Chapter 10- Presenting

Sparrow nibbled on her finger nail as her leg jumped up and down. She was sitting on the large plush sofa in District Seven's suite next to Everest as they awaited the presentation of their training scores. She hoped that she had done alright. Most tributes got anywhere from a five to a seven while the younger and weaker tributes got less. The Careers, of course, almost always got eights or above.

"Calm down Sparrow or you'll put a hole in the floor with your heel," Blight joked as he walked towards them. "The scores should be up in a few minutes."

Scowling at him, Sparrow tried to stop her leg from bouncing around and concentrated on her breathing as she anxiously watched the television, a commercial for cheek implants currently playing on the screen. How ridiculous could Capitol people get?

"We are back ladies and gentlemen! I'm sure that you're dying to see how this year's tributes did in training! We will start with District One's scores and work our way back to District Twelve," the outrageously dressed announcer spoke.

Sparrow watched as the training score of the District One boy, Jasper, flashed on the screen. A nine, which was to be expected. Next came Jade and Sparrow's stomach clenched as her haughty face flashed on screen along with her score: a ten.

District's Two and Four came away with an eight, two more nines, and another ten.

"This year's Career pack looks amazing!" Their escort gushed.

Blight, Everest, and Sparrow said nothing and gazed on.

District's Three through Six got medium scores, nothing too outstanding. That is, except for Lea who managed a seven. Sparrow knew for sure that her gut instinct about her was correct; she was one to watch out for.

"And now for District Seven's male tribute, Everest Miller," Sparrow saw Everest ball his hand into a fist. "This young man earned himself a five."

Everest seemed to deflate next to her as a sigh escaped him. Sparrow made no move to console him, understanding that he didn't want anyone's pity. Blight patted him on the back, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Well, it's better than last year's tributes," their escort sniffed haughtily. "That poor twelve year old only got a three and the girl didn't do much better."

Again, the three of them ignored him although with much more difficulty. Everest looked as though he was holding back tears and Blight had his teeth gritted together. Sparrow herself had to physically bite down on her tongue to stop from screaming at him.

Sparrow managed to redirect her attention to the screen right as the announcer said her name. "Fifteen year old Sparrow Dolan earned an eight! This is almost unprecedented at her age. A score not seen in District Seven since the past victor Blight."

"Good job Sparrow we can work with this for sure. You must have impressed the Gamemakers," Blight grinned at her, the first real smile she had seen on his face.

Sparrow relaxed back into her seat as the announcer moved on to District Eight, relief and amazement flooding through her. An eight! She had not expected that in the least.

"Wow that's awesome. You definitely deserved that," Everest said quietly next to her, trying to hide his disappointment.

Sparrow thanked him, some of her happiness draining out of her. She managed to focus on the screen once more right as they had released the girl from District Nine's score which was also an eight. Kaalyn had definitely shown her obvious strength in the private session. Next was District Ten and Sparrow caught her breath as Salton's face flashed across the screen.

"Salton Webber receives a score of a nine! This year's games will certainly be interesting. So many outer districts have some outstanding tributes this year," the announcer looked ready to pass out from excitement.

Sparrow looked at Salton's form on the screen and did not doubt his score for a second. He was incredible when it came to swords and she knew how strong he was from being a rancher back in Ten.

District's Eleven and Twelve passed as uneventfully as always. Blight turned off the television and turned on the couch to face them.

"Ok now the last and final step before the Games themselves: the interview. I will instruct both of you separately during the rest of the time we have so that you will be prepared."

Sparrow felt her vision darken at the edges as her breath caught in her chest. The interviews, what she was dreading most, the most horrible thing she could imagine besides the Games themselves. This would be interesting.

0.0.0

Several hours later, Sparrow found herself in nearly the same position as when she was watching the training scores only this time she had explicitly been told not to chew her nails. She stood backstage waiting for her turn to be interviewed and she had never been more scared in her life.

Once again, Arcilla had given her a simple yet elegant outfit which Sparrow was pleasantly surprised with. She wore a long, form fitting dark green gone with vine and leaf embellishments along with simple silver flats. Her long brown hair was braided to one side with a headband that looked like an elegant twisting branch and a minimal amount of makeup.

