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Larron Arlett
District One Male, 18 Years Old
"To start off the night, we have Ines Maiva of District One!"
Ines walks onto the stage to start off the interviews, and although I wanted to wish her good luck, I know I can't. She's not an ally – none of my allies even want me to regard her as my District partner. I can see why, really, since she has ignored us all and blatantly rejected our offer for her to join us.
That's her choice, though. A stupid one.
She never even gave us a chance.
I had a talk with her about it, but both of our mentors interrupted and stopped me. Apparently, Ines doesn't like being talked back to or something like that. Whatever, it's her own fault. Everyone else in the alliance doesn't feel any sympathy for her, so why should I?
I used to like her, but now she's just another tribute. Another face in the bunch.
She isn't supposed to mean anything to me.
None of them are.
"How do you see the Hunger Games, Ines?"
"You know," she says, way too casually. "I appreciate the way they keep the Districts separated, but what's the point other than that? All of the rebels are dead, anyway. Won't this just make the Districts want to revolt again?"
"If you feel that way, then why are you here? You did volunteer, didn't you?"
Ines rolls her eyes. "To improve my life back home. That's all."
Behind me, I can hear Caelia snicker, and as I turn around, her and Darien are whispering to each other. They're making faces and mocking whatever Ines says. It's funny, but I don't laugh. That's just petty.
"Now, to introduce Larron Arlett of District One!"
At the sound of my name, I spin around, immediately stepping onto the stage. I pause for a moment to get myself ready; I put a smile on my face and walk with confidence. Or try to, at least. My head sways side-to-side as I approach Caesar, who already has his hand out for me to shake.
I wrap my hand around his and bring my other hand to place it on top of his. As I shake it, Caesar laughs, but I'm not sure why. I haven't even done anything yet.
"Welcome, Larron. How are you doing tonight?"
"I've never been better," I say. "Really, this is all so exciting."
"What is?"
"Being up here right now. The anticipation for tomorrow. Seeing all of these interviews."
"You're only the second one," Caesar says, getting a laugh from the audience. I shift in my seat, just realizing how stupid that must have sounded. "I'm glad you're excited, though. It's nice to see someone so prepared for what's ahead of them."
"I am, Caesar," I reply. "I am prepared."
Caesar throws his hand up in the air, bringing it back. "Everyone says that, but what makes you stand out, Larron? What separates you from the rest?"
"I'm an individual," I say, smiling. "I may not be the strongest, or the fastest, or the smartest. I'm a combination of all of those, but it's my character that stands out the most about me."
"Interesting," Caesar says, nodding. I glance at the crowd for a quick moment, the lights and muffled claps distracting me. "And what about your alliance? Tell us about them."
"My alliance is a varied pack," I answer, shrugging my shoulder. "We're all different people with different skills, but somehow, it works."
"We'll see about that," Caesar answers as he winks and stands up. He holds out his hand and I follow the gesture, standing up and standing forward towards the audience. "This was Larron of District One! Round of applause for the gentleman."
He shakes my hand again, and as I walk off the stage, I stare at Caelia who's already getting ready for her interview. She winks at me and I smile back. Walking towards the back corner, I take a seat and watch the rest of the interviews.
I'll try not to compare myself to them, though. That will only make me feel bad about myself.
"Come on out, Caelia Harlow of District Two!"
We all watch Caelia as she steps onto the stage, pausing for a moment as a wide smile appears on her face. She tilts her head downwards, giving everyone the kind of face you'd see in your nightmares. The audience is already screaming her name and whistling – for a lot of reasons, probably. Her training score. Her looks. Her personality.
Everyone already knows who she is.
Caelia and Caesar engage in conversation, with Caelia cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. She seems confident, but in almost a humble way. She's patronizing, definitely, as she talks about District Two and how superior it is. Caesar moves onto the competition in general, and as her interview comes to an end, Caesar wants some final words from her.
"What's one thing you want to say to your competition, Caelia?"
