ᵗʳⁱᵇᵘᵗᵉ

‧₊˚🏹✩ ₊˚⊹

[ the interviews ]

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬.

I had never seen someone as violent as Cato before, seeing him slice through the training dummies as if they were nothing. I felt a fear course through me when I watched Clove. She was sadistic and brutal, these qualities shown in her deathly accurate aim as she threw a set of knives. 

Then there were the Tributes from District 1. Glimmer wasn't much. I kept a close eye on her when she went to the bow and arrow, finding that she was quite fond of the weapon. I had to get to it first. And there was Marvel. Not as strong as Cato, but still ruthless with his spear-throwing.

I sighed as I watched Peeta fall from the rope ladder, the Careers snickering at him. He exhaled a breath of pain, and I slipped down next to him. "Throw that metal thing over there," I told him.

"What?" he asked. Peeta looked over, finding the large, heavy-looking metal balls to the side of the room. He then glanced up at Seneca Crane, the Gamemaker's and other elite members. "No. Haymitch said we're not supposed to show our skills-."

"I don't care what Haymitch said," I cut off, shaking my head. "Those guys are looking at you like you're a meal. Throw it." I stood back up, walking off to another station, leaving Peeta to make up his mind.

The boy slowly rose to his feet, limping as he walked over to the cart. He lifted one of the metal spheres, stepping onto one of the elevated platforms. Clenching his jaw, he grunted, heaving the ball over his head. It flew through the air and knocked over one of the dolly's that was holding some spears. 

I smirked as Glimmer and Marvel backed away slightly, and Cato muttered, "Not bad."

After focusing on some more trapping, I decided to visit Peeta again. "Hi," I greeted softly, and he looked up, eyes widening, lips tugging into a smile.

"Hey."

"How did you do that?" I asked, marveling at the artwork on his arm. He was incredibly talented with a brush.

Peeta lifted off his arms, looking down at the paintwork, with a bashful grin. "I, uh, I used to decorate the cakes down at the bakery."

"Oh."

"I'll show you," he said, moving over to one of the live trees growing for reference. Peeta placed his arm against it and my brows lifted in surprise to find it very well camouflaged. "See?"

"Wow," I praised. He watched me for a moment, before catching something over my shoulder. 

"Hey, I think you have a shadow," he whispered. I turned, just spotting Rue, the girl from District 11, peeking out from behind one of the stone columns. 

"Tomorrow, they'll bring you in one by one and evaluate you," Haymitch explained at supper. "This is important, because higher ratings will mean sponsors. This is the time to show them everything." He gestured to me as he continued, "There'll be a bow. Make sure you use it. Peeta, you make sure you show your strength. They'll start with District 1, so the two of you will go last." Haymitch paused, a smirk forming on his face. "Well, I don't know how else to put this. Make sure they remember you."

The waiting was long, and I constantly bumped my knee in anticipation. Finally, my name was called, "Y/N Everdeen." I looked up, then stood, making my way over to the entrance.

"Hey, Y/N?" I turned to Peeta, who was staring at me. "Shoot straight." I nodded, before continuing through the hallway. The gate opened and closed back down again once I stepped through it.

Walking through the Training Center, I tried to focus on the sounds of my footsteps, but the Gamemaker's and the sponsors loud laughter stopped me.

I made my way to the bow and arrow, gliding my hands over the cool steel. With the weapon in hand, I looked over to the watchers, waiting for them to finish their conversations, but to no avail, they continued. 

"Y/N Everdeen," I called, and Seneca glanced down, before focusing, prompting the others to follow suit. "District 12."

I pulled the arrow back but strained slightly. The bow and the string were stiffer than the one back home. When I shot, the arrow completely missed the target, instead hitting the outer lining. The sponsors all chuckled, seeing that there was nothing special about a District 12 girl.

I blinked, incredibly annoyed at how quickly they had assumed my worth and score. I picked another arrow and aimed again. This time, it hit directly in the center chest. 

I smiled, looking back over to the sponsors, expecting some nods and claps, but they had completely ignored me. I watched as Seneca strolled over to everyone, who was gathering around a golden, slow-cooked pig. 

"Hey, hey, hey! Who ordered this pig? Did you get some pig yet?"

I tilted my head. They fucking missed it. Just to eat some pig. I reached over, snatching one of the last arrows, and placing it against the wire. I zeroed my gaze on the gleaming red apple that was in the pig's mouth, before letting it fly. 

The conversation ceased as the arrow struck the apple, knocking it out from the mouth and striking the wall. They all spun around to me, and I lazily bowed, still staring at them. "Thank you for your consideration." I stormed off, but paused, quickly going back to put the bow away.

"Are you crazy?!" Effie questioned as she whacked my shoulder with her fan. 

"I just got mad," I sighed. 

"Mad? You realize that your actions reflect badly on all of us! Not just you."

