When Stars Fall: A hunger games fanfiction

Chapter 8

The next morning, I was awoken by Lucinda rushing in and yelling:

"Get up! We have a big day with a lot to do! Althea, interviews are tomorrow and you can't go if you sleep through the whole day!" She sang.

I slammed a pillow over my eyes and rolled over, refusing to believe that I had to get up. I groaned and got up out of bed. I stepped over to the mirror and stared at my reflection. Dark bags hung under my eyes and my hair was a tangled mess. The prep team would have a lot to do before the interviews tomorrow.

I threw on a random shirt and pants because I could almost guarantee that Lucinda, Devika, and the prep team would have me forced into ball gown and six inch heels before lunch.

I walked to the breakfast table and plopped down next to Glenn. I loaded my plate up today because these were my last few meals before the arena where I might have to live on little to no food for days. I savored each bite while Lucinda explained the plan for today.

It would start with me and Glenn going over the interviews separately, with Kali and Clayton and then lunch. And the I would have to go over etiquette with Lucinda while Glenn gets to do nothing, because I am a girl and he is not. The sexist ways of the Capitol made my jaw tighten. Well what if I didn't want to wear a dress. I'm pretty sure Devika would faint if I wore a dress *gasp* above my knees or worse - pants. How horrendous.

Kali took me to the living room while Clayton nudged Glenn near the balcony. We sat down and I played with my hands and tried to make eye contact as Kali stared into my eyes, a scar on her forehead standing out in the light. After a few minutes of silence I self consciously moved a strand of hair behind my ear and said:

"What?"

She looked back at me and finally said,

"Trying to figure out what to do for your interview," she said her eyes narrowing, "ok," she said, "answer a few questions that they will probably ask you and pretend your at the interview with Caesar Flickerman."

Easy enough. Caesar Flickerman is the jovial interviewer who talks to each tribute on camera. He seemed nice and has a way of talking that calms you down. Another bonus was that he can always make each tribute shine bright in their own way, even if they just barely manage to answer his questions.

Kali asked a few questions and I answered them best I could. Her eyes narrowed as I responded.

"Did you want to be in the games? If you weren't reaped, would you have volunteered?" She asked.

I tried to answer as honestly as I could.

"No." I said, "I never wanted to be in the games and I'd have never volunteered if my name was never called. The only people I would volunteer for are my sister or Glenn's sister, Mimi.

Kali sighed.

"You at least have to try to sound excited," she said, rubbing her temples, "You want people to think you are ready to fight and win. That's how you get sponsors and stay alive. You want that right? Try not to sound so disappointed that you got reaped. We can pretend that you were going to volunteer later and get sponsors thinking your brave enough."

So everything was built on a lie. How many kids had been forced to put on the mask of a murderer?

This went of for some time, Kali perfecting my answers until the corners of her mouth turned up a little and she nodded her head.

"Good. Just sound like you wanted to be in the games and your ready to fight and win," Kali said.

Lucinda exclaimed, "After your amazing interviews you'll have sponsors lining up at your door to send you supplies throughout the games!"

Just then, I saw Glenn walk in and flash me a smile. His white teeth glinting in the soft glow of the candles resting on the table along with our feast.

After lunch, it was right back to work for me and the rest of the day off for Glenn. Lucinda handed me a floor length ball gown and a pair of heels that was at least seven inches. Glenn sat on the couch across from me as I stopped out in the attire with scowl on my face.

Glenn laughed and said, "This should be good."

I shot him a you-are-not-allowed-to-speak-about-this look. He put his hands up in mock defense but kept his smirk on.

A few hours later, I found my self still tramping around in the hidoeous dress and heels listening to Lucinda squeal,

"No! No! No! You've got it all wrong. You have to walk carefully as to not mess up the dress. No not like that. Leave it," she said while I tried to walk in straight line and not trip over the dress.

Glenn was now sprawled out on the couch laughing to the point of crying as I stared daggers at him.

"Sorry. Sorry," he said, "I know. I know I didn't see anything."

"You better," I huffed while  Lucinda tried to hurriedly fix my makeup.

After that whole ordeal and I changed into a much comfortable outfit that consisted of sweatpants Glenn and I had some time to get her before dinner.

"Hey," he said, as though just remembering something, "I want to show you something." He walked away to ask Lucinda something and I watched her hesitantly nod yes to his request. He grabbed my hand, a boyish grin on his face.

"Glenn Drullo!" I screeched, "Where are you taking me!" I said this while he clasped my hand and ran to the elevator.

"You'll see," he said, as he covered my eyes with one hand and punched the numbers in with the other.

A short elevator ride later, he pulled me out and uncovered my eyes. I looked around in awe. We were on the roof of the training center. You could see the whole Capitol from here. The glowing lights in the soft moonlight and the presidential palace in the distance. I looked up and could see the stars. I looked at Glenn and get like I could see galaxies in his eyes.

"Glenn Drullo," I said much quieter. He then pulled out a picnic basket with mini frosted cakes and other delicious treats.

We sat side by side eating the desserts and watching the Capitol move below us.

After a while, Glenn spoke:

"I thought we deserve some peacefulness before the games."

I sighed.

"Damn right," I said sleepily. Glenn gently rested my head in his lap and looked at the stars.

"It looks like the skies I paint," he said. I suddenly sat up.

"You paint?"

"Yeah."

"That's part of what I showed the gamemakers. My camouflage."

I thought back to training and remembers how good he was at the camouflage station.

"Maybe you can paint me a picture," I said, my cheeks slightly pink.

"Come on, I'll show you." He grabbed my hand and pulled me back towards the elevator and into his room. He opened a small book and I saw many portraits of my auburn hair and blue eyes.

"Glenn! These are amazing!" He kept flipping through and I saw many beautiful pictures of the sky and sunsets.

"I especially love painting the sky," he said shyly, "It's beautiful. But not as beautiful as you." Everything went blank. It was just me and Glenn. I would not be going in to a death tournament in two days. We would have years, decades together, even. He started to lean into me and our lips just brushed when the door snapped open. I suddenly remembered where I was and the impending Hunger Games. My heart felt heavy as Lucinda reprimanded us.

"What are you still doing awake!? You have a long day ahead of you with interviews and all!"

She kept this up until I was in my room pretending to be asleep. But how could I sleep with Glenn's eyes imprinted on brain wherever I closed me eyes.

How could I sleep when we could be dead in the next forty-eight hours?

A/N
Thank you so much for still reading! I really love writing and the Hunger Games! Leave comments and vote! Stay healthy.