Caelia gives a toothy grin, gripping the armrest with her fingers. "If you don't want to be killed, stay away from me. I will kill all of you if I have to. "
It's probably best to listen to her.
"Up next is Darien Faust!"
Darien walks in his typical fashion, rather slowly and without much enthusiasm in his face. He sits down across from Caesar, and as he talks, I try to think back to times him and I have interacted. Him and Caelia are cliquey together, anyway, so I haven't really had any relationship with him.
I know I'm not supposed to form any bonds or whatever with people here, but with people like Darya or Trent, I can't help it. They're nice people and it makes me feel less lonely.
"Why are you here, Darien?"
"I'm here to win, naturally," he says, emphasis on each word. "I'm here to live, not to do something as stupid as dying with honor. I'm here to return to District Two as victor."
If I were him, I would have answered that differently. The way he said those words, it was so basic. So simple. It just makes him look some egotistical Career, but I can assure everyone he's much more than that. Cocky, sure, but all of us are in some way.
Like, I can safely say I have nice hair and nice skin.
Not everyone can say that.
"District Three is next up with Emery Adrion!"
The girl from Three prances onto the stage, all giddy and happy. I smile at her as she takes her seat on the stage, so eager to talk to Caesar and to impress everyone in the audience. She seems sort of immature, but I can see why she's like this; being up there gave me a rush, just like Emery is feeling.
All of the attention is nice for once.
"What did you think of District Three, Emery? What do you miss the most?"
"That's a good question," Emery says, mostly speaking to herself as she taps her finger on the edge of the seat. "The people! I always liked the people, even if my parents weren't a big fan. I always liked playing in the streets with the other kids and helping clean up all of the garbage."
A few people behind me snicker as Emery babbles on and on while talking to Caesar, but who are they to judge? Emery is enjoying herself, so what does it matter to them? Besides, she'll probably attract a lot more sponsors than anyone else.
Even if she's not my ally, I can recognize that she's good with people and attention. She would have been a good addition to the Careers, but it's too late for that. She's with her District partner, anyway.
Emery comes off the stage, grabbing the boy form Three's hand and bringing it up to her chest. She smiles at him, and in return, he barely gives her a smirk. I stare at the two of them for a bit, but as the boy's name is called, he pries his hand away from her.
"And here is Gage Orsini!"
Once Gage steps onto the stage, he shows everyone his smile and as the cheering gets louder, he doesn't seem fazed by it. The camera shows us the front view of his face and from the look on his face, you can tell he's already comfortable and that he has the personality to do well. He shakes Caesar's hand forcefully, going right into the conversation. They talk about Gage's views on the Capitol and what stood out to him, about the food and people, and then asks about his life back home.
"How was your life at home, Gage? Your family, friends?"
Gage rolls his shoulders, sitting up in the seat, looking at Caesar directly. "I was born into an average family with an average lifestyle," he replies. "It was all average. That's it."
The way he answered that makes him seem unimpressed with it or even discontent. I wouldn't blame him, though. If I were average or lived an average life I wouldn't be too happy either.
"From District Four, we have Darya Mercado!"
At first, Darya seems rather unimpressed by her surroundings. But, when you look closer at her, you see her lip trembling as she tries to keep a smile on her face. She was always one of the more quiet allies I have, but that's what I like about her, I guess. She's not so bad when you get to know her, even if she can be snappy sometimes.
I pay close attention to her interview of all people, since Gloss recommended that if the Careers ever split, that I go with her. If not, he wants me to kill her, but even then, I'm not sure I could do that. Kill an ally? Could anyone ever do that?
It wouldn't be justified. To me, all killing should be.
"What made you volunteer, Darya? What are you fighting for?"
"I have been training for many, many years, Caesar," Darya replies, her voice a little shaky, but as she speaks, she gains composure. "I volunteered to prove myself – not just to others, but to myself."
Caesar nods his head, his hands clasped on his lap. He goes on with the interview, asking her silly questions about like what her favorite food here was or what her favorite sight was when she looked out her window. Darya answers all of the questions, physically getting more comfortable as it goes on.
