Chapter 10 – It's All for Show

The next day Stephanie allows me an extra half hour of sleep before, as is routine, knocking on my door and demanding I get up. I don't really see the point in resisting her wake-up calls anymore, so I get up immediately, shower, dress and then make my way to the dining hall, where everyone except Jaka is seated quietly eating breakfast. Well, everyone is quiet except for Stephanie – that woman never shuts up. She's babbling on about something to do with pink and green and birthday parties and I tune it out as I sit down between Silva and Johanna and start heaping food onto my plate.

We continue to eat in silence for a while, excluding and ignoring Stephanie of course, until Jaka comes in, bleary-eyed and zombie-like, plopping into the chair opposite Silva and then dropping his head onto his plate instead of getting food.

"Jaka?" I ask.

He makes a noncommittal sound.

"You'd better start eating, Howard," Johanna says. "You won't get anything until lunchtime."

Jaka groans as he lifts up his head. I stare at him. He looks like he's had no sleep at all.

"Couldn't sleep," he says gruffly in response to my inquisitive look. I can tell that he's not telling me something, by the way he avoids my eyes and fiddles anxiously with the tassels on the tablecloth. But I decide not to ask him. Not here, anyway.

"Have something to eat, kiddo," Silva says, heaping a pile of pancakes onto Jaka's plate himself.

Moodily Jaka starts to eat. Again I wonder what is going on, but again I stay silent.

After a few minutes of tense silence – even Stephanie has quieted – Johanna speaks.

"Okay, so, Genesis, today you'll first be with Stephanie for four hours. She'll teach you useless things like how to walk in heels." She ignores Stephanie's squeak of indignation at that. "Then I'll come get you. We'll have lunch and then you'll have four hours with me."

"Oh no."

"Shut it. As I was saying, you'll have four hours with me and I'll be teaching you your angle for the interviews."

"That'll take four hours?" I ask, surprised.

"It'll take longer," Johanna nods. "But unfortunately we don't have any longer than four hours, so we'll just have to make do."

"Jaka, you'll be the same," Silva says to my brother. "But in reverse. You'll start out with four hours with me and then four hours with Stephanie."

"What, so I'll be walking in heels?" Jaka snorts.

"No, no, you'll be learning about how to sit properly, how to speak, etcetera," Stephanie corrects him.

"Sounds fun," Jaka mutters, and I snort in amusement.

It seems that there is, in fact, a lot Stephanie can teach me in four hours. By the end of it my feet are complaining from the heels, my back is aching from sitting up ramrod-straight and all I want to do is stop these 'ladylike' lessons, throw the shoe at Stephanie, run away and go do something tomboyish, ripping this elegant dress on the way. I've lost count over how many times I have tripped over the floor-length hem.

So when Johanna comes to collect me at noon, I am extremely grateful. I kick off the heels, quickly change into the comfortable pants and hoodie I was in before, and take great satisfaction in watching Johanna shoo Stephanie from the room.

We go over to where you can order food through room service, pressing a button beside my bed and speaking what food you want. We choose some simple cheese and turkey sandwiches with some lemonade to wash it down.

We sit down to eat the sandwiches. Johanna watches me as I stuff as many sandwiches as I can into my mouth, ravenous. I don't even take the time to wonder how lessons with Stephanie have made me so hungry.

Finally, as I start to slow down my eating a little, she speaks.

"So, your angle," she begins, "I still don't know you very well, so I don't know which angle would really suit you. You're not exactly a bubbly chatty girl that everyone likes." I snort. I'm exactly the opposite. "So that's out. And your high training score cuts out all those wimpy angles. And you're not a ruthless, bloodthirsty, insane killer."

I shudder. No, I am most definitely not a ruthless, bloodthirsty, insane killer.

"But, as I told you before on the train, your looks can help you pull off the shallow, dumb blonde angle. I know you hate it – I hate it too, and I'm not even blonde – but the Capitolites love that sort of angle. You have heard of Cashmere, right, from District 1? Yeah, she went for that angle, and she got practically the whole Capitol to sponsor her. It saved her life having those sponsors. It can do the same for you; or, in your case, it can save your brother's life."

