*A/N: Please keep in mind that I wrote all of this before The Hunger Games movie even came out.*
Aria: Capitol
Marah carefully pulls my shimmery black dress over my head. I turn to look in the full length mirror and stifle a small gasp. It seems to glitter, but with no visible sparkling thread or glitter in sight. I twirl slowly and turn to Marah.
"Thank you, Marah." I whisper. I see her eyes dotted with tears as she pulls me into a tight hug. "Thank you for everything." I murmur into her sleeve. I move away from her grasp and she smiles. Marah fixes my already curled and styled hair. Her eyes meet mine for a moment and she looks away.
"You are so beautiful, Aria. I am glad that I get to be your stylist." Her thumb strokes my cheek.
"I'm glad too." I grin. She leads me to the stadium like auditorium for the interviews. Marah tells me that she is going to sit with all the other stylists and mentors. I sit down in my seat next to Mike, in the front row. He gives me a weak smile and grabs my hand for support.
"You're pale." He whispers next to me. I swallow the lump in my throat, forcing a small smile on my face.
"I feel pale." I laugh nervously.
"Good Afternoon and Happy Hunger Games!" booms the purple haired man upon the stage. The audience immediately silences. "We have many fabulous Tributes in this year's Hunger Games! Let's start off our interviews with Miss. Montgomery!" The Capitol Citizens begin to clap loudly as I nervously stand up in my high heels. I slowly teeter up the stairs and the man helps me up the way. We sit down and he wipes his brow, the crowd erupts in laughter. "Those shoes must give you quite a workout, am I right?" I blush and look down at my feet. The gorgeous black satin high heel strapped shoes that Marah picked out for me.
"Yes they do, Ceaser, I haven't worn anything as magnificent as these clothes my stylist, Marah, made for me in my life." I say quietly. Flattery works like a charm on the Capitol citizens. The crowd laughs again.
"Oh, of course, you haven't, Sweet heart!" He chuckles loudly, throwing his head back in joyous laughter. "Now, about the Reaping, were you frightened when you were chosen?" I sit there, startled Ceaser asked me that question.
"Well, of course, it was. It was the scariest moment of my life!" I fold my hands in my lap and cross my ankles. "I told my mother that everything was going to be okay, though." I explain. Ceaser nods, suddenly interested that I mentioned something about my mom.
"And can you tell us about your family, Aria?" he asks, leaning forward eagerly in his chair. I nod after a moment, although uncertain and reluctant.
"I live with my mother." I motion out to the crowd. "And my little brother, Mike."
"How about that Private Session's score? Hmm?" I blush again, remembering the ten I got in the Sessions.
"I'm sorry, Ceaser, but I don't believe I am allowed to speak of how I earned my score."
"Of course, of course." Ceaser nods and takes my right hand. "Well, we all hope you do well out there, Miss. Montgomery." He pats my hand and the final buzzer goes off, signaling my interview is over. "That was Aria Montgomery, folks!" I carefully descend the stairs, the crowd cheering loudly, and Mike passes me, walking up to the stage. I go sit in my spot once again and tune out everything around me.
Suddenly, all these unpleasant thoughts jumble in my brain, making me upset. Will I ever see my mother again? What about Mike, in the games? If I don't make it, I want Mike to finish what we start. My chest begins to tighten up in sorrow. What am I supposed to do if he dies before me? I ponder these questions in silence of my own little world when I hear a different voice upon the stage.
I glance up and automatically know the voice, the girl from District Four, Hanna, from Mike's revolting reveries he has told me about. She smiles and laughs along with Ceaser. She seems… so relaxed and comfortable up there, talking to Ceaser with all of Panem listening in.
"I have actually found love." Mike nudges my arm and raises his eyebrows almost seemingly saying It's me she's after. I playfully roll my eyes, returning my gaze to the stage. Ceaser takes a hold of Hanna's hand and kisses her knuckles affectionately. In response, she blushes and the crowd goes wild.
"Isn't he like really old for her?" Mike whispers loudly.
"Not him, Mike. Someone else." I think for a bit then throw in something else. "It could be you; I saw her glancing at you a few times." Mike grins happily.
"I hope so." He murmurs.
"Well, you win, you can have him for sure, eh?" Ceaser crows. Hanna peers into the crowd, locking eyes with someone, then back at Ceaser.
"Well… Ceaser, I don't think it will really help in my case…"She starts, uncertain. My eye catches the massive screen above the stage as the cameras pan in on Peeta Mellark's slightly embarrassed face next to Katniss, who is leaning on his shoulder lovingly.
"Oh?" Ceaser replies, a purple eyebrow shooting up. "And why not?" Hanna opens her mouth, then closes it and bites her lip, stalling.
"Erm…" Interrupting Hanna's response comes a raspy voice over a hidden microphone. I flinch at the sudden change in voice. Hanna frantically begins to stab at the head of the microphone pinned to the collar of her dress. Her eyes dart around everywhere, then back at the crowd, locking eyes with that same person again. Ceaser, on the other hand, seems confused as a Capitol attendant walks up onto the stage and they begin to talk in hushed voices.
"She can't win; she is in love with her mentor, Finnick Odair." Everyones' attention turns to Finnick as he begins to push through the now wild crowd of Capitol citizens to an exit. "Hanna Marin of District Four cannot get away with it; I will make sure of it." Then the crackle of the microphone is shut off. I suddenly hear high-pitched screams and wails and my head whips around to the stage once again. I stare in terror as the heavily decorated curtains come toppling down from the ceiling. Additional screeching comes as the curtains hit the floor with a ground shuddering thud, curtailing the interviews until further notice. I just sit there, paralyzed in fear as people race past me, screaming and shouting.
"Come on, Aria!"Someone shouts into my ear. The person tries to help me up but I sit there like a rock. "Aria, we need to get out of here! We could get hurt here!" the girl pulls at my arm. I look over at Emily in surprise. What if that was me? Or Emily? Or Mike? Any of us could have died at any time. I get the message though, nobody is safe, no matter where we are. I could have died here today. I let out a sob as Emily takes me into her arms, dragging me to the elevators.
"Where is Mike?" I finally sniff. Emily ignores me for a bit, pressing the button for my floor.
"He went to see if the girl on stage was okay." She answers, looking me in the eye. I let out a strained laugh and rub my nose.
"No matter what, Mike will always be girl crazy." Emily replies with a chuckle of her own, her eyes momentarily crinkling with laughter before the elevator door slides open. I already miss all the times she has made me laugh and how her eyes seem to laugh in unison with her mouth. Slowly, we walk to District One's open sitting room. We slump into the couches, the shock returning to me. I lay down on the poufy couch in despair.
"What's wrong, Aria?" Emily murmurs, kissing my open palm. I take in a shaky breath, looking directly into her mesmerizing eyes.
"What if that was me?" I choke.