Is this what I looked like during my interviews?
I did as best as I could.
Caesar stands up and hugs Darya, wishing her good luck in the Games. The audience claps and as she begins to walk off the stage, I contemplate going up to her and talking to her, but she probably wants to be left alone. She's always like that, and as she walks passed me without even looking up, I sense that she's in some deep thought. She worries too much – to me, anyway.
She shouldn't be so uptight with things. She should be more relaxed and take things as they come like I do.
"Here comes Trent Ethillion of District Four!"
Trent swaggers onto the stage, broadening his shoulders and swinging his arms. He keeps his head cocked upwards, looking down at everyone below as he smirks and winks. When Caesar extends his hand, Trent grabs it, embracing Caesar in one of those hugs that Trent always does.
I think he's too touchy-feely.
Just from the first few moments, I can see the charisma Trent always boasts about. Usually, I'm put off by egos, but at least with Trent, he can back it up. He has the audience laughing loudly, even Caesar. You can tell he's enjoying all of the attention too. At first, I didn't really like his personality, but I got used to it.
He's not as bad as some other tributes here.
"How does it feel to be the leader of the Careers, and not to forget the highest scoring tribute here?"
Trent shrugs his shoulders, as if it's not some accomplishment. He scrunches his nose and smirks. "There's room for improvement. For both things, that is. I'm worth more than a ten and my alliance isn't nearly as perfect as it should be."
I respect that he's not lying. We have flaws for sure, but we aren't the worst or the weakest alliance here. Individually, I think we all have potential, but when we come together, it gets iffy.
We'll work on it. We might not have all the time in the world, but once we hit the arena, we'll figure it all out.
As Caesar dismisses Trent, they embrace again, with Trent bowing afterwards. He walks off the stage, still facing the crowd and waving. It's people like him that make me think back at my interview, to see what I could have done better and what I didn't do at all. During the interviews, your personality is supposed to shine.
People like Trent have that covered.
I think I do, too. I have the personality. I'm quirky enough, and being put in front of all of Panem on television screens will not change that. Them attempting to exploit me won't make me feel, act, or think differently.
I will stay true to myself.
And if that isn't good enough for someone, then I don't care. I'm here for me – to be myself.
I'm not here to prove anything to anyone.
I am me.
And everyone has to accept that.
Dalton Taylor
District Seven Male, 15 Years Old
"Next up, Clara Novisont of District Five!"
The District Five female, Clara, makes her way onto the stage, her long dress almost getting stuck under her heels. She walks casually across the stage, not looking at the audience or even Caesar. She sits down without shaking his head or responding to his greeting, all of the things she's doing being what my mentors told me not to do.
This is for the Capitol. For sponsors.
She's just sabotaging herself.
Clara and Caesar go back and forth for a little bit, but it's nothing significant. Clara is off-hand with her comments, barely responding to Caesar's questions and speaking too softly for anyone to hear. When Caesar asks about her opinion on the Capitol, however, things change. A sudden rush of emotion seems to surge through her.
"The Capitol? It's a joke!" Clara spits out, her voice quavering. "If they ruined your family, Caesar, would you like them? If they tore apart your family and killed them, what would you feel?"
Caesar shifts in his seat, fixing his tie and attempting to come up with a response. Clara looks physically angry now, her hands wrapped around the armrest. I never knew anything about her, but either way, this is no way to act in front of a crowd. All of the Capitol, and even the Districts, can see this.
Caesar wraps up Clara's interview, and as she walks off the side of the stage, she leaves before Caesar dismisses her. The audience is quiet, except for a few claps and whistles here and there. She's angry, determined. She wants revenge. But, will that help her in the Games?
Clara's District partner, Garret, is up next. He's quieter than Clara, not saying much and only nodding his head. He seems friendly enough, and for a moment, maybe I could have allied with him, too. Salya said that he caught her eye, but Taima got to him before we could. Caesar asks him about his alliance, his life back home, and what he thinks of the Capitol.
