Ok guys, chapter 12! Now, I was just looking through all of the stats and stuff for this story, and I saw that it's gotten almost 2,000 views! So, I know there are more than 9 of you reading! Agh! And yes, I realize that's not 2,00 people, it's more like...oh dang...math...um...181 and 3/4 people? Close enough. The main fact is, I want to hear from you! Even just a little note or PM would be amazing! It made me so happy to see a review from a guest a few days ago (shout out to you by the way and to 'HugtheWholeWorld' for favoriting this story! Ya'll are amazing ;) ) That's what made me post this chapter sooner! They asked me to! that's all it takes folks...A little encouragement. :) Anyway, here ya go! DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Hunger Games
People are staring at us left and right. The other tributes are looking at us with envy and what almost seems to be fear. "You know, they're all staring at how amazing you look, right?" Cato says quietly into my ear. I look over to him and smile "No, they're looking at us. Wishing they could be us." I tell him back.
We get into our line to enter the stage but we still have a few minutes before we go out to the audience. Cato and I talk about the others, sometimes making fun of them, and sometimes complimenting them. We just don't let them hear it.
As we wait, I see Glimmer saunter over to us with her fakest smile yet, sashaying her hips and trying to get Cato to notice her. He looks up from me for a brief second to recognize her but then immediately turns back to me.
I have no clue why though, Glimmer looks pretty great herself, but in a way, slightly trashy. Her hair is in cascading waves down her back, while her makeup is bold, but tasteful. The only thing is her dress. It's gold, and quite fitted over her large chest and curvy figure but it's also see-through making her look like someone you'd find in a back alleyway.
She stands by us waiting for Cato to notice her, giggling and laughing while she hangs on his arm. Just the sight of her efforts makes me want to throw up. Cato is tolerating it, but still not acknowledging her.
I can tell that he's getting annoyed though, due to the fact that he's tensing up quite a bit and there's a vein in his neck that looks almost ready to burst.
Finally, after another giggle for Glimmer, he loses it. "Glimmer! Why the heck don't you take no for an answer! What gave you the thought that I would want to be with you when I have this amazing gorgeous girl standing right next to me?!" He yells loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.
I look down at the floor; blushing because of the fact that Cato basically just publically announced that he likes me. Glimmer is taken aback and takes a few shocked steps away from Cato.
She eyes me up and down, almost with envy as she walks away, only to go back to her district partner and begin flirting with him. "So…"Cato says while looking very intently at the floor. "So…" I reply back, not sure what to say.
"Sorry about that" he says as he rubs the back of his neck, still not looking at me. "Sorry for what? The fact that you called me and I quote 'an amazing, gorgeous girl'" I ask him with a smirk "Yeah" he mumbles, obviously embarrassed. "Well, I never said I minded." I say with a smile. He looks up at me and smiles a big, goofy, boyish grin.
Just then, we are called onstage by Caesar Flickerman. We walk onstage in a single file line, starting with Glimmer and ending with Peeta. We take our seats and Glimmer is called up to the front by Caesar who stands, takes her hand and kisses it while she giggles for the umpteenth time tonight.
He guides her to the empty guest seat by him up front and begins by asking her a series of questions. She answers them very politely but also very flirtatiously as she sinks at the crowd and blows kisses to random audience members.
Finally, she is seated back in her seat at the end of the row and her District partner, Marvel, is next. He plays it off as a care free, likeable kind of guy. He answers all of the questions politely while throwing in a joke anywhere he can to make the audience laugh and side with him.
I feel my pulse begin to rise slightly as Caesar stands Marvel up and announces him again as he walks back to his seat. "Remember your act" Cato says into my ear discretely. He knows that I hate speaking in public and the thought of it makes me almost nauseated.
"Now, our next tribute is from District 2. Give a warm welcome to Clove!" Caesar exclaims as I stand up and, as gracefully as I can, walk to the front. The audience cheers and applauds, most likely because they remember me from the opening ceremonies.
Caesar takes my hand, kisses it like Glimmer's, and guides me to the empty seat across from him. "So, Clove, are you excited for this year's games?" he asks me as I get settled. "Yes, very much so!" I say with as much enthusiasm I can muster.
"What are you looking the most forward to?" he questions again. I think back to Brutus's advice, 'Be confident'. "Well, the victor's tour of course!" I tell him and earn a laugh from the audience as well as a few cheers.
"What is your strategy going to be at the Cornucopia?" he asks me with intrigue in his eyes. "I can't tell you!" I joke at first "But, I will let the others know, that I will show no mercy when it comes time." I say with a smirk, noticing that a few small tributes shudder with fear. "Perfect" I think as I continue to smile.
"One final question, you look simply stunning tonight, and I'm sure that every one of these boys behind us has noticed it by now" he starts as the crowd chuckles "tell me, is there anyone special that you have rooting for you to win and go home to?" he finishes as the room suddenly goes silent.
"Well, I do as a matter of fact. However, I don't feel the need to disclose his name just yet. Perhaps I will when we meet again in a few weeks." I finish with a sweet, flirtatious, almost girly giggle. "Well, I look forward to that then!" Caesar finishes. "Let's have a big round of applause for Clove!" he shouts as I smile and wave at the crowd all the way back to my seat as I mentally go through Brutus's list in my mind. Confident? Check. Relaxed? Check. Flirtatious? Check. Deadly? Check. "Well, that was easy" I think to myself.
I know, I know. I said this would be the last chapter before the games...well, I felt like this was good just on it's own. I promise, only one more after this! And now, I have a proposition for ya'll. If 25 of you review by Friday night at 8 pm (Just so I know you're reading) I will post the next chapter at 9pm. All you have to do is let me know you are there! It's that easy. But if not, you'll just have to wait until next Wednesday...lo ciento mi amigos! I still love ya'll though :)Have a great weekend!