up separate ideas in our interviews, and coordinate ate with Barnabas. It is planned that Elisabeth will speak only of me, hoping that from a female, it will bring both teams sponsors. Since Asher goes before me, he will talk about our bromance and Katniss suggests throwing in a small section about his brothers (later, I catch him crying because he feels sorry to leave them). I will go last, playing up both sides, and trapping the hearts of the city with hints that the Hunger Games will ruin my life.

By evening, we are still at public gatherings. Several parties, including a carnival that the entire town, with the exception of our families, is invited to. And I continue to meet with Elisabeth on the roof each night, where the curfew is less strictly enforced. One night as she kisses me good night, I say the stupidest thing yet:

"Do you think it's possible to fall in love this quickly?"

She does not laugh, does not even look disgusted. She simple answers, "I was already in love, just waiting for you to join me."

One morning I awake to read the sign:

Today – Final Interviews

Final Hunger Games – One Day

The entire morning seems rushed. Effie has an entire team of reporters she talks to on the phone all at once. Katniss and Peeta are trying to give us final tips that seem futile (sit up straight). Wyatt and Sarah are nowhere to be found.

Finally, after lunch, which is sandwiches every day, the stylists arrive.

"How are you two feeling?" Wyatt asks us.

"Nervous," I say.

"Sick," replies Asher.

"That, too," I try to be funny.

I am taken to the salon. During my bath, I finally work up the nerve to ask the Styling Assistant when the star on my cheek will come off.

"When you return from the arena," he answers coldly, like it is something obvious. "And then, only if Wyatt permits.

Today there is make up again, only this time it is on my face and torso, so I know I will be shirtless. As is tradition by now, I walk to Wyatt's room, hand over my robe to the prep team, and wait for him.

When he arrives, he seems excited, so I must assume there will be special effects.

"Are you ready, James?" He asks seriously.

"No, but I don't think I ever will be," I say.

He dresses me into a tight pair of black jeans, the exact shade of my hair, which are painted with gold and silver stars. I am also given a pair of shoes he calls 'converse' which are the same color as the pants with the same decoration.A golden crown is the finishing touch. I find the outfit to be hardly flattering.

"What're we going for with this one?" I inquire.

"I figure you've appealed enough to the sponsors, so tonight you're going to win the hearts of the citizens."

"In this?" I half-laugh.

"Let's face it James, sexy is in. You're in shape and a good looking kid. This is what they want," he assures me.

In the mirror I see how I have changed. My stomach, chest, and back are covered by a single ring of gold stars going diagonally down from my right shoulder. The stars in my hair have been replaced. Wyatt hands me two bracelets, one silver, the other gold. Each is a chain of stars connected by a thin metal wire.

"When you stand up after the interview, through the silver one straight up. It is crucial that they go straight, do not send them into the crowd," he instructs.

OK?

All of the tributes gather in the lobby, waiting for instructions from our escorts. All of the mentors and stylists have been sent to their seats. I leave Asher, who is dressed exactly like me but in silver, and approach Elisabeth who is standing with Emily. She talks quietly and looks nervous. Lissie runs into me, and I wrap her in my arms.

"What's wrong, gorgeous?" I ask, concerned

"It's our last night," she whispers.

"Don't cry, dear," I whisper back. "I'll meet you on the roof at nine."

"Promise me," she requests.

"Even if it kills me."

At five minutes until seven, the escorts call us into a line, lead by Effie. District 1 in front; 12 in back. I am the very last person in line.

"Good luck," I whisper to Asher. "I think we look sexy."

Even though I am behind him, I see his black hair flip as he laughs.

We walk through several corridors and then we are instantly in the open air, on a stage erected over-night by a crew. Lights shine on us and we all cheer and wave. Several people near the front hold up signs with Asher and my face or name. We sit in a semi-circle in stiff chairs behind two plush, purple chairs. A man I recognize as the Secretary of Communications walks on stage.

"Welcome, everyone!" He yells into thunderous applause. "And a special welcome to our tributes!"

