Chapter Three: Interviews
It was the day before the interviews. Flora felt nervous for some reason. It was a chance for her to get the Capitol people to love her. She stepped out of her bedroom after a shockingly goodnight's rest. Seeing Haymitch and Peeta whispering to each other. Flora raised a brow as she sat down to eat some eggs and apple juice again. Katniss had made an appearance. She was staring at her plate that had some eggs on it.
"What?" Katniss asked as Flora looked up to see her staring at Haymitch.
"Peeta requested to train separately." Haymitch spoke. Flora sighed. "I will train him. You will have Cinna and your team." Haymitch spoke. Flora opened her mouth and then closed it. Of course those two got teams to help them. There was tension rising in the air as Katniss was glaring at Haymitch and Peeta. Flora was pretty sure that Katniss felt betrayed by this. Not that Flora cared.
"Whenever you are ready Katniss." Cinna spoke as she followed him. Flora got up with her plate still full and left. She went back to her room and shut the door. She felt angry again. It seemed like she was now having anger issues. Constantly getting angry. Why, though? Feeling down as she sat on her bed to watch the citizens of the Capitol pass by. Hearing the cheerful tones in their voices. In two days time, she would be in the arena. Why did it matter if the interview went well or not? Hearing a knock. The door opened and closed. Flora looked up and saw Effie.
"You left before I could say something." Effie was smiling while setting down what seemed like a makeup box. Flora raised a brow at the woman.
"I'm coaching you silly!" Effie laughed a little. "Come. Sit." Effie patted the chair at the desk. Flora took a seat as Effie began brushing her hair. "I had Cinna make you the perfect outfit for the interview tomorrow!" The woman went on and on about mannerism while being on live television.
It felt odd. Not having Cinna help her. Though, Effie was actually pretty good herself. She did her own makeup and hair. Flora felt a small bit of hope for the interview tomorrow. Flora secretly loved Effie's makeup and style. She would have to ask Effie's secret to the colors that she pulled off so well. Maybe someday? Maybe not. She didn't want to get too attached to the woman. Not that the Capitol even actually cared for her. Effie had her practice walking in heels. She was used to wearing sneakers or flats. The clicking of the heels as she walked was something else.
"Heel toe. Heel toe." Effie kept saying as Flora was walking as told. She smiled as she finally got it down. Hearing the woman cheer her on with a few claps.
I have to say, you're a really good teacher." Flora smiled. This seemed to make Effie melt as the woman hugged her again. It felt odd. Getting so many hugs from one person. Then again, Effie was the only one who did this. Flora smiled softly at the woman. She didn't get to see her dress but Effie did have fun doing her makeup. It took several different times to find her style. It was a simple style with a few flowers painted upon her face. Hearing a gasp, Flora looked at the Capitol woman.
"You look beautiful." Effie smiled. "Well, even without makeup you do as well." Nice save. "Come. Now I am going to teach you manners for the interview. Things that you are to avoid saying and things that you should say. Flickerman is a very easy going man who enjoys making the crowd laugh and other times he enjoys making them cry with emotions." Effie spoke while touching her chin while in thought. "I believe we could get some sort of good vibe from you. Maybe some jokes." Effie spoke. It felt like they were at it for hours until Effie was finally done with her. Flora this time gave the woman a hug. It somehow softened Effie up even more.
"I do really hope you do well in the games." Effie spoke. It felt like a slap in the face when she said that. Why did this woman even care? It was Katniss and Peeta that everyone wanted. All she could do was smile at Effie before she left the room with her makeup. Flora went into the bathroom to shower and wipe the makeup off. Scrubbing her body raw as it was red under the steaming hot water. Once done, she decided to have her hair blown dry by the machine. The bed was calling her name. She only had one more night after this one.
