The interviews have begun!

District 5: Kala Haggart, Age 16

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves. Honestly, I'm terrified right now. I hate big crowds. I always worry that I'll say something stupid and be completely humiliated. The fact that this interview determines whether or not I'll get sponsors, which could ultimately be the difference between life and death, doesn't help the matter.

"Are you okay?" Nathan asks me. It's only then that I realize I'm shaking.

"I'm fine," I tell him, "Just… a little nervous."

"You'll do great," He assures me. I give him a quiet thank you. He doesn't seem very nervous himself, probably because he's a pretty good public speaker. Lots of people don't seem to worry him like they worry me.

I hear the voice of Caesar Flickerman as he gives a short introduction to the audience, and a hush falls over the other tributes. I find my heart speeding up.

The interviews have begun.

Iris Lasumi, Age 22

I squealed as the lights began to dim, signaling that the interviews were about to start. I shifted in the plush Capitol seat I sat in and drummed my fingers against my thigh. I couldn't wait for the interviews to begin! It's the first time we really get a feel for the tributes' personalities. Beside me, I see Nickel similarly excited. He begins to whisper something to me, but a Capitolite shushes him, signaling to the stage, where Caesar Flickerman now stands. He waves, and the crowd cheers.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight," He says, "Is everyone ready for the Hunger Games?" More cheers. "Now, I know you're all very anxious to begin, so we won't waste any more time. Let's give a warm welcome to our District 1 female, Ariana Angel!"

I clap with everyone else as Ariana comes walking onto the stage. She wears a long, dark violet gown that's covered with jewels that send of waves of color whenever the light hits them. She gives a short, curt wave to the crowd and sits down beside Flickerman silently, refusing to give him any sort of greeting. It doesn't seem to faze him much, though, and he continues on with just as much enthusiasm as before. "Let's get right to it, Ariana," Caesar says, "Are you excited about the big day tomorrow?" The only response he gets is a shrug. He tries again. "How's your family life back home?" She shrugs again.

"It's certainly… different." She says. Caesar raises his eyebrow, expecting her to continue, but she gives nothing more. He seems to be struggling to get her to give a good response.

"How do you feel about the other tributes?" He asks. This time, Ariana straightens up.

"I'll kill them all," she announces.

"Ohhh, some confidence! I love it!" Caesar exclaims. "Now, one more question before our time runs out. What's your strategy for the games?" Ariana smirks.

"Well, I can't tell you that, can I?" She inquires with a sly smile. "It would spoil everything. Don't worry, though. You'll find out soon enough." As she stands to leave, I can't help but wonder a little more about the girl.

Next to come on is Blaze, Ariana's partner. He sits down stiffly, wearing a dark blue blazer studded with gems. "So, Blaze, are you ready for the Hunger Games?" Caesar asks him.

"Yeah, totally." He says, the remark sounding a little bit forced. Caesar looks taken aback by his lack of enthusiasm. He frowns.

"Are you worried about it? I'm sure you'll do great! After all, a nine in no easy feat."

Blaze swallows and gives a meek, "Thank you."

"So, tell me: what's life like in District 1?"

"It's pretty great." Blaze responds. "I have a girlfriend there. She means the world to me. She's counting on me to come home." There's a chorus of awws from the audience. "Don't pretend like you're sympathetic," He mutters under his breath, "It's not like you really care."

"What's that?" Caesar asks, confused. Blaze shakes his head and smiles.

"Nothing," He responds, "I'm just a bit scared about tomorrow. I hope I can make a kill." With that, his time is up, and he exits the spotlight.

"Next up," Caesar continues, "Put your hands together for Juno Armstrong!" People scream and clap as the 2 girl comes onstage. She sits down across from Caesar and gives him a smile, but it doesn't look like a friendly one.

"So, Juno, are you excited to be here tonight?" Caesar asks. Juno grins and stands.

"HECK, YEAH!" She shouts. "I HOPE YOU'RE ALL AS READY AS I AM!" She's met with a chorus of ecstatic cheering. Caesar laughs.

"Good, good! I love the enthusiasm," He exclaims as Juno sits back down beside him. "How's your life back home? I want all the details!"

