Sorry for the late update but I've been busy reading and creating a new Divergent Fanfic. Also sorry that its shorter than normal.
Bridget:
Today the interviews will commence. I'm sure that all of Panem will want to know how I feel about Summer making it to the final eight. Keeping that in mind I don't dress like a slob today seeing as I still need to keep up my appearance publicly. I put on some old blue jeans and a blue and white stripe short sleeve top before heading down to the Victors Lounge.
"What's up buttercup?" I ask Haymitch.
"Nothing much." He replies gruffly.
"Cool." I say not knowing how to reply.
I sit next to Haymitch and Finn again. I watch the one small screen which has the interviews on them. I guess the Game Makers thought that it wasn't necessary for the mentors to see the interviews. Oh well. I watch as the District One male's older brother, mother, father, and twin sister are interviewed. I quickly lose any interest as I try to keep busy waiting for Caesar to inevitably show up. He does at about 1 in the afternoon.
"Hello Miss Bridget!" Caesar greets me pleasantly.
"Hello Caesar! How are you?"
"I'm fine and how are you?"
"I'm good. I'm finding every chance I can to try and get Haymitch to send something to Summer."
"Why doesn't he send anything?"
"I don't really listen but I think it was something like saving it." I jokingly put my hand up so Haymitch can't read my lips.
"Oh well okay. How are you feeling with your best friend's older sister having to compete in the Games?" He makes it sound as though they are running track. Compete!
"It's heartbreaking. Summer was like an older sister to me but obviously I am not nearly as unfortunate as Summer's sister Willow. I can't imagine what she's going through. All three of us used to do almost everything together. We were the Three Muskateers."
"Muskateers?"
"You've never read the Three Muskateers?!"
"No."
"You have to it's so good!"
"Okay. I will have to. Has Summer read it?"
"Yeah. She's a big reader. She made me the avid reader I am today."
"That's so sweet. What would you do if Summer wins?"
"Well... It'd be better because she'd live right next door instead of on the other side of Twelve so we'd hang out a lot more."
"How do feel about Summer being in the Games?"
"At this point in time I'm happy that Summer made it to the final eight but over all I'm kinda numb. Sorta like my emotions are in denial about it all so I don't feel anything."
"At least you aren't feeling depressed, right?"
"I guess so. The only thing is that I miss her so much and Willow too. I've never gone a day without seeing either of them and its difficult because those two are my 'sisters from another mister'. I just can't imagine what Willow and Mrs. Cob must be going through."
"I'm sure they are proud of their daughter and sister."
"I'm sure they are also distraught that she has to participate in a Game that..." I stop because Haymitch puts his hand on my arm so I notice my temper rising. "I'm sorry. Lost my cool. Yes I am sure they are proud of her."
"Yes. Before we go, I have one last question. Do you think she would be able to win?"
"If she doesn't give up hope I think she might but anyone can tell its going to be hard against 3 careers. I mean, I can see that and the only experience I have is watching the Games."
"Thank you. That is the end of the interview with Bridget Abernathy so lets move on to Miss Johanna Mason!" Caesar addresses the camera before walking over to Johanna.
"Cheer up kid." Chaff tells me. I just shrug in response.
"Wanna go somewhere?" Peyton pipes in.
"Let's go get some fresh air." I say.
"Don't hurry back. Nothing ever happens on interview day." Haymitch tells us.
"Okay. See ya later." Peyton calls over her shoulder as she leads me to the elevator.
Once the doors close Peyton pounces on me. "How ya holdin' up?" She asks.
"I'm okay... I don't know." I stare down at my feet.
"Can't you open up? Just this once please like really open up. I know I can't say I know what your going through but it could still help if you talk about it." She lifts my chin so I have to look at her.
"I'm not sure really. At the moment I don't feel anything just numb like my emotions are in denial so now when Summer does die I'll take it a lot harder. I've had so much going on in my life this year that my emotions are bouncing off the walls anyway which is why I was so hysterical with Preston. I feel bad about how I yelled at him but I'm pretty sure I'm the last person he wants to see. Am I a terrible person?" I look at Peyton pleading for an answer.
"You had every right to be hysterical with Preston, he was an ass and he doesn't understand what he said, did not mean what he thought. Also you are not a terrible person."
"What do you mean? He got confused about what he said?"
"He said 'fine' not meaning to break up with you just that he understood what would happen. He's an idiot and I told him so."
"Oh."
"But it's okay. You guys probably wouldn't last anyway, no offense."
"Yeah you're probably right... Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, why does that other victor kid that you hang out with not like me?"
"Hannah? Well it's just... She kinda... She has a... A thing for Preston."
"Oh well tell her she doesn't need to worry about that anymore."
"You're right... Because they are dating." She tries to say the last part quickly and quietly so I don't hear it.
"Oh. I'm happy for them." I tell her with a smile.
"So what do you want to do this evening?" She changes the subject.
"Why don't we go shopping?"
"Shopping? Do you ladies mind if I come?" Johanna asks as the doors open to the lobby. She must have taken the stairs down after her interview with Caesar.
"Sure!" Both Peyton and I say in unison.
"Thanks. I need to get my mind off these Games."
"Me too." I tell her.
"Where do you want to go first?" Peyton asks.
"How about we go to the bookstore?" I offer. They look at me like I'm an idiot. "What? I like reading."
"Seriously... Bookstore. Maybe after." Peyton tells me. Way to kick a girl when she's down. "No offense."
"No it's okay... Hey! Handbags and purses?" I perk up.
"Perfect! Your fashion weakness!" She grins.
"I know the perfect place!" Johanna tells us.
She leads us for a while before stopping in front of a store that seems to carry every style and color of satchels known to man. The sign says The Cambridge Satchel Company. It seems like an old store.
"I saw this store and immediately fell in love my first time in the Capitol."
I don't wait to find out if Peyton replies because I practically run into the store and fall in love with a vintage looking brown satchel that has a shoulder strap that is convertible to make it be carried as a backpack to. I immediately turn to Peyton and Johanna to give them a look a child would give their parents when they see an adorable puppy. They laugh and Johanna hands me Haymitch's debit card which she is holding on to so I don't blow it all. Mwahaha. This bag is like 150 pancs so it's kinda expensive but oh well!
I get back with a grin on my face like I'm a five year old who has just been treated to a bag of candy. Yet again the girls laugh at me.
"I can't help it! It was calling me! It was saying 'Buy me! Buy me Bridget! Buy me!' And I responded by saying 'Yes Master.' And buying it. The bags speak to me. The bag chooses the girl Peyton, the girl doesn't choose the bag." I tell Peyton solemnly and with an impossibly straight face seeing as she doesn't understand my obsession with bags when she thinks its all about shoes. At least Johanna understands me.
"That sounds a lot like the movie Harry Potter. But oh well. Next we buy shoes!" Peyton demands.
We all walk and talk and shop. I laugh and forget about the Games for the first time in a long time when I'm around my girl friends because the only people that made me forget the Games were Finn and Preston. We shop until we are hungry enough to get food then we happily take a cab back to the Training Center.