"I'm not…" I struggle to explain. "That's not how I want to be remembered," I say. "I want to be me at least a little bit."

"Tough," Johanna says. "Tell me, Genesis: which angle will get you more sponsors from people like the Capitolites, the sexy dumb blonde or the boring, sarcastic, unfriendly, feisty girl that dresses like a boy?"

"I'm not a boring, sarcastic, unfriendly, feisty girl that dresses like a boy," I say, offended. She gestures to my boyish pants and even more boyish hoodie.

"You're not exactly likeable, Genesis," Johanna says bluntly. "In fact, you're pretty much the opposite. I don't know where that bubbly girl in the chariots came from, but you can work with that. The Capitol is shallow, Genesis! They eat up the good-looking tributes. And if you don't even have any friends –"

"I have friends," I interrupt.

"Oh really? Who?"

"Devera," I say.

"And?"

"Jocelyn…but she's…"

"Jocelyn Spires?" Johanna asks.

I nod, staring at the floor.

She doesn't say anything for a while.

"Point is," she eventually says, bringing me up from my Jocelyn-induced nostalgia, "people aren't drawn to you. Not normal people anyway."

I snort. "Thanks."

She continues like I'd never interrupted. "So you can't just be yourself for people to like you. You're relatively quiet, deep, scarred from your best friend's death, sarcastic, tomboyish, boring, and you have quite the temper. You're cold, defensive, and people find it almost impossible to get through to you. That won't bring you sponsors. Instead, if you act like a shallow, girly, giggly supermodel, you'll get loads of sponsors. And that's what this is all about. Sponsors."

"But shallow girly giggly supermodels aren't that interesting," I protest. "There's nothing more to them than looks and boys."

"Is there anything more to the Capitol than looks and the opposite sex?" Johanna raises an eyebrow and I don't reply. She's right. "The only time that you're allowed to drop that angle a little is when Caesar asks about Jaka, and don't worry he will ask about Jaka. Stop giggling and word it so that the audience starts crying. It doesn't take much to make a Capitolite crowd cry. They'll be tripping over their ridiculously tall shoes to sponsor you."

I'm beginning to see her logic. That doesn't mean I like it, though.

But after a few more minutes of logical arguments I eventually give in, knowing that she's right. I'm just going to have to pull it off. "Fine," I say resignedly.

Johanna smirks. "Good," she says. "Now here are some questions that Caesar might ask."

"Why hello there Genesis!"

I don't even bother to hold in my sigh as Perrie bursts into the room, followed by a scowling Ender and a softly smiling Kim.

"You are going to look beautiful!" Perrie exclaims, drawing out the vowels in beautiful. "Not that you aren't already beautiful of course," she hurriedly amends, but I'm hardly offended. "A tattoo would be real nice, right here, just a small one…" she traces a hand along my jaw.

Kim lays a hand on her companion's arm. "No tattoos, Perrie," she says softly. I give her a grateful smile as Perrie disappointedly lowers her arm and turns to the makeup.

Thanks, I mouth to her.

No problem, she replies.

For the next couple of hours I am subjected to their makeover. I don't say a word, and neither does Ender. Kim occasionally speaks so as not to offend Perrie, who has been chattering non-stop the whole time, but for the most part she's silent as well.

I can't say that I'm sad to see them go when Scarlett comes in and takes their place. She's still as creepily red and predator-like as she was at the Opening Ceremonies – I haven't seen her or Jaka's stylist since then. They don't eat with us. Johanna says that normally they do, but this year they've stayed away. I wonder why.

"Close your eyes," Scarlett tells me, and I comply.

I feel her slide something over me. It's soft and silky.

"Open your eyes," she tells me, and I obey.

She turns me to face the mirror and my lips curve up into a smile, impressed. I look beautiful. The dress is a shimmery blue-grey fabric, the grey matching my eyes. The sleeves are a translucent blue fabric that are only about an inch long. The dress itself comes down to mid-thigh and has a blue fabric belt wrapped around my torso under my breastbone.

