Sorry for the late update! I had to go to my Dad's house for a while and I couldn't write. But I finally finished it :D Enjoy!

~Ohsnapitspercy~

Chapter 4

Cesar Flickerman's voice echoed throughout the room. "Welcome, everyone! I'm Cesar Flickerman with this year's Hunger Games Training Scores!"

The words 'District One' appear on the screen along with the scores of the two tributes. Most of the Careers got tens. Surprisingly, the twelve year old from District Eleven got a seven.

When District Twelve appeared on the screen, I leaned forward.

"From District Twelve, Peeta Mellark… With a score of eight." Cesar announced.

I smiled at Peeta, who had a relieved look on his face. "We can work with that." Effie said

"Last but not least, from District Twelve, Lexi Stalde… With a score of ten."

My mouth dropped. A ten? That's the same score as the Careers!

There was a lot of clapping and cheering. I looked at Peeta. "They can't count District Twelve out this year." He whispered.

We all ate dinner, which consisted of pot roast and mashed potatoes.

I might actually have a chance at this. I could go home.

I ate quickly. When Effie dismissed me, I went up to my room to go to sleep. I slipped a nightgown over my head and lay in my bed.

As soon as my eyes closed, I drifted off to sleep.

I was in the arena again. The same girl that had attacked me in my first dream was dead at my feet. I had a bloody sword in my hand.

"May I present to you, the victor of the Seventy Fourth Hunger Games, Lexi Stalde!" Cesar's voiced announced.

I was the victor.

I rode home on a train with Effie and Haymitch. I saw Haven first, hugging me and kissing my cheeks. Dakota was there too, jumping up and down and clapping. My brothers, my dad, everyone I loved.

Suddenly the crowd parted and a woman with black hair and dark eyes emerged.

"Mom!"

My head shot up. I placed my hands over my face to try to stop the tears that were threatening to spill. I told myself over and over that she was gone, and there was nothing I could do.

I lay awake the rest of the night until Effie came to wake me. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My face was red and puffy from crying all night and to make things worse today was the interviews that would be shown on every television in Panem.

After thoroughly washing my face, I hopped in the shower.

Effie was going to teach me 'how to behave like a lady' today and I wasn't too excited for it. She had left a long silver dress on my bed. It was sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline. The light skirt was glittery and fell past my feet. It was beautiful.

There was a pair of sparkly silver heels to go with the dress. They were at least three inches tall. I slipped them on my feet and tried to take a step. The heels got tangled in my dress and I fell forward.

I can't believe Effie wants me to go to breakfast in this.

After a few more attempts I decided walking wasn't an option. I crawled out of my room and into the elevator.

I got to my feet as the elevator doors opened. Using the walls for support, I took a few unsteady steps towards the table.

Effie gasped at the sight of me. "We must get started right after breakfast!"

I rolled my eyes and sat down, trying to enjoy my meal.

~O~

"Stand straight and let go of your dress!" Effie exclaimed.

We were in my bedroom. Effie sat on my bed while I tried to master walking in high heels. The fabric of my dress kept getting caught on the heel of my shoe causing me to trip. I was getting better though, I could take a few steps without falling.

Effie looked at her wristwatch. "Our hour is almost up! You must learn this quickly or you will make a fool of yourself in front of all of Panem."

I released the skirt of my dress and it fell to the floor. I took one small step after another and reached the other side of the room.

"Well done!" Effie praised. "Now try to walk back."

I tried to walk back at my normal speed and succeeded.

Effie told me I could change into some regular clothes. I put on a blue and white checkered dress with spaghetti straps and black tennis shoes with white laces. It felt good to be back in normal clothes.

I met Haymitch downstairs to talk about my interview.

"So, how did it go with Effie?" He asked as I entered the room.

I sighed. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Haymitch studied me for a moment. "Anybody that's seen you would think you're a girly girl who likes to dress up and be pretty. But anybody that has talked to you knows that if you're angry enough, you could take out a whole army. I think we should combine fierce and girly and use that as your approach."

"Wait a second. What makes you think I could take out a whole army?" I said.

"One of the other mentors told me about what happened in training when you were using the sword." Haymitch raised an eyebrow at me.

My face grew hot and I looked at my feet. "Sorry."

"I just want you to know that you aren't going to get a sword in the arena. Even if there is one in the Cornucopia don't go for it. If you get it Cato will hunt you down and kill you for it now that he knows you can use it. Your training score doesn't help that either. Once you're in the arena get as far from the Careers as possible." Haymitch said.