Juno shrugs. "It's nice enough. I love my family a lot. I kind of miss them." She stares into the distance for a second, clearly thinking about them, then smiles and regains her composure. "It's alright, though. I'm going to see them in a few weeks anyway when I return home." She smiles cockily. Her buzzer rings, and it's not long before she's replaced with Octavian. Nickel lets out a huge cheer when he sees him, along with much of the other audience. He waves casually and gives the audience a gorgeous smile.

"Good evening, Octavian!" Caesar says.

"Hey. I'm so happy to be here tonight." He responds with a grin that makes the ladies swoon.

"So, have you enjoyed the Capitol so far?" Caesar asks. Octavian nods.

"You bet," He says, "You Capitolites know how to party!" There are a few whoops at this.

"Good to hear it. Now, do you think you'll win the games?"

Octavian smirks. "I know I'll win the games," He corrects. "In fact, I almost feel bad for the other tributes, knowing that none of them stand a chance. There's no competition this year." Caesar pats him on the back.

"I'm sure you'll do great!" He says. "Unfortunately, that's all the time we have left. Next up is from District 3: Jessica Rastik!"

Jessica hops onstage, beaming from ear to ear. She wears a long silver gown with gold sequins scattered at its edges. She waves at the crowd peppily.

"It's so wonderful to have you with us, Jessica!" Caesar greets. "How are you feeling tonight?"

"Fantastic!" She exclaims. "The Capitol is so lovely!"

"I'd certainly agree!" Caesar responds with a laugh. "What's your favorite part so far?"

Jessica frowns for a moment, thinking. Finally, she says, "The food.

"And the fireworks, too." She adds after a moment. "The fireworks are really pretty."

"So, Jessica: do you have any family back home?"

"Call me Jess," She corrects, "And yeah, I do. I've got two parents. And a lot of friends, too."

"A boyfriend?" Caesar asks. Jessica shakes her head and smiles.

"I wish," She says, looking a little wistful. Caesar looks about ready to ask her more about it, but at that moment, the buzzer sounds, and her time is up.

"Put your hands together for Scorpius Herin!"

Scorpius trudges onto the stage, a bored and slightly uncomfortable expression on his face.

"So, Scorpius, can you tell me about yourself?"

He shrugs. "There's not much to tell," He responds honestly. Caesar frowns slightly.

"Oh, come on!" He urges. "Surely you've got something to say. Maybe there's a secret you have, one that's just dying to get out?" Caesar raises his eyebrows as he waits for a response. Scorpius seems to wince at the question.

"If I did have a secret, you would be the last person I share it with," He snaps. Caesar looks a little insulted but doesn't push anything.

"So, do you think you have a chance to win the games?" Scorpius gives a little half smile.

"I hope so, Caesar," he says, "I certainly hope so." The timer ends, and he stands up, looking grateful at the opportunity to leave.

"Next up," Caesar announces, "She scored a ten in her private sessions. She's arguably one of the strongest tributes in these games. You know her, you love her… give it up for Marine!"

Marine struts on, wearing a fluffy blue dress the color of the ocean and indigo high heels. Caesar greets her cheerfully. "So, Marine, how have things been for you?" She shrugs.

"Alright. The Capitol is really nice."

"Good, good! Now, I must know: why did you volunteer? Was it for the money, the fame, revenge, maybe?"

Marine's expression darkens. "I did it to disprove my father." She says. Caesar blinks.

"Disprove him?" He questions. "Why's that?"

"He's always looked down on me." Marine explains. "He always thinks that men are superior to women, or some junk like that. In fact, he didn't even want me to train for the games in the first place. I had to sneak out to the training center at first."

An angry ripple passes through the crowd as her words sink in. "That's ridiculous!" Caesar exclaims. "I'm sure you're just as strong as any of the male contenders- maybe even stronger. After all, that ten is hard to top." Marine grins and nods. "So," Caesar continues, "Do you think you'll be able to win?"

Marine sits up straight and smiles. "Definitely," She boasts, "I've got the skills to be the victor, no matter what my dad says." She leaves the stage with the audience in an uproar. A lot of the women have even begun to chant, "Girls are strong!" I join in the cheer, laughing as I see the confused look on Nickel's face.

"Up next is Nemo Fisher!" Nemo shyly walks beside Caesar, taking a seat beside him. He gives a small wave and smile, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers.

"I'm so happy to have you tonight." Caesar complements. Nemo nods.

