Chapter 6: The Interviews

Iris' POV

My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I squeezed into the dress for my interview with Caesar Flickerman. I would be talking in front of all of Panem, and I couldn't help but feel nervous. The dress that Miles designed for me was different from my own for the Introduction Ceremony. It had jagged ends and was still a light green (apparently green was my color). It had a bit thicker straps than the other one and it sparkled. I had a darker green shall to go around my shoulders and my hair was pulled back by a headband. My shoes were flats this time, thank god. They were light green with small gemstones in them like the dress had. Miles was going for innocent looking, but fierce because of my young age.

"You look wonderful!" Miles exclaimed, putting his hands together and smiling.

"Thanks," I murmur, unsure what to say now.

"Does it feel more comfortable than the other dress?" He asks, becoming a bit more serious now.

I walk around in my room as I say, "It's a bit tight, but that's alright."

Miles nods and says, "I had to go down to the smallest size."

I just shrug and say, "It doesn't matter, I like it. Thanks a lot, Miles." I turn to look at him and force a smile on my face.

But he can see my horrible acting. He becomes serious as he comes over to me and rests his hand on my shoulder. "It's going to be alright," He murmurs to me, "There's no need to be nervous."

"All of Panem will be watching though," I argue, my voice trembling a bit.

"Just be yourself," He smiles comfortingly at me, "They want to see the real Iris. This is your time to show them you can be tough."

"I thought I did that in the arena" I say.

"This is where they get a good look at you," Miles explains, "you want to show your toughness before, not during. Right?"

"I guess so..."

"Right," He nods, "So get on out there, you'll do great."

He kisses my cheek before leading me out into the hallway. Sage is waiting with his designer, Raphael. Jake is also standing there with Sarina on his other side. Sage is wearing a nice suit with black pants and black shirt. His hair is normal, not slicked back or anything. He looks more...normal than me. Maybe that was Raphael's point.

"Ready?" Sage asks, forcing a smile to his own face.

"The most I can be," I breathe with a shrug.

"You'll both do fabulous!" Sarina said, her perkiness not so annoying right now, "Don't put any doubts on yourself."

Easy for you to say, I think inside my head.

We're ushered into the elevator and before I know it, I'm back stage. I blink, wondering how these elevators can get to so many place, but move out. The other Tributes are there, some are pacing, some are talking to their mentors, while others are just standing there. I can hear the roar of the crowd and people are setting up the stage. I gulp, trying to keep my own nerves down.

Suddenly, the lights dim and the lights turn on, on the stage. We're pushed in line and Sage is standing in front of me. He practically blocks my entire view, but I refuse to look around like a curious little kid. That would look horrible. So instead I just follow the others as the audience claps, hoots, and hollers for us. I try not to flinch at the bright lights as I take a seat next to Sage. He glances at me, his dark blue eyes sparkling with worry and nervousness, before turning his attention somewhere else.

Caesar Flickerman comes out. He's very young and I think this might be one of his first Hunger Games. He looks probably around 20. He waves his hand towards the crowd, a grin spread on his face. He has pure yellow-gold hair as he faces to the crowd.

"Welcome! Welcome!" He says, "Are you ready to hear the voices of our young tributes?"

The crowd shouts with excitement as he takes his seat. He turns to Zach, the boy tribute to District One. Zach comes off as a bit cocky and selfish. He obviously has never faced the starvation the other Districts have. Then Melissa comes up, the girl Tribute for District One. She's a bit hotheaded, but keeps a cool sense to herself. She sounds sly and the way her voice sounds is like a dark purr. I force myself not to shiver.

Up next is District Two. Gray goes up, being as he normally is. He's tough and cocky like Zach, but he has an attitude that can clearly be seen. When Caesar asked him what he planned to do in the arena, he said, "Take down as many as I can. I'm not afraid of little kids." I knew that was directed solely at me. But then Kellie, the other tribute for District Two, comes up. She seems tough but shy. I'm surprised though, because by the looks of her she seems like a Career, but because of her quiet voice I don't think so. I guess I'll find out.

District Three goes through. Sky goes up and he seems like a quiet man. He seems smart and by the looks of him, he obviously wasn't one of the richest people in District Three. Then Melony goes up. She seems so selfish it makes me want to scream. Definitely a career.

Finally District Four's two tributes, George and Emily, go up. Then District Five, Ash and Samantha. Finally District Six goes up. Peter is first and he seems tough and mysterious. I don't' think he'll be a career, but you never know. Then Nyla goes up.

"So, Nyla," Caesar says, "What are things like back at home in District Six?"

Nyla pauses, thinking over her answer. She looks strangely calm. Finally she says, "It's nice and quiet. It's only me and my dad. My Dad's an inventor so we get a lot of money in from the Capitol, but..." Her voice fades off as she continues, "I guess I was never really close with my father. But he's become very ill now, so I'm determined to win so that he can get the right medicines to survive."

I swear, I thought I saw some people crying in the audience. And yet, these are the same people who might watch her die. It makes me sick.

Caesar rests his hand on her knee and said, "Then good luck to you then."

