I jumped up and down and shook my arms rapidly. This was it. Tonight, I would be scored and judged by the Gamemakers. I was still in my room. In 5 minutes we would be called out by Tammy to head to the Training Room. I looked into the mirror I now stood before.
I was wearing the assigned training outfit from the Capitol. A 6 imprinted on the front and back. My District. I looked at my face. My light blue eyes that looked like crystallized water. They were my father's. He had always had the softest eyes with a hint of wisdom, just like mine. The tone of my skin was a lighter peach color. I didn't have that fair of skin, but I was definitely white, with a slight tan. My nose was straight and narrow. Not long, just narrow. It was kind of a mixture of my mother's and father's noses. My dad's was straight - but wide. My mom's was narrow - but curved downward. Not like the witch kind, but you know. My muscly form had been the result of hours working in the railroad factories, packaging bags, tying bags, and providing for my family. I wasn't huge like Pete, but I could definitely beat up 75% of the tributes this year. Which is good, while I'm in the Hunger Games and all. My blond hair was inherited from Dad for sure. He had the exact same color and texture of hair as I.
Then there was a knock at the door. I quickly opened it and walked past Melissa. She looked very nervous. Of course I wasn't. I had this thing in the bags! Tammy approached me with a smile plastered on her face. We got in the elevator, and the journey began.
"Jewel Price, report for Individual Assessment," a voice demanded once the tributes were seated in the waiting room. Jewel hopped to her feet at the front of the room. She looked straight at me, winked and flashed me a smile. Then she entered the Training Room. Art went next. Then the kids from 3. Heather looked scared to death. Then Fred, and Diana from District 4. Then 5 went. Cara hurried over to me when she was called, and hugged me before I could react. Then she scurried away.
"Melissa Jennings," the voice called. The girl stood shakily and left. It hit me then that I was next. I cracked my knuckles, rolled my neck, and got ready. "Skye Locksmith, please report for Individual Assessment." Everyone in the room noticed the word "please." I was the only one that the voice had called using the word "please." I laughed to myself, then I walked into the Training Room.
I marched to the front of the room. There was a section where the Gamemakers sat watching me. I faced the Gamemakers, bowed, and announced, "Skye Locksmith, District 6." The Gamemakers looked pleased. Yeah they liked me a lot. I ran to the spear rack and picked one up. It was all uphill from there. Bullseye. Close. Closer. Close. Close. Bullseye. Close. I was doing great with the spears. After a few more, I walked over to the weaponry. Grabbing a sword, I walked to the battle-dummies. Slashing, jabbing, stabbing, I cut through the dummies. I looked really good. Then I pulled a cool maneuver and slashed a dummy in half. For effect, I threw my sword to the ground after I finished. Then I went to the agility station. I hopped threw the obstacles and scaled the rope-net. I was done after that. The Gamemakers, clearly reluctant, dismissed me. They were impressed. Yes, they were, indeed, impressed.
That night, Melissa, Tammy, Conley, Jorge, Melissa's stylist, and I sat around the TV anxiously waiting for the scores. Polis Bugg introduced the show. Then the scores were announced. Jewel got a 9. Art, a 10. Casey also got a 10, she'd be lethal. Then Ray scored a 9. District 3 scored a pair of 6's. Then Diana got a 5, and Fred scored an 8. I kind of ignored District 5's scores. But then it was District 6's turn. "Melissa Jennings, with a score of...6," Polis announced. Melissa looked sad at the announcement. I resisted the urge to smirk. Then it was time for my score. "And then there is, of course, Skye Locksmith from District 6, with a score of...10!" Polis declared enthusiastically. Was it just me, or did he add more suspense than usual. I froze in the midst of the sudden congratulations and cheers from Tammy. I got a 10!
Greg got a 7, and Pete got an 8. The rest of that night was spent celebrating. It was so surreal. I had scored the same number as Art and Casey! I really was "Career material." Even if I never will be a true Career. Pete did well, and Greg didn't do too bad. Then suddenly Tammy was all concerned about the Interviews tomorrow.
I made her shut up eventually and dragged my butt to bed. But that night after falling asleep, I did have a dream. I was back in 6, in my home, sitting at a table. Then Jesse ran up to me and said, "They're here! They'll hunt us down! They know your secret Skye!" I stood up alarmed. "My secret?" I asked. Then Jesse disappeared. Art and Jewel appeared in his place. Then everything was in slow motion. Art pulled out a large knife and a malicious grin spread across his face. I was getting very creeped out. Then Jewel winked at me and whispered in my ear, "You're amazing." Then Jewel disappeared, and I faced Art alone. Still in slow motion, Art reared back and threw the knife at my face. I watched in horror as it neared me. Then just before the tip should've hit my face, I woke up frightened and drenched in sweat.
