Chapter Eleven: How I Became Known

I was no longer just a fourteen year old girl from District Ten - I was now someone who got an eight on her training score.

I had absolutely no idea how I was given such a wonderful score, but I was so grateful and proud. I was surprised I achieved the same score as Ryder, but he was really proud of me, which made me feel so happy and loved. Dawn and Colt were both very excited for us as well. Even Colt gave Ryder a hug, and Colt is a man who usually shows no affection whatsoever. I'm sure my score will be spoken about in my interview tonight, which all of Panem gets to see. They are all going to be waiting to see who Addy Walker truly is.

I'm sure they'll think I'm way more beautiful than I am on a regular day. My silver dress goes down to my knees, and it contains the most sparkles I have ever seen. My shoes match, studded with pretty silver stones. I've never walked in high heels before, but I feel surprisingly comfortable walking in them. They're somewhat high - when I wear them I'm even a bit taller than Ryder. My hair is in a crown braid which is merged into a low ponytail at the bottom. My stylist giggled at the fact that she didn't have to straighten my hair, unlike most girls my hair is naturally that way. I feel so much older than I am, but I know it's just due to the outfit and that I'll probably never get a chance to grow up.

"I sense love brewing in the games, don't you? Let's welcome one of the lovebirds now! Addy Walker!" Antonion announces my name and I walk out onto the stage. He has been interviewing the tributes since the first Hunger Games. I shake his hand and sit down in my seat.

"So Addy, we have seen you very affectionate to a certain tribute," I smile brightly at him, knowing he's talking about Ryder.

"Yes. I mean he's amazing, so how can I not love him?" The Capitol goes crazy at this.

"He is a very strapping young man," Antionion responds. Ryder's interview is after this and I know he's waiting backstage.

"Very, but that's not why I fell for him," I say. He's so much more than just attractive.

"Oh?"

"It was his personality. He was so sweet and gentle and that's a side of him not many people see. When I first met him, I admit, I was like everyone else and thought he was this mean brute but then one day at my farm, where he works, he helped me. I had fallen off the ladder and cut my leg and he was right there. His voice was so gentle and he bandaged me up right then and there and then helped me get back to my bedroom. After that, we just started talking more and more and one day he kissed me. Right there, I knew he had my heart," The crowd claps loudly as I finish, and the buzzer going off indicates that I must leave the stage. I wait in the wings to watch Ryder's interview just as I promised I would.

"Introducing the second lovebird of the nest! Ryder Murphy!" Antonion says excitedly. I saw his outfit before and he looks amazing.

"We've just finished interviewing with Addy and we can see why you love her so much," I blush as the audience members cheer and clap. I guess I made a good impression.

"Isn't she great? She is someone I can really be myself with - my rock. I'm not really sure what I would do without her," Ryder was told to be extra pleasant in his interview angle, and he is delivering. He is my rock and he always will be.

"Is that why you came to the games with her?" We knew this would come up in his interview due to the fact that he volunteered.

"I couldn't have left her alone. To enter the Hunger Games by herself, to fight for her life while I sat back and watched. I couldn't take her spot in the games but I could enter with her to help her," I wish he didn't put me before himself so much. He deserves to live, not me.

"But only one of you will live," Antonion says the thing that makes me sick to my stomach. Ryder can't die, he's been through so much already. I just hope I don't die painfully.

"That's why I volunteered," the buzzer rings and I feel really nauseous at the fact that this boy would die for me, but the nausea turns into butterflies as soon as Ryder kisses me when he comes backstage.

Soya is up next, but I'm too busy to listen because I'm hugging Ryder, feeling the warmth of his body in my own. She comes off stage, and there seems to be a bit of commotion from the crowd. Archer is next, and I hope he doesn't do anything problematic in his interview. Ryder and I are still wrapped in each other's arms so we miss the first portion of his interview.

"So you're single?" Antonion asks him.

"Nah. Me and that girl from Ten, Addy, started hooking up and I'm going to see where that goes," the moment I hear this I start to cry. Why would he lie like that? Ryder hugs me immediately.

"I'd never ever ever do that. You're the only person for me. Forever," tears are cascading down my face.

"You don't need to tell me that. I wouldn't believe that for a second," I feel awful. What if the Capitol thinks I cheated on Ryder? No one will want to sponsor us now.

"Don't worry. I'll love you always no matter what. Just wait until you see what I do to him," I get a little scared. I don't want Ryder to get angry tonight. The Games begin tomorrow, but if he lays his hands on Archer now the gamemakers will will make him pay.

Will he be able to hold in his anger until tomorrow?

Hi everybody! I'm really happy with the way this chapter turned out. There will be one more chapter, and then we move on to the bloodbath, woohoo!

Yours Truly,

CuriousClove :)