Scarlett hands me a pair of grey-blue elbow-length gloves the same colour and fabric of the dress. I pull them on. They're as soft as the dress. She helps me step into light blue three-inch heels with silver glitter on them.

Scarlett is apparently a hair stylist as well, for she does up my hair with master fingers into a tight high ponytail that she lets hang over my right shoulder with a braid across my hairline like a headband. As I turn this way and that in the light my skin and hair shimmer like the dress.

I look, and feel, like a goddess.

"Come," Scarlett says, taking my gloved hand. "It's time."

She leads me out of the room. We meet up with Jaka and his stylist. He looks dashing in his sky-blue suit, his rust-coloured hair spiked up.

I nudge him as we start walking towards the elevator.

"Bet Ariadne will like it," I whisper.

He hits my shoulder. "Bet Jared will like that," he responds, gesturing to my dress.

That shuts me up.

We're some of the first tributes down there. Ariadne and Decimus are there; the two from 3 are there; and the two from 4 are there. I ignore Telia's glare as I walk over to Ariadne with Jaka. Decimus is with Taylor and Telia.

"You look nice," Jaka comments as we reach the blonde girl.

She smiles. "So do you," she says. She then looks up at me. Something flickers in her gaze but it's gone and replaced by a warm smile before I can identify it. "Hello, Genesis," she says, inclining her head politely.

"Ariadne." I incline my head back before turning away.

We stand in silence for a while, watching the other tributes file in. District 10. District 6. District 11. When Vera and her companion arrive, they come over to us, and Jaka and the boy start talking quietly. I tune out of their conversation. I don't want to learn his name.

But as District 2 walks in, I can't help but continue to stare. Jared looks so…handsome, that I simply can't tear my eyes away from him. He's in a silver suit that shimmers with the light, and it fits his large, muscular frame perfectly.

So when he turns and looks at me, he catches me staring.

I turn away quickly, embarrassed, but I continue to feel his gaze on me. I peek at him from under my glittery lashes. He makes a small gesture with his hand. Beckoning me. He wants me to go over to him.

I glance over my shoulder. There's no one behind me but my alliance. And they haven't even noticed him.

I turn back to him. His dark eyes are focused on me, and he's still making that small gesture. He's walked a small distance away from the other Careers. They hadn't even noticed him leave. He's now standing alone.

Go on, Jocelyn's voice giggles.

I should probably be in a mental hospital. Hearing voices of the dead and all, I think to myself before taking a deep breath and walking over to the hulking Career.

He smirks when he realises that I'm coming. He lets his hand drop to his side. I feel self-conscious beneath his dark scrutiny, and I fidget with my gloves as I walk over to him.

I stop a few paces away from him. He stares at me coolly. He leans against the wall and folds his arms.

"You don't seem to have made your decision," he says coolly.

I stare at him. What decision?

"About me," he clarifies. "You know, the one I asked you to make after the…" he smirks and lowers his voice, "kiss."

Did I just speak aloud?

"It seems to be a habit," he says, his smirk growing in amusement.

I scowl at him. "Me speaking my thoughts aloud is not funny," I growl, and he spreads his hands out, palms facing me, in a gesture of surrender.

"I never said it was," he says. His amusement fades. "You haven't made your decision," he repeats.

"I don't even know what you want me to choose between," I say. "You and Jaka? Live or die? Because if you think that I'm going to choose you over Jaka then you're delusional."

He pushes off the wall and steps closer to me. I feel my heartbeat speed up. A warmth creeps over my cheeks and I realise, with a certain degree of horror, that it's a blush. There are now only a few inches between us. He stretches out his arm and rests it against the wall, leaning on it, blocking the way between me and my alliance.

"I never asked you to choose between anything," he says softly.

"Then what were you asking?"

He leans forward and whispers in my ear. "We only have a few days to live," he whispers. "And I intend to spend them with you, Genesis."

I step away from him. "You'll kill me," I say uneasily.

