| " S T A G E . " |

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I wake up the next morning by myself, surprising everyone. Well- not everyone- just me. I put on some regular clothes, and head to breakfast. Today is interview day, and all of the tributes are allowed to eat in the dining hall this morning.

The only reason for this is because the games are tommorow. The game plans, the allies, the sponsors: they all start today. Well, if you don't already have them.

I decide to sit with Bane, Seth, and the other careers. But for some reason, Triton isn't here. What happened to him? I didn't see him yesterday after training, which shocks me . . .

"We need to get started with our view on you, especially because of the interviews this afternoon," Paul says, sitting down in front of Bane and I. We are currently sitting in our living quarters, listening to Reena, Krystal, Leo, and Paul while they ramble and lecture about the importance of the interviews.

"Okay. So what do you want us to do?" Bane asks, lacing my fingers with his. He smiles as I peck him on the cheek.

"Well, first of all, you can't do that," Leo states, motioning towards our hands.

"What do you mean?" I ask, looking between the four of them.

"This intimacy and love-struck thing will not work out. As far as the Capitol citizens know, you are just allies, and we intend for it to stay that way." Krystal fills us in hesitantly. "For now, anyway."

"So you mean we can't be together anymore?" Bane asks with hurt evident in his voice.

"Yes. We're very sorry." Reena says, patting his back. I stiffen, my gaze incredulous as I look to them.

"We have a plan to bring you and Bane both out of the arena. You just have to trust us. I promise, you will see your friends." Paul informs.

"What are you going to do? I mean- this is the Hunger Games -only one person comes out as the victor. I have too many friends, and I know for sure that you can't bring them all home." I say confidently.

"You have to rely on us, okay? Don't believe anything you see in those games. All of it will be a part of our plan. Don't let any of it get to you." Krystal states, looking me in the eyes.

"Okay." I whisper.

"Now lets get to the interviews." Leo says, clapping his hands together. "Bane, you will play a love-struck puppy. Everyone in the Capitol will love that the prince fell in love with the princess. It's gold, and will get tons of sponsors."

"I can do that." Bane mutters.

"Of course you can, Bane. That's your everyday life as of now." Paul chuckles.

"Shut up." Bane says, defending himself. "And I thought you said the Capitol couldn't know about us."

"They won't know you're together," Krystal corrects. "But they will know that you've fallen for her."

"Lana, you will be playing it out confidently. You strongly believe that you can win these games. Your allies are your best friends, and you want to protect them, got it?" Reena asks.

"Easy enough," I nod with a shrug.

"No, actually. When you get in front of that audience, it's traumatizing. It'll scare the hell out of you. These people only want you to be yourself, but you can't give them that. Exaggerate your personality, make it seem real when it's definitely fake." Paul says.

With a nod, Aven walks into the room with a wide smirk.

"Okay princess, time to strip." Aven laughs. Bane glares at him, earning an elbow from me. "Watch it, Bane. Chill. I have to get her into the dress. Sheesh."

"Okay, that's my cue. Bye, guys."

That's when the torture began.

___♕___

When I look into the mirror, I smile at my own reflection for the first time in forever. I wear a silky white dress that has diamonds dispersed over the black top and sleeves. The way the top is cut out makes me feel exposed, but beautiful. Black pumps are on my feet, and my hair is in a poofy bun that accentuates my cheek bones.

Aven grins, his eyes trailing over my outfit.

"I've done it again." He mutters to himself, placing my crown on my head. But it's not the same one I wore at the parade. This one has a few black diamonds on it, matching my dress perfectly. "C'mon, we have to go meet the other tributes."

I follow behind Aven, looking at the outfits on the other tributes. Some glare at me while others smile.

Just like the tribute parade.

"Just do what I told you and you'll be fine." Paul says as he stands in front of me. "I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, and trust me, the secrets that are being let out tonight will get you everything you need to survive in that arena."

And with that, he walks off, leaving me to my thoughts.

What secrets? What tricks?

I am broke from my thoughts when someone walks over to me, blocking my vision. I look up. His tux is a lacy black, matched with a white tie, and a white rose that's placed in his suit pocket.

He matches me.

"Hey," He says with a fake smile.

"What do you want, Triton?" I ask, confused by his suit choice.

"I just want to wish you good luck. I'm hoping that you'll understand something after tonight." He says with a soft smile. "You look beautiful Lana."

Then he leaves me.

What the hell is going on?

"Okay, tributes! Let's go, we have to get backstage. The interviews are about to start!" A stage director yells. People crowd backstage, and a large television comes on in front of us. We are placed in order by our Districts, and I finally see Bane.

