I am so sorry I keep making errors in my chapters. I am trying really hard, but my spell check just turns off and on randomly I guess. I hope that this chapter is better than all the others. I really hope you enjoy this. I won't know though unless YOU REVIEW! Let me know what you are thinking. And the contest is going on for another chapter after this one, so you need to get reviewing if you want to be the one to decide who dies first and how they die. Trust me, it's a big deal and it will probably be the first one of the major deaths after the Cornucopia. Here's the chapter that you all were wanting. Enjoy ! P.S. In this chapter, the interviews are taking place. I am only listing the ones for the tributes that are a little more main. And I am writing it like an interview you would see in a magazine. You'll see what I mean. All the conversations will be in this kind of font.
Chapter 10- The Reveal and the Reactions
I woke up feeling extremely sick. Not like coughing sneezing sick, but afraid, disgusted, and upset sick. Sick with fear. I felt like I was going to puke at every time I thought about tonight. Tonight would be when Luke and I revealed to Panem that we were dating. It was going to be a huge deal, and I was really scared my parents, or his, weren't going to agree. My dad will yell at Luke if he doesn't kill him. My mom will react a little more positively, but not much since my dad will act so hostile. I had bigger things to think about at the moment. I had to get to the gym.
I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. As usual, the cold water makes me feel so energized that I forget about everything. I put on my sports bra and a pair of shorts and then I'm off to the gym. Robin looks up from where he sits and I don't even engage in conversation with him. I get to the balance beam, practicing my flips and then throw in some kicks, punches and rolls. This further relaxes me, and also gives me something I can use to attack and avoid attacks in the Arena. I flip around for a little while, feeling weightless. Then I say goodbye to Robin and leave the gym, going back to the Training Area. "We missed you at breakfast." Artemis says. I smile at her and wait for the yelling to start. "Maybe she had a good reason to skip." Marcus says, coming to my defense. "I was training." I say. Artemis opens her mouth and then closes it again. I guess she decided not to argue.
"Oh, well, time to go to Training." My dad states. Marcus and I are in and at the archery station before you call yell at us to stop running. The attendant on hand hands us each a bow. I pick up and arrows, notch it, and shoot at a wall target. I quickly notch another and shoot again, landing it right next to the first. It feels like we've been working for a minute, and Todd calls us out for lunch, meaning we've trained for an hour.
We have the afternoon off to get ready for the interviews. I scarf down a bowl of lamb and dried plum stew. It tastes so delicious. This is something I would eat by the bucket load if I could. Melody whisks me off to the dressing room, where I find out I have to go through even more prepping then I did for the parade. I have no idea what I will be wearing, but Octavia swears I will look fabulous. I just nod my head and swallow the lump in my throat. This interview is really scaring me. My parents walk in and we start discussing my strategy. I have to appear very confident, but also somewhat humble, making a conflicting appearance. The people will be all kinds of confused, and they'll want to see which one I am- afraid or confident. They think it's for them. But in reality, I am so scared I can barely think, and I am confident that I will find a way to get through the fear and kill everyone else. Never mind, I have to get cleaned up and ready for the interview. I only have 2 hours.
Melody thinks we're cutting it close, but I need to get a shower and prepped before she can do anything. I take the quickest shower ever and the second I get out, my prep team is attacking me with towels and a hairbrush. I'm dry and my hair is smooth. We go into the dressing room, and I find I am not the only one who is behind schedule. Micheal and MaryAnn are literally stripping out of their regular clothes and getting into their interview clothes, which make them, look like boring business people. MaryAnn is wearing a white button down blouse and a plaid skirt, and Micheal is wearing a suit and tie. They look boring like always. Miklisho is wearing a pair of shorts. Just shorts. If his stylist is trying to make him look sexier, it's totally working. He has abs look that rock solid and I want to touch them so badly.
I turn around and go to Melody. She pulls my hair up into a bun, pulling every hair into place with extreme precision. Then she adds the sparkly black clip. She works on my makeup, applying some powdery blue eye shadow and black eyeliner and mascara. My lips get a red lipstick and a perfect gloss. Then I am told to close my eyes and step into a dress. It's pulled up and I slip my arms through what I'm guessing are straps that feel extremely light. I hear a zipper and then I am told to suck in my stomach. I suck in and feel the bodice of the dress get tighter around me. I'm led over somewhere and Flo tells me to open my eyes.
I open them and gasp. I never knew a girl from district 2 could look this pretty. I look sexy, but in a subtle, sweet way. My usual smirk turns into a nervous smile, and I blush at my reflection. I look perfect in a blue chiffon knee length dress that is so light and airy that I can't complain about how I look nothing like anything I've ever worn. Melody hands a pair of strappy blue sandals and rushes me out the door into the hall. People are still changing in the halls. I balance against the wall and put on my shoes.
Luke appears behind me somehow. "Ready?" He whispers in my ear. I nod my head. "I think I can do this." I hear myself reply. "What if our parents get upset?" I ask. "We really only have to worry about your parents. My dad is here with me, but my mom is at home. I know he'll be acceptable. He did the same thing to my mom that I am doing to you." He says. I take that as a reassurance.