"They just want a good show. It's fine," Cinna defended.

"How about it's just bad manners, Cinna! How about that?" Effie whirled around to Haymitch, who had just entered the room. "Well, finally! I hope you noticed we have a serious situation."

Suddenly, Haymitch raised his thumb up to me with a large grin. I found myself smiling as well. "Nice shooting, sweetheart," our mentor complimented. He laughed, plopping down on one of the seats. "What did they- What did they do when you shot the apple?"

"Well, they looked pretty startled."

"Oh, yeah!" he nodded, cackling again. "Now, what did you say? 'Thanks for'-."

"Thanks for your consideration," I chuckled.

"'-your consideration'. Genius! Genius."

"I don't think we're gonna find this funny if the Gamemakers decide to take it out-."

"On who?" Haymitch interrupted Effie with a shrug. "On her? On him? I think they already have. Loosen your corset, have a drink." He turned back to me, with a stern look. "I would have given anything to see it."

The TV suddenly switched on, revealing Caesar Flickerman. He introduced the rating system, and of its value and importance for each Tribute. 

"As you know, the Tributes were rated on a scale of 1 to 12 after three days of careful evaluation. The Gamekeepers would like to acknowledge that it was an exceptional showcase." I discovered the Careers all got high scores, with Cato having a 10. The girl from District 5, Fox Face, got only a 5. Thresh scored a 9, and I smiled when Rue was previewed with a 7. "Now our Final District. From District 12. Peeta Mellark." Beside me, he leaned closer to the screen. "A score of...8."

"Excellent!" Cinna smiled. 

"Peeta!" Portia gushed.

"We can work with that," Effie nodded. 

"Good job." He leaned back with a smile, happy with his scoring. 

"And finally, from District 12, Y/N Everdeen." My breath hitched, curling closer into my legs. "With a score of..." Caesar paused, surprise taking over his features. "11."

Effie gasped loudly, and there were loud cheers from all around me. I looked up, shock evident on my face as I stared at the high number on the screen, my portrait beside it. "Y/N!"

"Outstanding! Eleven?!"

"Congratulations." I turned, finding Peeta with wide eyes. 

"I thought they hated me," I breathed.

"They must have liked your guts," Haymitch said.

"To Y/N Everdeen, the Girl on Fire!" Cinna raised his glass, and the others followed the action. 

For once, I decided to listen to Effie instead of drowning her out. "So, she's staring at all my jewels. She cannot take her eyes off of them."

"Well, look at all of that that you're wearing," Cinna reminded. 

"Frankly, it was rude. Oh! Haymitch, you should join us. We're having some of your favorite for dinner."

"Oh, lovely." He sat at the head of the table, with me on his corner. 

"Where's Peeta?" I asked, seeing that the boy hadn't arrived for dinner yet.

"He's in his room," he answered. "Now, listen, tomorrow's the last day. And they let us work with our own Tributes right before the Games, so you and I will we going down at 9:00."

"Well, what about him?"

"He says he wants to be trained on his own from now on."

I leaned back slightly, closing my eyes. "What?"

"This kind of thing does happen at this point," Haymitch reasoned. "There's...only one winner, right?"

I stared back down at my plate, swallowing the food that had been caught in my throat. Effie decided broke the silence, "We should have some chocolate-covered strawberries."

"Oh, my, yes!"

"Please."

Trumpets echoed through the amphitheater. On the dark stage, sat a hidden figure. "Ladies and gentlemen," the speaker-announcer spoke. "Your master of ceremonies, Caesar Flickerman!"

He smiled as the audience screamed and applauded for him. "Thank you! Thank you!" He waved to the large crowd, his teeth almost brighter than the actual lighting. "Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games! Now, in about five minutes, they're all going to be out here. All of the Tributes that you've heard about. Are you excited? Let me hear it!"

"Amazing," Cinna grinned as I twirled around. I was wearing the stunning red dress he had made for me, but I feel as though I wasn't doing it justice. The gown was a blood red, with laced sequins and a flowy skirt that fell to my feet.

"I don't feel amazing," I grumbled.

"Don't you know how beautiful you look?"

"No! And I don't know how to make people like me. How do you make people like you?"

"Well, you made like you."

"That's different. I wasn't trying," I mumbled. 

"Exactly." Cinna stood, walking over and taking a curled ringlet, tucking it behind my ear. "Just be yourself, I'll be there the whole time. And just pretend that you're talking to me. Okay?"

"Okay."

Standing in the line, I ignored Peeta behind me the entire time. I barely listened to the other interviews, but when it came to Rue, I found myself solely focused on her words.

When the man who escorted us to the interview came back down after leading Thresh up, I glanced to the side at Peeta. He watched me go up the stairs, releasing a sigh once I was gone. 

The lights were already affecting me as I listened to Caesar introduce me. "From District 12. District 12, you know her as the Girl on Fire! Well, we know her as the lovely Y/N Everdeen!" The crowd shrieked with glee as Caesar gestured to the entryway. 