He gives me a disbelieving look. "I can kill anyone," he says, his voice turning into a bit of a growl. "I can kill my whole alliance. I can kill your whole alliance. I can kill a twelve-year-old without feeling anything but satisfaction." He steps closer to me and I instinctively step back. He lifts up a hand and gently fingers the end of my ponytail. "But you…" he pauses. "Whenever I think about killing you – about anyone killing you – I feel like I'm dying too," he says. "I've made my decision. And my decision is you. What is yours? I'm not asking you to choose between me and your brother. I'm asking you to make our last days on this world as happy as they can be. Because I know that you love me, too, even if you haven't admitted it to yourself. And…" he drops his hand. "People are always happier when they're with the person they love."

"Aren't you happy though?" I ask softly. "I thought all Careers were happy to be here."

He sighs. "I've never been happy," he continues. "Never been free. The Games has been my entire existence. I thought that I was happy. I thought that I was over the moon when I became a tribute. But it's only when I met you that I realised that my life has been missing something all along. You."

I stare at him. Where has this speech come from? Because although it's certainly swept me off my feet, it's confused me, too. It's all too much to think about, too much to bear. I can't make a decision like that. Not now. Especially not now. I've already got enough on my plate; I don't need romance to be thrown in as well.

I'm saved answering by a Capitol attendant.

"Tributes!" she claps her hands. "Get into line, we'll be live in five!"

I give one last glance at Jared before ducking under his arm and back to my alliance.

I don't see the hurt that flashes in his eyes as I do so.

"What was that?" Vera asks in her high, girlish voice as I come to a stop in front of them.

"Bloody Careers," I mutter under my breath, and turn away, refusing to answer any more questions.

Five minutes later it's time to go onto the stage. We all file onstage to the cheering of the crowd. There are twenty-four seats behind the two throne-like chairs for Caesar and the interviewee; I take my place in my seat between Jaka and the boy from 6 and look out at the crowd, a beaming and completely fake smile on my face.

Caesar bounds onto the stage. This year his hair, lips and eye makeup are a shocking lemon yellow.

He gets the crowd warmed up with a few jokes before he introduces Lorelei, the girl from 1. She walks up to the stage, a simpering smile on her face, in a white dress that is obviously going for sexy. She walks with confidence and grace, and the cheering for her is deafening.

Riley, her district partner, is in a dark blue tux and his angle is a ruthless, eager killer. The crowd cheers for him just as much, if not more, as Lorelei.

Astraea is cunning and mysterious. It works perfectly for her.

I lean forward slightly as her buzzer goes and Caesar introduces Jared.

"So, Jared," says Caesar, "how do you like the Capitol?"

"It's amazing," Jared says. "It's such an honour to be here."

"It's an honour to have you," Caesar says. "So are you looking forward to the Games?"

What a sick question, I think. But Jared answers, an answer typical of one from a Career district, without even batting an eyelid.

"Of course," he says. "I've been waiting for this my entire life."

"We all look forward to seeing you," Caesar says, "don't we, folks?"

The crowd roars its approval.

Soon, after a few more questions about the Capitol and District 2, Caesar asks the inevitable question that he asks of all the half-attractive tributes.

"So Jared," Caesar says slyly, "there's one question that we've all been absolutely dying to know."

"Oh? What's that, Caesar?"

"We're all wondering," Caesar says, "is there a special girl back home?"

Jared smiles in what seems to be embarrassment. He shifts awkwardly as he shakes his head, sighing. I'm shocked to see a slight blush colouring his cheeks. "No," he says, "no, no girl waiting for me back home."

"I don't believe it for a second!" Caesar says good-naturedly. "Handsome boy like you, surely you must have at least one girl vying for your attention."

"Oh, I'm not short of admirers," Jared smirks arrogantly. "But none of them have really caught my eye."

I feel a sinking feeling in my chest at his words. Does that mean that he's given up on me already? Had he been lying before? Why do I feel so disappointed?

"At least not at home."

I freeze, my eyes riveted to the interview happening on the stage. The whole crowd goes silent.

