Sorry for the lateness I don't know why but I get so damn distracted when I'm on my computer.
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Annie
Out of the twenty-four tributes, nobody spoke. Not a peep or a whisper came out of anyone's mouth. Maxem was to my right, and the tribute boy from 3 was to my left. The boy had outsized deep set eyes and he scratched at his pale skin nervously when his District partner got up. I felt bad for him, and District 3 tributes in general. There stuck in between two Career districts. He seemed almost nervous around me. I actually thought he thought I smelt bad. But then I realized he was scared of me. Me; Annie Cresta, seventeen years old, a week ago I wouldn't hurt a fly, and now I would be dragged into the Hunger Games.
Finally he got up. Then soon (almost too soon) enough my name was being called by a mechanical voice. The room was dead silent, all of the Gamemakers different colored eyes were on me.
The Head Gamemaker got up, I think his name was Duran Linkinlogi, "Show us what you can do Annie Cresta."
I immediately walked over to the knot-tying station and made a few elaborate knots, I carefully set them on the table, hopefully the Gamemakers could see, I also made a trap and dragged a dummy over and placed it in it. Thankfully the trap worked and threw the dummy in the air and held him in place. The dummies plastic head hit the ground with a loud thud and bounced back up. I didn't expect that, I peered at the dummy's head there was a huge crack. It looked like the trap could do so much more damage. The Gamemakers looked impressed.
I walked over to another dummy, and pushed it onto the ground. I started to recite things that my instructor showed me how to do. I straddled the dummy and grabbed its neck and twisted it hard to the side, the head went sideways with a loud squeaking sound. My cheeks reddened as I got up.
"You're free to go Annie." One of the Gamemakers said.
Freedom in the Capitol? Ha, yea right. The Gamemakers kept eyeing my up and I realized I forgot to do everything else like my climbing skills, and fire starting. My hands trembled as I walked out.
No way would I get a good score.
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If Maxem was worrying, he wasn't showing it. "What did you do?"
We both knew we weren't supposed to talk about it "Well I beat up two powerless dummies. What about you?"
"Very scary I bet the Gamemakers were shaking in there funny beards and mustaches. I threw a spear and trident until I was told to go." He shrugged
I ignored the first comment. Huh, so he didn't even do any knot tying or show off his climbing skills. Maybe I still have a chance. What am I saying? They Gamemakers would give Max a score just purely on his muscle definition.
Finnick and Mags walked into the living area. Mags sat down and Finnick turned on the T.V. My heart pounded.
Simon`s cruel face came onto the screen. She got a 9, Lilac did too. Kanda got an 8 which surprised me. While Wyatt scored a 10. The District 3 tributes got low scores under 5. Maxem got a 9. He looked pretty happy and proud.
Then my face came on…
I got a 7!
Seven was good! Seven might keep me alive just a tiny bit longer. Maxem high fived me and Mags tried to get up to hug me, but I didn't let her. She seemed too comfortable in the chair and I didn't want to ruin it for her.
The next few Districts varied, but none of them got higher than seven. Garran got an 8 and Alanna managed to get a 5 doing who knows what.
Again all of them got lower than a 7.
After watching scores I headed off to go to bed. Finnick followed me.
I spun around and glared at him "What do you want?"
Finnick put his hands up in surrender "I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
I nodded "Okay. I guess I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pried into your personal life." Then there was silence. "Finnick? Do you think I actually have a chance in the Games? Do you think I could win?"
I braced myself for a bad answer. "At first I didn't, but seeing you in the training center made me think otherwise. You're a fighter Annie. If you put your mind to it, you could win."
"Thank you Fin."
He nodded "Now go to bed, we have lots of work to do tomorrow." Then he left.
I think I would sleep better knowing Finnick was no longer mad at me.
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First thing in the morning Justine came and woke me up, squealing at the door. "Wake up! We have to get you ready!"
After a few times of that she gave up and stormed in, opening my curtains and turning on the harsh, bright lights. She yanked the covers off my body and screamed at me. When I finally got up she wouldn't even let me change out of my pajamas and almost didn't give me breakfast.
The next hours were like torture. Justine would make me walk in high heels. Which I couldn't walk in at all, she made me smile so much I was scared my face would be permanently stuck like that.
"Almost make it look like your dancing okay sweetie… okay no… no like that." She would go around adjusting my stance, and she'd even grab my cheeks and make me smile even bigger. Once she seemed satisfied she kicked me out of the room and told me to go find my other mentor.
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Finnick was in no mode to actually have a normal conversation. He was right into business. We tried multiple things. Sexy, cruel (which we both knew wouldn't turn out well), mysterious, humble, quiet, and sweet.
"I think will do a little bit of everything. You'll be mysterious, funny, sweet and be a little humble. Be radiant." Finnick explained. "Basically be yourself Annie. You're all these things."
He thinks I'm radiant? I smiled a little. "Okay."
Finnick would question me with the Capitol's funny accent, which caused me to snicker.
"What?" Finnick asked. "You are going to be questioned by Caesar, he has a funny accent. You would look a little crazy and rude if you laughed at his voice."
"Okay. I'll try not to laugh."
He asked me more questions in an even higher and ridiculous voice, sometimes I would laugh but I managed to contain it for most of the hour.
We finally got up and Finnick lead me to the door. "Good luck little mermaid."
I wasn't sure what he was talking about. The interviews or my prep team.
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The process wasn't as bad as the first time. They waxed me again, which I didn't get, it's not like my hair grew that fast, dipped me into an assortment of stinging lotions that left my skin smelling very good and untangled my hair.
After all that they did my makeup, they all crowded around me, painting my face.
Brigum came in holding a large garment back after they finished. He smiled, kissed my cheek and opened the garment. I saw white. Loads of it.
"Close your eyes." Brigum commanded.
He placed the fabric over me. It felt soft and silky and it was obviously a dress.
"Open."