Still Missing Check-Ins For:
Brooke Reefside (2)
Dylan Angel (2)
Winston Harvard
District 3, 16, Male
I was biting my nails, that only happens when I am nervous and I am nervous. Grandma and Grandpa had always tried to teach me to lose my habit when doing it in general, but they can not stop me now because they aren't here and probably will never be able to again. The interviews are only part of my nerves, the fact that tomorrow could be my last day is also part of it but the fact I won't see Brynn grow up and she will most likely be sent to a community home when all her family dies, I can't. What if Brynn takes her own life because I didn't win it and granny and grandpa die not long after, she is only 2 and she might not remember me, she may rewatch my Hunger Games and have no idea I was her uncle. Tears flood my eyes but I wipe them quickly as Caesar takes the stage, I wait nervously behind the curtains right behind Vidia.
"Hello, Mr. Gold!" Laughs the green-haired woman, Medea, as Caesar kisses her on the cheek and takes a seat. I roll my eyes and hear,
"What a flirt." From a disgusted Arlene, behind me. I watched a little on Medea last night to check out what she likes and found out her name meant, 'the cunning one' it didn't surprise me because that's what most interviewers were like. Trying to get the juice. I emerge from my mind as Caesar begins to talk,
"How beautiful you look today!" Disgusting, she looked disgusting. Almost like a snake, she had her 'signature' green hair and bright pink skin and today wore bright blue lipstick. She giggles and begins her questions,
"So, Caesar do you think you're the 'perfect career'." Caesar laughs, maniacally and replies,
"Of course! I mean, look at me. I have the looks, strength, and wisdom." An outstretched smile appears on Medea's face, proving she had wrinkles under that plastic surgery.
"What about the training score of, 8?" She asks, lingering on the number 8. She knew this would make him mad and it sure did.
"Maybe I was downplaying myself, huh?" He screams at her, knowing that wasn't the case. Caesar hears his cue from the mic set hanging around his head and ears and gives Medea an awkward hug before heading towards us.
"Ugh, that lady! I can't stand her." He moans as his mic set is taken off and he heads towards his limo, waiting outside.
It isn't long before Sapphire heads off towards the direction of Medea, looking slightly dazed but she takes a seat and clears her face from any doubt.
"Hello, Medea!" She smiles but isn't the best actor.
"Hi there Sapphire and may I say you truly look even prettier on TV! The Capitol agrees, right?" Sudden cheers and screams come again from the audience.
For once The Capitol got something right, Sapphire was pretty and of course, matched her name. She has wavy blonde, platinum, hair that reached down to her shoulder blades and crystal blue eyes, and a shimmering blue dress. In my vision she was perfect but I knew I could never love someone that beautiful, someone that I will most likely never see again after these few days.
"So, Sapphire you must have a handsome boyfriend at home, hm?" Please no, I can't help myself from thinking. She raises her eyebrows and shakes her head, hesitantly.
"I am not one to put my trust into someone so soon but maybe someday I will find someone."
"When you get out of the arena?"
"Oh, well... I guess I may never find that special someone." Her eyes begin to become glossy and she shakes hands with Medea before walking back behind the curtains.
"Are you ok?" I ask and stretch out a hand, she looks at me and nods before rushing off to the limo. Of course, I could never love her because of Arik (my boyfriend) but I could care for her and help her.
I am coming up soon, I think as Xavier starts his interview. He first, flirtatiously, winks at the audience and then kisses Medea's hand.
"What a gentleman." She coos and I hear a couple of gasps from the girls in the audience - clearly jealous. Xavier was good-looking, no not good-looking he was sexy and wore a typical black suit and velvet tie. He had long blonde hair and deep brown angry-looking eyes, he was tall and muscular but careers were always handsome, or beautiful. On their outside of course but there is one thing that would stop me from dating them and that is because they wanted this. They wanted to murder innocent kids, that they knew barely stood a chance, they were ugly inside.
"How about your home life?"
"Well I have a girlfriend but she didn't want me to come here. She didn't know if I would win, it hurts but I will be back to her soon."
"Awwww."
"One thing." Xavier gets down on one knee and Medea gasps, putting her hands over her mouth.
"Alexandra, would you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?" His smile was wide and spread from ear to ear, this wasn't fake. Xavier was in love. Claps and shouts were again coming from the Capitol audience. Medea lifts his hand and cries,
"Xavier everyone!" Xavier leaves acknowledging The Capitol as he does.
I am up next.
"Why, hello Medea!" Vidia says as she awkwardly walks towards ger in her tight, purple, off-shoulder dress and high, high heels.
"Hi there, Vidia."
"Now, many of us are wondering... Do you have any relation to Scythe Ciele?" Vidia looks almost outraged buy clears her expression almost immediately.
