We had one more day. One more day of showing the Capitol who we were, and then into the Arena to show them what we could do.
I admired my nails absentmindedly as the elevator descended to the foyer. I pranced out of the doors once they opened and went over to the vending machine for a chocolate bar. I needed candy if I was to survive this morning's session with Tiara, trust me. "Excuse me," someone said smoothly. I turned to face the sly, smart girl from District 7.
I sneered at her disinterestedly, giving her a once-over.
"Yes?" I said impatiently, tilting my head to one side.
"Is it true what they say about Onyx-Platinum's?" Amber wondered, eyes narrowed as if she were gauging my reactions.
"That they always win?" I answered frostily. "If so, then yes, it is."
"No," Amber chuckled, shaking her head slowly as if I was retarded, which irritated me. "That they whore themselves out to the Capitol."
I clenched my fists, feeling my hackles rise as I glared at her. Was she deliberately trying to get herself on my hit-list? Did she want to die that badly?
"No, and how dare you insinuate such a thing," I hissed, crushing the chocolate bar in my fist.
"I do dare," Amber replied swiftly, brushing past me in order to use the vending machine. "I've been watching you closely, Shine. Behind that cocky, charming exterior, you're just as frightened as the rest of us."
She made the fatal mistake of infuriating me before the Games had even begun, the same mistake that Clio and Brooke had made. They would pay for it with their lives. Not to mention she was talking absolute bullshit. Me, afraid? Please.
I planned her death in my mind as she shot me a crafty grin before disappearing into the elevator. I composed myself, reining in my anger and vowing to give her the brutal demise she deserved once in the Arena.
I returned to my floor to see only Tiara seated in the lounge, waiting for me impatiently.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, folding her arms disapprovingly over her chest.
"Line-dancing with the President," I answered shortly, taking a seat opposite her. "So, what are we doing today?"
"I know you, Shine, and I know that too much practise would bore you to tears," Tiara sighed, to which I nodded in agreement. "But, we need to work on your interview angle. We're going for sexy and confident, right? Right. It's only natural for you to go for that one, and I think it will earn you more sponsors. Are you nervous?"
"No," I snorted, gazing at the ceiling idly. I wonder what Hero was doing? I wonder whether Ashlar was giving her mentor, Dragon, a hard time? I wonder whether Penelope had succeeded in seducing Dazzle and the two were doing something I'd rather not think about right now? "Shine, are you listening?" Tiara's frustrated tone snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yes."
"Liar."
I grinned. "You caught me."
We spent the next hour or so talking about what I would say and how I would say it, and then I escaped into my suite to have my session with Penelope, who seemed rather glum. Turns out Dazzle had a decent taste in the opposite sex, after all.
The next hour breezed past, and lucky for Penelope, I was in much better spirits, so when she chatsised my rude behaviour from last night, I simply shrugged it off without insulting her. I was becoming a soft touch. Not good.
I'd been trying, and succeeding until now, to not think about my argument with Hero yesterday. I'd messed up, but I'd get over it. And hopefully, so would Hero.


"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the glimmering, glamorous, Shine Onyx-Platinum!" boomed Magnus Flickerman, the charismatic and positively ancient interview host who still managed to maintain his old sparkle. He had one of those instantly soothing presence's that brought the shyer tributes out of their shell's. My mother had always gushed about how fantastic he was at his job, but I wouldn't let that put me off. This was my time to shine, so to speak.
I leapt forward into a girly, precise strut onto the stage, almost blinded by the stage-lights and deafened by the ecstatic roars of the crowd. I remembered to smile and wave, radiating energy and confidence with each gesture. I know I looked good, Flossie had made sure of that. I was dressed in a curve-hugging, dazzling golden mini-dress with diamond-studded heels and my hair styled loosely to perfection. I cast the audience a self-assured wink before settling into the seat opposite Magnus, who smiled warmly at me. "I must say, you are certainly one of the most beautiful tributes I've ever seen, wouldn't you agree, folks?" Magnus cried, making sure to address the crowd as the Capitolites just loved to be the centre of attention.
I giggled heartily, pretending to be absolutely thrilled with his compliment. "Why, Magnus, you charmer you!"
I earned raucous laughter from the audience, and Magnus chuckled along with them.
"It's true, you are absolutely divine, and it appears our Gamemakers have been mesmerized by you too! Want to tell us about that?"
"Of course!" I replied with a laugh. "You see, Magnus, like my father, I am highly skilled in each form of weaponry. I have a title to defend, and I've worked my ass off in order to be the incredible fighter I am today. It's in my blood!"
"Fascinating," Magnus gasped. "So, you believe you will continue your family's legacy, and return home a Victor?"
"Absolutely," I answered with no hesitation. "The next time we chat, Magnus, it will be in my Victor's interview. Count on that."
"I will indeed," said Magnus firmly. "Do you feel as if you will be the one to watch in the Arena?"
"Oh, definitely," I gushed, placing a hand over my heart in earnest before casting the audience a sexy smile. "I'll give you a performance that you won't ever forget."
The crowd cheered whilst Magnus took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I don't doubt that for a second," he said with a grin, so sincerely that I thought he might actually have some faith in me. It only caused me to smile even wider. We bantered back and forth for another minute or so, with me embellishing on my talents whilst earning a lot of positive response from the crowd, and as Magnus dismissed me with flourish, I left the stage to a thunderous applause. I was very pleased with myself, and for once in my life, it felt as if I'd actually done something for me instead of just trying to please others. It was a nice feeling, and it had a calming effect on my usually frantic mind.
Dazzle shot me a thumbs-up as he raced enthusiastically onto the stage. Before I could retreat to my suite, I felt someone's eyes scorching the back of my head. I halted and turned to meet Hero's gaze, whose pupils were dilated with desire. I grinned, a sense of relief flooding over me. He still wanted me after all. Not only had I charmed the Capitol, but I'd also regained Hero's attention. What a clever girl I was.
I gave him a smile full of promising intent before rushing into the elevator, eager to watch the rest of the show.