Chapter 3: Introducing the Tributes

After two weeks of training, today was assessment day, and tonight was interview night where we were to try and get sponsors. I sat on the hard plastic chair, waiting my turn. They had just called in the District 11 girl: Demeter. Out of all the tributes, I'd only trusted Ivy from 8, Grayson and Reese from 5, and the twins: Axel and Laurel from 7. The rest were determined to kill us. Mid-range score, I told myself, reminding myself of Haymitch's instructions.

"District 12: Willow-Blue Baird" the speaker summoned. I stood and walked through the empty room to the door that led to the training room where the judges were waiting. I passed all the weapons, aiming for survival skills to get me something mid-range.
"Baird? Which Covey do you come from?" Snow demanded from his spot beside Chandon Tatis, the Gamemaker for the 53rd Games.
"You really want an answer to that?" I smirked.
"Answer, girl!" he demanded. I looked at the judges surrounding him.
"I'll answer if I win" I told him, returning to the survival gear. I crafted a trap for a rabbit as my skill, then bowed like my Gran, and left the room.

"And from District 12: Eaton Chance, a score of 7" Julius announced, earning a small smile from Eaton. He sat as far from me as he could on the couch. Haymitch was on my left, and Effie on my right. Kall was leaning against the wall that connected the living space to the kitchen.
"That's good" Eaton breathed, looking to Haymitch and Effie, "right?"
"We can work with that" Effie smiled politely.
"Finally, from District 12: Willow-Blue Baird, a score of…12" Julius gasped. My eyes almost bulged out of my head. Haymitch stood and turned to face me, fear evident in his eyes.
"I just became target number 1" I breathed, panicked.
"What did you do?" Haymitch demanded, on the verge of a yell.
"I made a rabbit trap" I frowned, confused.
"Did you say anything?" My face fell, showing my admission.
"Snow was there, he wanted to know who I was related to. I think he has his suspicions about my heritage" I admitted. Haymitch rubbed his face with his hands.
"You just made surviving a hell of a lot harder" he grumbled through his fingers.

These tributes are going to be tough to outlast. Between Ketra from District 2, who was portraying herself as a cold-blooded killer, and Reese from District 5 playing the angle of Machiavellian murderer. This was going to be a tough battle. But right now I had to focus on being likeable. I had to give them a story that would entice sponsors. I had another idea though, one Haymitch might not agree with, but that's why I hadn't told him. I stepped onto the stage when I heard my name called, and walked over to Julius Flickerman, shaking his hand politely and sitting in the designated chair.
"Willow-Blue, such a pretty name" he commented.
"It's Covey tradition to name their daughters with a colour. My name is slightly different because my first name isn't part of any song that I'm aware of, but I was named by my Gran" I explained, a fake smile plastered on my face for the audience. Julius looked intrigued.
"Covey?"
"Ya'll should remember the Covey" I chuckled, "after all, a Covey girl won the 10th Hunger Games" I smiled, looking directly at the camera. The 10th Games had been wiped from existence, nobody really remember the Covey girl that won the 10th Games. It was covered up because of all the problems; Lucy bringing in poison, Snow altering the Mutts to protect Lucy, and the boy that had tried to show respect for the dead tributes by covering them with the Panem flag.
"That was a long time ago, most probably wouldn't remember that far back" Julius said, trying to steer me back. "What do you bring to the Hunger Games?"
"I bring the same things she did: determination, courage and music" I replied.
"Music?" I nodded at Julius' question.
"Would you like to hear?" I asked the crowd, to a chorus of cheers.
"Sounds like a resounding yes. The stage is yours" Julius smiled, not realising his mistake. I stood and walked to centre stage.
"Are you, are you comin' to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three?
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hangin' tree
Are you, are you comin' to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee?
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hangin' tree
Are you, are you comin' to the tree
Where I told you to run so we'd both be free?
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hangin' tree
Are you, are you comin' to the tree?
Wear a necklace of rope side by side with me
Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hangin' tree" I sang, knowing President Snow would recognise the song. I took a bow, the same way my Gran always did after a performance. The crowd roared with cheers, and I smiled, looking directly at the camera.
"Wonderful performance" Julius commented, then raised my hand. "Once again, from District 12: Willow-Blue Baird" he announced, then released my hand for me to depart the stage.

"What the hell was that?" Haymitch demanded as I got backstage.
"That was the start of a revolution" I smirked, "Snow doesn't get to win. Not after murdering Covey. I want Gran to be able to rejoin the rest of our family" I hissed, trying to keep quiet. My temper wasn't going to get me any friends. I'd already made myself target number 1, but now hopefully with my performance, I'd earned a few sponsors.
"I respect the hell out of you, Will. But if you've made an enemy of Snow, he and Chandon are going to try and kill you inside the Games" he warned me. I sighed and closed my eyes, knowing I very well may die in the Games tomorrow. My eyes fluttered open when I felt a hand against my cheek. "You've made my job a lot harder, pretty girl" he breathed.
"I'm sorry" I whispered, my forehead leaning against his. I could feel his breath on my lips, and for a moment, I though he was going to kiss me. Instead, he pulled away and stormed off.
"Can't do this" I heard him grumble.

Author's Note: Welcome to the 53rd Hunger Games! Willow-Blue is an angry 17-year-old girl with a stubborn streak and short-temper. This story will start at the 53rd Games and work our way to the 74th, Katniss and Peeta's Games. It will not follow the script exactly, but the main themes will be there. I just need to alter a few things to make the love story work. Because this story is first and foremost, a love story. It's about a girl who is stubborn enough to try and break down Haymitch's walls that he built up after losing everyone he loves after his own Games. I hope you enjoy!