"Get up! Big day!" Effie's voice was heard from outside her room. Flora got up and looked at the time. Sighing as she stood up and stretched her arms above her head. She left her room to try and get something to eat this time. She looked around as the entire team was there. Peeta's stylist and his makeup team as well as Cinna's. She watched as Cinna was doing her makeup. Flora then felt her hair being brushed. It seemed Effie was wasting no time. Not that she was complaining about it. At least she felt like someone maybe somewhat cared? Who knows.
"Flora, I have your dress ready." Cinna spoke as she nodded. Effie was beaming as she pulled Flora back to her bedroom. Seeing the long white dress that stopped right above her knees. There were flowers all over it. It looked like almost a wedding dress. There was a black belt at the center of it. It was a beautiful dress. She pulled in over her head as the woman helped her in it. Fluffing out the mesh overlay part of the dress. Finally looking at the mirror with it on. The dress fit her body perfectly. Not too loose or tight. The overlay part was longer than the inner part of the dress. The straps part of her dress laid over her shoulders a slight bit.
"Now the finishing touch." Effie spoke as she placed a crown of flowers on her head. She looked like a hippie. Though, the outfit itself was her style. Effie had her hands clasped together while under her chin. She was smiling as if she was going to cry.
"So beautiful! The crowd will love you tonight!" Effie beamed before leading her out with the others.
They arrived at another building. The line was already in place. Flora could see so many beautiful outfits perfectly crafted for each person. Katniss was wearing a red dress with red glitter on her left side on her shoulder. Peeta was wearing a simple suit. She took her place between Katniss and Peeta.
"Remember! Smile!" Effie spoke in a preppy voice before taking off. Hearing the crowd cheer in the larger room on the other side of the wall.
"You both look amazing." Peeta whispered.
"As do you." Katniss spoke back to Peeta as Flora nodded in agreement. The line was moving rather faster than the sessions for scoring.
"Here she is, ladies and gentleman! You know her as the Girl on Fire!" Flickerman shouted as Katniss went on stage. Flora could see the interview on the television that was on the wall next to them.
"I have to say. My heart stopped." Caesar spoke.
"Mine did too." Katniss replied.
"Go on! Give us a spin!" Flickerman shouted as the crowd cheered. Katniss' dress had flames showing when she spun. 'Way to outshine everyone.' Flora thought.
"Flora?" A voice asked. She nodded as the man with the headset handed her a bouquet of different colored flowers. They weren't tied together and now she knew what they were for. They ranged from daisies to roses.
"You folks know her as the Flower Girl! Welcome Flora Solstice!" Flickerman shouted as Flora walked on stage. Hearing her name chanted. Flora started tossing some of the flowers to the audience. Hearing the crowd go wild when she finished and blew kisses.
"My my! What an entrance!" Caesar smiled. Flora took the seat next to him. Putting on her biggest smile she could.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Nervous." She replied.
"Ah yes. Aren't we all!" He chuckled as did the crowd. Flora looked at the hundred faces in the crowd. Her eyes caught the blue ones of Effie. She was holding a red rose she had tossed out. The woman nodded at her as she did back.
"Tell us. Your name is Flora. Do you know flowers well?" He asked.
"I can not only name every flower, but every plant as well." Flora bragged.
"My my! So, are you delicate like a rose or poisonous like Nightshade?" Flickerman asked. She could hear the crowd hold its breath at this question.
"Guess we will have to wait and find out." Flora spoke with a smile.
"That we do folks! Flora Solstice! Our Flower Girl everyone!" He shouted while holding her hand up. This was the time to leave. Her heart was pounding as she made her way off the stage.
She found Katniss and stood next to her. Haymitch and Effie were there as well, watching the screen.
"They loved you." Katniss smiled as Flora returned the smile.
"Yeah but no one beats Girl on Fire and has actual fire." Flora nudged Katniss a little.
"Tell us Peeta, you win the game and she will have to go out with you." Caesar spoke as the crowd all cheered in agreement.
"Well, that won't be possible." Peeta sighed.