"Yes, she was my Sister." Medea nods, amused. "And my brother was also in the Games but he was reaped."
"So it sort of runs in the family?"
"You could say that." I liked Vidia, I finally decided, of course, she was a blood-thirsty career but she isn't cocky and overall seems like a nice person. She also doesn't take too much time into her appearance. She usually wears her hair in a black braid and almost grey eyes.
"How about your parents?"
"They work at the academy most days, don't see them often." Medea smiles, clearly she hadn't got as much as she had wanted out of this interview.
"Vidia!" She screeches and Vidia leaves, that's when I hear the voice in my mic.
"Hello, Winston."
"Hi," I say faintly, but I know it's only a one-way channel.
"You're going to walk out on my count, ok?" I nod, again knowing they don't see me. "3." My palms begin to sweat. "2." My body begins to shake. "1." I push back my copper green jacket and my hair, preparing myself. "Good luck." I walk onto the stage, still shaking, and try to lift my head high.
"Winston! How are you?" I laugh nervously as I take a seat next to Medea.
"I am doing great Medea! How are you?" It just comes out, almost naturally.
"Good, good. Now, your sister. Rumour has it she died, along with her husband, while trying to escape District 3. Is this true?"
"Well, uh. I didn't know." I feel the tears well in my eyes. No. I can't cry, I had to finish this interview and to be honest I knew. Something in my heart had told me and I didn't want to believe it but I can't help it now.
"Awwww, did you hear that? He had no idea..." She spoke to the Capitol audience with fake concern. I despised her, she was a witch and I guess that's why I slapped her, hard and probably left a mark. She seemed surprised and so did I, I looked at my hand. What had I done? I would, no could, never do that. I am Winston Harvard, the sweetest and most caring boy in District 6, I think but almost try to convince myself of it. The voice came through my ear again.
"It's ok Winston, the interview is going to carry on like normal. Not much longer, just keep yourself together." He made it seem like no problem bt my chances of victor had just gone from 1-0 in a nutshell.
"How about the rest of your family, then?" She must have got the same message.
"My parents left me when I was young-" Should I be telling them this? "But I have my grandparents and a niece." My grandparents are going to be so disappointed in me at home, while they watch me. Unless granny was dead already and grandpa had forgotten all about me.
"I'd say that's enough for today. Don't you agree with me, Winston?" Of course, I do but I don't say that and instead just nod. "Here we have Winston." There are a few claps from the audience, this clears any chance of a sponsor.
"You can leave Winston." I run off the stage, tears running from my eyes. I rush out the door, passing a worried Lex and Reuben. I'd let everyone down. I run into someone as I almost reach the limo. It's Farrel, my mentor. I hug him, letting my tears explode on his shirt. He understood: we were the same age, same gender, same district and he'd gone through this just as I had but there is one big difference. He survived and I won't.
Loren Tryler
District 5, 18, Female
Winston did the right thing, in my opinion, that b*tch doesn't know when to stop. I can't help myself but boil up in anger, I don't even know him and yet I feel so bad for him, I cannot think this way though. "What if you have to kill him, Loren?" I keep asking myself, and the truth is I am not sure I can. I feel a tap on my shoulder and realize that I am talking to myself. "Sorry Harrick." He nods and I go back to watching the interviews.
"So, Arlene. You're an orphan?"
"Yes, I am actually!" She cries but loses the enthusiasm at the end due to her realizing that she hadn't told anyone that, or so I guess. The Capitol knows everything. "Well, I live in a community home. It's not that bad! I am only usually beaten twice a day and I have a lot of friends." Medea looks astonished but proud of how much she is getting out from the tributes, I can't wait to knock her pride from 100 - 1. Soon, she leaves her golden strapless dress flowing behind her.
I watch as Dylan pulls down his navy blue shirt to his jeans, before jogging towards Medea.
"Hello, Dylan."
"Medea." He nods and gives her a peck on her ugly, blue lips. Medea whistles and asks,
"Would you like to take a seat?"
"I'd rather stand here and admire these beautiful Capitolites," Medea smirks and begins to tear him down,
"So how did your Mom die?"
"Um, uh. Well, she drowned..."
"Has it taken a toll on your Dad?" Dylan looks almost tearful but holds himself together.
"Y-yeah he's fine." I see Brooke shake her head, he was lying.
"You shouldn't lie to the Capitol!" Dylan shivers and leaves without saying goodbye. Brooke catches him on his way out and they share a quick hug before Brooke runs on.
She is also wearing a simple outfit like Dylan, a blue skirt, blouse, and black flats. It almost makes me wish my stylists didn't always put me in a stupid dress, like the purple one I'm wearing.
"Yes, I do love surfing!" Squeals Brooke, "I always have a surf before going to train."
