"Head up! Let the smile spread to your eyes. Chin up! Back straight."

Pixi has been throwing instructions at me for the past two and a half hours. Now it's question time.

"okay, Flicker. You are going to tell me what you have learnt. What do you do all of the time?" She asks.

"I smile and keep my head up."

"Good. How do you sit when you are interviewed?"

"I sit with my back straight, with my ankles crossed."

"Great. Final question. How do you answer the questions?"

"Politely and honestly."

"Great! Maple and Carmen want to get you ready. Of you go."

IOI

Maple has made me look brilliant yet again.

My dress is an ankle length, strapless garment in a copper colour. My shoes are copper sandals with a platform heel. The strap on the shoe winds up my leg, to my knee. My lips are a copper-brown, with a shimmering tone in the middle of my bottom lip. My cheekbones have been carved with a sort of brown powder. My eyelids are painted bronze, with gold at the edges and crease. I have a gold winged eyeliner, with swirling patterns swimming off the edge. I look like a swirl of wire.

"Oh Malple!" I exclaim.

"Sit still, Flicker. I need to sort your hair!" Commands Carmen.

I sit still for the next hour as she plays with my hair. Eventually, it has taken shape. The loose waves of hair float down my back, but the front has wire woven into it. One long strand of hair has been taken, threaded with wire and wrapped over the top of my head, like a halo.

I smile into the mirror. I look pretty.

IOI

I see Pearl flouncing on stage to Caesar . This year, his hair, eyes and lips are dyed hot pink. I'm busy observing Pearl's reactions to the questions. She wears a lime green, velvet, knee length dress with a ruffled skirt. Her black hair is left in its sleek, silky Bob hairstyle.

Her minutes are up.

I find myself in a trance. Then I notice Sirena. She looks like a giant fish. Her skirt is patterned to look like sapphire scales. She wears some sort of mini-shirt. It's patterned with seashells and finishes at the end of her ribcage.

My name is called.

I gulp like I did at the Reaping. But I compose myself and lift my chin.

The stage is a glittering platform. Caesar beckons for me to sit on the chair next to him.

"Flicker Aura, everyone!" He says into his microphone. The crowd roars.

"Now tell me, Flicker, what were you feeling at the Reaping?"

" Well I felt pretty nervous, because I am thirteen. And I had a fluttering feeling inside, because, I mean look around! I'm just a District five girl, who's used to coiling wire and labelling boxes. Now I'm sitting here, next to you, surrounded by the people of the Capitol!" I say as honestly as I can.

"Now, you are the youngest tribute here this year. How do you plan on winning?"

"Anyone can be strong and break someone's neck with a finger. But

brawn never comes before brain in my opinion. I know just how to get at someone. So the others better not underestimate me just because I'm small."

"So we can expect a good show?"

"Definitely."

"Our time is almost up. Your entrance to the Capitol was outstanding! But why were you covered in glitter? Your main export isn't luxury."

"Our export is power. Think about it."

"I see. Do you have any words to say to the Capitol before you go?"

"I do. Don't think that because I'm not a Career, that I'm not cunning."

Everyone claps. Caesar lifts my arm in the air.

"Flicker Aura, everyone!" He shouts again, battling with screaming crowd.

IOI

"That was what I call an interview!" Exclaims Fia, crushing me in a hug. I smile and feel heat rising to my cheeks.

"Before you go to bed, I want to discuss tactics. " Etan tells us. "At the Cornucopia, I want you to take something small, say, like water purifier, a blanket, you know, something you can tuck into your pocket. I want you both to find at least one ally. Sam, the district 8 mentor told me her tributes have taken a fancy to you, as have district six.

Flicker, the Careers, they want you. I suggest you join them, but as soon as tension rises, use your brain. In the arena, stay away from the berries, even if they look like something you know. They could be a replica, with poison, even Tracker-Jacker venom or poison Ivy in them. Understand?"

"Understand." We both say.

"Wait, how do we approach the others who want us?"

"Hide, then yell out that it's you, then approach them." He say.

"Ok." Sam says, while I nod my head.

"Now, of to bed! I don't want you collapsing in the Arena!" Interrupts Pixi.

I0I

That night, I toss and turn, trying to get comfortable. My eyes are tired, but they won't become heavy. I can't slip off into Dreamland. My brain won't stop conjuring up images of the arena. Will they throw us in a desert with no water? Will they put us in an ocean with flesh-eating sharks?

Eventually, I give up. I silently slip into the sitting area. I stare into the small, soft remains of the flame. I rest my head on the back of the chair. A red-headed boy sits in front of me. The Avox boy who gave me breakfast. He looks at me with his big, green eyes, and I can feel his longing. His longing to reassure me.

He pushes my shoulder gently, so I fall into a curled position.

He leaves, then returns with the blanket and pillows from my bedroom. Gently, he places them over my body. He combs his left hand through my hair like my mother does when I'm sick. With two fingers, he pushes my eyelids down. I find myself slipping into silent slumber.