Percy’s POV
I wake up the next morning feeling oddly cheerful. I mean, I’ve made it this far. I’ve done really good, getting a really good score. Heck, I feel as if I may stand a chance in the Games. Maybe I can win it this year. Who knows, right?
I roll over and look up at the ceiling. So…tonight is the interview night. Right…..
When I walked into the dining room, Katniss was rushing out, throwing me a very, very dirty look.
“ What did I do?” I ask Haymitch and Effie.
“ I told her that you wanted to be coached separately,” Haymitch shrugs.
“ I did?”
“ Yes, douche bag,” he snarls.
“ Uh, why?”
“ Because I said so,” he said simply. “ Eat up, kid. You’ve got a four session with me this morning. After that you’ve got a session with Effie.”
“ A four hour session with you? For what?”
“ Content,” he says shortly before excusing himself from the table. Not, of course, without snatching a bottle filled with a honey-gold liquid.
“ And you’ve got to improve your presentation with me,” Effie chirps cheerfully. “ Eat up. You don’t want to be late for your session with Haymitch,” she says, patting me on the cheek.
Right….
*************************************************************************************
“ So…,”Haymitch says as I lounge on the couch in front of him.
“ So…?” I imitate him.
“ What are we going to do with you, kid?” he says, drumming his fingers on the couch’s arm thoughtfully. “ How are we going to present you…”
“ Present me?”
“ For the interview. Are you going to be charming? Fierce? Brainiac? Funny”
“ Oh…”
“ You look as if you’re witty enough. Let’s try that angle.”
“ I’m witty?” I ask him, feeling quite pleased someone said I’m witty.
“ Apparently not,” he rolls his eyes.
“ Ouch. That hurt. That really hurt,” I say, making a sad face.
“ Shut up. Let’s start now,” he says, waving his hand impatiently.” I’ll be the interviewer.”
“ Duh,” I say, rolling my eyes. He ignored my sarcasm.
Four hours later, I swear my voice has faded into nothingness. Okay, that’s exaggerating. But I’m hoarse, that I can tell you.
“ Good, good,” Haymitch says, looking incredibly pleased. “ Looks like you won’t have much problem when interacting with people.”
“ Gee, thanks,” I say hoarsely. “ Can I have a drink now?”
“ Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry, forgot about that,” he chuckled, waving at an Avox young man. The Avox hurries over and hands me a glass of water.
“ Thanks,” I say to him. He merely nodded before scuttling off. “ Why are we not supposed to talk to them except to give orders and such?” I ask Haymitch.
“ Because it’s the rule. Unless, of course, you want to join them as an Avox too, that is,” he says, taking a swig from his glass of wine.
“ Ah…well, no thanks. I adore my voice very much,” I say.