He introduces the first girl and the three minute interviews begin. When he makes it to the girl from 3 that got a 10, I learn her name is Jamica. She is tall and blonde. Soon after, Emily gives a cutie interview that receives several sounds of endearment from the crowd. Then Elizabeth is up.

She talks about a boy that she is in love with, who is helping her through the stress of a game.

"And who is this special boy?" Asks Plutarch.

She turns to me, the suspended microphones still picking her up, "It's the star of these Games, James Snow."

Her interview ends extremely well, with the loudest response yet. Then we have to wait a while before Asher goes. As he speaks, I am sure about me quite a bit, I begin to get nervous. I am used to cameras and interviews, but this is the biggest crowd yet. In fact, I notice that there are more people here than ever before and wonder if people have come from the districts to watch.

Suddenly, there is clapping and cheering, telling me Asher has done very well. As we pass, I give him a high five which, apparently, deserve cheering. I take my seat and Plutarch begins.

"So, James, you seem to be quite popular this year. How is it to be part of the Capitol's it-couple?"

"I love it!" I wink at Plutarch. "But you know it's even better who I get to be in the couple with." Then I turn to the crowd. "Don't you all love him?" They roar. "Not as much as me, though."

"Wow, you sure are the charmer," he laughs heartily. "Miss Elisabeth seems quite taken by you. Can you confirm for us that this is your lady friend we have all heard so much about?"

"I can," I reply gently now. "I am just as taken by her."

"When did this start?" He asks.

"I am sure you all remember the parade nearly two weeks ago. Well, right after that we just hit it off. Now, I love her."

It takes a few seconds to quiet the crowd, then our host continues, "Well how do you do it knowing that this has to end in the arena?"

A tear slips my eyes, and while I am sure everyone behinds me thinks it is fake, the sound of the crowd tell me it is real. The people of the city are correct. "We aren't taking it too well," I reply, a little choked. "But love always wins."

"That it does," he says seriously. "May I ask a final question?" As if I am going to day 'no.'

"Please," I answer, wiping the tear away.

"From my experience as a Gamemaker, I know that this will be your last time with your love before the arena." He obviously does not know about the roof. "Would you like to give her a final gift?"

I smile appreciatively. "If you wouldn't mind."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back Elisabeth Homes from District 4," says he says warmly. The people briefly clap, and then there is silence.

I meet Lissie at the front of the stage. She looks wonderful. A slim, royal blue dress hits her at the knees. Earrings of the matching color dangle from her ears. Glitter covers her face and straight hair.

"Hi," she laughs, choking back tears.

"Hello, amazing," I reply. "I have a gift for you. So that you remember me, no matter what happens in the arena." I take off the gold bracelet and place it on her wrist.

"It's beautiful," she gets out just before the tears slip.

I put my arms around her and give a slow, short kiss before pulling away and pulling her into my body, her tears running onto my shoulder.

"And that concludes our program. Please tune in tomorrow at noon for the live broadcasting of the opening of the final Hunger Games!"

The tributes begin to file out and I know this is the time for my other bracelet. In one swift motion, I take the silver string of stars from my wrist into my palm and throw them straight up into the air. I notice that the large screen that had displayed the symbol of the country all evening now displays a picture of me and Asher from the night Effie knocked us onto the ground. We are there, smiling crazily. As my bracelet reaches the middle of the screen, it explodes into a glorious series of gold and silver fireworks.

The whole city bursts into applause, cheers, and a few even try to get on the stage. I desperately wish that picture was of me and Lissie, but now I can be alone with her.

We spend the next few hours on the roof, watching the parties below. At first, she sits in my lap and cries on my shoulder. Then speaks.

"I'm so nervous. What are we going to do in there?"

I think about it for a minute. "Once we're in there, we run for each other. Just run away from the cornucopia. I'll find you."

"Emily and Asher?" She asks.

"They can come, too," I tell her gently.

She cries a little more so I tell her, "I love you."

"I love you, too."

When the attendant finds us, we are laying on the ground, her on top of me, kissing. He tells us we have to leave and it is the hardest goodbye yet.

