Rose was reading sample questions, trying not to gag. They were a little invasive. "They have to be a bit invasive," said William, reading her mind, "There is a four percent chance you'll live, so they have to get to know you while they can."
"I hope Johnson doesn't pry this much…" muttered Rose.
…
"Okay, he appears to be prying a lot," concluded Rose. Howard Johnson was currently discussing matters with Jack Harkness, a sassy and self-centered seventeen year old from District Four.
"So, Jack, are there any ladies back home you hope to impress, and return to?" Howard inquired.
"Sort of," Jack replies, "and I do plan on getting back to him. He'll be very disappointed if I don't. And he's already impressed."
"Well, thank you Jack!" said Howard. The two men shook hands, Jack stood up, and the massive audience applauded. Rose gulped. She didn't realise so many people would be attending the actual interview.
Howard smiled, and sat back in his chair. "And now, from District Five, the one you've all been waiting to hear from, the lovely Rose Tyler!" Rose took a deep breath, put on a fake smile, walked out onto the stage, and sat down. Rose looked at the audience and smiled awkwardly.
"So, Rose," began Howard, "this must've been quite a change for you, hasn't it?" Rose made a small nod. "Stressful at all?" he asked. Rose made a small shrug.
"Well, thinking about tomorrow, yes, it is stressful," Rose answered. She looked over to the wing and saw Sarah Jane smiling weakly, and Cassandra with her face buried in her hands. Rose took a breath, and looked at Rose. She needed to compose herself, and fast. No one would like her at this rate.
"Rose, is there anyone back home you want to say something to, as long as you're here?" Howard asked, prompting her.
"Mum, I love you. I'm going to try to win for you. I promise. I'll get back to you," Rose spoke, looking directly into the cameras. The audience clapped. They clapped and they clapped. Howard wiped a tear for effect.
"I'm sure your mother will be very proud of you, Rose, however it goes for you in the arena. I wish you the best of luck," Howard said, quietly. Rose and Howard kept chatting for the next few minutes, like old friends, and then Rose stood up, and received the biggest applause of the evening.
Rose sat up in her bed, and looked at the clock on the table next to her. 4:52 AM. Eight minutes until she had to get up. Then she remembered. Today was the day. Rose Tyler was going to the 25th Hunger Games, today. "I could die today," she said quietly, no one would hear her. No tears, just quiet. She sat there, slowly coming to terms with reality.
The time was now 5:00 AM, and Rose tiptoed out of the bed, and into the shower for one last time. She washed her hair twice. She stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, dried her hair, and went to get dressed. She put on a simple pair of jeans, a purple t-shirt, and a brown leather jacket. It didn't matter what she wore now. Cassandra would help her into her jumpsuit later. She brushed out her hair, and let it down for now.
After eating a small breakfast (she didn't feel like eating much), she tiptoed down to the stylist's section. Rose walked into Cassandra's room.
"Rose, darling!" said Cassandra, genuinely pleased to see her.
"Morning, Cassandra," said Rose, with a small smile.
"So, get changed into this," she handed Rose her dark blue jumpsuit, "and then we'll see what else we need, alright?" Rose nodded, and went to change. She returned after a minute or two, all dressed.
"For you hair, I thought we'd try something simple, yet fashionable. I was reading through this hair magazine, and I saw something that I'd think you'd adore. They're calling it the Bad Wolf, and it isn't very popular, but I feel like you could make it so that it is," explained Cassandra.
"That sounds fine," said Rose, "wait a second- what was this called again?"
"The Bad Wolf," supplied Cassandra.
"Bad Wolf?" Rose asked, "are you sure?" She looked at her feet. Cassandra nodded.
"Is there something wrong, hon?" she asks. Rose shakes her head.
"Just a bit of pre-game jitters," Rose says, which isn't entirely untrue.
After a few minutes, Cassandra hands Rose a mirror, and has her look at it. Rose nods. "This is it," she told Cassandra. Cassandra smiled warmly.
"Rose Tyler. You are going to be brilliant."
Rose and Sarah Jane were waiting in a small room, with a pod waiting to take Rose up into the arena.
"Do you have your token?" asked Sarah Jane. Rose nodded, handed Sarah Jane the Lone Wolves pin. Sarah Jane looked at it for a moment, and then handed it back to Rose.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Neither of them really had much to say.
"One minute until loading," said a voice over the intercom. Sarah Jane looked at Rose, and hugged her.
"Good luck," she whispered. Rose hugged her back, but said nothing. Sarah Jane pinned the Lone Wolf pin just below Rose's collar. Rose stood up, and stepped into the pod. She took a deep breath, and looked up. It was time.
A/N: Updates won't normally be this quickly. I've had up to this point written already, so those were up basically as I posted the story. Updates should be posted every Friday, with occasional exceptions.