The Hanging Tree. *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twelve ~ The Interviews

(I’m skipping straight to the interviews, since I’m kind of dragging the story out a little which means you will find out Prim and Finnick’s training scores, and what they did, in this chapter but during the interviews if that makes sense. And, [if you have only just started reading this story than don’t worry] those of you have haven’t read the edited [kind of] version of this story, then I suggest you re-read this chapter as I am making drastic changes!)

Chapter Twelve ~ The Interviews 

My heart was pounding at 100 miles an hour and I felt like throwing up all over my dress. All the tributes were sitting in the city circle, most of them looking confident. Me? I probably looked exactly how I felt. The tributes were being called up one by one, asked questions by the famous Caesar Flickerman. He was dressed completely in red, blood red hair, deep red suit, and red everywhere. The interviews were exactly 3 minutes, then a buzzer went off and the next tribute hopped onto the stage and began their discussion with Caesar. Laguna, the girl from 1, sauntered up to the stage and it was obvious what her mentors had prepped her to be, sexy and fierce. She had stunning red hair flowing down her back, making Caesar mention about how she was copying her, to which she replied back with an equally witty response. The crowd loved her and feet were stamped and cheers echoed around the city circle.

Her district partner, Colle, however was not as successful. He was obviously naturally shy and gave short-worded answers no matter how much Caesar prompted him. Once his three minutes buzzed the girl from 2 stepped up and began her interview. Another 3 minutes, another buzz, then came Atlas. The 12 year old looked just like his father, dark skinned, grey eyes, and seam eyes. District 12 eyes. I had an urge to shout out as this realization hit me. Atlas’ father was from 12, not 2. Then how had he been able to move? No one, not even my family who were considered quite high up in the Capitol, were allowed out of their districts, especially not to move house! I shook my head of these thoughts forcing myself to concentrate on the interviews and nothing else. Atlas was obviously supposed to act vulnerable but also fierce. His answers were sharp and witty, and he made the audience howl in laughter at his comment about the worst training score in history. My face burned scarlet and I saw the other tributes smirk at my humiliation. When Atlas’ 3 minutes were up, he bowed and walked down the steps, catching my eye and smirking before recognition clouded his face and his young features changed into something like confusion. But I didn’t have much time to think about that because the tributes weren’t going to stop the interviews just so I could figure out what that look was. After Caden’s district partner went up it was his turn. His voice seemed to calm me down somehow, and it was obvious what his ‘personality’ was. Funny, smart, sexy, especially with that mind-blowing smile and those gorgeous silver eyes; dressed in a simple black suit he looked stunning. As soon as his 3 minutes were up, and he stopped talking I felt myself slip back into my sweaty nervous self. I was trying to concentrate on the tributes, their personalities, which would make good allies, which would be best to avoid at all costs, but it was almost impossible when my mind was clouded with images of Caden. When District 7 came up, the little girl Willow, practically floated onto the stage and made the crowd ‘awh’ at her lovability. She was quite adorable and I was sure that she was going to be getting some generous sponsors. Her dark eyes shone, not with worry, or even fright, they shone with malice something I thought would be impossible for such a young girl to feel.

My breath caught in my throat as the boy from 11 jumped of the stage. I stood up and walked to the platform, though it was a wonder I ever made it with my knees knocking and my ears filled with buzzing. I sank down onto the chair opposite Caesar, glad I didn’t collapse from my nervousness. My ears continued filling with buzzing even though I saw Caesar’s mouth moving, I couldn’t hear any words coming out of them.