Chapter 6:

I walked into Kendall's room, and see him lying on his bed. "So, are you going to tell me how you got that 8 when I have never seen you touch a weapon?"

I think he knew I would ask this eventually, so he sighs and pats the space next to him on his bed for me to sit. "First, you have seen me use weapons before, you probably don't remember," he starts to explain. I must have a confused look on my face because he quickly continues explaining. "When I was five, before father died, he would sometimes take me with him into the woods and show me how to use an ax. But I never liked the ax. What I really liked was to throw knives. I started to get really good because I would practice every day. But then father died in the accident, and I didn't touch the knives again. I immersed myself with helping around the shop."

"I never knew that. Why did you never tell me?"

"It was never brought up," he explains. "And I didn't think it was important."

"Ok, so you have this secret hidden talent with knives," I say, trying to figure out this entire thing. "So what did you do in your private session?"

"Threw some knives around. Did some fancy tricks with rolling and stuff. Nothing that spectacular. I'm honestly surprised I got that high of a score."

"Wow," I say. "I kinda did the same thing. I threw some knives at dummies and I did a roll, except I threw an ax after. I guess we really are siblings." I can't help but laugh a bit at our similarities.

"I guess we are," he says. "Alright, you need to get to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow with the interviews and what I'm sure will be another day in hell provided by our prep teams."

I groan at the thought. "Fine, I'll go to sleep," I say as I get off his bed. "Goodnight Kendall."

"Goodnight Lauren. Remember, you can come wake me up if you have nightmares. I really don't care." I smile at him and then close the door.

Once in my room, I grab some soft pajamas from a drawer and put them on, then crawl into bed. Kendall is right, I do have a big day tomorrow with the interviews in the evening. So I'll try to get some sleep.

I wake up to Cresselia knocking on my door and shouting something about needing to work on stuff for the interview. I take a quick shower and pull on the first things in my closet. Then I head out to see what Cresselia has planned for us before the prep teams come.

"It's about time you got out here Lauren," she says when she sees me. "No matter, you're here now. So we have four hours before your prep teams come to get you ready. You will each spend two hours with Stefan working on what you will say during your interviews and two hours with myself on posture and how to act. Lauren, you'll be with Stefan first and Kendall you'll be with me."

This should be a fun morning. Two hours straight with Stefan.

Stefan and I work on trying to figure out some way for how I display myself. We try several things, but they are a disaster: girly, humble, sexy, humorous, and distant.

At this point, I'm tired of everything. "Why can't I just be myself?"

Stefan spits out the water he was taking a sip of and starts laughing. "No one will like you if you do! You aren't exactly the nicest person. And nobody will want to sponsor you."

After that last comment, I just stay quiet for the rest of the time. I figure I'll think of something to do. If not, I'll just be myself no matter what Stefan thinks. But then it's time for my two hours with Cresselia. And I thought the hours with Stefan were bad.

So apparently, I have been walking with the wrong posture my entire life, I don't sit right, and I fail miserably at walking in the four-inch heels she has me practice in. She was getting mad at me, and eventually just gave up. I never thought I would be glad to see my prep team arrive. They were my saviors from Cresselia. They started to work on my makeup, hair, and they repainted my nails.

Soon I was almost ready, and Logan arrived with my dress in a garment bag. "Hello, Lauren. Looking beautiful as always, I see. Now, let's get this dress on you! Close your eyes, I don't want you seeing until we are done!"

I listen to him and close my eyes. I can hear the bag being unzipped. Then the soft fabric is being slipped over my head. My hair and makeup are touched up. I am helped getting on a pair of flats. "Ok we are done. You can open your eyes."

I stare at the mirror, amazed at how beautiful I look. My dress is dark green, strapless, cinches right below my bust and poofs out towards the bottom. At the tightest point, there is a brown sash tied around. It goes to just above my knees. My hair is in a low side ponytail and curled. My eyes have a smoky look to them that bring out the green. All over my body I have gold powder.

I just couldn't speak, it is so perfect. Logan comes up behind me to look at my reflection with me. "You like it?" I shake my head no.

"I love it Logan. It's absolutely perfect!" I say and hug him. He takes my hand and leads me downstairs to the lobby of the Training Center where everyone is gathering.

I see Kendall and walk over. He is wearing a dark green suit that matches my dress. We talk a bit before we are lined up with the rest of the tributes. And then, we're walking onstage.