CHAPTER 1.9
'I mind that you're leaving me behind, why?
Cut me off the feelings dry, lie.
Tell me that we're doing fine.'
Nerves coursed through Indiana as she watched the clock hand tick by. In just an hour, the Tribute Interviews would take place and 23 teenagers would have their last night of freedom.
Over the duration of the week, the girl from One and the boy from Two had had numerous sparring matches – every single one had ended in a draw. She was too quick for him and wore him out and he was too strong for her to take him down. If they were the last two in the arena, it would be difficult to determine who would become the Victor.
In the evenings, the Career pack settled down in the living area of District One's floor and wasted the hours by discussing the first thought that entered their heads. Since arriving at the Capitol, Marvel and Indiana hadn't had a single conversation between the two of them since that short moment before the Tribute Parade. In fact, they hadn't even been in a room together alone.
Slipping into her interview dress, Indiana shimmied in the light in order to watch her long, golden dress shimmer.
"You look gorgeous, Sweetheart." Cashmere fawned, gazing at her niece lovingly. "Your parents would be proud."
"Are you proud? Proud that I'm holding my head up high whilst I wait to die?" Indie scoffed, breaking the moment between her and her aunt, especially when her lip wobbled.
Her hands began trembling when she saw the tearful look on Cashmere's voice.
"Honey, please. If your uncle and I had the power to stop this, we would. But, it's out of our control so please, just try. For us." Cashmere pleaded, grasping the younger blonde's hands tightly.
"What happens if I win? I become just like you and Uncle Gloss; destined to spend the rest of my life doing Snow's bidding. I'll have to watch my children get sacrificed and have them believe it was for the greater good!"
Pulling her niece in for a tight hug, Cashmere pressed a kiss to the top of her head, mindful of her curls.
"I know this is hard for you, I've been here, remember? I know you lost your parents – I lost my sister and brother-in-law. I can't bear to watch you go through this and it will be the biggest fight of your life, literally, but I will try my damn hardest to make sure you come home to me."
"I don't want to die."
"You won't." Cashmere said stubbornly. "Now, dry those eyes but don't smudge your makeup otherwise Phoenix will have both our heads. Put on your brave face and don't show anyone how scared you are."
"Being scared is a part of being human."
"Then make sure you don't show that you're human. After all, no one else in this blasted place is."
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Cato teased, eyes following Indiana as she walked down the brightly-lit hallway.
Since that day in the elevator, the pair of them had exchanged teasing touches and prolonged eye contact. The tension between the pair of them grew each day. In a highly un-ladylike gesture, Indiana flipped him the bird whilst flashing some of her leg through the slit in her dress before brushing past him and standing before Clove.
"I've seen mutts that look better than you," she joked, tilting her head to the side so as to speak to the man behind her.
"I love your dress." Clove gushed, brushing a hand on the slinky fabric.
The floor length dress was simplistic but clung to her body in places that made it borderline sensual. The neckline was modest but the slit was high, leaving little to the imagination. A simple gold choker was clasped around her neck and her make-up had been left natural with a slight shimmer.
"Yours is amazing." Indiana complimented.
The short black dress seemed simple enough until Clove moved and it lit up in a gold-rust colour. It flared out at the bottom, like a little summer dress but more elegant. Turning to acknowledge her tribute partner when she heard him join them, Indiana appreciated how handsome he looked in his suit – something she had never seen him wear in the thirteen years of their friendship.
"You look nice," she said casually, hoping that she wouldn't get ignored as per usual.
"T-thanks, y-you-."
Caesar Flickerman announced marvel's name and he jogged over to the edge of the stage before being led onto it by a stage director.
"You look breath taking." Cato whispered in Indiana's ear, standing right behind her.
Whirling around to face him, her insult died on her tongue once she realised how close his face was to her own. She could see the various shades of blue in his eyes.
"You look good too," she replied honestly, breath coming out short.
"Nervous?"
"Not at all. It's not like this is my first interview."
