...And exams are OVER! (At least for me) Celebration chapter to celebrate celebrations of celebrations! (Audience cheering)

Welcome back to the story, hope you enjoy!

I do not own any of the characters or the world this story is set in.


MAXON POV

"Maxon Schreave! Welcome!" Caesar Flickerman said.

"Good Morning, Caesar." I responded politely, a smile on my face. Though I was addressing Caesar, my face was turned to the audience, implying that I was happy to see them as well. I wasn't, but they didn't need to know that.

"So, you're our first guest tonight, Maxon. Tell us how you feel about that." Caesar leaned forward eagerly.

I responded, easy question. "I am delighted by the opportunity. I intend to enjoy my night."

"And what can you tell us about all the tributes we're about to see?" Caesar inquired, pleased by the effect my statement has had on the crowd.

"I think that they'll make for an interesting game this year." This was not what Caesar wanted. He wanted to know who I had a grudge against. He wanted drama. But the audience loved the prospect of an "interesting game" and was thrilled. Caesar's frown disappeared before it got there.

"Anyone in particular?" He probed.

"All the tributes are different." I smiled. "I can see them all having a part in the games." Again, not particularly true. Those tributes from District 10, Bella and Edward, didn't look like they could make particularly intelligent decisions.

"Is that so?" Caesar said. "Well then, looks like we're in for a hell of a night, hey?" He turned toward the crowd. It went wild.

"Now, Son," he turned to me. I recognized the sign of an idea I wouldn't like in his eyes. "I've been hearing a few rumors about this other girl from your District, America." I caught my breath.

"And what would those be, Caesar?" I challenged him, at least I tried to. I did all the necessary steps required to make it look like I was daring him, but I think he saw something in my eyes, a spark of desperation that didn't want him to say what he was about to. The audience was quiet, and this much bated breath could not be good for the environment.

"Well, you'd have to tell me if they're true, but some say you've been sneaking around with her. Not to be rude, but could you shed some light on what's been going on?"

I could say no. I could tell him that it was our business, and that he should mind his own. But that wouldn't convince him otherwise, and I needed to be a likable person. That was my goal. The audience wanted, and the audience would get. I took a deep breath.

"Yes, it's true." I could almost hear the sound of America's betrayal.


DORIAN POV

I winked at the audience. It rose as expected and cheered as expected. Of course. I was halfway through my interview, and I knew I had already won the crowd. This was easy.

"We were delighted to see your costume back on the tribute train, but no one knows your opinion on it. Tell us, Dorian, what did you think of it?"

This was a question I'd already practiced, so I answered without hesitation. "I wish I could wear it all the time. It was really fitting, you know?" I had been dressed as a prince, as the audience could certainly remember, so this hidden but obvious boasting was a success.

"Well someone's confident!" Caesar laughed. "Are you as self-assured about the Games coming up?"

"Not a problem, Caesar. I'll be coming back in one piece, don't you worry." I gave the crowd another wink, this one with maybe even more success. Caesar laughed again.

"I see. Now, you volunteered for the Games, right? Anything you'd like to tell us about that? A reason, maybe?"

The answer to that question was an endless spiral of despair that I tend not to go into. How could I tell the privileged Capitol residents about working every day, trying to keep a hard father happy? How could I explain to anyone about getting yourself killed to escape? I couldn't live a day longer back there, so I volunteered, and either I'm dead or rich now. No turning back.

I went with the easy answer. "The Games are a traditional part of our nation, Caesar. I pride myself on doing everything once. How could I miss this?" To impress my District. To improve our nation. Things the Capitol wants to hear.

"I'm glad to hear that, Dorian. Now, what are your plans for the games? Any hidden secrets or talents? Something we should know?" Caesar asked.

"As for secrets, well, I'm an open book." Force no innocent children to kill others, get no lies. "For tactics, I don't intend to work alone." This was the truth. Admittedly, I wasn't totally inclined to kill a friend of mine, but I was going on the assumption that neither would they.

"Anyone in mind?"

No, I hadn't thought about that. I was kind of going on instinct. But that's not a great tactic, and if I want the Capitol to send me gifts, I'm going to need to look better prepared. Damn. If only I'd paid more attention to the other Districts! It didn't matter, who wouldn't want to work with me? The tributes more District 1 didn't look like great battle buddies, so I went with second best.

"District 2." I said.


BELLA POV

"Isabella Swan, please come with me." The Capitol worker said in a monotone voice. Edward was with her, so I decided to forget that she was there. No, I wasn't being rude, Edward was just, like, really pretty. Especially with his face all pale for the cameras.

He walked up to me and kissed me. It was unbelievable. Well, that's not true. I mean, I was there, so I believe it, but someone else wouldn't.

"Um, Miss Swan?" Someone called. Now, that was unbelievable. I'd just spent the last 31 minutes and 22 seconds without Edward, and she had the nerve? I ignored her.

Edward pulled away. "It's time for your interview. I'll be waiting here." He said in his perfect voice. I nodded.

"See you soon." I said.

"I love you." He responded.

"I love you, too." I said.

"I love you mo-" He was cut off.

"Miss Swan?"

"Okay! I'm coming." Honestly, she was so rude! I kissed Edward good-bye.

Tears weren't difficult. Playing the sad girl who misses her family wasn't difficult either. Really, it was all the lights that annoyed me. I cringed back, even though the spotlight was firmly fixed on me. Caesar gave me a sympathetic look.

"Can you tell me about your family, Bella?" I gave them the sob story I'd invented with Benedictus Admiraal. Really, my parents were just weird.

"Um, so, I don't have a brother or a sister, but I have, like, a mom and a dad." I said, making my tone questioning, as if I was unsure. "Mom's not there, usually, but Dad, um, milks cows. He, uh, like, injured himself once, and I'm supposed to take care of it." I let myself dissolve into tears. Caesar nodded kindly.

Honestly? I hadn't been paying much attention to my dad lately. He was fine. I had Edward, and who needs a family then? My dad's injury probably wasn't even that bad, he could take care of himself.

My mind went back to Edward. If my interview took the same time as his, then it was only 7 minutes and 56… 55… 54 seconds until I could see him again.

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Bella." Caesar said, drawing me back to the present. "Why don't you tell us what your dad is like?" Caesar was quickly adopting the sympathy method of generating interest. With the tears on my face, it would have been hard to do anything else.

I tried to think of something positive about my father. "Well, he's very, uh, caring, I guess." I purposefully stumbled over my words. "He's, um, really kind? I guess… I'm sorry, Caesar, it kind of hurts to talk about it." Caesar nodded, his eyes full of false understanding.

"Of course, Bella. That's looks like all we have time for, anyway. Thank you for being here."

"Goodnight, Caesar." I responded, before rushing back to Edward.


I just realized that it's (almost) exactly a month after I started this! Happy month anniversary, and don't forget to review! :)