"Why is that?" Caesar frowned.
"Because she came here with me." Peeta spoke.
"Fire or Flower?" Flickerman asked.
"Fire." Peeta replied. The crowd awed at Peeta. Flora looked at Katniss in time to see her have a blush rising on her cheeks. 'Was this real? Did Peeta really have feelings for Katniss?' She thought before turning her attention back to the screen.
"What about Flora?" He asked.
"Flora's in love with Katniss as well." Peeta spoke. Flora felt the heat rise in her cheeks. 'Wait what? Since when?!' Flora had no feelings for Katniss whatsoever.
"Is Flora a lesbian?" Flickerman asked. You swear you could hear the crowd hold its breath again.
"Yes." Peeta replied. There were several gasps and whispering among the crowd. Peeta had done it. Now she had a reason to be angry at Peeta. She could feel eyes on her.
"That's all the time we have folks! Peeta Mallark everyone!" Flickerman shouted as the crowd cheered Peeta on as he left the stage.
"What the hell was that?! First you don't want to train together then you say you have a crush on me?!" Katniss shoved Peeta against the wall.
"Enough!" Effie shouted as Katniss was pulled off of him.
"You outed me to Panem!" Flora screamed at Peeta. "My life is over before it starts!" Her eyes were stinging now. Her hands were balled into fists now. She trusted Peeta with her secret several years ago.
"The boy did you a favor!" Haymitch spoke to Katniss.
"He made me look weak!" Katniss shouted.
"He made you desirable! For sponsors!" He replied. Flora scoffed and shook her head. Feeling her arm touched as she yanked it away and leaned against the wall facing in.
"And for you Flora." Haymitch rounded on her. "You now have very specific supporters in the Capitol now."
"What the hell does that even mean?" She wanted to snap.
"The gay community. They now have someone to look up to. Someone who represents them." He added.
"Yeah, someone who might not live after the game!" Flora snapped.
"At least you'll have sponsors!" Haymitch spoke. Flora frowned. She hadn't thought of that. "Believe it or not, you are loved within the Capitol." Haymitch spoke as Effie nodded her head. Flora didn't know what to believe.
They had left the building to an entire crowd of cheering capitol people. Flora stopped in her tracks at the sight she saw. There were rainbow flowers everywhere. Rainbow flags. Several people in rainbow outfits chanting her name.
"Flora! Flora! Flora!" There was a rainbow flag with her name on it now. She felt her face flushing. Maybe what Peeta said was a good thing after all. She smiled and waved at them. Hearing some of them scream and a few fainted. She raised a brow at them before she was pushed into a car. She was sitting between Katniss and Effie. Still feeling eyes upon her. They had made it back to the training tower as they made their way back to the penthouse. Flora got out of the dress quickly and changed into the night wear. Tonight, she was going to watch videos of the previous games. Hearing voices in the other room, she went out and saw Haymitch and Effie talking.
"Hello there sweetheart." Haymitch spoke as Flora only stared "Anyways. You seem to have a lot of supporters outside." He spoke as she nodded watching as he got up to look out the window. She followed him. Sure enough, there was a large rainbow crowd chanting her name. Watching the peacekeeper guards move them away from the tower. She frowned at the sight.
"I'm turning in for the night." Haymitch spoke as he left. That sounded like a good idea. Seeing the man leave as Flora took the flower crown off her head and walked over to Effie who was smiling at her. She gently placed the crown upon Effie's head.
"Oh sweetie." Effie smiled and took Flora's hand and squeezed it. She gave Effie a hug before leaving back to her room. Ever since Peeta outed her, the Capitol woman was acting differently around her. She didn't know why. Not that it would matter anytime soon anyways.
It seemed Flickerman was on the news channel talking about the previous games. She decided to watch.
