We walk down to the interview hall where I meet Caspar, both of us nervous.
"You look amazing, again." Caspar says sweetly.
"Thank you, so do you."
This is true; he is wearing a suit with a red tie studded with jewel and I examine his eyes carefully but I find no contacts.
"Wow your eyes!" He shouts, finally noticing.
I giggle. I then talk to Cinna in private.
"Why haven't you given Caspar contacts?" I ask.
"Do you really think anyone will care after watching you? Honestly?" He whispers.
I think this through carefully. Soon enough, I understand.
"Oh! Do you mean that because I go on before him, wearing the same contacts, that they won't be as amazed the second time?" I reply.
"No, that's not it Pippa." He says before walking away.
I stand for a while confused at his meaning, until I decide to put it to the back of my mind and worry more about the interviews that are starting in ten minutes.
We walk into a room full of tributes doing their final preparations for the interviews. Some chew on their nails timidly; some sit on the seats, shoulders back confidently. Caspar and I stand in the midst of it all, not really knowing what to do or where to go before Austin and Gracia come bounding up to us.
"I'm so nervous are you nervous?" Gracia asks, quickly mumbling her words.
"Yes!" Caspar says, showing us his trembling hands.
"It'll be over before you know it!" Says Austin.
This is probably true, the interviews only last three minutes before a buzzer rings, indicating that the next tribute should be brought to the stage.
The wait lasted years, although we were able to distract ourselves by watching the other tributes being interviewed on a small screen. District 1 both used the same angle, terrifying. Even Caesar Flickerman was taken aback, who is normally fine with anything. The blonde Career, Lexus, plays the sweet angle; though you can see the malice deep within her green eyes. Griffin laughs with Caesar, the crowd roaring at his sharp, witty jokes.
Azure is on next; wearing a golden ball gown and teetering neatly onto the stage. Caesar plays up to her asking the audience if they think she looks as flawless as he thinks. The crowd applaud, some even wolf whistling. Gracia is shy, giggling cutely when Caesar jokes around.
Five and Six are cheeky, reassuring Caesar that they won't be out first.
Panther girl then slips onto the stage, wearing a long black dress, her eye makeup accentuating her catlike qualities. She is portrayed as sly and sneaky, giving nothing away. As soon as she walks off Storm walks on confidently and the crowd ripple applause, he is obviously a favourite.
Eilish is then hurried onto stage, twirling into Caesars arms comically. She is serious after that, as Caesar asks about her family it's as if she has totally transformed from her usual bubbly self, to someone lost. As she tells stories of her life at home, I hear sniffles from the audience. Austin also does well, giving intelligent remarks as the crowd listens intently.
Nine, Ten and then Eleven pass until my interview is thirty seconds away. I take deep breaths talking through things in my head. As soon as the buzzer sounds I pick up the back of my dress, making a sweet smile appear on my cheeks.
Caesar comes to greet me, and slowly shakes my quaking hands. He gives me a reassuring nod before we sit down and gets straight on with the interview.
"May I say, I have never seen anyone's eyes look so enchanting." He says with a flourish. "Can we get the camera on these?"
The film crew dash over; zooming in on my eyes as I rotate my head. The audience give a gasp of delight.
"Cinna you've done it again." Caesar says, giving him a thumbs up. Cinna winks back.
"He really does know how to make a girl feel beautiful." I say, honestly.
"Anyway, Pippa; what did you feel like when you were picked at the reaping?"
My mind went straight back to reality like a punch in the face. Luckily Katniss had prepared me for this. Make it memorable.
"It was like, the worst things you could ever imagine all rolled into one moment. Like I couldn't breathe, as if I was being suffocated." I had Caesar and the crowd hanging on my words. "The only thing that helped me catch my breath was the sound of my sister Bluebell, crying."
"Oh yes I heard that, truly heart-breaking." Caesar says softly. "You must love your family." He continues, prompting another answer.
"Of course, more than anything, not that I have anything else." I give out a nervous laugh.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don't have 'friends'." I answer, feeling uncomfortable bring it up.
"What about Caspar?" Caesar asks.
I struggle to talk, my eyes flicking right and left. I hate him, but I can't say that. Not even he deserves it. Caesar takes the hint and quickly moves on to talk about the Capitol. We have a quick joke, but soon enough the buzzer sounds and I leave the stage as gracefully as possible, a loud applause behind me.
