Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Annabeth's POV

"Welcome, Annabeth Chase, welcome!" Caesar exclaims loudly and excitedly.

"Hello, Caesar," I reply politely, adjusting my dress as I sit down in the plush, red chair next to Caesar's matching one. My dress is white, long, simple, and sleeveless with navy blue shoes to go along with. Navy blue highlights are expertly placed in my hair, just because Ramen decided he liked the way they looked at the Tribute Parade.

"You look very beautiful today, Annabeth," Caesar compliments kindly. "So, Annabeth, we just finished talking with your boyfriend. He told me that you volunteered for a girl at the Reaping. Did you know that he would join you in the arena?"

Oh. Well, of course I did, but I obviously couldn't tell Caesar my reasons. I really wasn't expecting to have to lie this early in the interview. Oh, well.

"Well, Caesar," I begin casually, hoping to come up with some sort of answer, "Even though I desperately hoped he wouldn't, I knew he would. Percy is the most selfless and bravest person I've ever known, so I'm not very surprised he would want to be there for me. It obviously makes me sad that only one of us can survive, but I'm fortunate that I can be with him in our last moments together."

After a moment of silence, Caesar smiles, "I hope you two make the best out of what you have. On a different note, I can't help but notice your eyes- a startling, yet beautiful grey. Do grey eyes run in your family? Why don't you tell us about your family, Annabeth?"

The question takes me by surprise. "Uh... Oh, there's really nothing to talk about. My mother left when I was little, and my father eventually married someone else. They had two boys that became the center of their attention, so I always felt like I was at a distance- there, but not there."

Caesar makes some of cheesy joke for the audience to lighten the mood, then turns back to me. "Annabeth, what should we expect in the arena? Stealth, hiding, or alliances?"

I feel like there's only one thing I can say, "Just expect the unexpected, Caesar."

The audience claps, and Caesar grabs my hand, lifting my up as he stands. "Audience, the District Four tribute, Annabeth Chase!"

I wave and smile to the crowd before walking off stage and towards Percy, who's waiting for me backstage.

"You did great!" Percy congratulates me as he reaches me. "You looked so beautiful."

"Enough with the fluffiness," I joke, elbowing Percy playfully.

He smiles, but the smile quickly fades as he looks at something over my shoulder. "Annabeth," he says, trying to steer me away, "Let's go."

"What is it-?" I turn around and see Luke Castellan staring at me, dressed nicely in formal clothes that don't resemble anything District Five stands for.

He waves to me innocently, not noticed by Caesar or the audience. He turns his attention back to his interview and sits down in the seat I sat in not even a minute before.

I'm frozen in place, staring at where Luke was a second before, until Percy shakes my shoulder. "Come on, Annabeth," He says, grabbing my hand and directing us away from Luke.

Thalia's POV

I stare at my hands as Luke's face appears on the television. I'm not sure that, when the time comes, I'll be able to kill him. Will Percy or Nico do it for me? Would I even want them to?

"..Wow, audience get a load of this? Really, Luke, you're fascinating.."

"Thanks. Many people told me I am."

His voice cuts through me like a newly sharpened blade. He sounds the same from when we were venturing to Camp Half Blood years before. He looks the same, too, except for the evil glint in his eye that only people who were once close to him would notice.

Katniss looks over at me, confused, and when she speaks, I can hardly hear her. It were as if all I could hear was Luke's voice, and everything else was blocked out. I know I shouldn't, but I still have hope, even if only a sliver of it, that the old Luke can be brought back. I know it's not possible, but it's the only thing keeping me from breaking down.

"…Thalia?" Katniss says my name loudly this time, and I look up from my hands.

"What's up with you, Thalia?" Katniss asks, a suspicious look on her face.

"I'm just tired," I reply simply, smiling weakly.

"You must take me for an idiot. Is it that boy?" Katniss nudges her chin toward the T.V., where Luke laughs at something Caesar said.

Not in the mood for protesting, I nod. "He just reminds me of someone."

Katniss seems to believe the lie, as she nods and sits back. When I turn my attention back to the television, I realize that Luke's interview is over, and the District Five female tribute is up.

Eventually, Katniss begins to have a conversation with Peeta, and Nico nudges me. "Hey."

"Hey, Nikki." I smirk halfheartedly as Nico scowls.

"Don't call me that."

"Sorry, Nikki."

"You are so ridiculous." Nico smiles and bumps my shoulder with his. "Cheer up."

"Wow, you are so uplifting." I say sarcastically, but I sit up and sigh. "I'm bored."

"You're bored?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"Thalia..," Nico looks over at me, his expression serious, "I know what's bothering you. You're not sure if you could kill Luke if you're the one who has to do it. Stop stressing yourself out, everything will work out the way it's supposed to."

"Maybe you're right. I just hope Luke is killed before we bump into him." I sigh, wondering if what I said was true. Why is everything so complicated?

"I do, too."