Garret's interview zooms by and I don't pick up on much. That doesn't mean I can disregard him, though. They're all competition to me, all people I have to look out for.
"May I introduce to you Liora Marcette of District Six!"
Just from the way she walks onto the stage, I can tell she's someone to look out. She strides over to Caesar, keeping her chest puffed out and her shoulders broadened. She faces the audience, waving and smiling and doing all of that. If I were in that audience, I'd be captivated by her already.
She's the one the Careers let into their alliance.
Salya isn't a big fan of her.
"Welcome, Liora!" Caesar, holding out her hand and kissing it gently. "You look exquisite today."
Liora giggles, shooting a glance towards the audience as her curled hair drapes over her shoulder. She looks back at him, a smile on her face that looks like no other. "Thank you, Caesar," she says. "I owe it to my stylist. Pure genius, really."
"Couldn't have done it without you, either."
Liora winks, and as Caesar and her go back and forth, I know that she's doing her interview well. She's saying exactly what she has to, what she needs to, and she's coming off as someone the Capitol would want to sponsor. I can see why the Careers recruited her, but still, something seems off.
Why would she be there in the first place?
After Liora's interview is done, Zimmer is up next. He's the one that's allied with Garret and Taima, who Salya also isn't a fan of. He stumbles a bit as he walks up to the stage, giggling at himself as he sits down. He seems much more energetic than anyone else that has gone so far.
"How are you today, Zimmer?"
"I am great, Caesar!" Zimmer says, sitting up in his seat. "I mean, despite the impending chance that I might be dead tomorrow, I am superb."
Zimmer cracks a few jokes, all making the audience laugh. He seems to really be enjoying all of this screen time and attention too, with the way he looks at the audience and how comfortable he is. He even makes Caesar laugh, which is something you don't see too often.
The interviews are all about personality, and Zimmer has the personality it takes. So did Liora.
But, do I? Does Salya?
Zimmer walks off the stage, and as Salya takes her place, I wave to her. She nods her head back to me, and when Caesar calls her name, she goes. She walks rather stiffly, but maybe that's what she's going for. She takes her seat, and after a few simple and broad questions from Caesar, he asks her about how she'll win the Games.
"By being observant," she replies, and I know that's one of her big things. "I'll always be one step ahead of my competitors, always knowing their move before they do it."
"And what about your ally?" Caesar asks. "What about him?"
"Dalton and I are allies who have each other's back," she says, putting a smile on my face. "Nothing can get passed us."
All bias aside, I can see Salya and I doing well in the Games. We do have each other's backs, and we wouldn't let anyone hurt either of us. I trust her more than anyone else, too. She's not just my District partner, but also my ally.
"Next up is Dalton Taylor of District Seven!"
Salya passes by my side, tapping me on the shoulder as she passes. As soon as I walk onto the stage, I widen my eyes for a moment, the blinding lights and cheers hitting me right in the face. I grin, taking my seat across from Caesar quickly.
"Welcome, Dalton," he says, shaking my hand. "Let's cut right to the questions, shall we?"
I nod my head, saying, "Yes, let's do that. It is why I'm here, isn't it?"
"Now, Dalton. How was the transition from District Seven to the Capitol?"
"Well," I say, wanting to answer truthfully. "There aren't as many trees and patches of land. That's what I miss the most – the outdoors."
"You don't like the skyscrapers and hovercrafts?"
"Of course I do, but I appreciate nature more. Things are in District seven are laid back and more connected to the land."
"I understand," Caesar says, nodding. "Now we all know you're willing to fight to go back to District Seven, is that correct?"
"Yes, it is. I will fight to go home, and now, with Salya by my side."
"I understand you and Salya are allies, as we've established in her own interview, but what is your insight on it? How do you feel about this alliance?"
"I am confident in our alliance. I know what we're capable of and that we can – and will – do well in the Games."
"I'll be looking forward to that, Dalton. We all will. But, that's all the time we have for District Seven here today, so let's give Dalton here a warm good-bye!"
