Beetee's calm words of encouragement barely registered with Beth. She was blankly staring ahead.
'Beth? Beth, did you listen to a word I just said?'
'I'm sorry? Beetee, no, I didn't, I just…'
She just couldn't sleep, couldn't focus, couldn't even hold a conversation at times without wanting to curl up and hide. Beth wasn't sure how she felt, she certainly didn't know how to put it into words. She tried a couple times but the words just wouldn't leave her mouth. All they did was try to choke her and leave her gasping for air.
'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. Could you please repeat what you said?'
Instead of answering Wiress just took her hand and held it in hers while Beetee put his arm around her.
Beth couldn't tell them how she felt, but she didn't need to, because they already knew.
'You'll do great, Beth. And we'll be right here waiting for you.'
Beetee wasn't the emotional type, he was all brains and facts, so little gestures meant a lot.
Beth mouthed a silent 'thank you' while she was led away by a peacekeeper. They stopped in front of the stairs leading up to the stage where her interview would be held.
Caesar Flickerman was parading around the stage, he was joking with the audience, they were eating out of his hand as usual.
His suit and his hair were silver - covered in glitter from top to bottom - picked to match her outfit.
Beth's stylist had chosen to go with something more elegant to represent her District.
Every outfit he picked had made it look like she was dressed in liquid silver, a different spin on technologie, but one Beth was thankful for. This dress was no different. It was made out of the finest silk, reflecting the light. It was hugging her slim body in all the right places and flowed down to her ankles. The square neckline transitioned into two thin straps that looped around her shoulders, leaving her whole back exposed. Beth chose not to question how it was supposed to stay on her body. It was probably best not to worry about one wrong move potentially exposing her to all of Panem.
'So it is my honor to welcome the Winner of the 72th Hunger Games, Beth Black!'
The audience erupted in applause while Beth carefully made it up the stairs smiling and waving at the people of the Capitol.
'It is so lovely to see you again Caesar! And we even match.'
'We do look great together!' Caesar laughed, giving the audience a moment to agree with him. 'And there's no one I'd rather match with than you Beth, it truly is an honor to have such a stunning young woman on my stage. Wouldn't you agree?'
Once again the audience erupted into applause while Caesar gestured for Beth to take a seat.
Beth carefully positioned herself in the chair, crossing her legs and moving her long dark brown hair out of her face, letting it cascade down her back. No matter what clothes her stylist had put her into, he had never touched her hair, he appreciated 'the raw beauty of it' as he had called it multiple times.
Caesar looked at her for a moment before he leaned back in his chair.
'How do you feel Beth? It certainly has been a rollercoaster for us.'
'I feel a lot of things, Caesar, to be completely honest with you. The last couple weeks have left me breathless over and over again. But most of all, I feel grateful for everything the Capitol and its people have done for me. I will always cherish every opportunity you have given me. And to be here now and spend this time with you is everything I could ever wish for.'
Beth blew the audience and the cameras a kiss before giving them a small wink even tho her mouth felt dry and the words made her stomach churn.
'You flatter us, Beth. But we already knew you had a way with words, didn't we?'
He laughed before he continued in a more serious tone.
'You really managed to keep us on our toes from the very first day. A beautiful young woman, intelligent and well mannered, reserved yet irresistibly charming. You almost seemed fragile. I think it is safe to say that everyone was surprised when you showed your cruel side, it almost seemed like you had fun playing mind games.' Caesar laughed.
'Who doesn't like a good surprise?' Beth paused for a second, considering her next words. 'But I do think you give me too much credit. I could have never done what I did without the help of my sponsors and the support of everyone watching.'
'And we loved every minute of it. And we are looking forward to every surprise you have in store for us.'
The interview was coming to an end and Beth took her cue to stand up and make her way over to the small balcony where she was supposed to be crowned.
Beth tried to drown the applause of the audience out while the last couple steps seemed to last an eternity.
Footsteps and a low rumbling voice brought her back to reality. Beth had to blink, to get her eyes to focus, as if to adjust to the bright morning light after waking up from a deep sleep.
She had no idea how or when she took those last steps. But it didn't matter because she found herself face to face with President Snow. His eyes wandered for a few seconds, leaving goosebumps all over Beth's body, before they eventually made their way back to her face, and when their eyes met Beth felt a shiver run down her spine.
Snow's gaze pinned her in place, leaving her frozen while her mind screamed for her to run or to fight. Instead she swallowed the lump in her throat and slowly lowered her head. Beth kept watching him through her lashes when he finally turned, addressing the citizens of Panem.
She couldn't peel her eyes away no matter how hard she tried. She was clearly the prey in this situation and she knew it. The adrenaline coursing through her body took her thoughts to places she wouldn't dare to admit to anyone. He was fascinating. She hated him, for everything he stood for, for everything he did, and everything he was a part of. But yet he fascinated her. He was surrounded by an aura of power and sophistication and being this close to him was intoxicating.
When Snow turned back around, crown in hand, taking a few steps to close the distance between them, the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Beth quickly shook her head to shoo away her thoughts. She had hoped Snow wouldn't notice but the fact that he raised his eyebrows for a split second meant he did.
President Snow lifted his hands, slowly settling the crown on top of Beth's head. Before he removed his hand, he brushed his fingers along her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Beth felt like she had been struck by lightning. She hadn't even noticed she was holding her breath but when Snow's skin touched hers she let out a small sigh. She scolded herself - for her confusion, for her lack of self control, for the fact that she let him shake her to her core with a simple touch.
Beth considered herself a good actress, she had to be to survive the Games. But Snow shattered her carefully built facade within seconds and without effort. He noticed, of course, and it seemed like her reaction amused him. If Beth hadn't been aware of her role in the situation before, she surely was now. She was the entertainment, a toy to be played with, her worth defined by what she had to offer.
Snow's hand lingered on the side of Beth's face for a second and just when she thought that it would finally be over and she would finally be able to breathe freely again Snow leaned in just a tiny bit more.
His expression and tone were nonchalant. His statement could have been a meaningless afterthought. He could have been talking about the weather. But Beth knew Snow had a reason for everything, every step was well calculated, and his words were laced with the smell of blood and roses.
'I, in fact, believe that you are not given enough credit, my dear Miss Black. I find you incredibly fascinating'
The moment was over before Beth had the chance to fully register that it even happened and for a second she questioned her sanity. Did this really just happen? Snow's face didn't give her an answer to that question. But it must have happened. Her legs felt weak. Beth took a deep breath, steading herself before she trusted herself to take a step.
Snow's actions and comment replayed over and over in her mind as she walked back to reunite with Wiress and Beetee. Beth felt empty, as if Snow's absence had left a hole inside her somehow. She could still feel his touch on her cheek. Her hand slowly moved to the spot he had touched, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear the same way Snow had done a few minutes ago. It almost seemed like her body was subconsciously trying to recreate a moment so terrifying - yet so satisfying.
Her mind was still racing when Wiress hugged her and told her she did great. Beetee on the other hand was standing an arms length away. Beth couldn't figure out what the look he gave her meant, but she was too preoccupied with the tingling sensation that persistently danced up and down her spine.
And she began to question just why exactly her legs felt the way they did.
'Let's get ready, the train is scheduled to leave soon and we wouldn't want to make them wait.'