Nyla just nods and gets up and off to the backstage. The next Tributes from District Seven go, Paul and Dawn. Then District Eight, Faith and Lucas and then District Nine, Scott and Megan. The people from District Nine don't look too tough, I think even I could take them. But I don't think about that because of the nervousness that's creeping up inside of me. It's almost my turn. Then District Ten go up, Cole and May, before it's District 11's turn.

Then Sage goes up. He sits down in front of Caesar as Caesar starts talking.

"Sage," Caesar begins, "How do you like it here in the Capitol?"

"Well," He says, "The foods better. But I'm sorry to say I can't bring myself to eat any meat."

"Don't you have meat in District 11?" Caesar asks, shocked.

Sage shakes his head, "No. Most people don't have enough money to buy it, and we mostly just eat vegetables and fruits and herbs. That's all we have." He shrugs because we both know it's fact.

"Well you should try some, it's delicious," Caesar laughs before going on, "So, what's your family like back in District 11?"

"They're great, and I really miss them," Sage confesses, "I've been working on the Plantations after school to help support them, but I don't think it's enough."

"Just think," Caesar says, "If you win, all those problems go away."

"That's true," Sage agrees, nodding.

"So," Caesar continues, "What's your favorite thing about the Capitol so far?"

"The comfy beds," Sage smiles a bit, "It's a lot better than what we have at home."

Caesar chuckles as he says, "Yes, they do make the beds pretty cozy don't they? Now, how about we talk about your score. You got a 10, didn't you?"

I think back to when we preformed in front of the Gamemakers. Nothing interesting happened, though I ended up with a 6. It's not the best, but it's better than I had planned.

"Yes, I did," Sage murmurs.

"How did you pull it off?" Caesar tips his head to one side.

Sage just shrugs and says, "I didn't do much really. I just shot some arrows with the bows. I guess they were impressed."

"I'm sure they were!" Caesar exclaims. Then he and Sage stand up and they shake hands as Sage walks off stage. Now it's my turn.

I get up on shaky legs and walk over to Caesar. His eyes soften at me, noting how young and small I look. We shake hands before we both sit down.

"So Iris," He begins, his voice a bit kinder than to the others. I hate that. "How does it feel to be the youngest one here?"

I pause for a moment, thinking of my answer, my heart beating in my chest so hard I can hear it. I force my voice not to shake when I answer, "It's a bit odd, and somewhat frightening. But there's nothing I can't do that they can."

Caesar nods and says, "Spoken like a true champion. But, is it really true that you guys up in District 11 don't eat meat?"

I can't help but laugh. Maybe it's from hysteria and nerves, but also because it seems so normal to us, and not so much to them.

"Yes," I say, "My mother used to hunt because…well…I don't think life in District 11 suited her well. But she usually sold it, so I never had a taste of meat. I think she was the only one who hunted back at home."

"Does she still hunt now?" Caesar asks.

I gulp as I feel that same lump in my throat return. Caesar doesn't know, none of them do. So I can't blame him for asking the question.

"No," I say, can't help how I sound weak and vulnerable, "She died two years ago."

The crowd gasps in unison and Caesar's expression becomes solemn and mournful.

"I'm sorry," He said, "I wouldn't have asked if I knew."

"It's ok," My voice sounds rough now as I try to control the sadness that shakes inside of me, "Not a lot of people know."

"Do you mind if I ask how she died?" He continues, curiosity blending in well with the pity.

I hesitate this time. I don't know how the Capitol will like it if I explain her death. Would they want the others to know the harsh treatment of breaking the rules? Oh well, I should take a shot anyways.

"It was when they were still building the walls to keep out the people in forbidden land," I explain, "She accidentally crossed the border and killed a dear. The Peacekeepers found out and killed her.

Silence greeted me and even Caesar looked shocked by my answer. They obviously didn't know the harsh punishments up in the Districts, and just by crossing the border and killing another it would mean death. I just stare at my hands on my lap, unsure of what to say or do.

"I'm very sorry," Caesar says. Then he smiles again and says, "Let's try to brighten things up. So how do you feel about being chosen?"

I frown as I think it over, not so nervous anymore. But finally I say, "I'm not sure really." That's a lie, because I know how I feel. I feel scared, timid, weak, and vulnerable. But I can't show that. "But I know," I continue, "That if I go back, I'll never feel the same."

"And why's that?" Caesar asks.

"Because I won't be able to just look at someone and see a person," I explain, "I'll look at them and wonder if they were the ones who voted on my name, who chose me, to end up here. And I know a coupe of other tributes who share my feelings."

I look backstage at Nyla, who is watching me with unreadable eyes. She just nods as I turn my gaze back to Caesar.

"I can understand that," He nods before standing up. I stand up also and I shake his hand before going back stage and letting the District 12 people come on.

"You did great!" Sarina says, "You got a lot of people to like you by talking about your mother."

"By talking about her dead mother?" Jake raises his eye brows.

"You could see their expressions," Sarina says, staying firm.

Sage just looks at me and asks, "Are you ok? You looked a little…I don't know, rough, when you were talking about your mother."

"I'm fine," I wave my hand dismissively.

"Well," Jake says, "Let's wait till the District 12 people are done before we head back to our rooms."

We all nod in unison and watch the other interviews, all the time thinking of what the others are thinking of us and if they have any pity that only one of us will come back alive.