A stroke of luck: Chapter 10, the interview

Clove eyed her own reflection in her dressing room mirror. Her prep team hid most of her bruises under some high quality make up, but nothing in this world could hide the swelling in her bottom lip, right eye and cheek.

Thresh's beating was brutal, luckily the only serious injury Clove sustained was a broken wrist that had to be put in a brace. Her stylist, Mason, however made her take it off for her interview with Caesar Flickerman.

Clove couldn't help but poke her mildly swollen lip. Considering how tough she was, she didn't wince at the slight pain her touching caused. But it still hurt though.

"I've told you a thousand times Clover, do not touch your make up," Mason said as he passed by. He was adjusting something on Clove's frilly, short-cut, pale green dress.

"You're lucky I'm not touching my hair," Clove pointed out, taking focus to her festive hair do. Her prep team put it in a bun, just like her first interview. But this time, they let out some locks to curl like a ribbons in a birthday present. It looked very festive.

Mason soon finished adjusting Clove's dress, he stood up and looked at his masterpiece from afar. "Clove, in all my years of designing for District 2, your dress is definitely going to go in the history books."

Clove smiled, "Thank you, Mason."

"Now get going, knife-girl," the district 2 stylist insisted. "Your interview's in 5 minutes and I have a seat reserved."

"Okay," Clove stepped towards the door. She took a deep breath as she gripped the door-handle. "Let's rock this bitch," she mumbled to herself.

Clove stepped out into the backstage hallway, the same place where 24 tributes had lined up for their interviews about 2 weeks ago.

As Clove stepped out, her eyes took notice to the tall, devilishly handsome, 17-year-old district 1 boy leaning against the wall. He was clad in a simple black suit with a tie the exact same hue as his emerald green eyes. His hair wasn't flattened anymore, instead, it was quaffed up. It made him look taller.

"I didn't know there were models walking around the capitol today," Marvel joked as he walked over to her. "Hey." His greeting sounded extremely innocent.

Clove scoffed, "Hey yourself, leggy." She greeted him back with a short-yet-meaningful hug. "How's the prosthetic treating you?"

"Well..." Marvel lifted up his right pant leg to reveal a shiny, metallic, capitol-made prosthetic attached to his right knee. Marvel groaned when he heard that he'd lost his leg forever, but when he saw how awesome his replacement looked, his opinion seemed to change. "I think it's treating me fine. I can walk normally now, so that's a good thing."

Clove brushed her hand against what was left of Marvel's right knee, "Does that hurt?"

"Not anymore. I'm all healed up," he answered. "All 95 percent of me!"

Clove smiled, "Good, but I gotta admit, having one leg makes you look... hot."

"You got an amputee fetish?" Marvel joked with a cocky smirk.

"No, I have a Marvel Quaid fetish," she answered.

Two Avox's walked to the pair. They both motioned to the stage.

"Oh, thank you," Marvel thanked.

He and Clove both stood close to the wall. On the monitor nearby, they watched Caesar onstage as he prepared the crowd for the interview.

"What an entertaining Hunger Games, right Panem?" Caesar started.

Some people cheered, some didn't.

The Hunger Games host continued, "My dear nation, Hunger Games history has changed this year. Instead of 1 victor coming out, our generous gamemaker allowed 2 victors to exit the arena this year. If they were alive long enough, the two star-crossed lovers of District 12 would've come out together. But fate had something else in mind; instead, two young lovers came from different districts, districts 1 and 2 to be exact. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the girl with knives and the boy with spears. But they go by the names: Clove Fuhrman and Marvel Quaid!"

Clove and Marvel linked arms before the Avoxs escorted them to the stage. The crowd roared when they did.

"Smile and wave Clove," Marvel whispered to his lover as he did the exact thing.

Clove was a bit shy with the waving. Which was odd because during the tribute parade, she waved to the crowd with an 'I-have-the-ability-to-kill-you-all' expression on her face. It was probably because she was clad in Roman Gladiator armor and not a frilly dress.

The two victors then took their seats beside Caesar. The crowd settled down so the interview could start. It should be noted that Marvel wouldn't let go of Clove's hand. Truthfully, he wasn't planning to.

"So Marvel, Clove, how do you like being Hunger Games victors?" Caesar started.

"It sure beats being a Hunger Games loser," Marvel joked cockily.

The audience roared with laughter before Clove could reply.

Once they calmed down, Clove spoke: "It feels better than I thought it would my dear Caesar."

"That's good," the interviewer continued. "Now I must ask a personal question, because I know the audience wants the answer badly."

"Hit us with your best shot," Marvel said in a taunting way. He was prepared for anything.

"Marvel, what made you fall for Clove?" The audience whooed when Caesar asked this.

