Ella saw me and asked, "You finished your chores?"
I nodded. "Then you can start your dress for the royal ball that's tonight," she said eagerly.
I rolled my eyes and replied, "Who cares? I can't go anyway. And don't bother picking out a dress either."
"Why not?" she asked, clutching Mother's dress.
I grinned and answered, "Because Caesar Flickerman is coming to interview us and we're gonna be on national TV in Panem—meaning everyone will be watching—and our stylists—Cinna, who was Katniss's stylist at the last two Hunger Games, will be your stylist, and my stylist, Casca—will be picking out our outfits. I hope you're not afraid of fire, Ella," I finished.
She put away the pink dress she'd been holding and said, "Come on. You should probably tell Stepmother you're not going to the ball." I nodded, agreeably—I just had to not let information about the interview slip.
