I lie down on my bed and think about what just happened. I got a seven in training! I got better scores than half the tributes that are older than me. Katniss got an 11, which was the highest score this year and Peeta got an 8. I think about Katniss and how much I admire her. She's smart, kind, and, according to her 11, very good. I wish that we could be allies, but what kind of person like her would ever want to team up with me? You could be helpful says a voice in my head, but my poor self-esteem powers over it. I fall asleep wondering how I could possibly stay alive for even 10 seconds in the Games.

When I wake up, I feel too lazy to take a shower, so I just put on some fresh clothes and walk to the dining room. Everybody but Thresh and Chaff are there and I'm wondering where they are. I say good morning to Tibithia and Seeder and sit down.

"So, what's on the agenda for today, Seeder?" I ask.

"We'll tonight are the interviews," she starts. Shoot! I forgot all about that last night. I didn't prepare! My thoughts must have shown through, because she smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'll train you a bit and so will Tibithia." I wonder what things Tibithia could teach me. Probably adequate things; if so, I'm in for a ride. A slow, boring one. But Seeder won't be so bad.

"Sounds good," I say, which isn't entirely lying.

"Okay," Seeder says, "Thresh is with Chaff right now, so you'll be with Tibithia." Great. After breakfast, I go with Tibithia to a medium sized room, slightly smaller than mine.

"Okay, Rue," Tibithia starts, "For 4 hours, we'll be covering posture, talking, manners, smiling, and of course, heels." Oh no. Than she squeels, "This is going to be so much fun!" Well, It isn't. She coaches me on how to sit up straight, but not like a board, talk in a genuinely sweet voice, say "please" and "thank you" when nessasary, and of course, successfully walk in heels, though I doubt I'll be wearing them. The heels are painful and this is when I get agitated. Fortunatly, I don't outburst and scream every foul thing I can, though at times I want to, and I make it through the four hours "nicely".

Finally, after lunch, I get to go work with Seeder.

"Well the first thing we need to think of is your angle for the interview," she says. When she sees my confusion, she explains, "Are you arrogant?"

"No," I reply.

"Provocative?"

"Definitely not."

"Deadly?"

"Yeah, totally," I reply, full of sarcasm.

"Okay, Smartie-Pants," Seeder laughs, "How about sly?"

"Nah."

"Enjoyable?"

"Maybe."

"Ooh, how about magical?"

"Magical?" I scoff.

"Yeah," Seeder replies, "like fairy-magical. Sweet. Cute."

"Okay," I say slowly. We work on being "magical" and it's clear I'm doing a good job. I feel more prepared and by the time Kasul comes to get me for pysical preparation, I'm ready for anything that comes my way.

Hasex, Yaley, and Tarew work tirelessly, rubbing me down, oiling me, applying make up on me, and making me shine. When I look in the mirror I see that my skin has a slight green tint to it and my eyeshadow is a light emerald shade.

"Wow," is all I can say. My prep team looks overjoyed that I'm pleased with it. They say goodbye and leave. Kasul comes in and greets me.

"You are just going to love your dress!" he cries. Kasul goes into another room and comes back with a dress bag. He smiles sheepishly and says, "Close your eyes." He slips the dress over me and I open my eyes. It's a knee-length, light green dress with puffed sleeves and little wings attatched to my back. Kasul adds two bows on each side of my head for a finishing touch. I look in the mirror again and all I can think is magical. I guess Seeder was right.

"It's perfect," I whisper, "Thank you, Kasul."

"No problem," he says, "Now let's get you to that interview!"

We meet the whole 11 crew at the elevator and my heart starts pounding. Can I do this? It doesn't matter anyway, because I have to do it. We go down to the interview place and take our seats. Caesar Flickerman gets the ball rolling with a few jokes and then Glimmer is up. She's wearing a very provocative dress and that's obviously her angle. The rest of the Careers go and then we're to 5. The girl, her name is Finch, is very confident and does well with her answers. Nothing else really stands out except Yexan trying to be tough. He doesn't do a very good job. I'm up next.

I walk on the stage quietly and smile a bit like Tibithia told me.

"Hello, Rue," Caesar greets and invites me to sit down. "So, tell me, young lady, what are some of your strong points?" he asks.

"Well, I'm a very good climber, and I'm pretty resourceful, too," I reply.

"Really? How so?"

"Umm, I know how to make fires, food, and shelter with very little supplies."

"Good skills to have in the Games," Caesar says, nodding.

"Yes, sir," I reply and he laughs.
"No 'sir' if you'd please," he says, "We're just two friends here, having a nice, sweet chat." I nod. "So, what do you think will be your saving grace when you're being hunted?" he asks.

"Well I'm pretty fast," I say, "So, if you can't catch me, you can't kill me." He nods.

"That's good. Now, tell me about your training score. A seven is a big score for one so small."

"I guess the Gamemakers liked me," I say with a smile.

"I guess they did," he replies matter-of-factly. My buzzer goes off and I give a cute, little wave to the audience. I thank Caesar and walk off stage. Phew, I did it. I'm so glad it's over, though it just means I'm one step closer to slaughter. I sigh and absentmindedly watch Thresh's interview. His angle is sullen and hostile, which is not at all like him. His buzzer goes off and Katniss goes up. She is so beautiful in a dress that has so many jewels; it makes her appear on fire! She talks about her score, her outfits (even spinning), and her 12-year-old sister, Prim. I wonder if that's who I remind her of. Last is Peeta and he goes up on stage. Caesar and he joke around a bit and then get more serious. Caesar asks him if he has a girlfriend in 12 and he admits that he has a crush. He later says it's Katniss! Oh my goodness! The cameras focus on Katniss and she blushes and looks down. It must be so mortifying! Peeta and Caesar talk a little more and then Peeta sits down. Caesar wraps it up and we leave.

When we get off the elevator I wait around a little, because I feel like just standing there. A minute later, I hear a loud thunk from above. Huh. That's District 12's floor. I wonder what happened. I then hear loud voices and I realize someone must have fell or something. I go to the dining room and find everyone waiting for me.

"You did great, Rue!" Tibithia cries, "Even though 12 did better, you did great!" Gee, thanks. I think.

Dinner is a blur and all I remember is Tibithia telling Thresh off for not sitting straight enough. I excused myself early and now lay in my bed thinking about what is to come tomorrow, when the gong sounds.