"Not at home?" Caesar inquires. "Why, is there a girl here in the Capitol that's caught your eye?"

Jared doesn't say anything. His silence says it all as he bites his lip and avoids looking at Caesar.

"There is!" Caesar crows triumphantly. "Who is it?"

Jared doesn't answer again.

"C'mon, you can tell us. We won't tell anybody," Caesar prompts.

Jared opens his mouth to answer but at that moment the buzzer goes. Jared looks incredibly relieved at the interruption. Caesar looks disappointed.

"Well, that's that, I guess, folks," he says. "Jared Waters, from District 2!" the crowd roars its approval.

I follow Jared's hulking figure with my eyes as he walks back to his seat. As he goes he turns his head slightly. He looks right at me. It's only for a second, but that one look conveys more than any number of words ever could.

I barely pay attention to the interviews from District 3. I half-listen to the ones from 4, but they're both the same; arrogant, sexy and ruthless.

I don't listen to Vera's interview, or her district partner's. I'm only half paying attention to the ones from District 6; I don't want to miss my cue.

Luckily, I don't. I'm attentive when Caesar calls my name.

I stand up gracefully and make my way over to him, smiling brilliantly. He takes my hand and kisses it as I reach him.

"Genesis, what a delight," he says.

I nod, smiling as we sit down. "Thank you, Caesar," I say, "but trust me, the delight is all mine."

"I highly doubt that. Anywhere would be honoured to have you, Genesis!"

I giggle, batting my hand at him. "Oh, stop it," I simper. "You're making me blush."

"Quite the achievement," Caesar inclines his head. "So, Genesis…how are you liking the Capitol? Enjoying the food?"

"Oh, the Capitol is amazing," I rave. "Oh, and the food is simply delicious! Especially chocolate. I'd never even tasted chocolate ever before coming to the Capitol. It is now my favourite food!"

"Mine too, Genesis, mine too," Caesar says. "So, let's talk about training. A ten! How was that achieved?"

"Oh, I think that's a secret," I say, smiling apologetically. The crowd boos.

"Oh, well, rules are rules I guess," Caesar sighs. "But that's not the only question that's playing on everyone's minds."

Here it comes. "Oh? What do people want to know, Caesar?"

He leans forward, resting his chin on his hand. "We all want to know," he says, "other than Jaka, is there a guy in your life?"

I look out at the crowd. I find Johanna sitting with the mentors. She gives me a small nod and I look back at Caesar.

"Well," I say, smiling slightly, "I do have another brother. He's twelve." The crowd laughs.

"How many brothers do you have?" Caesar jokes.

I laugh. "Just the two," I say. "And trust me, they're the only guys in my life."

"I don't believe you," Caesar says light-heartedly. "Surely one guy has caught your attention?"

Chocolate-brown eyes flash across my mind's eye.

"Well," I say slowly, and Caesar leans forward. "There is this one guy…"

"What's his name?" Caesar presses. "Is he from home? At the Capitol?"

I tap my nose. "I do have my secrets, Caesar," I say sweetly.

"Aw," Caesar says, sounding genuinely disappointed. "Please?" he pouts like a little child denied something they want.

"I think we'll have to move onto another topic," I laugh.

Caesar sighs. "I suppose so," he says. "So…how do you feel going into the arena with your brother?"

I pause.

"Well…it's not the best feeling," I eventually say, "obviously. But I'm making sure that he's going home. He means everything to me."

"Aww," Caesar says sadly, and for a moment I can believe that he actually feels sorry for me.

I look out at the crowd. A lot of them are crying, and yelling that they're rooting for us. Mission accomplished.

"We're with you every step of the way," Caesar says, sounding so sincere that yet again I almost believe him. But then I mentally hit myself. This is the Capitol. They would no sooner actually feel sorry for us than call off the Games.

I'm glad when my buzzer goes off a second later.

Caesar tells me it was a pleasure to have me before I walk back down to my seat. He then introduces Jaka.

I give Jaka's hand a quick squeeze as we pass each other on the way back to my seat.

I can only hope that he doesn't screw this up.