The 53rd Hunger Games- Two Words

15. The Interviews

Backstage isn't glamorous. The murmur of mingled voices from the Capitol crowd is louder than I thought possible. The Careers are the only tributes engaged in conversation; everyone else stands nervously, waiting.

"Nice dress."

I don't even bother turning. "Thanks. What are you wearing? As little as allowed?"

I can feel Hadrian's crooked smile. "If you look, you'll see."

My guess was way off. He's dressed in a blue suit made out of shimmering material, replicating the sea. There is golden trim, and he wears a pearly white dress shirt. I straighten his lapels.

"Look at you," I say. "You're decently dressed for once."

He laughs. In that laugh I get a glimpse of his true personality. Not just his shameless flirting, but his kind side. The side that comforted me while I sobbed.

"You either grew, or exceeded my expectations for footwear," Hadrian says. He's right; in these heels, I'm almost the same height as him.

I pull up the hem of my dress, which I've finally stopped tripping over. "Like them? My prep team fell head-over-heels in love."

Once they'd seen me in my dress, Anatara, Treff and Hender were even more eager to do my make-up and hair, finishing off my look. They haven't applied as much make-up as they did for the Tribute Parade. My eyes are outlined in black, and my lips are cherry red. Not enough colour or pattern to make me look exotic.

"They look like they're some kind of torture device," he says. "You sure you aren't going to fall backwards?"

I smile. "Velia took care of that."

Hadrian looks over to the Careers. For once, Marina, Arabella and the others are too caught up in the Capitol's excitement to notice that Hadrian's talking to me.

"Do you remember what I told you?" Hadrian says, his voice no longer flirty. "About what to say."

I nod. "I got it. Thanks."

His coy smile returns, and with it resumes my million-miles-an-hour pulse.

"Being fabulous is my job, but I'm more than willing to help you out. After all, my sister wouldn't forgive me if I ignored you."

I smile, but something stirs in my memory. It was how Hadrian sounded so uncertain of himself. It was like he was lying, which is funny, because I expect that he'd be a smooth liar.

Perhaps not.

I twist one leg behind the other, but my shoe slips. I almost fall forwards, but someone catches my arm and pulls me back to my feet. Hadrian smiles wider.

"Looks like Velia didn't work everything out."

I'm face to face with him, but even in heels I come up short by an inch or so. I'm way out of my comfort zone; we're only a couple of inches apart. Hadrian still has his hand holding firmly onto my forearm. For a moment, we stand together. His eyes reflect the light nicely, with the different shades of green shining. It's a moment of fragile peace. Caesar must have walked on stage, because the Capitol crowd emits a cheer so deafening I can't hear myself think. The sudden cheer startles me, and I almost fall over again. Hadrian squeezes my arm, gives me a reassuring smile, then takes his place in front of Marina.

I can only make out a couple of words over the cheers as Caesar warms the crowd up. He really is a wonderful presenter, and he's a little like Hadrian in the respect that you can't help but like him.

There is a screen on the wall, which shows us what the Capitol are watching. Caesar's fuchsia make-up and hair aren't the most radical colours in the crowd. The entire crowd, which looks to be standing room only, is dressed up. I thought they looked wild when the train first entered the Capitol what seems like aeons ago. Now they look like brightly coloured birds, each a different species. There are endless trends going around, like animal features, neon colours and feathers.