Her laughter died in her throat when her name was called, and she was reminded that this was quite possibly the last interview she would ever give. Inhaling deeply, she slid a calm façade onto her face before strolling onto the stage, a slight sway to her hips. Smiling at the crowd, she blew them all a kiss and knew her fake confidence was winning them over when the volume of their cheers increased.
"Indiana Summers, the Capitol's Sweetheart. I can't tell you how nice it is to have you back on this stage. How are you enjoying your time in the Capitol?" Caesar asked, big grin plastered on his make-up-covered face (he was wearing more than Indiana was).
"Truthfully, it's very different to my other visits," she giggled. "A lot less relaxing."
"Yes, there are some rather unfortunate circumstances surrounding your visit this time but as always, we're honoured you're here."
"I'm honoured to be here. After all, the Capitol is my second home." Indiana sighed sadly, prompting the audience to let a series of 'aw's'.
"Do you think you're prepared for tomorrow?"
"Personally, I don't believe anyone is ready until they're actually in that arena."
Clenching her fists to prevent them from trembling, Indiana hoped the cameras didn't pick up on the nerves and fear pumping through her blood.
"We don't have much time left but I have to ask. We've watched you grow and turn into the beautiful, young lady sat across from me today. Is there anyone special waiting for you back home?"
Heart clenching, Indiana's thoughts drifted to Marvel; the person that would've been worth fighting to come home to. Her best friend. But, he wasn't back home, safe and waiting. He was here with her.
"Nope, no special male presence in District One for me," she chuckled, acting coy and batting her eyelashes.
"Has anyone managed to catch your eye?" Caesar pressed, dying for some gossip.
Mind wandering towards a figure with piercing blue eyes and muscular arms, Indiana winked at Caesar as their time ran out. As soon as she was off the stage, her shoulders slumped forward and she let out a dry sob.
Marvel had feelings for someone.
And he had never told Indiana about it.
After freeing herself from the confines of her dress, Indiana had put some lounge-wear on and decided to watch the Tribute Interviews, in order to gain some insight into the people she would be fighting against tomorrow.
Clove had a twin sister that she was fighting to get home to.
Glimmer had attempted to appear sexy but came across as desperate and childish. However, Indiana couldn't bring herself to think snidely of it, if anything it was just sad because after all, Glimmer was still a child.
District Twelve had chosen to pretend that they were 'in love' so as to gain more sponsors. It was rather a clever tactic but due to coming from an outlying district, there wasn't much hope for either of them.
Cato's interview was the one that caught Indiana's attention the most. Due to prior conversations, Indiana was already aware that Cato had two younger sisters but she had learnt that his father was the reason he had volunteered for the Games; he had wanted to make him proud. Or, at least, that's what he had said during his Interview – that his father would probably be watching. Unfortunately, Cato had opted for the confident and cocky appeal, reinforcing the 'bloodthirsty brute' image that people had developed of him.
Marvel's proved to be the most difficult to watch. With just a few short sentences, he had managed to crush Indiana's heart. Over their long years of friendship, Indiana and Marvel had shared every little secret they had, no matter how embarrassing or terrible. Now, she had discovered that he had harboured a crush on someone for years, and he had never even mentioned it to her. But, that wasn't even the worst part.
When asked if he got along with his District partner, Marvel's response was, "I've not really spoken to her. She doesn't seem like the type of person I'd get along with, too stuck up."
The whole of Panem had heard him say that. Everyone back home; their classmates, their neighbours, his parents, everyone. Everyone heard him dismiss their relationship as if they hadn't been friends since they were five years old.
Holding back the flood of angry tears that threatened to spill out of her eyes, a rapt knock pulled her out of her dark thoughts and she was forced to put on a neutral face as she answered the door to her bedroom. Luckily, the person stood on the other side of the door was just the person she wanted to see.
'Every time I try to hit you up.
You leaving me on read.
Where did I go wrong?
Is this the end?'