District One appeared more impressive than District Two this year which was a little unusual. Usually they went for the sultry angle but this year both tributes appeared confident and ruthless. When asked what she was most looking forward to in the Games, Jade had grinned when she said that killing by far would be the best part.

Lea had used her hardened and sly exterior to her advantage, earning gasps from the crowd at her apparent indifference and crudeness to the whole ordeal.

The poor twelve year old girl from District Five had broken down in tears when asked about her family and her interview had to be ended early.

Finally it was Sparrow's name that was called and she had to force her legs to move her up and onto the stage while taking deep breaths. She would not pass out in front of all of Panem no matter what.

"Sparrow Dolan it is such a pleasure to meet you!" The announcer, Rory Applegate gushed. "You certainly are very beautiful. And skilled too if your training score is anything to go by! Would you like to tell us about that?"

Sparrow's throat suddenly felt very dry and she had to swallow a few times before answering. "Well Rory I can't give away all of my tricks before the Games even begin now can I?"

This earned some laughs from the crowd and Sparrow relaxed a bit. Blight had decided that she would act as natural as possible while throwing in some jokes and light banter to make people want to sponsor her. The interview continued on and Sparrow discussed working in the forests back home which made her heart twinge with longing. When Rory moved on to her family was when things got hard.

"So tell me about your family Sparrow. I hear you have a brother who means very much to you."

"Yes his name's Lichen. He's eleven and means everything to me," Sparrow said rather quietly, trying to appear calm while desperately holding back tears.

"That's quite sweet. He has a disability doesn't he?"

"Y..yes he can't walk very well. He needs to use supports that my dad built for him in order to move around properly," Sparrow's voice shook slightly.

"Your family sounds very caring. Is that your main motivation for winning? To return home?"

Sparrow's hands were shaking slightly but she looked up into Rory's eyes and then out into the crowd and no tears could be found. "That is my only motivation for returning home. If I won I could get medicine to heal my brother and maybe he could walk properly. He could know what it's like to climb a tree and run like all of the other kids do."

Sparrow could see people in the audience wiping their eyes and Rory looked genuinely sad as he gazed back at her.

"Well I'm sure that you will try your hardest to return home. Sparrow Dolan everyone!" Rory stood up and put his arm around Sparrow's shoulders as the audience cheered their approval.

Sparrow stumbled slightly as she walked off the stage and passed by Everest who was just walking up. She rested her hand briefly on his shoulder and he smiled softly at her in return. She sat down behind the stage, a few tears leaking down her face despite her best efforts. She watched Everest's interview which went moderately well despite his apparent nervousness.

She managed to sufficiently calm herself down by the time it was Salton's turn. She watched as he walked onto the stage, beaming confidently at the crowd and waving. He was wearing a tight fitting, dark blue button up shirt with khaki pants and his dark blonde hair had been styled into a messy arrangement. Sparrow couldn't take her eyes off of him and she betted that the rest of the Capitol women couldn't either.

"Salton aren't you a handsome fellow? Come and sit down now I won't bite," the announcer winked at the crowd and they went crazy.

As his interview continued, it was clear that Salton had been told to play up his charisma and good looks which was working brilliantly. He briefly talked about his family and life back in Ten before Rory turned to a different topic.

"Now tell me about how you do with the ladies. I'm assuming very well am I right folks?" Rory asked, as roars went up from the crowd.

Sparrow felt her heart speed up and found herself leaning forward in anticipation of Salton's answer.

"Come on now Rory you're making me blush," Salton said, laughing slightly. "Actually, there is this one girl that I've found who's amazing: beautiful, strong, and funny."

Rory's eyes lit up and he leaned forward excitedly as he found something to latch on to. "Yes, yes go on! You can't just leave us hanging like that. Is it someone from back home?"

"No, not exactly," Salton rubbed his neck, looking embarrassed.

"It must be another tribute then! Go on tell us already we're all dying to know," Rory gushed.

Salton took a deep breath and then looked straight into the camera. "It's Sparrow. Sparrow Dolan."

A/N: Hey guys sorry about the long break. I had a lot of work to do and what with Spring Break and everything I just didn't have too much time. I know this is part is sort of copying Peeta but don't worry it will soon get much different! Next chapter the Games begin! Any suggestions or comments? Please let me know!