Waves Breaking Over Rocks Part 1

Chapter 6- Bright Lights

Bright Lights

An hour later we finally arrive at the theater. Tyson and I get out of the limousine and enter the big building. I gasp because the inside is pure white and very beautiful. There are chandeliers with burning candles and jewels that decorated the walls the same way shells decorated my house in District 4.

It might be architecturally stunning, but, like everything else in the Capitol, I hate it.

We are taken backstage. It isn't nearly as beautiful there. I see all the other district tributes in the waiting room. I see Mags and Tyson and Garcia, but Finnick is nowhere to be seen. I start to get nervous, Finnick promised me he'd show.

"Where is Finnick?" I ask Mags. She smiles, though it's sad, and says:

"Finnick will be here in time for your interview." With that, she gives me a motherly hug that makes me feel better.

"Welcome, tributes, to your interviews. Emerald from District 1, you have one minute to prepare." I hear a voice from a speaker say.

Against Mags's wishes, I watch her interview from the huge screen in the room.

Emerald looks fabulous with her pure green eyes, not anything like mine, and her gold hair that tumbles down in curls. She is wearing a long green dress that shows one leg and sticks to her body, showing all her curves that I'll never have.

"Hello, Caesar!" She says, as if they were old friends.

"Hello, dear." Then he turns to the crowd and says: I'm Caesar Flickerman and this is Emerald, the fabulous tribute from District 1!" Loud cheers come up from the crowd, coming from not only the speakers in the room but through the walls.

"So, Emerald, you volunteered, correct?"

"Yes, Caesar, I wanted to take part in this honorable event. I don't understand why so few people would." She answers, only getting more applause. I look to where Mags should be but she is gone and I remember she had to go to the audience to watch. That's where Finnick is. I remember his face as he took both of my hands and promised me he'd be here to watch. I decide to return to seeing the interview.

"So, what are you good at?" Caesar asks.

"Oh, a whole lot of things; I'm very talented with knives, I can make anything with fabric or a few jewels, and I have my few private talents." I don't understand what she means, but the crowd goes crazy. She leans forward, showing almost all of her body. She's been using a very sensual tone so far, I notice. I realize that it is the strategy that Finnick used in his games and I knew I could never pull it off. I shudder at the thought of having to show that much of yourself off to others.

"Well, I'd watch out for you if I was in the arena!" Caesar jokes. She laughs and the crowd cheers some more. "Final question, do you have a message for the folks at home?"

She smiles and looks straight at the camera. "Hey everyone, just sleep tight knowing that I feel great here in the Capitol and that I'm coming home a victor or not coming home at all." She meant to say it bravely, and she did, but it just means that she might not be coming home after all. Caesar says:

"Well, our time is up. Everyone, the gorgeous Emerald!" They stand up, holding hands and putting their hands up. The crowd cheers once more and she leaves. The boy from her district comes out.

"Hello everybody!" He yells, making the people cheer for him.

"Hello, Gloss." Caesar says. Gloss has black hair and brown eyes. He is huge, the biggest boy I'd seen in my life. He's wearing a leather brown suit that resembles armor and makes his square jaw look even tougher. "I understand that you are named after the great Gloss, victor from your district." A ton of cheers erupt at the mention of the former victor and the camera switches to show him in the crowd, arm in arm with his sister, Cashmere. He waves to the crowd and points at his tribute proudly.