After Flame has done his styling transformations on me, he takes me backstage as we wait for the interview to actually start. We have around a half hour of waiting to do. Finnick, Mags, my prep team, and Tabitha show up soon after. When the theme song comes on when Ceaser hits the stage, Finnick whispers.

"Hey remember our little chat earlier".

Right on cue, Caesar announces my name since he's already finished with his introduction. I waltz on stage smiling and keeping my head held high as I am now a victor. I shake hands and hug Caesar as I am about to sit down in the chair.

"My, my, my you look fabulous. Even after all you endured through those bloody couple weeks" he compliments.

"Well I owe it all to my prep team and stylist Flame, I literally would look like I was still fighting those mutts without there creations".

The crown found this funny and giggled along with Caesar.

"Carla, you were one to watch in that arena! From working with two different alliances, and taking very dangerous risks, you excited us, and well...scared us at the same time" he began.

"Well, I certainly kept my promises from before the games. I too have been a little surprised by the events in the arena. I let my actions speak for themselves, especially in some of the kills I made" I respond.

"If you don't mind, I would like to backtrack to how you internally thought about each event in the games. Is it ok if I show you some highlights from the arena" Caesar implies.

"Oh, of coarse, that's what I'm here for" I reassure.

Caesar goes over some parts like the bloodbath, how the alliance functioned, and trying to kill Katniss. I obviously explained my harsh and brutal truth about Katniss and Peeta, and vented out my prior frustrations with their arena tactics. I even mentioned how satisfied I was with their suffering, especially since they were deemed as personal threats in the arena. Watching these highlights really scare me, and bring that reality back and make it hard not to forget. But one question and moment in particular makes it really hard for me to share without getting a little angry/emotional.

"We have clearly seen a lot of variations in alliances here. But the relationship you had with your district partner at first seemed pretty mutual. That was until he left you at the Cornucopia to almost die in Clove's hands. I am just curious to know how you felt. Did you find it hard killing him at the end?".

"It's not that simple to put into words Ceaser, but I will say this. I believe that Cody was put in a position to fight and kill like any other tribute, which he did well according to these clips, and had the caliber of a strong lethal tribute much like those from 1 and 2. But his words were what bothered me not his actions. He was always so secretive and agreed to do something but then decided to not say anything and hide behind a bid brick wall, not saying anything to anyone. When we agreed to be on the same side again in the arena, I learned to get over it and just deal with him as an ally. What hurt me the most was his constant lying and betrayal. I think it's one thing to have a strategy and keep it confidential with a mentor, but to go out of your way to lie and act like you care but really don't is the worst thing possible. I think it's cowardly" I conclude my thoughts.

Caesar didn't really have anything else to say, and the capitolites in the audience looked stunned by my deep response. Anyways, thank god the time is up and am walking off the stage now. I didn't want to have to go on and on about that anymore. That probably would of resulted in tears. Which I am trying to avoid as much as possible now as I am a victor and am trying to get my act together. Though I let them pour out as Mags hugs me when I am off stage. Finnick comforts me as well and tells me that everything went great. I get back to my room and realize how late it is. I feel so upset right now that crying myself to sleep seems like my only option.

Morning comes, and mascara and lip gloss are smeared all over my pillows and I look in the mirror and see how black my eyes are. I am not letting anyone see me like this. I wash/scrub my face, not letting one little smear appear on my face. At the breakfast table Tabitha talks about today's schedule.

"So in about two and a half to three hours, the coronation ceremony will begin, and in a moment we will explain what will happen there, and afterwards there will be a mini photography session with the officials. That's it. You will then get on the train and make your way back to District 4".

The word District 4 really grabs my attention. Home. The waves at the beach, my family, and my friends. The one's I have been really waiting to see. The thing I have been fighting for most.

Flame and my prep team take me to get me dressed in my new outfit with very minimal preparation. Except for intense hair and makeup of coarse. I am supposed to feel like royalty, a queen, a princess. Which Flame successfully does. He put me in a more elegant white dress this time and in higher heels. He didn't put too much makeup on, but glammed it up a notch since this was a more formal event. He lined my eyes more heavily, which made them look a bit darker. But it looked really cool with the white dress, giving it a dark facial contrast. When we were done getting ready, we went back to our floor so Tabitha can explain what will happen at the ceremony.

"So, you will be outside on the balcony, the same one President Snow was on during the tribute parade. That balcony is apart of Snow's mansion. You will be inside his house for a little bit and there is also a bishop who will be the other person talking besides President Snow. He is dressed in a long cloak and has a tall, pointy hat with a long pole that he holds that looks like a staff. The bishop will give a brief introduction and your cue to enter is when he says please welcome...".

Tabitha went on forever, finally stopping before she mentioned anything about photography afterwards. Plus, she didn't say anything about going home. Does she just not want me to leave? Or is she simply too focused on my mannerisms at this ceremony and the press surrounding it. Anyways, we are on our way to Snow's mansion now and I am on in like 15 minutes, I hope I remember all of this. When we arrive I am escorted to the top floor in this neverending mansion. It is so huge, I am surprised the President himself doesn't get lost in it. I am right at the place where I am supposed to enter, and the bishop dude is already starting off with the introduction. Blah blah blah... just normal talk about the dark days and the history of Panem. I realized I have been zoning out this whole time when he says my name. I enter and grace myself with a smile waving to the few amount of Capitolites actually in the audience. I know this is on live television, but I guess this ceremony doesn't get the hype that the tribute parade and the interviews receive. I bow to the bishop and the president and take my place up on the throne. Now the talking is turned over to Snow.

"As all of you citizens of Panem know, since the fall of the districts, this very moment is part of the message we send every year. The last remaining victor is a representative of the Capitol's generosity. This young woman right here, defines our morals and our principles of order, battle, victory, and ultimate survival. Her courageous contributions in this years games has inspired all of us. But her spirit, and every fiber in her body must live with it. For ever and ever. Furthermore, I would like to congratulate the victor of the 72nd hunger games Carla Cortez! And may you keep impressing us for as long as you may live".

After the applause has died down. The bishop brings over the crown, and gently places it on my forehead. The audience roars again, with various forms of chants and yells. I am brought over for what it seems like picture number 1, me just wearing the crown while on the throne. Great. This seems like it's going to last a lot longer than I initially thought...