Haymitch opened his mouth to say something else when my Prep Team entered the room. They escorted me to the remake center and ordered me to lie on a table. They took my clothes and placed them in a nearby drawer. Octavia approached me first with the substance she put on my legs last time that I learned was wax. She put it on my legs once again and ripped it off.

It took all my strength to keep my mouth shut. By the time she had moved onto my left leg, I was biting my lip so hard I had drawn blood. She also put the wax on my eyebrows and above my lip. She did my lip last and I let out a scream.

"It's alright, you're finished." Octavia patted my face and waved Flavius over. His orange corkscrew curls bounced on his head as he strutted over to me with a hair brush and hair ties. He also had my orange, red, and yellow ribbon in his hand. He started to fishtail braid my hair. I tried to watch but I could only see one side of my hair. He caught me looking and let me hold a mirror so I could see. Flavius was definitely my favorite member of the Prep Team.

When he had finished it was perfect just like before. The vibrant ribbons brought out the golden flecks in my light blue eyes. "You look stunning, Miss Stalde." Flavius whispered.

"Thank you and you can call me Lexi."

He gave me a friendly smile and walked away. Venia came over to me and picked up my hand. She grabbed a white ball soaked in a clear liquid and wiped off my nail polish. She re-did my flames so they looked exactly like they did before.

She grabbed a colorful bag from a desk and pulled out a compact. I recognized it as powder. She lightly dusted it on my face and then packed it away. She applied a light pink blush and white eye shadow. She also drew a thin line of black eyeliner with a wing on the end, completed with mascara. To finish it off, she put red lip gloss on my lips.

Venia held a mirror up to me with a large smile plastered on her face. I smiled to, once I had seen the wonderful job she had done.

My Prep Team scurried out of the room and a few moments later, Cinna entered. I wasn't as frightened to see what I would be wearing this time because Cinna's last design was marvelous.

He unzipped a white bag that I assumed held my dress. He pulled out a gorgeous mermaid style red gown. It had one ruffled strap that went across my right shoulder.

I slid the dress over my body and crossed over to the mirror. I let out a gasp as I got a glimpse of myself. I was stunning. The dress made me look radiant, like I was glowing.

"Spin for me." Cinna whispered into my ear.

I turned in a circle. My eyes widened as I was engulfed in flames.

I turned to Cinna and smiled, he had done it again.

~O~

"Ladies and gentlemen, from District Twelve, Lexi Stalde!" Cesar yelled into the crowd.

I stepped onto the stage. I only had three short minutes to win over Panem.

I sat down in the white chair next to Cesar Flickerman, the announcer of the Hunger Games. He greeted me with a handshake and started to speak. "Okay Lexi, we've all been wondering who it was you volunteered for. You didn't share a last name so we know you aren't sisters. So who was she?"

I cleared my throat. I had known that this would be the first question and I was ready for it. "Her name was Dakota Enloft. Before the reaping, I had never met her. But during the film I promised her she would be safe. When she was picked she looked so scared, I knew I had to do something. So I volunteered." I remembered what Haymitch said, girly but fierce. "Besides, I still have a chance at winning this. You can't count District Twelve out this year."

The crowd roared and I knew Peeta and I were going to be a favorite among the Capitol.

"We most certainly cannot." Cesar said with a chuckle. "So tell me Lexi, is there any family back home you want to win for?"

"I am definitely trying to win for my dad, my two brothers, Ryett and Xander, and my twin sister, Haven."

"That's very touching, Miss Stalde. We have time for one more question; do you plan on having any allies in the arena?" Cesar asked.

"So far it's just me and my district partner, Peeta Mellark." I quickly replied as the timer buzzed.

Cesar and I both stood. He grabbed my wrist and raised it into the air. "Lexi Stalde, the girl on fire!"

I exited the stage and made it back to my seat before Cesar called Peeta's name. He mostly got the same questions as the other tributes, except his last question was how he thought we would do in the arena.

"Well, Lexi is strong, smart, and resourceful and I have some talent that could be useful. If we stay together, I say there's a chance one of us could win." Peeta answered.

"Good luck to the both of you." Cesar stood and raised Peeta's hand in the air. "Peeta Mellark!"

Cesar ended the show and we were all dismissed. I didn't have a chance to talk to Peeta before he went to his room. I wanted to thank him for what he said about me.

Not wanting to bother him, I went back to my room and showered. I carefully laid my dress on the dresser and changed into a nightgown. I crawled into bed and pulled the thick blankets over my face. I shut my eyes and sleep overcame me.

Thank you for reading! Please review and favorite! I hope you enjoyed and may the odds be ever in your favor!

~Ohsnapitspercy~