"How about your family?"
"Mom, Dad and my sister - Cordelia. She would love to be a volunteer one day and I am so proud of her training!"
"Is there any rivalry between the 2 of you?"
"Nope, none at all."
"Well everyone, Brooke!" Claps come from the brainless audience and Brooke thanks them before leaving.
"That went smoothly." She mutters to herself as she passes me.
Kliar's next and he slides on his grey-blue blazer before walking onto the stage.
"Hello, Medea!"
"Look everyone it's Mr. Hydren." She cries with outstretched arms. "Your quite the celebrity to the Capitol children. One of the first District 5 careers in 43 years."
"Why, I love being a role model."
"I am sure we are all wondering, why did you volunteer?" "Many of us assume you have something for Loren?" Kliar laughs and I scrunch up my face.
"No, no. Don't get me wrong me and Loren are good friends but she is asexual and not exactly my type."
"Mmmm. So who exactly is your type?"
"Well, I guess someone like Vidia." Medea howls and I almost puke. How could you love someone, when you're supposed to be trying to kill them? Kliar's face goes red and he says bye to the Capitol before rushing off.
Now it was my turn.
"Go ahead, Loren." The voice in my ear instructs and I put a smile onto my stressed face.
"Lorennnnnnnnnn!" Booms Medea and I wave, taking a seat. "Let us start with family." Ugh, this lady doesn't have anything new to ask?
"Sister, Mom and Dad."
"Alright. What's your relationship with them?"
"They're fine."
"Ah. How about this 'training place' of yours?" Of course, they know about the training group.
"It's just in case I got reaped due to how much tesserae I take out."
"Any friends?"
"Yep."
"Who?"
"Everyone in the training group." I hear a snicker from the mic and a grin spreads on my face, I don't remember the last time I smiled but it felt good.
"I think we'll end there."
"Alright, Loren just says goodbye and you're done." The voice says.
"Bai," I say to the Capitol audience, not acknowledging a frustrated Medea.
Mission complete, I think as I walk down the hall - gaining a high five from a laughing Jean. I reach the limo and jump in alongside Brooke, everyone seems to be in a better mood and I even get a fist bump from Caesar.
Everyone stares at the TV again as Harrick walks on up. He wears a sort of grey glider.
"Wanna see something Medea?" He asks and Medea nods, excitedly. He climbs onto his chair and dives at the stage, looking terrified but he glides through the air, barely missing the Capitolites heads as he soars above them. He glides back to a clapping Medea.
"What an awesome team of stylists you have."
"Yup!" He cries and fist bumps the air. I am so unsure how he glided from his chair, don't you need to be high? I used to make gliders with my Dad and try them out from a high post, they probably used some Capitol material or whatever.
"Do you have any love, Harrick?" He grins from ear to ear, blushing.
"Well, at the goodbyes I got kissed by my crush! His name is Warrick, it was awesomeeeeee." He looked like a ten-year-old and yet he was still kissing boys. I don't understand love.
Harrick leaves and is replaced by Jean. Jean looks nothing like her usual style and wears a light pink dress, the flowy skirt is knee-length and she has a piece of matching jewelry.
"Oooooo, Jean! Looking like a princess, aren't you?"
"Shut the f*ck up before I slap you harder than Winston." I hear a sigh from Winston, opposite from me, and go back to the TV.
"Ok then. So you have a lot of sisters?"
"4."
"What's it like? Is it fun?"
"Living f*cking hell." I burst into laughter, this girl is better than me!
"So, any hobbies?"
"I work at my Dad's auto mechanic shop."
"You like mechanics?"
"Duhhh. Why else would I do it? Also, can I go now."
"Uhh, sure." Jean struts off and it's not long before she slides next to me.
"We'll be back after this short break." Laughs Medea, winking and smiling. With that, the first half of the interviews are done, and we drive off back to our penthouses. It was going to be a long night.
I fricking hate interviews, so much bt anyways I finally finished. Also just to let you know I may not be updating quite as fast just because my parents have restricted my screen time but as always I will try my best. 2 more chapters and then the bloodbath!
Check-In question: What are your tributes' main hobby/hobbies?
What do you think of Medea?
Should Winston be sorry for what he did?
Who had the best and who had the funniest interview?
Alliances:
The Career Pack: Caesar, Xavier, Vidia, Dylan, Brooke, and Kliar.
Forever and Always: Eoghan and Samara.
Team 6: Jean, Harrick, and Piper.
Girl Power: Sapphire, Embry, Loren, and Nevaeh.
The Smart, The Strong And The 'Useless': Reuben, Lex, and Winston
Best Buds and Mahala: Jack, Quail, and Mahala.
Solos: Arlene, Field, and Friday.
See you in a bit.
-James