"Well, I guess it started during training. I saw Clove sharpening her knives and thought, 'Hey, I'd let her sharpen my knife,'" Marvel started. The audience let out a few laughs and chuckles. "I guess I find a girl with knives pretty damn sexy."

Clove blushed a bit as the audience cooed at their affections.

Marvel continued his story, "Then after that, when I was in the arena, I talked to her more. After all that talking, I got to know her more. It was after I got to know her that I started to fall for her. I know it sounds a bit fast, but some people don't know the impact Clove can make. And the fact that she kissed me right after I realized that I loved her made that day the best day of my life."

Some Capitol citizens fainted at Marvel's confession of love. Clove's face heated up while Caesar's had the weirdest expression in the world. "That takes a lot of courage to confess Marvel," Caesar remarked. "You've got as much guts as Peeta Mellark!"

"I'm not sure if that's a compliment Caesar, but thank you!" said Marvel.

"So Clove," Caesar turned to the girl with knives. "What are your plans for when you return to your district?"

"Well Caesar, the first thing I'm gonna do is see my family," Clove started. "I can't wait to see my little sister again."

Caesar nodded, "Mmm-hmm, tell me, are you going to move into District 2's Victors Village?"

"That isn't an option for me considering the fact that both my parents are victors," stated Clove.

"Oh, so I assume that life might not change for you, am I right?" Caesar threw out.

Clove nodded, "Pretty much. At least I won the games at age 15 though, not a lot of people do."

Caesar agreed, "I see. And what about you Marvel? Moving to your Victors village?"

Marvel shook his head, "No. My mom all ways told me that if I won the games that we wouldn't move into Victors Village. She has her reasons and I know best to not question my mother." Some people snickered at this. "We're probably gonna stay in our old home. But I'm a big boy now, I might move here."

"Sounds like a mighty idea my friend," Caesar remarked. "You'd make a fine addition to our wonderful city." Caesar began to wrap up the interview, "You know, you two winning the games as a duo is a real stroke of luck. And you two falling for each other is an even bigger stroke of luck! I wish the best for you two in the near and far future."

"Thank you Caesar," Clove said.

Caesar then stood up, "I believe it is time for our victors to be crowned. Ladies and gentlemen, to do so, our very own President Snow!"

The audience cheered as the President of Panem walked out from backstage. Two Avox's followed behind him with the crowns in their hands. His expression was cold, but the citizens of Panem were used to this expression.

He said nothing as he grabbed the first crown. He walked up to Clove and gently placed it on her head. Clove noticed that the president seemed to be looking her up and down. It was like he was checking her out. Clove found it extremely creepy. "You're looking fine Clove," he remarked. "Mason did a fine job this year."

Clove gulped, "Um... thank you?"

Snow then picked up the second crown before facing Marvel. As Marvel felt the crown touching his scalp, he noticed that the President was checking him out too!

"You're a fine looking young lad, aren't you?" Snow stated.

Marvel didn't show his discomfort, "Thank you Mr. President."

The president kept looking at Marvel long after the crown was settled. Snow gave him a rather intimidating stare before walking off stage. He didn't say another word.

Caesar finished the interview, "Well my dear Capitol that concludes the 74th annual Hunger Games! May we have applause for our Victors?"

The audience screamed louder than ever. So loud, that Clove could feel her right ear deafening.

Getting into the hype, Marvel lifted his and Clove's hands high above their heads. That only made the crowd cheer louder.

Marvel let out his signature "WOOOOOOOO!"

Caesar finally concluded the interview; he had to scream into the microphone so everyone could hear him. "Ladies and gentlemen, Clove Fuhrman and Marvel Quaid!"

With that said, the two victors left the stage.

Once they were away from the insanity, Clove had to get something off her chest. "Marvel, is that all for the cameras?"

Marvel answered quite calmly, "No. Why do you ask?"

"I know that you like to put on a show for the capitol," Clove started. "I'm just not sure if that was real or not real."

Gently, Marvel gripped Clove's other hand so that they were facing each other, "Real."

"You love me," Clove said. It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Marvel didn't hesitate to answer, "Always."

Avoiding hesitation as well, Clove didn't hesitate to grab the front of Marvel's suit and smashed her lips to his, ignoring the pain of her lip-bruises getting touched.

Finally! It is finished!

Yes people, 'A stroke of luck' is finished. I've seen some people saying 'No no no u can't stop!' or 'I don't want this story to end though :( '

And I'm sorry to say, yes, I can stop. But I'm proud to say this, I'M MAKING A SEQUEL!

That's right, more Clarvel! I just need to get things started!

So review away if you want to see it because if this story reaches over 50 reviews, I will write the sequel as fast as I can! The sequel would come anyways, but if you don't review I might not feel motivated to.

So, I hope you enjoyed the final chapter. Review because I will smile!

TheOceanspray99 out!