They start from District 12 and work their way down. Alice will be first, and then Luke is up next. It will be alright. It will be alright. We go to the wings of the stage, getting ready for it to go on air. With a loud beep, the broadcast starts. Caesar Flickerman, with his lavender hair and suit, introduces himself and informs everybody that we will be here interviewing with him. He introduces Alice and she walks out after a shove from Effie Trinket. She stumbles out and chuckles a little. She stays out for 2 minutes, that I don't pay attention to, and then the timer goes off and she walks back off. The interviews last 2 minutes exactly, starting the second you get to Caesar.
It's Luke's turn now. He walks out when Caesar introduces him, and here's what happened-
Caesar: Hello Luke. How are you?
Luke: I am amazing Caesar, everything is so easy to enjoy here. And my dad is here with me, so I feel so comfortable here in this beautiful Capitol.
Caesar: Ahhhhh, yes, I heard that Peeta Mellark was here. Tell me, how is he? And your mother? How is she doing?
Luke: He is doing just splendidly. My mother is at home, but she is watching every minute of this and has full confidence for me. She is so positive about all of this. It makes me feel so happy, even though this might not always be the most positive place to be.
Caesar: But you volunteered, right? Why is that? Never in the history of the Games has anyone from District 12 volunteered.
Luke: I did volunteer, because I found out that my mom and dad were allies with Cato and Clove Hirsch, and I knew they had a daughter that had gotten into the Games. I wanted to meet her so badly, and I knew that volunteering might have been my only chance, so I volunteered to see her.
Caesar: Really? That is quite the story.
Luke: Yes! I am in love with Elizabeth Hirsch.
Caesar: In love?
Luke: She's been my girlfriend for 4 months.
Caesar: Well, that is quite thee shocker, right folks (to the audience)
The timer goes off and Luke walks off. The cameras follow him as he walks over to me and pulls me into his arms, kissing me passionately.
Now it's Katrina's turn. For some odd reason, I pay attention to her. She walks onto the stage with grace, wearing normal clothes, as far as I can tell. This is what she says-
Caesar: Hello there, you're Katrina Hayes?
Katrina: Yes, that's me. How are you Caesar?
Caesar: I am wonderful. And how are you?
Katrina: I am simply peachy, considering the accommodations that are frilly and perfect. I'm not used to that. But it still pisses me off that I have to kill a bunch of losers.
Caesar: But, you seem so ready to go into the Arena.
Katrina: Oh, I am. But only until I kill Elizabeth Hirsch.
Caesar: Why only her?
Katrina: Her mother claims to have killed my cousin, Rue. I am tired of being reminded that every time I see Clove or her pathetic daughter.
Caesar: Alright then. I wish you the best of luck.
The timer goes off. Katrina exits and then the tributes from districts 10 through 6 go by in a blur. They all say remotely the same sort of thing. They are happy to be there. They are scared about the Games. They want to go home to their families.
I start paying attention again when Jarrica does her interview.
Caesar: So you're the girl from district 5 that everyone is talking about.
Jarrica: Am I really?
Caesar: Yes. Who else would they be talking about when you were the seemingly harmless girl that licked the blood away from that boys arm?
Jarrica: It tasted good. It was a force of habit. I didn't even know him that well.
Caesar: And are you excited about killing people in the Arena?
Jarrica: Whatever the Gamemakers throw at us, I will be ready to kill.
Caesar: Won't it be hard to kill everyone?
Jarrica: You know what they say, blood tastes sweeter when the person's heart beats faster.
The timer goes off and she saunters off the stage. I stop paying attention again until it is my turn. I walk out and wave at the crowd.
Caesar: Ms. Hirsch, it is an honor to be meeting you.
Me: Thank you so much! It's great to meet you too!
Caesar: You look wonderful. Simply enchanting.
Me: Thank you. Melody, me stylist is brilliant. And my prep team is amazing too! Thank you Flo, Norlina and Octavia! (Blowing kisses)
Caesar: They did an absolute wonderful job! Give us a twirl in that dress!
Me :( twirling in circles, then stops after a few times) so, are you happy with the fact that Luke and I are dating?
Caesar: Of course! All the Capitol will be happy for the two of you! What do you think your parents will think?
Me: Well, Katniss, Peeta and my parents were all allies at one time. They liked each other. The fact that Luke and I are dating is just another way to get them back together in.
Caesar: Right you are! Well, I wish you the best of luck with your plans!
The timer goes off and I walk off stage, channeling my inner Ms .America wave. Marcus walks out after me, and Caesar immediately asks him what he thinks of my relationship. He says he hates it and that he would much rather see me date someone better like him. I can't believe what I just heard. The other tributes do their interviews, nothing really shocking, besides the fact that Miklisho is wearing barely any clothing and has no girlfriend, but he hopes to get one. Then Peeta is over with a phone and is talking to Luke. "Luke, I am so proud of you. Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend? And that she was Cato and Clove's daughter? Your mother and I wouldn't have been mad."
"Dad, I am so sorry. I should have told you. I was worried mom would be upset. I wasn't upset by you." Luke replies.
My parents are pretty accepting. "That is so sweet! Do whatever you want, just don't get pregnant."My mom says. My dad just laughs. This is a pretty good reaction, considering I thought Luke and I would both be dead right now.
Hopefully I didn't make any mistakes; I rushed a little to post this for all of you. I hope you enjoyed it! Delicious Love, MrsLukeCastellan. PS. May the odds be ever in your favor!