"That feeling that you know when a tribute becomes a victor." Flickerman spoke. Flora quickly turned off the tv. She was frowning. There was so much blood. So much killing. Her heart was hurting again. She would have to kill. She rushed out of her room and ran to the rooftop. Seeing Peeta and Katniss there. She sat down next to them and sighed.
"You alright?" Peeta asked.
"No! Not only you outed me but it's now hitting me. Realization that I might have to murder people! I don't know if I can." Flora spoke. For the first time, she felt a tear fall from her eyes. Katniss wrapped an arm around her.
"Right. I didn't realize that." Peeta spoke.
"Just so you know Katniss. You're my best friend. I have no feelings for you romantically." Flora spoke.
"I figured. As Haymitch said, it's a tv show. We had to give them something." Katniss poke softly.
"Yeah, a love triangle." Peeta spoke. Flora scrunched her nose at this. She didn't like it. "Also, all the pink roses are dead in the garden." He added.
"I know. That was me. It's a hybrid the Capitol made." Flora frowned. Wondering why Peeta brought that up. "Come on. Let's head to bed. We need to at least try and sleep." Flora spoke as they nodded. It wasn't long before Flora found herself in her bed again. It would be the last night she would sleep in it.
Effie's POV
She stood in the doorway watching Cinna finish the arena outfits the ladies would be given.
"This year is going to be interesting!" She piped up with a bright smile. She was watching Cinna prepare outfits in hope that Katniss survived the arena. Her eyes trailed to the tv. Watching the interviews replayed by the news. Flickerman made sure each tribute looked good. When Flora came onto the stage, she felt her heart fluttering for some reason. She couldn't stop smiling at the beauty of her. The white dress against her figure. The flower crown Flora had given her. Which was sitting on the side table by her bed in her bedroom. Something of Flora that was given to her. Something that had represented the tribute herself. Effie then frowned at this. Was that truly the last thing she would ever receive from her? She felt her shoulders slump a little.
"Effie, everything alright?" Effie jumped a little and chuckled.
"I am alright. Just nervous." She spoke while smiling at the beautiful man. Cinna was wearing a gold like flannel shirt with tight black pants and dress shoes to match.
"What are you nervous about? You're usually excited about the Games." Cinna smiled while patting her arm.
"You're right." Effie sighed as she had a cup of tea in her hands. Taking a small sip.
"You're not getting attached are you?" Cinna raised a brow. "To Katniss?"
"Not Katniss, no. I don't know. Flora has been nothing but kind to me. I'm not used to tributes being kind. She's sweet, caring. Beautiful. Oh no." Effie sighed as she sat down. Cinna squeezed her shoulder.
"You cannot get attached. You know this. She may not survive the games. At least she'll get far." Cinna spoke as Effie frowned and nodded. It seemed Flora had tugged her heart strings without knowing it. If by some miracle if Flora had survived the games, then there would be a chance. Though, the odds were not in Flora's favor due to the star-crossed lovers' numbers. There were many strong tributes this year.
"Say, do you know what she did in the private session?" She asked Cinna who smiled and nodded.
"Yes. From what I heard, she is a knife thrower. They described her as fast and agile. The way she moved was elegant like she was dancing." Cinna spoke. Effie was imagining Flora dancing around while throwing knives. Maybe she had a chance of survival after all.
"Katniss shot an arrow at the gamekeepers. You knew that. Peeta amazed them with his strength." Cinna spoke as he went on about each session their tributes did. "Alright Effie. I'm heading to bed. You should as well. You are their escort after all." Cinna spoke as he gave Effie a kiss upon each cheek before leaving. Effie took a deep breath and forced a smile. She headed to her own room. Looking into the mirror as she wiped her makeup off. Setting her wig to the side as her long dirty blonde hair fell. Getting into her nightwear as something caught her eyes. It was a rainbow flower pin she had gotten to show her support. Smiling softly at it before crawling into bed. Setting her alarm for early in the morning. Effie had finally drifted off to sleep.
End of POV