(BOSTON'S POV)

"Boston," starts Reuben, "do you love your sister as much as we do?"
"Definitely. Isn't she the greatest?" My interview is only two seconds in, and I'm already receiving applause. But I know they're  not cheering for me. They're still in love with the performance that was onstage before me. I don't know why I was ever nervous for her. She may be young, but that is, apparently, adored here in the capital. And everyone loves her. I just need to focus on myself, I think intently.
"What has been your favorite part of the Capital so far?" Reuben asks.
"I've got to say that I like how different it is." I scoot towards the end of my seat, and face Reuben. "I like that it's different from home. But I miss the trees and the fresh fruit we'd get each day. Lumber isn't that bad of a business once you get into it." The crowd laughs. I'm doing something right.

"I believe that," he startles. "And, do you think you're ready for the games tomorrow?"
"Yes and no?" I've been told questioning yourself when your on stage isn't good if you want to appeal to your crowd. "I honestly don't know. I'm not the greatest at being prepared for big changes. I mean my whole life I've been living simply. But I think I am ready. I've trained and I stand a chance, even if I'm not naturally loved by everyone like Jonas."
"Wow. You Masons have a way of touching peoples hearts. Am I right?" He points towards the crowd, and their applause echoes in my ears.

"I think, Boston, that we all know your main goal for these games. Are we assuming right?"

"Reuben, I wouldn't doubt it. There's no way I'm letting Jonas die in that arena. She is coming home."

"We were right. Boston, that is all the time we have for your interview today. So sorry. But I know we all look forward to watching you in the games. Thank you Boston!" Whoops and hollers come from the crowd, and I shake Reuben's pale hand. As I walk away, the District Eight female tribute, Thalia I think, walks over to Reuben in her turquoise skirt and  pearl encrusted top. Reuben's hand was really sweaty, and as Thalia shakes his hand, I can tell she noticed it too.
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No matter how much gravy I dump onto my potatoes, the taste is bland and empty. I eat it anyways, knowing that I won't have a meal like this again in a long time, or ever again. A door slams around the corner, and Jonas comes out of her room wearing saggy, silk pajama pants and a light purple top. She sits down next to me and begins loading up her plate with an assortment of delicate foods.

"You did really good in your interview," I start. She looks over at me with a pained expression on her face.

"Do you know why I volunteered for Anil?" She plants. "I volunteered because I love her and I wanted to save her," she answers her own question, not even giving me a second to respond.

"Why are you bringing this up?" I cross.

"Because what you said in your interview isn't going to happen. I don't want to go home, because then volunteering would have been pointless. If I go home, I still would have let a sibling die. And I wouldn't be able to live like that.

"But neither would-," she leaves, not letting me finish, and abandons her uneaten food. She's not wrong though. It would make more sense for me to go home. But seeing her die, seeing anyone die that I love, would kill me and hurt me more that any knife in my chest. I have to be brave. I have to be brave. And that bravery isn't for Jonas. It's more for me than anyone else. If I'm not brave, I won't make it past the first buzzer.
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"You've got a big day ahead of you!" shrieks Tontine! "Go to bed!" Her shrill voice startles me and I jump up off the couch.
"But it's only seven," I counter.

"Yes sir. Cherish the last few moments in your common. You will never get such luxury again." Grunting, I walk away from the couch and sneak into Jonas' room. She's already laying in her bed, tucked snuggly beneath the covers, but I can tell she's not asleep.

"Why are you in here?" She asks without turning to face me.

"I was just checking in. I'll go now."

"No. I need someone's comfort right now." She sits up on her bed, and I scoot in next to her. "How did you know I was awake?" She whispers.

"Because," I start. "When you're really asleep, you lay on your stomach, and your breathing is really silent. But when you're just laying down, you lay on your side and your breathing is heavy." She smiles.

"I didn't even know that. You do know I don't stand a chance in these games, right? If I have too much hope, neither one of us will go home." I frown and she piles more blankets on herself, and turns to the side. I begin to leave, but she stops me. "Boston?" She asks. "Are you scared? About tomorrow?" Of course I'm scared, but I can't tell her that, I think.

"Well, yes," I spurt. "But the less I think about it, the less scared I feel." I leave the room, and head to my own room, tucking myself under my covers, drowning out all thoughts of the awful tomorrow, and drowsing into a deep, yet restless, sleep.