"Let's get right to it, Nemo. I think the entire crowd noticed that you seemed very hesitant to volunteer. Was there a reason for that?"

Nemo looks unsure how to answer the question. His eye dart around the room nervously. Finally, he says, "Well… the only reason I was planning on volunteering was to escape my abusive father. He's... well, he's hurt me. And with more than just his fists, too. The things he's called me… well, you don't want to know." There's a coo of sympathy from the crowd, a few of them letting out angry shouts.

"Anyway," Nemo continues, "I started to train so that I could go into the Hunger Games and escape him. But on the day of the Reaping… well, I guess the fact that I could die hadn't really sunk in until that day. I decided that I wasn't going to volunteer. But then my brother got reaped. I realized that if I didn't volunteer for him, he would have to go into the games instead, and… well, I really love my brother. I didn't want him to die, so… I volunteered."

The story makes the crowd hush. Then a cheer begins to start, and by the time the buzzer rings everyone in the room is shouting his name.

"Alright, everybody," Caesar says, let's all give a warm welcome to Kala Haggart!"

Kala shuffles onto the stage, giving the crowd a tiny smile. "So, Kala, can you tell us a little about yourself?" Caesar requests.

"Yeah. Well… my name is Kala. Obviously." She gives an awkward chuckle. "And… um… well, I'm sixteen years old. And… uh… I like to write."

"Oh, really! What are some of the things you write about?"

She shrugs. "Well… anything, really."

"Oh, come on," Caesar urges, "Give us some details."

"I guess… I mean, I'm writing a story about a guy who… um…" Kala's voice trails off, and her buzzer rings.

"Alright everyone, next up we have the one and only Wyatt Foster Junior!"

Wyatt looks straight up pissed when he sits down next to Caesar. He wears a bright, pulsing orange shirt and khaki pants.

"So Wyatt, how are you?"

He shrugs. "Fine," He mutters after a minute of silence.

"Do you have a strategy planned for the games?"

"No."

Caesar bites his lip, clearly feeling awkward with the lack of response. "Have you liked the Capitol?"

This seems to be the last straw for Wyatt. He bolts out of his seat, yelling. "Have I been enjoying the Capitol? SERIOUSLY?! Of course I haven't! How could I enjoy your sick city when I know that I'm going to die in a few days? You're terrible people, all of you!" He suddenly launches himself at Caesar, wrapping his hands around his neck, but he's immediately pulled away by two peacekeepers.

The audience is shocked into a stunned silence. A few of the younger kids begin to cry, hugging their parents, who clutch them in fear. Caesar finally breaks the silence with a forced smile.

"Well, that was interesting, wasn't it," He says, trying to lighten the mood. "Well… next up we have Livia Fleet from District 6!"

There's a very weak applause as Livia comes on, most people still too shocked to do anything.

"So, um… Livia," Caesar says weakly, still looking a little shaken from the experience, "do you, um… have any allies?"

"I do," she responds with a bright smile, "I allied with both of the tributes from eight, Marco and Alyxandra, and… uh… Wyatt." She cringes a little as she states her last ally.

"Wow," Caesar says with a chuckle, "That's certainly a very interesting alliance!" Livia grins and nods.

"So, Livia, do you have any strengths that'll help you to win the games?"

"Actually, yeah, I do. I found out at training that I'm pretty good with a bow. And my allies have taught me a lot of useful skills, too."

"Do you think you'll be able to win the games?"

Livia lets out a nervous laugh and shrugs. "I don't know, but I think I've got a shot to go far."

Next up to the stage is Nathan. He waves at the crowd and sits down beside Caesar, beaming.

"Hey, Caesar. How are you doing?" He asks, starting the interview off.

"I'm doing great," Caesar says with a smile, "How are you?"

"I'm a little nervous, I guess, but I'm mostly just excited. It's not often that I have an opportunity like this!" He chuckles.

"What's your family life like?"

"Life couldn't be better back home. I live with my mom, dad, and grandma. We all love each other a lot." He hesitates, then adds, "I'm really grateful for everything the Capitol has done for me."

There's a loud cheer from the audience, and Nathan looks pleased as he leaves the stage, clearly happy with the way his interview turned out. I take a moment to grab some popcorn and pop it into my mouth, eager for the rest of the interviews to commence.

Just as a warning, the next part of the interviews will most likely be much shorter simply because they can get somewhat tedious to write.