The audience claps vehemently, and as I look out at them, I smile and bow a little. I walk off the stage, passing by the girl from District Eight, Cerise. I hear her name being called from behind me, and as I pass the small televisions hanging on the wall, I stay put and watch the rest of the interviews.
I'm not sure where Salya went, though.
As Cerise sits in her seat, she seems to have a grudge on her face, as if she doesn't want to be there. She's always had this stand-offish aura to her, and maybe that's why no one ever wanted to talk to her. She doesn't have any allies, I believe.
Maybe she doesn't want one or need one.
"So, tell me about yourself, Cerise," Caesar says, already changing the topic from the last question that Cerise disregarded. "What was life like in District Eight?"
Cerise sneers. "Do you really care? Why would you be interested at all? You just want me to reveal myself to the Capitol. But, frankly, I think it'd be better if were to be mysterious."
"Why do you feel that way?"
"Why would I want anyone to know anything about me? What would I get out of me, and what would they? Being private and closed-off is how you'll win, not by telling your whole life story and everything about you."
Just like Clara's interview, everyone is kind of quiet. Cerise's interviews goes on, with her being snappy to Caesar's questions and twisting his words. As she finishes up, her District partner stands to the side, and when he is called, he walks over to Caesar.
His interview is like Garret's. He answers the questions and talks to the audience about his life, completely opposite of what Cerise had done before. As I watch these interviews, I realize that these are the people I'll be in the arena with. People like Clara and Cerise. People like Liora. In the Games, they'll be out trying to kill me and to get home, just like I am.
In the Games, I have to do what's right.
And if that means to kill or put myself in a risky situation, so be it.
I'm here to win. To return to District Seven, to put my name out there and to show the Capitol who I am and what I can do. I am Dalton Taylor, the District Seven male for the Seventieth Hunger Games.
I can win, can't I?
I can.
Veles Ryman
District Ten Male, 14 Years Old
"Here is Ardell Chanson of District Nine!"
The girl walks onto the stage, her face bespeaking a sense of nervousness. Her smile is shaky, although she's trying hard to keep it up. It's sad to see some of us trying so hard to impress the Capitol, to do everything they say so quickly. Most of us are the Capitol's pawns, doing whatever they want at the snap of a finger – but not all of us.
I'm not the Capitol's pawn.
I would never stoop that low.
As Ardell sits down, she shifts in her seat, looking more uncomfortable than before. After a while, she seems to the swing of things, keeping her face rather consistent and not reacting too wildly to Caesar's questions. When he asks about her ally, Riel, though, she seems to tense up.
"And what about your alliance with your District partner? What do you say about that?"
"What do I say about that?" Ardell repeats, looking off into the distance, staring aimlessly at the crowd. It's mostly silent, except for the few whispers in the crowd. "We make a good pair."
"Just a pair?"
"What else would we be?"
I guess she's rather snappy and defensive. It's only an ally, so why is she getting all worked up? Caesar just asked about how she feels and what she thinks, and then she went off. To me, allies would never mean anything, even if I found myself in an alliance after rolling my eyes and just joining them. Ardell and Caesar finish up, the rest of the interview a blur since Ardell lost her responsiveness.
She comes off the stage, walking right passed her so-called ally, letting him go onto the stage without a smile or wave.
"Next up is Riel Seiholdt!"
The boy from Nine makes his way onto the stage, rather slowly and without much expression on his face. At least his partner, and ally, plastered a smile onto her face. He sits down, shakes Caesar's hand, and then begins to answer some of his questions.
"So, Riel. Tell me about your life back in District Nine. What was it like?"
"It's nice enough. I mean, I could be born into District Twelve and life would be even worse," Riel answers, shrugging casually. "Take what you can get, right?"
Caesar nods, and if I were him, that wouldn't be the answer I wouldn't want. "And what about the Capitol?"