In the morning, Asher and I get showered and dressed silently. Then we hug, still wordlessly. During our embrace, I make the worst realization since I was reaped. I cannot save both my partner and the girl I love.

I had been prepared to win with him before I met her, but since then I have been preparing myself to give up in order for her to live. Now I am faced with a choice. Any other person may choose Elisabeth, because of my deep love for her and longing to be together. But, it is not that simple. Asher is my friend, a close friend, and I do love him. Not in the way I do Elisabeth, but I still do.

I force myself to push the thought from my head by reading the sign on the building outside my window. It reads only three words:

Happy Hunger Games!

I feel a tear run down my face, and one come from Asher. Slowly, we make our way to the living room where five mournful faces are waiting.

"Good luck boys," Effie says more emotionally than I imagined was possible from her. "You have been two of the best tributes I could have asked for. May the odds be ever in your favor." Then she runs from the room crying.

Sarah gives me a brief hug before Wyatt takes me into his arms. "Mentors will take you this year, not stylists," he tells us. "Be safe, James. You can win this is you try. Don't let emotion beat you."

I know he is talking about Elisabeth, but I do not know how to reply other than, "Thank you for everything, Wyatt."

"I'll see you soon," he whispers into my ear as a tear rushes down his cheek.

"Ready?" Peeta asks. I nod. Asher does as well. Both of us are lying.

We take the elevator, all four of us, to the roof where a hover craft floats above. Asher and I are instructed to grab the two ladders. When I do, I am instantly frozen there as I am lifted into the large ship. As I take my seat across from my partner, our mentors appear and sit next to us. All of the other seats are full, so I assume all of the tributes are with us. Unfortunately, I cannot find Elisabeth and I quickly notice that none of the girl tributes are present. They must be elsewhere.

A woman approaches me. "Your left arm, please."
I do as she instructs, but am surprised when she holds up a syringe. She informs me that it is just a tracking device for the Gamemakers. When it is injected, the pain is searing, but leaves me soon. The entire ride is silent, nobody speaking a word, not even mentors. I feel awful knowing that we can never be in this exact group again. At least ten of us must die. It makes me want to throw up.

After an undeterminable amount of time, I feel the craft lower and see the sliding metal doors open. We walk out silently, each tribute following their mentor, all of which seem to know where to go. We walk across a small clearing in the woods, leading the pack. And into what appears to be a small shack. Inside, I see that it is actually just a shelter over a flight of stairs that take us underground. Peeta and Katniss lead us down a long, dark hallway into a room that is hardly better.

It is bright and large, but looks too sterile. Asher begins to sob uncontrollably and it causes me to start crying, too. Katniss and Peeta each take their tribute into their arms. I cry into Peeta's black mentor shirt and he has an arm around my back, and the other on the back of my head.

"Come on, boys," he whispers, "It's time to be strong."

I listen, and begin to hold back the tears. Slowly, they stop. My partner does as well. Katniss gives us eye drops that will erase any trace of tears from our eyes, including the redness. Then, we dress in tight black slippery pants, a tight white t-shirt, and a black jacket made of the same material as the pants. Black running shoes top off the outfit.

"Won't the stars stand out?" I ask

"Wyatt and Sarah seem to think they can be more help with the sponsors than harm with the tributes," Katniss answers as she rolls her eyes.

"Asher," I say, thinking. He does not respond so I continue. "I sort of mad an alliance with Elisabeth and Emily. We want you, too."

"James, I already knew you would," he replies. I am so grateful and I tell him with a look.

"Tributes," comes a booming voice from the ceiling, "To the silver pad, please. One minute remaining."

I begin to breathe heavily. We rush to the pad on the floor.

"We believe in you," Katniss says.

"Asher, I think James has a plan," Peeta adds. "Follow his lead."

"Bromance," Katniss reminds us. We join hands.

"I'm scared," we admit simultaneously.

"Good," Katniss replies. "That gives you better chances." As a glass wall begins to raise around us, She finishes, "My money is on you two."

Then the floor moves up and we are in the arena.