Chapter 9
I stepped into the spotlight and people cheered as the lights beamed down on me, I twirled as I walked up, ruffling the black feathers, making my shoes glisten in the light. I smiled as they cheered louder. I sat down and crossed my legs, showing off a lot of skin. They crowd loved it as I laughed and smiled, trying to cool myself down by fanning my hands. "Now that was a hot entrance, want to tell us about it?" Caesar said leaning into me. I rolled my eyes playfully, "What's to tell, didn't you see it?" I teased. "Your outfits are amazing, secrets say you designed them yourself," I nod "You heard right. The chariot ride was my idea. I actually stabbed my stylist so I could plan the show. This outfit was all his idea," I gestured down to my legs and traveled up, the crowd cheered. "You are defiantly an interesting tribute. With your whole story, traveling from 2 to 10, your father dying. Now fighting against 3 maybe 2 best friends. Are you scared?"I tried to laugh but could only manage a chuckle and a snarky smirk. "Ask me after I kill them all."The crowd roared."Now what happened with Will? What's going on with Cato? So many questions." "Boys," I sighed and the crowd laughed. "Will and I are through after that night as I am sure you all saw." They nodded. "That hurt my heart to know he felt that way and after that I couldn't stand him. All I wanted to do was help but I guess he's on his own. Poor loser." The crowd laughed but also felt sad. "Oh don't feel bad. We tried did we not Panem to help him? He doesn't care about people, he is planning to die. I plan to give you a show," I say proudly and they cheer louder and louder, becoming more and more in love with me. "With Cato… I have to admit he's a pretty big boy," I wink and they all laugh. "Do we plan on seeing you to together? We've seen you both sneaking off in the training arena," I chuckle. "Would you like us together?" I say turning to the crowd and they all stand up and cheer. I laugh at their amusement. "Just make sure to keep me alive and I'll see how much I'm willing to reveal about my love for him-. Whoops." The crowd aws at my love, clapping louder and louder. I stand up and wave, making my way off the stage. "Where are you going?" He begs and I smile tauntingly. "the interview over," I say just as the buzzer rings for the next contestant. "See you for my next interview after I win Caesar," I say before walking off stage, making the crowd want more.
I go behind stage to feel someone shove me against a wall. "Your love for me? That makes me look soft you bitch!" Cato screamed in my face. I pushed him off "I gave them what they wanted" I say and he just looked at me furious. "I never said you loved me back. They want us and I want us but it's not happening with this game," I say. I know the cameras on us. He snarled. "It would have never happened." He stormed off. I kicked the table near me for action. "You'll regret this Cato!" I heard the crowd aww, almost to tears at us. Job well done.
I walk up to his room and see him smiling. "Nice job" He says to me and I smile back. "Your acting is to good, almost hurt my feelings if I had any." He patted the seat beside him. "We play the crowd good." I leaned into him, felt his arm wrap around me. "Things are getting to confusing" I joked. "In the arena we'll just have to wrestle a lot, be partners in crime, help each other but still strong. Slowly you try to tell me you love me but I blow you off. Finally you tell me and we both win the games." He assured. I leaned my head against his shoulder and relaxed. This is going to be an interesting Hunger Games.
I went to bed early that night, maybe around 9:45 or so. I slept wonderfully; enjoying everything the capital had to offer before I went into the arena and wasted 2 weeks of my life sleeping on the ground. My dream was a little scary, running through the woods and Cato and Clove teaming up on me, killing me. I awoke soon as the sun rose and took a long cold shower, letting it wake me. I stumbled out of the shower and slipped on a thin dress before ordering food to my room. I ate slowly and soon fell back to sleep.
My prep team came barging in about 2 hours later, excitedly talking as they combed out my hair, cleared my skin of blemishes, painted my nails clear and French tipped them, giving me a pink line across it with a diamond. To show I was still fabulous as a farmer. But in my heart I wasn't a farmer. I was from District 2.
They dressed me in cargo army pants, a black v-neck, good wool socks and running tennis shoes (Which I ordered, I hated running in boots) and a rain proof, thermal sports jacket. They put my hair in an intricate style, having it all up and away from my face and neck. I had no makeup on besides sun screen. It was perfect. They cried as I said goodbye. I had grown close to everybody, even the Avox said goodbye to me. I hugged my mentor and told everybody I would see them soon. They smiled at my confidence but still worried. I liked them all that they cared so much. I slowly stepped into the tube and heard it close behind me. I waited.
The tube rose into the air, slowly. Slowly. I waited. And soon I was blinded with sun. At the immediate moment I hit the surface I heard the voice. . 41.40.
I looked around at the tributes, some scared, determined to get the hell out of there. Cato and Clove had the same expression on their face, kill. I felt the urge to smirk, to feel the joy of about to kill. It was so strong and finally I couldn't hold back. I had the same look on my face as any of the careers.
.28.
I saw Will staring at me, his face full of sadness, a bit of nervousness, worry. Maybe he was still worried for me. I wondered if he still believed I had humanity in me? But then I heard my mentors voice "Be who you are" Maybe he didn't want me to help Will, maybe just… then I remembered Cato's voice "Show him who you are and he'll leave you" Maybe they were both right, Will doesn't except me for me. Just the censored me. What if he used me? No, he wouldn't. We had grown close. Maybe that was his plan. He was right. The town hated me because every year with my training I built up there hope but in the end we still lost. He grew close to me so I wouldn't think he'd kill me. That was cold.
.11.
I felt the fury grow inside me and bent my knee's down to prepare to run. The careers focusing on me, now happy they see I feel the same way they do.
.
The countdown grew slower and slower.
3.
2.
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