Riel chuckles, readjusting his hands on the armrests. "I can't blame them for their decadent lifestyle. I mean, if I were one of them, I'd probably be one of those Capitolites enjoying the Hunger Games."
When his interview is over, Riel walks off the stage, and as Taima takes her place, I see her whisper something into his ear. Riel just shrugs it off, but Taima is left with one of her smirks on her face. She flips her hair, and as her name is called, struts onto the stage.
"From District Ten, we have Taima Larkin!"
Taima takes her sweet time getting to the seat, already captivating the audience with her waves, air kisses, and winks. She sits down, crosses her legs over one another, and holds her hand out to Caesar. Caesar kisses her hand, and as she takes it back, she giggles.
I really can't stand her.
But, I'll give it to her – it works. This whole manipulative and charming façade.
"Now, Taima. Who is one person you miss the most from District Ten? A family member? A friend?"
Taima looks off into the distance, sighing a little. The gesture makes me cringe, but it works. "I'd have to go with my friend Derrik. We met at school when we were younger and have been close ever since."
"What's one thing you would say to him if he were here today?"
Taima loses her smile, morphing into a rather sullen expression. "That life isn't the same without him. Seeing his goofy smile, hearing his hoarse laugh. It's time like this where you miss certain people."
Taima just makes me want to vomit.
As her interview begins to end, I prepare myself to walk onto the stage, not being too interested in it all. I stand at the edge of the stage, waiting for Caesar to kiss Taima's hand again. When she begins to walk off, I see her roll her eyes, already slipping off a piece of jewelry from her wrist.
"Good luck, honey," she whispers to me, tapping me on the shoulder with her nail.
"Come on out, Veles Ryman!"
Once I walk out onto the stage, the noise and people don't shock me too much, so I carry on. I try to look at the crowd, but my eyes just drift back to the floor and to Caesar. I sit down, my body being too small to even come close to fitting in the seat. Sitting at the edge, I lean forward, trying to look eager – just like my mentor told me to do.
"So, Veles. How are you today?"
"I've been better," I reply, only half-kidding. "Just trying to take it all in before tomorrow."
"Ah! Tomorrow is an important day, don't you think?"
"It sure is, but with my allies, I think we can get through it together," I say, mentioning my allies just like my mentor told me to. I might not care about them too much, but I have to make it look like I do for sponsorship reasons.
"Yes, your allies. We haven't spoken to either of them yet, so you're the first one. Do you all have some sort of strategy for the Hunger Games?"
I begin to shake my head, but quickly stop. I can't let them know that we're unprepared, two out of the three of us destined for the Bloodbath. "We have some stuff planned. I can't reveal any of that, though."
"Then, what can you reveal? You have to tell us something!"
I shake my head this time. "No can do, Caesar."
"Fine, fine. But, what about your life at home? Can you tell us about that?"
Home.
District Ten was a lame excuse for a home. With the people I called my family, the ones who put so much pressure on me.
"There's not much to say."
"Not even about your parents?"
"Especially not about them."
"Time is running out, Veles. Are you sure there isn't anything?"
"No," I snap. "No."
Caesar raises an eyebrow, throwing his arm out to the side. "Well, that's all the time we have for Veles!"
The audience claps and cheers, and as I stand up, I stare at Caesar. I shake his hand, and once I turn around, I feel angry. Angry at the mention of my parents, angry at the mention of my home. I would rather be stuck in the arena for eternity than go back there. That wasn't much of a home.
At least in the arena I'll have freedom.
Back at the side, I sit down on one of the couches, waiting to see some other people's interviews. I'm more interested in my allies, but whatever. I have nothing else to do, anyway.
"Here is Daisy Mills!"
Daisy walks onto the stage, prancing up and down with every step. She seems so happy – and genuinely, too. Not like the façade happiness that everyone else seems to hide behind today. She smiles all giddy-like, sits down across from Caesar, and obediently answers every question to the best of her ability.
It's sad to think that she'll be dead tomorrow. I never had much hope for her – even if she is an ally. I only allied with her because it was convenient for me and because she was a package deal with Allan. Who, unfortunately, I don't have much hope for, either.
