Chapter Seven:

Alamea, Kalea, and Dara greeted me early that morning. I sat up, squinting at them. "What are you three doing here?" I yawned.

"Going to get you ready for the interview!" Alamea said cheerfully. "Come on!"

Shampoo, conditioner, soap, special skin stuff, perfume, makeup...ugh, I'm going to die. Dara had just covered me with a light robe when Haymitch chose to barge in. Rude, I know.

"I need to talk to my tribute," Haymitch growled at them.

They left, and I'm not surprised. He was being completely and unattractively rude.

Haymitch sat down, looking me in the eye. I thought he was going to comment on the makeup, but instead he growled, "You don't have Seam eyes."

I gaped at him. "You're insane, Haymitch."

He gave me a surly glare. "As I was saying, you have an interview. When we have these interviews, we always have a way that the tributes come across. Your mother was impossible." He rolled his eyes at the thought of my mom. "Now, Peeta on the other hand was brilliant. He has a certain charm with crowds, which Katniss says you don't have."

"I hate crowds," I said quickly, which easily supported his statement.

"Well, there's no chance that you can come across as mysterious or sexy. No offense, sweetheart. You just aren't as...well, lots of boys lust after certain tributes, but you aren't one of them. Sorry. You could come across as sweet."

So we tried this. Did not work out. Every time Haymitch came close to asking about Hearth, the attempt went down the drain. Haymitch gave up on sweet pretty quick. Shy? Nope. Not timid enough.

"Stop being so hostile!"

"Why can't I be hostile?" I snapped.

Haymitch tried to be patient with me. I know he did. But it was difficult. He suggested humble. I remember my mom telling me when he tried to help her with the interviews. I remember her story of how Cinna had to help her.

Humble didn't work either. Haymitch said, "You are much too straightfoward, sweetheart!" He turned around, glaring at the wall for a moment. "Get your prep team back in here. I'm going to get your mom. I give up."

He walked out, and Kalea, Alamea, and Dara walked back in.

"I'm happy to see you," I said honestly as my preparations came back up.

They finished quickly, brushing out my hair.

Adeon came in. Trust me, I was never happier to see anybody.

"What are you planning?" Adeon asked.

"I don't know," I said hopelessly. "Haymitch gave up on me. He told me I'm too straight forward. Like my mom."

Adeon started working in silence. He fish tail braided my hair, and put a pretty clip in my hair. "Close your eyes," he said, smiling. "Surprises are funner than knowing."

I closed my eyes, and he helped me in to something smooth and comfortable and light.

"Open," he said softly.

I opened my eyes and looked at the full length mirror. I was dressed in a blue strapless dress with a beautiful light blue skirt. It had a slit up my leg but a white skirt underneath showed up instead of my leg. There was blue flowery designs on the dress. I twirled, watching my reflection.

"Wow," I whispered. "I look..."

"Like a princess." Adeon put his hands on my shoulders. "It is so you."

I shrugged, laughing shyly. "No. I don't normally look pretty."

"You are too. Be yourself, Laurel. You are beautiful." He smiled comfortingly at me. "Cedric will think so too."

My mom walked in, thanking Adeon, and walked with me out. "Be careful, Laurel. You will know what to do when the time comes. Sit patiently, don't fidget. Everything will work out."

I was about to say sarcastically, "Thanks, mom," but I was pushed in to the car with Cedric. Mom, dad, Haymitch, and Adeon disappeared.

"You look beautiful," Cedric whispered.

"Thanks. You look great too."

It was true. He was dressed in a black suit with a blue tie that matched my dress. We got out and sat down at the end of the tribute line. As my mother and Effie had instructed, I sat with my hands folded and waited patiently and politely, although I was getting really impatient and nervous as time went on. These three minute things took a long time.

"Welcome Laurel Mellark!" announced the all orange Caesar Flickerman. He was dressed in orange. The same color orange as a flame, like my fire girl costume.

I walked up to him, smiling politely and shaking his hand. He asked me a few questions.

"I have so many questions!" exclaimed Caesar. "Number one; So, that kiss you and Cedric had on the chariots..."

I felt myself blush. With a shy laugh, I said, "It was just out of anxiety. It wasn't real."

Caesar passed this by, and asked, "And that 11? Just like your mother!"

"Ha, I try," I laughed.

"Tell us about it!" encouraged Caesar.

"I...I thought I'm not allowed to."

Caesar shrugged. "Aw, too bad. So, what do you think of the Capitol?"

"It's been fun so far. I really like that salad...um, the potato salad that I've been served for breakfast for the past four days," I told him.

"Yes, I think everyone enjoys the food here," Caesar said with a smile. "What about that chariot fire girl dress?"

"Absolutely amazing!" I exclaimed excitedly, jumping up. "It was epic, riding out, our outfits flickering behind us and our heads on fire!"

"Do you have family and friends that miss you?" asked Caesar.

I hate talking about how much I miss my family. It hurts too much. "M...my brother, Hearth. My two best friends, Alden and Blythe."

"You like your home?"

I wanted to snap, but I refrained. Carefully choosing my words, I replied, "Yes. I like it a lot."

With a reassuring smile, Caesar asked, "How do you plan to win the Games?"

"Oh...I'm going to catch everybody by surprise," I said wittily.

"Well, nice to meet you, Miss Mellark." As the buzzer went off, I went to sit on my chair again, feeling much more relaxed. "Welcome Cedric Hawthorne!"

Caesar and Cedric talked easily. Cedric was lots like my dad. He could speak to the crowd. Somewhere near the last minute, Caesar asked if I was Cedric's girlfriend.

"I wish," Cedric said softly. He stood up, looking in my direction. "I love you, Laurel."

There was an AW from the crowd. I stared at him, and remembered my mom's words. You will know what to do when the times comes...

I stood up, staring at his eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to settle my nerves. Now I understood what this was all about. Haymitch, Cedric, my mom...trying to get sponsors. And, for some stupid reason, defy the Capitol. I had to play along. I said to Cedric, "I love you, too, Cedric."