I did my best that day preparing for my Interview. The act was going well. It would be easy to get the Capitol on my side. Heck, they already loved me. The Interview would be a piece of cake. But last night's dream still haunted me. Would the Careers discover my ploy? That was the biggest concern I had about the Games. But I had to focus on the Interviews. I still had a day before the Hunger Games began. I needed to enjoy it.
Before I knew it, the time had come for the Interviews. I made sure to put my belt on with my blue suit. The silver one I had received as a District token. I had been wearing it every day since training began. I still wondered about "Anonymous," whoever the person was that had given me the belt. I silently thanked them and swore that, if I survived, I would seek out the sender of the belt and thank them in person. "Come on," Tammy greeted me. Then we entered the elevator.
"Ladies and gentlemen may I present, Art Phelps!" Polis introduced on the stage. Art ran out onto stage for his interview. The whole Capitol was there to watch. I trembled, standing in the middle of the line of tributes waiting to be interviewed. I waited through countless discussions. Jewel actually mentioned me. "Have you made any friends, Jewel?" Polis had asked. "Well, a couple. I'm getting really close to Skye from District 6," was Jewel's response. I was surprised at that. Finally Cara was called to the stage. I was next. Polis Bugg finished up with Cara and then finally the time came.
"I'm sure many of you have waited anxiously to meet him in person...let's hear it for Skye Locksmith, of District 6!" Polis practically screamed over the roaring audience. I walked out onto the stage. The blast of light disoriented me for a moment. But I quickly waved, and smiled at the screaming Capitol. I noticed a few posters held high by some people. One read, "Skye Locksmith, will you marry me?" Another said, "Hottest Hunger Games Victor of all time: Skye Locksmith." I laughed to myself at the last one. Taking a seat across from Polis, I pointed to the sign that said, "Skye Locksmith, will you marry me?" and nodded. Screams erupted from that area in the audience.
"Wow, wow. You've got some fans Skye," Polis commented. I shrugged. "I guess so," I replied lamely. The crowd eventually fell silent and we continued. "So, how are you feeling about the Games coming up?" Polis inquired. I grinned and leaned back in my chair. Putting my hands behind my head in a comfortable position, I responded, "Oh, I've got this Polis." The Capitol ate this up! Whistling and screaming immediately came from the audience. Polis smiled. "I'm sure you do. But we're all wondering; Skye, are you single?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Everything was quiet. It seemed like the crowd was on the edge of their seats in anticipation. I slowly answered smiling, "Yes, Polis. I am single." More enthusiasm from the Capitol. I could hear a few female squeals. Polis laughed. "That's hard to believe! Well, Skye, how did you react when you earned that 10 last night?" he continued. I shook my head. "Polis I was upset!" He looked taken aback. "W-Why? That was an amazing score," Polis complimented. I smiled. "That's kind of you Polis. Really it is. But," I stood from my seat shaking my fists, "I should've had a 12!" The audience went nuts! After regaining control, Polis pointed to my pants and asked, "Where did you get the belt?" I looked down and back up. I grinned and replied, "Well this is my District token! You like it?" Polis answered positively. We finished the interview with a little bit of small talk, then I was dismissed.
After the rest of the interviews, we came back to the District 6 penthouse. I briskly walked to my room and locked myself inside. I slid down to sit against the door. Tomorrow was the Hunger Games, and I had a lot to think about.
Jesse. Mom. Dad. Gerald. Sydney. My other friends. How would they react if I died? Would they EVER recover? I knew Gerald would would. He would help the others get over it as well. If I knew anything about my best friend, then I knew he would help everyone get over my death. "But I'm not going to die," I told myself. That's what I always say to reassure myself. But what if I DO die? The idea was suddenly becoming real to me. If Art decides that I'm not worth it, it would be only too easy for him to kill me when I least expect it. If Jewel takes advantage over me and kills me, I would be done. If Pete or Greg betray me, I would be done. If the Careers discover my plan, I would be done. If I don't find enough supplies, I would be done. If I get ambushed by anyone that doesn't trust me, I would also be done. The risks were numerous, but I also had a large chance for my plan to work. If it did, my alliance and I would be in an excellent position. I went to bed on that thought.
As I lay there, in that bed, for the last time, I had a more positive thought on my mind. If my plan succeeds as I think it will, I would be a Victor.