I stepped out from the dark, and the cheers were muffled to my ears. I looked out into the group, but I couldn't see anyone from the glares of the lights. I blindly took his outstretched hand, still wide-eyed. 

I looked over at Caesar, and he looked to be waiting for a reply. "What?" was all I could respond with. There was laughter, and he glanced out to the audience with a snicker. 

"I think someone's a little nervous," he chuckled. "I said that was quite an entrance that you made at the Tribute Parade the other day. Do you want to tell us about it?"

"Well, I was just hoping that I wouldn't burn to death," I murmured, and flinched slightly at the howling of the watchers. 

"When you came out of that chariot, I have to say, my heart stopped." Caesar questioned the crowd, "Did any of you experience this as well? My heart stopped."

"So did mine," I quipped, relieved that they found me funny.

"Now, tell me about the flames. Are they real?" he inquired.

"Yes," I confirmed, and the audience exclaimed with appreciation. I then found Cinna in the crowd. He nodded at me, prompting me to continue. "In fact, I'm wearing them today. Would you like to see?"

As the crowd cheered, Caesar held up a hand. "Wait, wait, wait. Is it safe?"

I laughed, "Yes."

"What do you think, folks?" He took the screams and whistles, concluding, "I think that's a yes!"

I stood from the velvet chair, then began to spin in a swift circle. I heard crackling, and I looked down, finding the flames moving with me, dancing across the red fabric. The audience shrieked, clapping loudly as I continued. 

Don't fall now...

"Woah, woah! Steady, steady! Lovely, thank you." He took my hand, helping me to sit down. "That was really something. Y/N, that was something. That was something. Thank you for that." His face shifted, so I did the same, watching as he shuffled closer, keeping our hands connected. "I have one more question for you. It's about your sister. We were all very moved, I think, when you volunteered for her at the Reaping. Did she come and say goodbye to you?"

"Yes," I said, my voice betraying me as it cracked. "She did."

"She did. And what did you say to her in the end?"

I paused, remembering Prim and I's last words to each other. "I told her that I would try to win. That I would try to win for her."

"Of course, you did. And try you will." He pressed his lips to my hand before looking out to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, from District 12, Y/N Everdeen, the Girl on Fire!" They cheered as he raised our hands together, and I could feel the sweat starting to form.

I walked off the pathway, waving behind me before I was out of sight. There, my smile vanished, and I took a much-needed breath. Effie greeted me at the bottom of the stairs, "You did it, darling. That was incredible."

"Thank you."

As we passed the hallway, Haymitch's voice suddenly sounded, "Nice job, sweetheart."

I smiled, genuinely, "Thank you."

"Nice dress, too." He turned to Effie, dropping his tone to a whisper. "Not yours." She deadpanned, but my attention was drawn away when Caesar announced for Peeta. 

"Peeta, welcome!" The three of us stepped towards the screening where the interview was being previewed. "How are you finding the Capitol? And don't say, 'With a map.'"

"It's uh, it's different. It's very different then back home," he answered. 

"Different. In what way? Give us an example."

"Uh, okay, well the, uh, the showers here are weird."

"The showers?" Caesar repeated. 

"Yes."

"We have different showers," he announced to the crowd.

"I have a question for you, Caesar. Do I smell like roses to you?" Peeta asked.

"U-um, alright."

"Take a whiff?" The audience laughed as Caesar leaned in, effectively sniffing Peeta. "Do I?"

"Hmm. Do I smell like roses?" The mirth became louder, some eyes widening as Peeta reciprocated the action.

The two chuckled, "You definitely smell better than I do."

"Well, I've lived here longer."

"That makes sense."

Caesar's cackle was rambunctious as he patted the boy's arm. "Very funny. So, Peeta, tell me, is there a special girl back home?"

"No. No, not really," he answered with a small chuckle.

"No? I don't believe it for a second. Look at that face. Handsome man like you. Peeta, tell me."

"Well, there, uh...there is this one girl that I've had a crush on forever," he admitted. "But I don't think she actually recognized me until the Reaping."

"Well, I'll tell you what, Peeta. You go out there and you win this thing, and when you get home, she'll have to go out with you. Right, folks?"

They all cheered, showing their agreement and support, but the soft frown didn't fade from Peeta's face. In fact, it darkened. "Thanks, but I, uh, I don't think winning's gonna help me at all."

"And why not?"

Peeta paused, taking a breath, as his brows furrowed. "Because she came here with me."

I stared at him with no emotion, but on the inside, I was screaming. Now he has a crush on me? What is that?!

"Well, that's bad luck," Caesar sighed.

"Yeah, it is."

"And I wish you all the best of luck."

"Thank you," Peeta nodded, taking his extended palm and shaking hands.

"Peeta Mellark. District 12!"