A/N: Hey, thanks for all the reviews! SO EFFING SORRY! I feel horrible. FINALS KILLED ME, but they're over! :) I wanted to address some things though. One, I know you guys want Gale & Katniss love. But, I can't guarantee that. I am still working with Peeta on the scene as well, so I'm taking it slow.

Also..HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! to flamingarrows roxyrox29! One question..is that two seperate usernames, or one?

Chapter 9

Seneca Crane stands before me, towering above me in his expensive suit.

I scoot back my chair, and stand up clumsily, making a lot of noise. "So..um.."

I open my mouth, ready to apologize, but at the last second my mind changes. "So what?"

Seneca sighs. "An apology, perhaps?"

I shake my head. "Uhh...no. I mean, it wouldn't be the truth."

Seneca turns to Effie. "You see? They're all ungrateful. No appreciation."

Effie surprises all of us. "Maybe, Seneca, you should apologize."

Seneca's eyes widen with shock. "What?"

"Just because they are from District 12 doesn't mean they should be neglected," Effie says.

Seneca looks annoyed. "We'll talk later, darling."

Effie huffs. "We shall."

With that, Seneca merely glares at me and exits.

Haymitch snorts. "That was great."

I look at Effie. "Why...why would you defend me?"

Effie's eyes widen. "Well...because...I meant it. Just because you're from the worst district doesn't mean you should be treated differently."

Everyone is in stunned silence.

I address Haymitch. "What'll happen? Will they punish my family?"

Haymitch shakes his head. "More likely make your life in the arena hell."

I let out a sigh of relief. "At least Prim'll be safe."

Haymitch just shakes his head again and stands up. "Let's just call it a day. Tomorrow'll be prep for the interviews. Each of you will get one hour with me and Effie. Night." He lumbers out of the room.

Effie says, "Goodnight." Then she is gone, to confer with Seneca Crane, no doubt.

Gale walks over to me and grabs my hand, directing me to our bedrooms. Peeta awkwardly walks a few steps behind us. We don't talk, and inside I feel panicked, knowing that bad things would happen to me for my offense.

We reach my door, and I hug Gale. Even though we've been in the Capitol for a week, I swear I can still smell the smoke of the Seam lingering on Gale. It is familiar, and it calms me a little. "Night Gale."

He smiles at me. "Night Catnip." He kisses my cheek. He does it every night now, ever since we arrived here.

I look over his shoulder and see Peeta staring at Gale, with a mix of envy and awe in his eyes. I don't understand it at all. "Peeta."

He glances away, embarrassed.

I release Gale, and he walks away. I go over to Peeta, who is already leaving. I grab his arm. "Night Peeta." I let go, walk away, and don't look back.

The next day, I get stuck with Effie first. Gale was having a session with Haymitch. Peeta volunteered to do his sessions after we were both done. Great, dealing with Effie.

Effie is sitting on the bright red couch, her skirt straightened, her hands in her lap. "Punctuality is an attractive trait, Katniss. You would do well to remember that." She stands up. "Now, on to the lesson."

She picks up a long, narrow stick that I didn't see on the couch. She circles me, then gently whacks my back.

I straighten my back. "What the-"

Effie tut-tuts. "Posture is important. And language as well."

I groan.

"Learn to stop complaining." She grins suddenly. "Like this. You are irritating me, but I'm pretending to be happy."

For the whole long hour, I endure Effie's training. I walk with books stacked on my head, strut around in six inch heels, practicing waving "properly" (according to Effie), and curtsying (although why, I don't no. No way in hell I'm curtsying).

Finally our session is over, and I can't wait to leave.

Effie, on the hand, isn't as happy. "Oh no! We still had so much left to do!" Her tone is laced with disappointment.

I try to sound sorry. "It's okay Effie. Thanks for your help!"

I practically skip over to where Haymitch and the guys are working.

Gale waves, then head on over to find Effie.

Haymitch says, "Sit down, hurry up."

I plop down. "So what?"

He drums his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "Now, sweetheart, we find you a personality."

"Wait, what?" I ask.

He leans forward. "You are boring. So far, I've only seen you act hostile and mean. That doesn't fare so well with the audience, not to mention sponsors. We need to make you interesting."

I am slightly offended. "How is that going to work?"

He sighs. "For example, you could work a mysterious angle. Or perhaps friendly. Or maybe sexy."

I nearly choke. "Sexy? Not happening."

He eyes me. "You're right."

Time passes, and I am not sexy, or mysterious, or friendly, or anything.

Haymitch slumps on the chair and grabs a bottle of liquor out of his jacket. I guess he stored some in there too. "Sweetheart, just to be NOT mean or hostile. Just try to show some kind of emotion. Because right now, you're reminisce of a dead slug."

That really stings, and I guess Haymitch knows it too.

He pats my knee. "Sweetheart, just try your best."

I jerk away and run to my room and stay there until I fall asleep.

The next morning at the dining table, Gale looks at me, his eyes filled with concern. "What happened yesterday?"

I avert my eyes. "Nothing."

"Uh-huh." He pauses. "You tell me, I'll tell you."

I give in. "Haymitch basically compared me to a dead slug."

He laughs. "You think that's bad? Effie was batting her eyelashes at me every five seconds. I thought she was having a seizure. I asked if she was okay, and she got all offended."

I can't help but laugh.

Peeta quietly sips some juice. "Tonight's the interviews."

I stop laughing. "Yeah. Are you ready?"

Peeta lets out a short laugh. "Not even close."

And for the rest of the day, the three of us stew about the upcoming interviews.

"Gale, Peeta, Katniss. It's time to prepare for the interviews." Haymitch and Effie push us into the elevator and we are whisked away by our stylists.

Cinna smiles at me. He opens his arms for an embrace.

I hug him. "Cinna."

As Cinna works on me, I rant. "I don't know what to do! Haymitch called me a dead slug!"

Cinna taps his index finger on his chin. "Act as if you're talking to a friend. To me. Could I be considered your friend?"

"Of course," I say softly. "I'll try."

At last he pulls out a wrapped dress. "Here's your dress."

I gasp. The dress is gorgeous. It is a sheer gold color, with sparkling and shimmering touches on it.

Cinna smiles proudly. "When you move, it will blaze like a fire. Suiting for a girl on fire."

I hug him. "Thank you so much, Cinna."

He smiles again, then says, "Come on! Put it on!"

I undress quickly, then Cinna helps me slip the dress on. He pushes me towards a full-body length mirror and when I look into it, I cannot believe the sight before me.

I hesitantly touch the glass. Is that really me? Shining and sparkling?

Cinna beams behind me, then glances at his watch. "It's time to go, Katniss." He ushers me out the door and into the elevator.

We are taken to the underground section of the stage on which the interviews will take place. The other tributes are already lined up and ready to go.

Cinna hugs me one last time. "Good luck, girl on fire." Then he leaves. I find Gale and Peeta, and they both do a double take when they see me.

Gale murmurs, "You look beautiful."

"Thanks," I mutter nervously.

Peeta nods in agreement. "Amazing."

The butterflies in my stomach just won't stop.

A/N: Review please! :) follow me : the-capitol-couture . tumblr . com