I sit down still shaking as Austin walks over to me and pats me on the shoulder.
"You did a good job!" He says, reassuringly.
I nod at him thankfully and begin watching Caspar's interview. He knows all the right things to say to make the crowd laugh, and at times become silent from emotion, especially when his family is brought up.
"So how are your family at home?" Caesar asks.
"Well it's just me and my parents, so nothing much happens."
"No brothers or sisters?"
"I used to have a brother, but he died three years ago." He says; his voice wobbling.
Three years ago, I think. Around the time he started bullying me. Unable to stop myself, I gasp. That was why he did it; he was grieving – unable to control his emotions, not because of anything I had done to him. I always wondered why it was so sudden. A huge pang of guilt rises through me.
"I'm so sorry." Caesar says, solemnly.
"It's fine, but I'd like to say something else. She needs to hear it." Caspar replies, clearing his throat.
"Who does?"
"Pippa." He looks directly into the camera. "That's the only reason I've ever hurt you Pippa and I'm sorry, for all these years that we've hated each other for no good reason."
I can feel the rest of the tributes staring at me, but I keep my eyes on the screen.
"That's such a good thing to do Caspar." Caesar says clapping his hands, the audience joining in.
"I had to get that off my chest."
For the final minute they chat, getting the spectators directly involved, making them love him. The buzzer rings for a final time and he walks of stage. The screen showing the Capitol seal.
I run to the steps leading off the stage and as soon as Caspar is in sight I wrap my hands tightly round his neck.
"I'm so sorry." I say.
"No I had no reason to turn everyone against you." He replies, returning the embrace.
"If I had known about your brother, everything would have been different. I would have been able to forgive you." I choke.
He holds my shoulders and looks deep into my eyes.
"Will you forgive me now?"
"Of course." I laugh.
We walk down the steps to find Austin, Eilish, Storm and Gracia looking at us grinning. Caspar and I chuckle, say goodbye and begin walking to our rooms. As soon as I bound through the door I stand completely still, going through the events of the past hour in my head.
I was interviewed, it went well. Caspar told Caesar his brother died. He apologised for making my life hell. I forgave him.
It all sounded simple when I thought of it factually but everything was such a mess, and the arena was less than twenty four hours away. I climb into bed and check the time. Ten o'clock. I decide to go to sleep as tomorrow I will be an emotional wreck even if I'm fully rested.
I can't sleep. I toss and turn for hours until I get so frustrated that I can't bear to stay in bed anymore.
I stand up and throw on a dressing gown. I walk around the room, pondering how to spend my time. I open the door and check no one is outside before I walk down the hall. Corridor after corridor passes before I find a sign directing me to the roof. Why not?
I walk up the steep stairs and shove the door open. An immediate chill creeps onto my skin, making me tighten the tie on my gown. I stare over the balcony, mesmerised by the view of the Capitol. A city full of lights, people wandering as far as the eye can see. I stand gazing at scene in front of me until I feel a hand touch my shoulder. I scream, striking the figure.
I turn around to see Griffin, wincing.
"We meet again." He says cheekily.
"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry, is your stomach okay?" I say panicking; I don't want to be first on the Careers' list.
"Pippa it's fine." He laughs.
I give a sigh of relief and laugh with him anxiously.
"Why are you up here?" I ask.
"I could ask you the same question. I've come up here every night, it helps me think."
"About what?"
"Everything really." I see a look in his eyes that I have never noticed before, a look of longing and loneliness.
I sit on the cold wall, Griffin joining me, when I begin to tremble once again.
"Come on Pip, toughen up. You'll need to be tougher than this in the arena," he says lightly. I close my eyes and gulp, suddenly feeling sick. "I won't mention it again." He continues, noticing my change in demeanour.
"Thanks." I reply.
For a few minutes we sit in silence before the cold begins to take over my body, I can feel my lips beginning to turn blue.
Without warning I feel Griffin's warm hands pull my body close to his, my cheek resting on his chest. I can feel the warmth radiating from his skin so I don't object. The situation feels so odd as we talk for ages, his gentle fingers stroking my hair, my knees tucked up close to him. We tell each other about our homes, our family, and our time at the Capitol.
He makes me feel safe. I begin to drift off in Griffins arms, his head resting on mine. My last thought before I plunge deep into slumber. This is where the Games really begin.