He and Triton are wearing the same exact tux. I really want to know what's going on. I look back to see that Seth is wearing . . .

A lacy black tux with a white tie, and a white rose placed in his pocket.

This is really getting on my nerves. I hope Jonah is wearing the same thing; note the sarcasm.

"And now folks, lets give a warm welcome to Raley Denary!" Ceasar says. Raley's interview goes by fast, and somehow trails through it without a single problem. Soon enough, it's Triton's turn.

After Triton is seated, Ceasar begins to talk.

"Hello Triton," Ceasar greets him.

"Hello Ceasar."

"How has training been going lately?" He asks, crossing his legs.

"It's been hectic, but I've had fun," Triton says with a warm smile, adjusting his posture as if he were uncomfortable.

"Ah, I'm sure it has. Do you have any secret talents that we don't know about?"

"I can definitely tell you that I have a talent with tridents," He replies.

"I'm sure you are talented with a trident, it's a great weapon, and is very reliable."

"That it is."

"Enough training talk. Let's get to the point. You are a very handsome young man, so I think that not only I, but everyone else here wants to know if you have someone special back home," Ceasar says, the crowd erupting in cheers from in front of them

"Well, there is this one girl . . . " He says, trailing off. I feel a pang of jealousy, but why?

"I've got an idea for you, Triton. Why don't you win these games, and go home to that girl, eh? I'm sure you'll win her over." Once again, the crowd goes crazy.

"That's not possible," Triton says lowly, Caesar barely catching his words.

"And why is that?"

"Because she's a tribute here."

Gasps are heard from both backstage, and in the crowd.

"Who is she?" Ceasar asks.

"Lana Clark." He says clearly. The Capitol people go crazy at this point, yelling their hearts out. Instead of reacting, I stare blankly at the screen in front of me.

"Well Triton, that's a bad situation."

"Yes, it is." He mutters. "But I'm going to die for her. I want her to win. With the help of the other tributes, we can get her home."

"I'm sure that you must be in love with her."

"I am." That's when the buzzer sounds. I am frozen in my place, my cheeks heated. When Triton walks backstage, I move away from him, dodging his attempts to talk.

"And our next tribute is our princess of the Capitol, Lana Clark!" Ceasar yells. I walk onto the stairs with an extra bounce to my hips. I blow kisses to the audience, getting an uproar. When I sit down, Ceasar places his hand on mine.

"Lets get down to the good stuff, Lana. You and Triton, huh?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows. I chuckle, and shake my head.

"Triton is just a colleague to me. A friend, and only a friend." I say. 'Awwws' are heard through the crowd, triggering a flush in my cheeks.

"So you're pretty determined to win, huh?" He asks.

"Definitely. I'm here to win." I state confidently.

"And I believe that you can win it all," Ceasar announces. I smile. "So, white princess, is there anyone here that draws your eye?"

"There's this one guy . . . but I don't think he feels the same way about me." I admit.

"That's a definite no, Lana. Everyone loves you, and I'm sure he feels the same way about you."

"I hope so." I mutter. After the buzzer goes off, Bane is called up.

"Our prince, Bane Haze!" After a few minutes of talking, I zone into his interview.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I love her." Bane replies. Who are they talking about?

Hopefully it's me. If not, I've been together with a guy who's in love with someone else.

"I'm guessing she's a tribute." Ceasar says, and Bane nods. "Can you tell us?"

"She's my princess." Bane says. A wave of shock blasts through the room once again.

"Are you telling us that there is a love triangle in the Hunger Games?"

"Yes. I am in love with Lana Clark." Since I already knew the drill with Bane, I zone out again. I don't watch any interviews until it gets to Seth's, my brain distracting me from anything and everything.

"So, I've noticed that you, Bane, and Triton are all wearing the same suit. And they all match Lana's dress, am I correct?" Ceasar questions.

"Yes." Seth answers, nodding.

"Now it's have a question, and I think we all want the answer," Ceasar starts. "Why are you all wearing the same tux?"

"Well, Ceasar, you already know that Bane and Triton are in love with Lana. They are wearing a tux to match her dress."

"Wait, hold up here!" Ceasar says, clearly shaken. "Are you about to announce that everyone in the Capitol that you are yet another tribute to be in love with Lana?"

My heart skips a beat.

"Yes, I love Lana Clark." Then memories flood back to me from earlier.

"I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, and trust me, the secrets that are being let out tonight will get you everything you need to survive in that arena."

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