"What do you think of your allies, Daisy?"
Daisy perks up, sitting up in her chair. "I love Veles and Allan! They're my best friends! I just know we'll stick together."
I roll my eyes.
Everyone knows she'll be one of the first deaths.
Throughout her whole interview, she never loses her upbeat personality. It may put a smile on some faces in the audience, but it just shows her naivety. She has no idea that she'll be a Bloodbath, yet the rest of us do.
I pity her if anything.
"Up next is Trevor Santos of District Eleven!"
The boy walks onto the stage, his shoulders slouching and walking casually. He takes his seat quickly, kicking up his leg and bringing it across his lap. He leans his head on his hand, staring right at Caesar. Caesar attempts to talk to him, but Trevor apparently doesn't want any small talk.
"What do you think of the Capitol, Trevor?"
"I hate them as much as I hate being here with you right now, Caesar."
Caesar seems in shock, the hostility from one of Trevor's first answers setting the mood for the rest of the interview rather well. Trevor is just aggressive and rude, and although I do admire what he's doing, he's not helping himself out. He doesn't have any allies, either, so he has nothing going for him.
"Thank you for spending time with us, Trevor," Caesar says, a hint of levity in his voice. "We all appreciate it greatly."
"It's not like I had a choice," Trevor mumbles, standing up, already being dismissed by Caesar. "The Capitol never gives anyone a chance."
Trevor storms off the stage, pushing right passed anyone in his way. Caesar just stares after him, as does everyone else, and as Caesar calls the next person, you can tell the atmosphere is still rather uncomfortable.
That's one way to make an impression.
"Lavender Argus of District Twelve, everyone!"
The girl from Twelve takes her place on the stage, immediately sitting down, ignoring Caesar's extended arm and welcoming gestures. He begins the conversation, but Lavender seems detached from it all and doesn't answer with complete sentences. She's cagey, apparently.
"And what's one thing you want to leave us with, Lavender?"
Lavender shoots the audience a glare, one that shows she's not messing around. She seems angry for some reason, and as her fingers curl up on the armrest, a smirk appears on her face. Caesar leans in closer, making it all that more dramatic.
"That you will all be seeing more of me in the arena. I'm not here to fool around, to let myself die in vain. I'm here to prove something – to prove that District Twelve isn't as useless as everyone thinks."
Caesar nods his head, whatever words he says being inaudible from the claps and cheers from the crowd. Lavender stands up, the same edge to her expression not slipping away until she's off the stage. Caesar sits back down, and as I watch Lavender meet up with the boy from District Eight, her partner is called onto the stage.
"And to conclude the interviews, we have Allan Barre of District Twelve!"
There's Allan. Aside from Daisy, he's my other ally.
I watch him take his spot on the stage, but I know how this will go – awkward. That's all we'll get from him, since he was never one to talk in front of groups or ever speak up much. As Caesar asks him questions, Allan stutters and fails to answer most of them. From the look on his face, you can tell he never really had any plan with the interviews and is just winging it.
It's a shame, really, to see people like this.
But, this is what the Capitol expects from us, isn't it? To be afraid, to be scared? I could never let them see me like that. Maybe somewhere deep down, I am afraid, but I would never admit it. I would never expose myself like that.
That's exactly what they want.
And I've never been one to give people what they want.
Author's Note:
I don't have an excuse or a reason I haven't updated in nearly two months. Pure laziness and distraction, that's all. But, here I am with the interviews – next chapter I will try (emphasis on try) to get it out in the next week. School starts on September 2nd, so somewhere around then.
People, homework, driving. All that nonsense is what is distracting me.
So, questions, I guess.
Did anyone stand out from the interviews?
Any favorite tributes at this point? Least favorite?
(I just realized how long this chapter was compared to the rest. Sorry about that, but interviews, you know. Have to be a little longer – maybe that's why I was so lazy with it… Well, you finally got it, so.)